Mellotronists

Leon Russell's Mellotron / Chamberlain usage is a real surprise. I am 
not sure if there is any on his 1971 LP "With The Shelter People", 
but I think I hear some faint strings on the first track. It starts 
well with "Carney" (1972), with half of the LP featuring  a 
Chamberlain. His next LP "Hanks Back" (1973) using a Mellotron on one 
track, 'I Feel So Lonesome I Could Cry'. It is strange for Mellotron 
strings to be used in a C&W ballad, but it really works. On his next 
LP, "Stop All That Jazz" (1974), there is a great track that uses 
very upfront tron strings, as well as a bit of Moog and Rhodes, no 
drums or guitar. Superb stuff. The next Lp, "Will O' The Wisp" is his 
most synthy, but does feature some great trom strings on one track, a 
great countryish ballad about father and son stuff. The real treat 
for the tron fan is the 1979 LP with Willie Nelson "One For The 
Road". While this may not sound too inviting, the second LP of this 
double LP set is wonderful. Willie sings, while Leon play keys; every 
song has a huge Tron string sound. Unfortunately, he also uses string 
synths, but you can always here the tron. This is a must listen! The 
songs are standards like "Danny Boy" and the like. No drums, really 
laid back, atmospheric, stuff. Check it out if you haven't already.

Christopher Orczy  wrote:

>Leon Russell's Mellotron / Chamberlain usage is a real surprise. I am 
>not sure if there is any on his 1971 LP "With The Shelter People", 
>but I think I hear some faint strings on the first track. It starts 
>well with "Carney" (1972), with half of the LP featuring  a 
>Chamberlain. 
>
Thanks for bringing up Leon Russell,

It was just a week or so ago that I was listening to a Leon Russell song 
that I must have heard a thousand times, This Masquerade from Carney, 
and  realized that this song is drenched in what must be Chamberlin. I 
had alway enjoyed the haunting intro - it sounds so different from the 
rest of the song. It's funny how you can listen to something and enjoy 
it without really listening. If you don't remember it please grap a copy 
from KaZaA or someplace and listen. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, 
but I believe that the entire intro is played on Chamberlin - steel 
guitar, vibes or marimba, and 3 violins The main tune has flutes as well 
as the strings running throughout.

Bob S.

It's a Chamberlin M-4 Riviera. Also, the song Acid
Acidopholous is DRENCHED in Chamberlin sound effects.
I heard these very sounds on Kean's M-4 at Audities a
few years ago. He says that Leon still has that
instrument...won't sell it tho. 
Mark



--- "bob.snyder" <bob.snyder@...> wrote:
> Christopher Orczy  wrote:
> 
> >Leon Russell's Mellotron / Chamberlain usage is a
> real surprise. I am 
> >not sure if there is any on his 1971 LP "With The
> Shelter People", 
> >but I think I hear some faint strings on the first
> track. It starts 
> >well with "Carney" (1972), with half of the LP
> featuring  a 
> >Chamberlain. 
> >
> Thanks for bringing up Leon Russell,
> 
> It was just a week or so ago that I was listening to
> a Leon Russell song 
> that I must have heard a thousand times, This
> Masquerade from Carney, 
> and  realized that this song is drenched in what
> must be Chamberlin. I 
> had alway enjoyed the haunting intro - it sounds so
> different from the 
> rest of the song. It's funny how you can listen to
> something and enjoy 
> it without really listening. If you don't remember
> it please grap a copy 
> from KaZaA or someplace and listen. Somebody correct
> me if I'm wrong, 
> but I believe that the entire intro is played on
> Chamberlin - steel 
> guitar, vibes or marimba, and 3 violins The main
> tune has flutes as well 
> as the strings running throughout.
> 
> Bob S.
> 
> 


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