Mellotronists

There's an interesting article in the latest Korg magazine - an
interview with Tony Banks:

'In the old days I used the organ because it was the only alternative to
the piano - it wasn't because I loved the organ! That's also true of the
ARP Pro Soloist sounds - we only used them because it was all we had.
And I never really liked the Mellotron! It has a nostalgic quality but
it isn't a great sound. To me a real string sample is vastly better."

"I think the audience wants to hear organs, pianos and Mellotron-style
strings and voices. It';s the spirit of the sounds, as much as anything,
that you've got to get back."

"You couldn't really write parts on a machine like a Mellotron because
they weren't particularly sophisticated. You tended just to put your
hand on a chord and play..."

--

Mike Dickson - M400 #996
The Official Cynic of Streetly Electronics
Streetly Sample Library http://www.mikedickson.org.uk/tron

Do you suppose he means "pipe and leather patches on the elbows" or
"this gazpacho isn't properly chilled" sophisticated? He doesn't seem to
have much liked his instruments. Must have been a miserable life...
john barrick
1407

Mike Dickson wrote:

> "You couldn't really write parts on a machine like a Mellotron because
> they weren't particularly sophisticated. You tended just to put your
> hand on a chord and play..."
>
>

Based on the Genesis video documentaries I have, he is a pretty
miserable human being, as are the remaining two. They actually had
the nerve to say that Steve Hackett is a great guitarist, but his
composing skills aren't very good. This was not long after Hackett
abandoned the sinking ship and was composing music that was far
superior to anything they were writing.

Bernie

--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, john barrick <astroboy@...>
wrote:

>
> Do you suppose he means "pipe and leather patches on the elbows"

or

> "this gazpacho isn't properly chilled" sophisticated? He doesn't

seem to

> have much liked his instruments. Must have been a miserable

life...

> john barrick
> 1407
>
> Mike Dickson wrote:
> > "You couldn't really write parts on a machine like a Mellotron

because

> > they weren't particularly sophisticated. You tended just to put

your

> > hand on a chord and play..."
> >
> >
>

john barrick wrote:

> Do you suppose he means "pipe and leather patches on the elbows" or
> "this gazpacho isn't properly chilled" sophisticated? He doesn't seem
> to have much liked his instruments. Must have been a miserable life...

I recall an article in Mojo wher banks freely admitted writing in 4/4
and then 'converting it' to 9/8 or 7/8 or whatever to make it sound
'more sophisticated'.

--

Mike Dickson - M400 #996
The Official Cynic of Streetly Electronics
Streetly Sample Library http://www.mikedickson.org.uk/tron

--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, "Bernie" <kornowicz@...> wrote:

>
> Based on the Genesis video documentaries I have, he is a pretty
> miserable human being, as are the remaining two. They actually had
> the nerve to say that Steve Hackett is a great guitarist, but his
> composing skills aren't very good. This was not long after Hackett
> abandoned the sinking ship and was composing music that was far
> superior to anything they were writing.
>
> Bernie

It's good that Hackett left when he did. I can't imagine him playing
on *compositions* like Follow You Follow Me.

Unfortunately he was there for Your Own Special Way wasn't he. That
track probably helped him decide to leave.

Clay