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

Oh yeah? Tell that to Ian McDonald, Robert Fripp, or Mike Pinder.

 

  _____  

From: Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of Mike Dickson




"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..."

--

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