Mellotronists

CD's that have come across my desk the past week that may contain 
Mellotron/Chamberlin/Theremin/Biroton (yeah, 
right)/Optigan/Talentmaker et al: Just thought I'd let you know since 
I have some free time--for those of you compilating Mellotron 
discographies...I would do this, but I have serious lapses in 
reliability & personal discipline. There are pages lost between 
Geocities and Angelfire where I have attempted this already...plugged 
away at it for two or three months or so, then got sidetracked.

1. Senator O'Brien "Primary" (Unsafe At Any Speed Records, 
Southfield, Michigan WSM-2403-2) Confirmed Chamberlin woodwinds on 
half the songs--the sounds are really lost in the mix/relegated to 
the background, and you have to listen attentively to catch them. 
www.senatorobrien.com

2. Alaska "Emotions" (B-Girl Records, Malibu, CA) 42286-2. Track 
#7 "Rust and Cyanide" has suspected (unconfirmed) M-400 strings in 
the middle and towards the end. The last song "In My Time" especially 
has some upfront strings...icey as can be, but only one note at a 
time like Kashmir. The band comprises former members of Sebadoh, Folk 
Implosion, and Lowercase--and have a Apples In Stereo and light rock 
to paisley pop sound. www.pureyukon.com

3. Scoldees "Nightcap World" (Off Our Rockers Records -New York?- SPP 
12) The first track, Cocoon has some great (unconfirmed) 'Tron 
strings, and track #9 "Come To Me", more strings are heard lightly in 
the background. An overall homegrown light pop disc. www.scoldees.com 
I e-mailed the band for confirmation; awaiting reply.

1. JUDAH JOHNSON "Kisses and Interrogation" (Flameshovel Records, 
Chicago) DIG 004 Confirmed Mellotron on the song "The Ruse" played by 
Dave Shettler. Light strings in the background; overall an 
interesting melodic soft CD with some drawn out and deep moments--not 
prog, tho'. www.flameshovel.com

2. Jesse Syles and the Sweet Hereafter "Reckless Burning" (Burn Burn 
Burn Recordings, Seattle BBB-005) Light Mellotron strings in the 
background on the song "Don't Let Me Go" played by Steve Moore. 
Another light pop record with ethereal leanings and soft, but 
sometimes dark vocals. Jesse has done some great overlooked material 
in the past. www.jessesykes.com

Both of the above CD's have plenty of harmonium too. I just picked up 
a 1967 LP on Elektra by Tim Buckley...also filled with harmonium.

None. It's been an entire week, and nothing new to report--but:

I just happened to be listening to an old Deep Purple album, and 
caught "Anthem" from the second LP, "Book of Talesyn" released in 
December, 1968. It's the only Mellotron Jon Lord ever played with the 
band. Light strings is all. I always wondered why such a fantastic 
hit like "Black Night" was so big in Europe, but was never released 
on an album besides an import greatest hits package, and was unknown 
in the States. I would think it would have wound up on Deep Purple In 
Rock...after all, the single's flip did. What a turnaround--when 
their first three stateside LP's were huge here in the USA and 
relatively unknown in their homeland. Hmmmm--come to think of 
it "Shakin' All Over" never made a Guess Who best of either. Must be 
an RCA inclusive thing.

Sad about Wooly Wolstenholme...the double live BJH has such a heavy 
dose of his Mellotron prowess in particular, but over the Holidays, I 
pulled out the first four albums and listened to them again after 
what seems to be at least two decades of gathering dust.

I remember being asked if Keith Emerson ever played Mellotron--and I 
said that he had not, but upon reading recent commentary here, I had 
completely overlooked his contribution with The Nice. Doh!

And another rediscovery is the incredible cover of "Losing My 
Religion" from Slowdive--so lush, seraph and gorgeous with simple, 
yet strong deep and dark M-400 strings for the last two 
minutes...I've heard their first two CD's from around ten years ago, 
but I believe this particular R.E.M. cover was originally on one of 
those "Sounds Like Plastic" compilations...The group is basically a 
shoegaze band (Creation UK, SBK in the USA) akin to maybe Cocteau 
Twins or Cranes, but have some beautiful extruded moments--no mention 
of keyboards even being played. At least I was able to lift it from 
the days of Napster when I couldn't find the compilation it was on.

Hmmmm--come to think of 
it "Shakin' All Over" never made a Guess Who best of either. Must be 
an RCA inclusive thing.
............................................................................
............................................................................

This brings back old memories.........................."Shakin' All Over"
was originally recorded by Chad Allen & the Expressions on a small label. It
became a Top 100 Hit and they got the RCA contract.

The band changed their name to "Guess Who" with the release of "These Eyes.

Meanwhile, all of us Chad Allen fans in North Dakota were trying to figure
out why Guess Who sounded just like the Chad Allen & the Expressions band 
from Winnipeg, Manitoba that we used to pay $1.75  cover to see at the Red
Willow Resort every month during the summer.

It was a real treasure to see a band evolve from a local dance hall favorite
to one of the best R-R bands ever.

Alan  M400S #343

-------Original Message-------

From: mellotrongirl
Date: Wednesday, February 26, 2003 00:23:59
To: Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Mellotronists] Mellotron/Chamberlin discoveries for the week:

None. It's been an entire week, and nothing new to report--but:

I just happened to be listening to an old Deep Purple album, and 
caught "Anthem" from the second LP, "Book of Talesyn" released in 
December, 1968. It's the only Mellotron Jon Lord ever played with the 
band. Light strings is all. I always wondered why such a fantastic 
hit like "Black Night" was so big in Europe, but was never released 
on an album besides an import greatest hits package, and was unknown 
in the States. I would think it would have wound up on Deep Purple In 
Rock...after all, the single's flip did. What a turnaround--when 
their first three stateside LP's were huge here in the USA and 
relatively unknown in their homeland. Hmmmm--come to think of 
it "Shakin' All Over" never made a Guess Who best of either. Must be 
an RCA inclusive thing.

Sad about Wooly Wolstenholme...the double live BJH has such a heavy 
dose of his Mellotron prowess in particular, but over the Holidays, I 
pulled out the first four albums and listened to them again after 
what seems to be at least two decades of gathering dust.

I remember being asked if Keith Emerson ever played Mellotron--and I 
said that he had not, but upon reading recent commentary here, I had 
completely overlooked his contribution with The Nice. Doh!

And another rediscovery is the incredible cover of "Losing My 
Religion" from Slowdive--so lush, seraph and gorgeous with simple, 
yet strong deep and dark M-400 strings for the last two 
minutes...I've heard their first two CD's from around ten years ago, 
but I believe this particular R.E.M. cover was originally on one of 
those "Sounds Like Plastic" compilations...The group is basically a 
shoegaze band (Creation UK, SBK in the USA) akin to maybe Cocteau 
Twins or Cranes, but have some beautiful extruded moments--no mention 
of keyboards even being played. At least I was able to lift it from 
the days of Napster when I couldn't find the compilation it was on.


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