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Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: MOODY BLUES voices EEEEEK

From: Gary Brumm <gabru@comsec.net>
Date: 2011-06-01

The musicians I listed are the ones that made the Mellotron famous (or infamous) and have the luxury of playing on any gear they

desire.  I think Mike’s story about the Moodies says it all….they want nothing to do with it any more.  As far as amateur musicians go

most will be excited to play on anything “historic”.  If one were supplied to me I would certainly use it for the fun of it but not as a regular

piece of gear to move and maintain.  I am rebuilding a friends studio and he has a nice collection of vintage synths.  It is fun to use them on

recordings but some of those instruments are too sensitive to line voltage fluctuations and temperature to be used live and they, like the

Mellotron, are interesting its of musical history that only the most hard core enthusiast (like those on this group J) would risk using the live.   

Like a classic car they are fun but not practical as a daily driver.  So Genesis, King Crimson, and Yes are grizzled, lazy, grumpy musicians?? J

 

 

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of fdoddy@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, June 01, 2011 3:55 AM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: MOODY BLUES voices EEEEEK

 

 

Grizzled lazy grumpy musicians won't use them live, but many younger musicians would jump at the chance to use a tron, as well as most vintage/analog gear,  in a live setting.  I am constantly encouraged by the interest from the next generation of players in quality vintage/analog gear.

I wouldn't go see the Moodies no matter what gear they hauled out on stage...not my thing.  Lamb's new album, "5", is  pretty awesome btw.


fritz

 

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Gary Brumm <gabru@comsec.net>
To: newmellotrongroup <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wed, Jun 1, 2011 1:05 am
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: MOODY BLUES voices EEEEEK

 

Whether or not an actual Mellotron is used in their concert might affect their tour attendance by 10 people (mostly from this group J). 

I doubt since like most “tron” groups, they ditched the tron long ago that they would go through the hassle to bring one plus the backups

on a current tour.  Most watching would never know the difference and even fewer listening.  It was an integral part of their sound as well

as for Genesis, King Crimson, Yes, and many others.  None of those who used it then would use it now even though financially there is no

barrier.  Time and technology has prevailed and it has become a collectors piece with a fascinating history but only an avid fanatic (like those

on this list) would ever use one on tour.  I have never seen the Moodies live but I wouldn’t refuse to see them based on the keyboards they used. 

They are a great band either way!....rough vocals and all…..   Of course YMMV J!

 

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of trolldelux@aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, May 31, 2011 9:44 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: MOODY BLUES voices EEEEEK

 

 

Hi All..

 

I seems to me that Mike Pinder isn't the only guy on the planet who can play a mellotron.  Given how important it is/was to their sound, why not ditch (most of) their electronic keyboards and bring back a 'tron.  Even if it's gimmicky, a mellotron backed concert with their reduced numbers is a concert I might go to see.

 

-tem

 

-----Original Message-----
From: john barrick <barrickjohn262@gmail.com>
To: newmellotrongroup <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tue, May 31, 2011 9:11 pm
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: MOODY BLUES voices EEEEEK

 

Sorry - if whatever the deal is between Mike and Justin was going to get patched up, it would have happened by now, and that's why I'll never see the Moodies.

john

 

PS - I find the idea of Mr. Edge dancing at all to be very disconcerting.

On Tue, May 31, 2011 at 7:15 PM, Ms. Janet Strauss <jandjstrz@verizon.net> wrote:

 

Mike Pinder.

 

Yeah………………IF only.

I might actually get out and see them again in that case.

Would like to see him just play the oldies, rather than watch Graeme dance to Higher and Higher.

Ughhhhh.

 

 

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of David Jacques
Sent: Tuesday, May 31, 2011 8:59 AM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: MOODY BLUES voices EEEEEK

 

 

They sound great for their age... Still miss Mike...

 

 

On May 30, 2011, at 10:42 PM, Bruce Daily wrote:

 

 

Thanks.  That was very good.

 

  -Bruce D.



--- On Mon, 5/30/11, Ms. Janet Strauss <jandjstrz@verizon.net> wrote:


From: Ms. Janet Strauss <jandjstrz@verizon.net>
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: MOODY BLUES voices EEEEEK
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Date: Monday, May 30, 2011, 8:05 PM

 

They sounded pretty good here…acoustic guitar in hand.

Almost unplugged.

Background vocals tad subdued…but ok.

 

 

Music starts at 1:50

 

Jim

 

-----Original Message-----
From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Charles
Sent: Monday, May 30, 2011 9:20 AM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [newmellotrongroup] Re: MOODY BLUES voices EEEEEK

 

 

It wouldn't be that difficult to get Justin, John, Ray, and Mike to record the notes (as far as their range could go), auto-tune them, and layer them into some awesome Moodies samples. They wouldn't even have to be in the same room...Mike could do his at home.
Okay Martin, how about it? :)

--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com, "tron400" <tron400@...> wrote:
>
> Since they've been using professional backup singers for years now, their live vocals are just fine.
> 
> Bernie
> 
> --- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com, Bruce Daily <pocotron@> wrote:
> >

> > Ā  Yeah, they wereĀ vocally out of tune in concert.Ā  Their studio brilliance sure didn't come through on stage (for theĀ most part).Ā  It was too bad Justin Hayward didn't use an acoustic guitar live once in a while.Ā  Mic systems weren't great for acoustic instrumentsĀ back then.Ā  They sure could've used some vocal coaching.Ā  I saw them in 1981 (with Moraz), and the vocals were just as bad, and JH was still all electric.Ā  I bet they had some good nights, though.

> > Ā Ā I wonder if they use Autotune live now.Ā  I hate the current constant misuse of Autotune as a vocal effect, but, hadĀ it been available thenĀ it could've helped the old Moodies.


> > Ā 
> > Ā  -Bruce D.
> > 
> > 
> > --- On Sun, 5/29/11, Ms. Janet Strauss <jandjstrz@> wrote:
> > 
> > 
> > From: Ms. Janet Strauss <jandjstrz@>
> > Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] MOODY BLUES voices EEEEEK
> > To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
> > Date: Sunday, May 29, 2011, 5:44 PM
> > 
> > 

> > Ā  
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > ā€¦heh heh.
> > Ā 
> > You mean, Ā like at the 1:05 mark in this vidā€¦ā€¦..?Ā  LOL
> > Ā 

> > Ray sure gets into it ā€¦.physicallyā€¦ā€¦and the ā€ Tron sounds okā€¦
> > Ā 
> > 
> > Jim
> > Ā 
> > Ā 

> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of john barrick
> > Sent: Sunday, May 29, 2011 7:35 PM
> > To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
> > Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] MOODY BLUES voices
> > Ā 
> > Ā  
> > 
> > 
> > 

> > It must have been considered. Ā Just listen to any of their live performances and not cringe when Lodge cuts loose with those descant falsettos that overpower Hayward's leads.Ā 


> > 
> > john
> > 
> > On Sun, May 29, 2011 at 6:10 PM, Bruce Daily <pocotron@> wrote:
> > 
> > Ā  
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Hi all-
> > 

> > Ā  Maybe Mike Pinder resisted the idea of using aĀ 'Tron or Chamby choir when it became available.Ā  The Moodies were known for their vocal harmonies.Ā  Would the group have resented the use ofĀ pre-recorded vocals over their own?Ā  I wonder if the idea was ever brought up.Ā  If so,Ā maybe they considered recording their own vocals for the 'Tron.


> > 
> > Ā  It's ask an ex-Moodie time, I guess.
> > 

> > Ā 
> > 
> > Ā  Pondering-
> > 
> > Ā 
> > 


> > Ā Ā  -Bruce D.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > --- On Sat, 5/28/11, Chris Dale <unobtainiumkeys@> wrote:
> > 
> > 
> > From: Chris Dale <unobtainiumkeys@>
> > Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] MOODY BLUES voices
> > To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
> > Date: Saturday, May 28, 2011, 11:12 PM
> > 
> > Ā 
> > 
> > Ā  
> > 
> > 
> > 

> > I don't think the idea was given serious consideration because both the Mellotron and Chamberlin were thought of as ' home organ' type units doing big band music largely. The Chamberlin 'Voices' are only a single Female and single Male - not quite a choir until the two sounds are put togetherĀ which is what happened on the M1 model.


> > 
> > Ā 
> > 
> > The idea was first advertised in the late 60's on Chamberlin brochures but only as 'voices' and not as a choir. The Mellotron really nailed the choir sound. 
> > 
> > Ā 
> > 
> > Ā 
> > 
> > On Fri, May 27, 2011 at 8:23 AM, Charles <charel196@> wrote:
> > 
> > Ā  
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > I was always surprised Mike Pinder never used any choirs with the Moodies, or had the band members do Mellotron tapes. Imagine Justin, John, Ray, and Mike making vocal tapes for that massed "OM" effect or the backing ahhhs on Melancholy Man....a missed opportunity.
> > If Harry did the solo voices in the 50s and Mellotron used Music Masters as a guide, why didn't Mellotron add human voices to their units until the M400?
> > Ā 
> > Ā 
> >
>