Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: The Mellotron Group

Hi folks,
I've just got my copy of Chris Awde's new book: Mellotron: The machine
and the Musicians that Revolutionised Rock'.
First of all, let me make it clear that this is not just another
'history of Mellotrons', or how to spot a CMC10 from an SMS2 at twenty
paces type book. This puts flesh on the bones of the story, so to
speak, by looking at the musos who used Mellys in all their glory,
interspersed with anecdotes on the manoueverings in the companies
involved from those who were there at the time. And at last, we have
the full story behind Peter Sellers and Princess Margaret's ownership
of Mark 2s (Previously only mentioned in the biography 'Peter Sellers;
the mask behind the mask'.
Interviwees include: Martin and John (obviously!), Geoff Unwin (Melly
demonstrator from the 60s and seen on the 1964 Pathe newsreel on
Youtube) whose contribution is a total revelation, Mike Pinder (of
course!), Woolly Wolstenholme, Tony Clarke (Moodies producer) Tony
Banks, Blue Weaver, Bill Bruford (with some typically pithy
observations on music and prog in particular), Robert Webb (England),
Dave Gregory (XTC), Andy McCluskey (OMD), Nick Magnus, Martin Orford
(IQ) and Andy Thompson, amongst many others.
All these interviews look at the careers of the musicians and bands
involved, their use of the Melly and observations on prog rock and
rock's golden age in general. These are bracketed by Nick Awde's
analysis of prog rock with a comprehensive list of appendices covering
models, concept albums, fave tracks and a whole lot more. Although I
don't always agree with some of Nick's conclusions on the music, he
argues the case both for and against prog with compelling facts and an
authoritative approach.
This mighty tome weighs in at 600 pages, so it's not a 'dip in'
volume. What it is is currently the definitive book on the Melly, the
most detailed, authoritative and well researched book of all time!
Any problems? Well, there are some typos, but I defy anyone to proof
read 600 pages without suffering some sort of literary shell shock,
and the pics could have been in colour, but Nick had to work with what
he was given, and there's always the prospect of a second edition to
correct these minor faults.
At £19.95 for a whopping great book, it represents almost absurd value
for money. A labour of love from a fan -[just like the rest of us.

Order yours now -it's the book we've all been waiting for!
ISBN: 1-898948-02-X.
www.deserthearts.com
www.bennetandbloom.com

Best wishes,

Dave.