Mellotronists

jamierob54 wrote:

> Any discussion of Tales of Topographic Oceans is likely to produce
> strong reactions, one way or the other, and I realize that bringing
> it up is risky. However, I feel it is worth noting here that the
> latest Rhino re-release contains "studio run-throughs" of two of the
> four parts, one of which is a fascinating display of raw Mellotron
> work.  The second track on disk 2 is an apparently unprocessed
> recording of a trial run of The Revealing Science of God, which is
> educational for two reasons:
>
> First, it dispels the rumour that Yes' long pieces were simply the
> product of editing and splicing.  Both "studio run-throughs" make it
> clear that they played these songs in their entirety during the
> development process.
>
> Secondly, beginning at about the 10-minute mark, Wakeman's mellotron
> is right up front in the mix with minimal, if any, processing or
> effects.  Unlike the other 3 sections of Tales, most of the tron in
> Revealing Science is violin, but it is fascinating to hear it so raw,
> and you can really hear how he plays it.  It's also educational to
> compare the mellotron parts in the run-through with the studio
> equivalent elsewhere on this release - it makes it much more apparent
> the type of effects that were used.
>
> By the way, if anyone knows for sure which strings these are, I'd
> love to know.
>
> Personally, I never tire of listening to Tales.  There is so much
> going on from a mellotron standpoint, and much of it is subtle and
> requires careful listening (I love the solo cello used in The
> Ancient).  This new Rhino release is a wonderful window into what is
> really going on.
>
> On the other hand, if you didn't like Tales before, this is hardly
> going to change your mind.
>
> -Jamie Robertson    M400 #380 (still in pieces)

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Hi Jamie and gang,     Thanks very much for that info !  I wasn't aware
that "Tales" was re-released on Rhino label.  Will have to go out
straightaway and look for it. Did you buy  it online, BTW ??

That double-LP was one of the first which I attempted to fully learn/play

way back then.  "The Remembering" contains many sweeping chord
sequences that still impart that "goosebump" feeling 30 years later !
Second only to "Close To The Edge"  title track.

I may have mentioned this before, but Wakeman cleverly cranked-up
his old CMC-10 at the end of  that tune and  in portions of  "The
Ancient",
to raise choir ,brass and strings an octave higher. Tested/tried this in
1974
with my then-new M400, and sure-enough "that sound" was there !
So much for half-speed toggle-switch , eh ??  I rigged the stability
control
from the CMC-10 with a cable to quickly change effects.

BTW, I love those two LP's from YES, and always will. -----Jerry Korb

(recently completed full restoration on MK-II/134 Pindertron, and already

preparing brain-cell space for next potential Mellotronic
challenge....JK)