The Mellotron Group

When you distill the Moodies down, you have an astonishingly good  
songwriter in Hayward, a good songwriter in Pinder and a sound the two of them  
masterminded.  The rest are not so talented but the sum of  parts produced 
albums that I loved.  The myth is greater than the  truth.  They got away with it 
live but the limitations revealed how  produced the albums were.  We spoke 
with Tony Clarke and he told us some  revelations that would flatten the 
die-hard fan.  And Lodge is a hideous  songwriter most of the time.
 
M
 
Streetly Electronics - All Things Mellotronic 
www.mellotronics.co.uk
NEW for iPad!
MELLOTRONICS M3000HD 
US Sales  East: Jimmy Moore  (http://JMoore6397@aol.com/) 
US Sales  West: Paul Cox  (http://pjc56@earthlink.net/) 
myspace.com/chloesmithmusic  

 
In a message dated 01/06/2011 06:58:58 GMT Daylight Time,  
unobtainiumkeys@gmail.com writes:

 
 
 
I think the problem was between Graham and Mike back when Mike left in 78,  
but the others were not happy with Pinder remaining in LA.  anyway.


At this point it makes almost no difference though. The  Mellotron is long 
gone, Mike is not writing or performing with them, and Ray  is now gone and 
his replacement is a young girl flute player - nowhere near  the talent, 
presence or feel that Ray had contributed. 

It's nice for  them to carry on the way they do, but it isn't the same. 
It's more like a  cabaret version of them.  I'll stick to the original records 
when I want  to hear them. 


On Wed, Jun 1, 2011 at 10:10 AM, john barrick <_barrickjohn262@gmail.com_ 
(mailto:barrickjohn262@gmail.com) >  wrote:


 
 
 
Sorry - if whatever the deal is between Mike and Justin was going to get  
patched up, it would have happened by now, and that's why I'll never see the  
Moodies. 
john


PS - I find the idea of Mr. Edge dancing at all to be very  disconcerting.  
 



On Tue, May 31, 2011 at 7:15 PM, Ms. Janet Strauss  
<_jandjstrz@verizon.net_ (mailto:jandjstrz@verizon.net) > wrote:


 
 
 
 
Mike  Pinder. 
Yeah………………IF  only. 
I might actually  get out and see them again in that case.  
Would like to see  him just play the oldies, rather than watch Graeme dance 
to Higher and  Higher. 
Ughhhhh. 
 

-----Original Message-----
From: _newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com_ 
(mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com)  [mailto:_newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com_ 
(mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com) ] On Behalf Of David  Jacques
Sent: Tuesday,  May 31, 2011 8:59 AM
To:  _newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com_ 
(mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com) 



Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re:  MOODY BLUES voices EEEEEK

 
 
 
 

 
They  sound great for their age... Still miss Mike... 
 



 
 
 

 
 
On May 30, 2011, at 10:42 PM, Bruce Daily  wrote:





 
 
 
 

 

 
 
Thanks.  That was very  good.
 

 
-Bruce D.
 


--- On Mon, 5/30/11, Ms. Janet  Strauss <_jandjstrz@verizon.net_ 
(mailto:jandjstrz@verizon.net) > wrote:



 

 

From: Ms. Janet Strauss <_jandjstrz@verizon.net_ 
(mailto:jandjstrz@verizon.net) >
Subject: RE:  [newmellotrongroup] Re: MOODY BLUES voices  EEEEEK
To: _newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com_ 
(mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com) 
Date:  Monday, May 30, 2011, 8:05 PM 
 
 
 
 
They  sounded pretty good here…acoustic guitar in  hand.
Almost  unplugged.
Background  vocals tad subdued…but ok.
 


 

Music  starts at 1:50 
 
_http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98vekNwqpIg&feature=related_ 
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98vekNwqpIg&feature=related) 
 

Jim 
 

-----Original  Message-----
From: _newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com_ 
(mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com)  [_mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com_ 
(mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com) ] On Behalf  Of Charles
Sent: Monday,  May 30, 2011 9:20 AM
To: _newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com_ 
(mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com) 
Subject: [newmellotrongroup]  Re: MOODY BLUES voices EEEEEK 
 

 



 
 
 
 
 

It wouldn't be that  difficult to get Justin, John, Ray, and Mike to record 
the notes  (as far as their range could go), auto-tune them, and layer them 
 into some awesome Moodies samples. They wouldn't even have to be  in the 
same room...Mike could do his at home.
Okay Martin, how  about it? :)

--- In _newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com_ 
(http://us.mc1259.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com) ,  "tron400" <tron400@...> 
wrote:
>
> Since they've  been using professional backup singers for years now, 
their live  vocals are just fine.
> 
>  Bernie
> 
> ---  In _newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com_ 
(http://us.mc1259.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com) ,  Bruce Daily 
<pocotron@> wrote:
>  >


> > Ā  Yeah,  they wereĀ vocally out of tune in concert.Ā  Their  studio 
brilliance sure didn't come through on stage (for  theĀ most part).Ā  It was 
too bad Justin Hayward didn't  use an acoustic guitar live once in a while.Ā
  Mic systems  weren't great for acoustic instrumentsĀ back then.Ā   They 
sure could've used some vocal coaching.Ā  I saw them in  1981 (with Moraz), 
and the vocals were just as bad, and JH was  still all electric.Ā  I bet 
they had some good nights,  though.

>  > Ā Ā I wonder if they use Autotune live now.Ā   I hate the current 
constant misuse of Autotune as a vocal effect,  but, hadĀ it been available then
Ā it could've helped the  old Moodies.  

> > Ā 
> > Ā  -Bruce D.
>  > 
> > 
>  > --- On Sun, 5/29/11, Ms. Janet Strauss  <jandjstrz@> wrote:
> > 
>  > 
> > From: Ms. Janet Strauss  <jandjstrz@>
> > Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup]  MOODY BLUES voices EEEEEK
> > To: _newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com_ 
(http://us.mc1259.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com) 
> >  Date: Sunday, May 29, 2011, 5:44 PM
>  > 
> > 

> > Ā  
>  > 
> > 
>  > 
> > 
>  > 
> > ā€¦heh heh.
> >  Ā 
> > You mean, Ā like at the 1:05 mark in  this vidā€¦ā€¦..?Ā  LOL
> > Ā 

> > _http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TY9msQztHSI_ 
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TY9msQztHSI) 
>  > Ā 

> > Ray sure gets into it ā€¦.physicallyā€¦ā€¦and the  ā€ Tron sounds ok
ā€¦
> > Ā 
>  > 
> > Jim
> >  Ā 
> > Ā 

> > -----Original Message-----
> >  From: _newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com_ 
(http://us.mc1259.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com)  
[mailto:_newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com_ 
(http://us.mc1259.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com) ]  On Behalf Of john barrick
> > Sent: Sunday, May 29, 2011  7:35 PM
> > To: _newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com_ 
(http://us.mc1259.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com) 
> >  Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] MOODY BLUES voices
> >  Ā 
> > Ā  
>  > 
> > 
>  > 

> > It must have been  considered. Ā Just listen to any of their live 
performances  and not cringe when Lodge cuts loose with those descant falsettos  
that overpower Hayward's leads.Ā   

> > 
> > john
>  > 
> > On Sun, May 29, 2011 at 6:10  PM, Bruce Daily <pocotron@> wrote:
>  > 
> >  Ā  
> > 
>  > 
> > 
>  > 
> > 
>  > 
> > 
>  > 
> > Hi all-
>  > 

> > Ā  Maybe Mike  Pinder resisted the idea of using aĀ 'Tron or Chamby 
choir  when it became available.Ā  The Moodies were known for their  vocal 
harmonies.Ā  Would the group have resented the use  ofĀ pre-recorded vocals 
over their own?Ā  I wonder if  the idea was ever brought up.Ā  If so,Ā maybe 
they  considered recording their own vocals for the 'Tron.  

> > 
> > Ā  It's  ask an ex-Moodie time, I guess.
>  > 

> > Ā 
>  > 
> > Ā  Pondering-
>  > 
> > Ā 
>  >   

> > Ā Ā  -Bruce D.
>  > 
> > 
>  > 
> > --- On Sat, 5/28/11, Chris  Dale <unobtainiumkeys@> wrote:
>  > 
> > 
>  > From: Chris Dale <unobtainiumkeys@>
> >  Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] MOODY BLUES voices
> >  To: _newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com_ 
(http://us.mc1259.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com) 
> >  Date: Saturday, May 28, 2011, 11:12 PM
>  > 
> > Ā 
>  > 
> >  Ā  
> > 
>  > 
>  > 

> > I don't think the idea  was given serious consideration because both 
the Mellotron and  Chamberlin were thought of as ' home organ' type units 
doing big  band music largely. The Chamberlin 'Voices' are only a single  Female 
and single Male - not quite a choir until the two sounds  are put togetherĀ 
which is what happened on the M1 model.  

> > 
> > Ā 
>  > 
> > The idea was first advertised  in the late 60's on Chamberlin brochures 
but only as 'voices' and  not as a choir. The Mellotron really nailed the 
choir  sound. 
> > 
>  > Ā 
> > 
> >  Ā 
> > 
> > On Fri, May  27, 2011 at 8:23 AM, Charles <charel196@> wrote:
>  > 
> >  Ā  
> > 
>  > 
> > 
>  > 
> > I was always surprised Mike  Pinder never used any choirs with the 
Moodies, or had the band  members do Mellotron tapes. Imagine Justin, John, Ray, 
and Mike  making vocal tapes for that massed "OM" effect or the backing  
ahhhs on Melancholy Man....a missed opportunity.
> > If  Harry did the solo voices in the 50s and Mellotron used Music  
Masters as a guide, why didn't Mellotron add human voices to their  units until 
the M400?
> > Ā 
> >  Ā 
> >
>