Mellotronists

In a message dated 6/4/2007 11:54:25 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,  
jonesalley@... writes:

I heard "California Dreaming" by the Mamas and the Papas for the  first time 
ages and ages, and was suddenly struck by the 'tronnish sound of  the flute 
solo, and particularly the very unflutelike pitch bending  towards the end.  
Anybody know?



Wasn't the late Curt Boettcher involved with them and he had  Mellotron 
associations (no pun intended; he also worked with The  Association)?  Don't know 
for certain if the flute solo was Mellotron,  but flautists can bend notes ala 
"California Dreaming".  Help me out  here, Vicki Blechta!  For the record, I 
hear it as a real flute (alto  perhaps?).
 
One of the faults of M&P's recordings was pitch, not within the  group 
itself, but between the group and the instrumental tracks.  For  example, compare 
the last vocal chord on "California Dreaming" ("On such a  winter's 
daaaaaaaay..") with the ending instrumental chord.  I hear them as  slightly off with each 
other, less than a quarter-tone, but nonetheless  off.  I think it's 
noticeable on most of their recordings.  Did the  group have difficulty singing with 
backing tracks?  I've come across this  very problem often in overdubbing small 
vocal groups/choirs with backing  tracks.
 
Frank 1




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