Robert Fripp and David Sylvian's first official release together, The First Day, is a much funkier and more percussive affair than its bootleg predecessor, The Day Before (which contained radically different versions of these songs). An obvious reason for its higher quality is that it was recorded in a studio, while the bootleg consisted of in-concert demos, and the songs here have been worked to completion. Fripp has found an extremely talented singer/partner in Sylvian, who adds a lot to his quirky compositions. Trey Gunn (who plays a bass-like instrument called the stick) makes each track practically groove and breathe on his own, and allows Fripp to stretch out and experiment in ways previously unheard by this guitar icon. The First Day is a very consistent album, with the musician's excitement and energy easily being felt on such tracks as "God's Monkey," "Brightness," and the ten-minute tour de force "Firepower." Other lengthy tracks follow (the 11-minute "20th Century Dreaming" and the 17-minute "Darshan"), but it never becomes self-indulgent or boring. Certainly one of Robert Fripp's best and more inspired King Crimson side projects. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide
Ingrid Chavez (Vocals), Trey Gunn (Stick), Trey Gunn (Vocals), Trey Gunn (?), Marc Anderson (Percussion), David Bottrill (Programming), David Bottrill (Producer), David Bottrill (Engineer), David Bottrill (Sampling), David Bottrill (Mixing), Richard Chadwick (?), Richard Chadwick (Recording Coordinator), Robert Fripp (Guitar), Robert Fripp (Producer), Robert Fripp (Performer), Robert Fripp (?), Robert Fripp (Electronics), Jerry Marotta (Percussion), Jerry Marotta (Drums), Dan McLoughlin (Assistant Engineer), John Sinks (?), John Sinks (Technical Liason), David Sylvian (Guitar), David Sylvian (Keyboards), David Sylvian (Vocals), David Sylvian (Producer), David Sylvian (Tape), David Sylvian (Main Performer), David Sylvian (Performer), David Sylvian (?), David Sylvian (Mixing), Trina Shoemaker (Assistant Engineer), John Yates (Assistant Engineer), Kevin Westenberg (Photography), Vaughan Oliver (Design), Marc Glass (Assistant Engineer), Dave Coppenhall (Design), Catherine McRae (Design Coordinator)
The First Day is the first of three collaborations between David Sylvian and Robert Fripp. It was released in July 1993 and was something of a departure from David Sylvian’s usual work. It’s a combination of Sylvian’s deep, thoughtful lyrics with funk, techno and hard hitting progressive rock music.
It was released in two versions. A regular jewel case CD (CDV 2712) and as a limited box-set with eight photo prints (CDVX 2712).
Track listing
Lyrics by David Sylvian, Music by Robert Fripp, Trey Gunn and David Sylvian, except where noted.
