Mellotronists

tronbros@... wrote:

>
>
> There are tenuous discussions to put a MKII on stage for Ian.  We'll
> keep you informed.
>
> And just to confirm that A Sailors Tale has always had a devastating
> effect on me.  It is absolutely my favourite Fripp guitar moment and I
> saw him perform it in 1972(I think).  Still have the ticket somewhere.
>
> M'inge

I also was lucky enough to catch this version of KC in Montreal that
same year. Even though Boz Burrell won't go down in history as one of
the great singers, the band was fantastic and according to Pete Sinfield
(who was doing sound and VCS3), it sounded a lot like the original band.

Now, if memory serves, this line-up did play ItWoP (or at least a part
of it) in the middle of some totally forgetable jam. They also played
CoTKC which was excellent. Schizoid Man was the best I ever heard of the
four times I heard it live--except for when Bruford's kick drum pedal
came apart in the middle of the song, so while he put the beater back in
with his right hand, he played "the lick" completely with his left hand.
Every drummer in the audience immediately went into therapy (a very good
thing).

How about this for a Mellotron Moment: The big solo in the middle of
"Lizard". It's the same tron as ItWoP, I believe, and it sounds equally
as good here. I think it's presently at Streetly. Martinge uses the
cabinet to house his budgies. My all-time favourite, though, has to be
the crescendo in "Epitaph". Mind boggling that they could record the
damn thing so hot and not get any distortion. Ian McD told me that they
ran it through their standard Hi-Watt amp and added a touch more echo on
the mixing board. That's it. Who says you have to get complicated?

As for my favourite Fripp moment, it's listening to JB imitate
him--which he does uncannily well (about the only thing, though, sadly).
Martinge specializes in Devon, Cornwall and Yorkshire accents. We all
know what Dickson specializes in...

Cheers!

Rick