June 1, 2010: 15 Amazing Uses of the Mellotron

Like the sitar or the Theremin, the Mellotron is an instrument with such a unique sound that contributed so integrally to the atmosphere of psychedelia that it has developed a cult as devoted as any that follow the various bands who dabbled in Mellotronia. And this is not limited to cult acts like The End, Tintern Abbey, and Family. Giants from The Beatles to The Rolling Stones to Pink Floyd worked this proto-synth into some of their best-loved creations.

For those of you unfamiliar with the Mellotron (and if that is the case…boy, have you stumbled across the wrong site!), the keyboard utilized analog tape loops of actual instruments, the most popular being flutes and orchestral strings. Artists often used the Mellotron as a substitute for pricey session musicians, although its wavering, ethereal tone has a charm that is quite distinct from any of the instruments it mimics. Here are 15 of the finest uses of the Mellotron in classic pop songs…

1. “Strawberry Fields Forever” by The Beatles (1967)

The Beatles were not only one of the first bands to get hip to the unique beauty of the Mellotron, but ...continue reading here at the All-New Psychobabble!

Comments

Posted by essephreak (Wed, June 02, 2010 - 9:57:19)

As sappy as the group’s music was, hard to believe an article about the mellotron finds no room to even *mention* Michael Pinder of the Moody Blues.

Posted by Mike Segretto (Thu, June 03, 2010 - 7:18:19)

Fair enough. I’ll admit to that oversight on my part, and I do quite like the ‘Lost Chord’ album and “Tuesday Afternoon” from ‘Days of Future Past’ is a terrific pop single with fine use of the Mellotron. Honestly, I was expecting someone to give me guff about not including Genesis before the Moody Blues.

Posted by Modzilla (Fri, June 18, 2010 - 6:40:16)

Whilst Dylan himself shunned the Mellotron, Brian Auger’s vibe on his cover of ‘This Wheel’s on Fire’
is, IMHO, the equal of Brian Jones’ on ‘2000 Light Years from Home’ in it’s mysterioso-ness. I do however, have a boot of Satanic Majesties outtakes with an excellent version of ‘We Love You’ which is virtually all Melloltron & guitar and no singing! As you say, Bowie left it behind with the exception of the Diamond Dogs LP where it’s all over the place, particularly on ‘Big Brother’.

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A Freaky Forum for Groovy Ghouls and Retro Rock.
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June 1, 2010: 15 Amazing Uses of the Mellotron

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A Freaky Forum for Groovy Ghouls and Retro Rock._________The Morgue

June 1, 2010: 15 Amazing Uses of the Mellotron

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A Freaky Forum for Groovy Ghouls and Retro Rock.
_________
The Morgue