Mellotronists

well this is one opinion. I think Ray's contributions, especially in the first 7 albums, played 
an equal role in the "classic"" MB energy. As far as his flute playing goes...didn't you ever 
catch the long middle section solo that he and Patrick did on LEGEND OF A MIND back on 
those tours? It was very well executed and the addition of the echo on his flute really made 
it more effective. I have to admit my friends and I would joke about Ray's tambourine 
playing....he could have had more to do on many tunes. He should've learned acoustic 
guitar or keyboards and helped back things up a bit. And how can you criticize Graeme's 
drumming when most of the material was so simple that it didn't call for drum 
pyrotechnics. that's like criticizing Mike's playing as not being Wakeman/Emerson-like.
  And I believe they DID make a difference...so many people have testified to their positive 
Moodies experiences throughout their lives, in illness,romance,getting thru personal trials, 
etc.
  Ray's contribution to the tune "Never Blame The Rainbows For The Rain" on KEYS OF THE 
KINGDOM was his last best effort, IMO. It had that classic old sound, even Hayward's old 
fuzz guitar. 










--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, MAinPsych@... wrote:
>
>  
> In a message dated 9/1/2006 6:31:16 PM Pacific Standard Time,  
> felixkrull2u@... writes:
> 
> Well, the acorn never falls far from the tree, as they  say.  
>  I think it's time for the list to split into bitter  factions: those who 
> think the Moodies might have some redeeming qualities  aside from early Mellotron 
> usage, and those who know otherwise. 
>   PT
> 
> 
> 
> Pro:                                    Con:
>     Justin's  songwriting       Ray (ALL aspects)
>     Lush harmonies (in  studio)              Graham's drumming (although he 
> did
>     Tony Clarke's  production                  appear  to spend some time in 
> the
>     Mike's arrangements   woodshed  circa "LDV" 
>    Exciting albums (through  "LDV"         Live  "harmonies"
>         and excluding  "Octave")                  Adamant insistence on using 
> "moon, June, 
>                                                                     croon"  
> rhyme schemes
>                                                                 No  real tron 
> post-Pinder/Moraz
>                                                                 The  pompous 
> orchestra
>                                           Actually  believing they could make 
> a 
>                                                difference
> Almost makes me wonder why I've been such a Moodies fan for all  these years.
>  
> Frank 1
>