The Mellotron Group

Roberto,
 
Few, if any, of the 'prog' bands from the 70s sell many records anymore.  
Certainly not like they used to. Musical tastes have changed and not many 
young  people are into it, and few folks my age who saw these bands and bought 
their  records even care any more. I think that most of the best rock songs 
are written  by artists at a young age, although there are many who still 
write great tunes  and lyrics and put on a great show many years after they 
began their  careers.
 
I rarely, if ever, listen to the Strawbs later material because I'm just  
not interested any more. But I do think they still put on a great live show, 
and  if they are accessible on tour, I'll go see them.
 
Frank
 
 
In a message dated 4/25/2012 11:41:36 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
bluesrock77@hotmail.com writes:

 
 
 
Hi Frank,  


just take a look at their concerts attendances and album sales after  
Nomadness...none of their albums after that came even close to Hero, Grave,  
Bursting or Ghosts. At least not for me. I'd gladly part ways with most of  
them. Sure, there was the 'punk effect'  around the late 70's and all  prog 
bands suffered a lot to survive. Some deservedly so...but that's another  story.


best,


Roberto



 
____________________________________
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
From: lsf5275@aol.com
Date: Wed,  25 Apr 2012 11:32:18 -0400
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Strawbs: was  The Ugly Duckling


 

I totally  disagree about losing their audience. I can tell you that the 
last time John  Hawken played a Mellotron, it was one of mine. Dave Cousins 
wanted to use two  on stage but Hawken was afraid that they would be like they 
were in the 70's.  Finally, after playing it in rehearsal before the 
Sellersville show in 2004,  and after much badgering from the rest of the band, he 
played it (briefly)  during Hero & Heroine. I put a video up of it on you  
tube.
 
The next night he again  played it live at NEARfest and that show  was 
recorded and released by the band. It was great show. Most of the  time Hawken 
was playing the "Pinder" samples.
 
After the show, Hawken said that he would have played it (them) more if  
he'd had a chance to rehearse with it/them properly. As it was, he has  
rearranged some of the Mellotron parts to take advantage of his more updated  
keyboard rig.
 
Frank
 
 
 
In a message dated 4/25/2012 7:32:10 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
bluesrock77@hotmail.com writes:

Hi  Bernie,  


I'd say Ghosts is the last one...Nomadness was recorded without a  
Mellotron, which was a silly idea by John Hawken according to the Mellotron  book. 
At that point Strawbs lost its old audience and failed to acquire a  new 
one...a bad move...to say the least.


best,


Roberto