The Mellotron Group

Belgian band - Hooverphonic...  Using a Mellotron and a vacuum cleaner.
Cedric Murrath is the mellotronist.  You know Psychedelic Cedric.  That crazy Belgian!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii4lWlHFeYM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaGDPqDpPTU

> Belgian band - Hooverphonic...  Using a Mellotron and a vacuum cleaner.


You know, it struck me long ago that a lot of Mellotron 3violins stuff in prog sounds kind of like a vacuum cleaner. That's not meant to be a slur, the sound just has the same sort of whoosh and whine on some level. The big Circle of Fifths chord cycles at the ending peak of "Supper's Ready" just before the "and it's 'hey, babe,' your supper's ready for you," etc., are a great example.  I've asked dozens of people if they can hear the similarity, but nobody has admitted to it so far.  Anybody with me on this?

I'm with you Jon.  The Filter Queen C series have the best whoosh and whine tone balance.


--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com, "jonesalley" <jonesalley@...> wrote:

>
> > Belgian band - Hooverphonic...  Using a Mellotron and a vacuum cleaner.
> 
> 
> You know, it struck me long ago that a lot of Mellotron 3violins stuff in prog sounds kind of like a vacuum cleaner. That's not meant to be a slur, the sound just has the same sort of whoosh and whine on some level. The big Circle of Fifths chord cycles at the ending peak of "Supper's Ready" just before the "and it's 'hey, babe,' your supper's ready for you," etc., are a great example.  I've asked dozens of people if they can hear the similarity, but nobody has admitted to it so far.  Anybody with me on this?
>

The only band I have seen using a vacuum cleaner were Trees in the early 1970's, a folk rock band so not likely to be popular with this list. They used an electrolux cylinder cleaner to provide the wind for a harmonium on stage. Unfortunately when I saw them it also interfered with the amplifiers.

Mark

PS it worries me that I am old enough to be the latest member's grandfather!

On Aug 31, 2009, at 11:22 PM, Mark Pring wrote:

> The only band I have seen using a vacuum cleaner were Trees in the   
> early 1970's, a folk rock band so not likely to be popular with this  
> list. They used an electrolux cylinder cleaner to provide the wind  
> for a harmonium on stage. Unfortunately when I saw them it also  
> interfered with the amplifiers.

But they had the cleanest stage in all of show business, I'll bet.