Madness Keyboard player Mike Barson putting the KORG SV-1 through its paces while on tour in the UK.

[BoogieWoogieDuffBeer]

He was playing the gig! not all you commenting think you know it all want to be's....HAHAHA....I liked what he did .....it was a demo of the korg!!!! plain and simple to the point! POINT BEING IS THAT!

[MrBorg9]

I'm a grade 8 classically trained conductor and pianist. I rarely see professional performers, perform at this level of technical music ability, and I also would like to see some of you whom a disliking this video, here's a small tip....if you think it's shit then don't watch it!

[yair20]

with all due respect, this keyboard is shite. get the nord if you want a proper keyboard.

[BoogieWoogieDuffBeer]

The nord is shit and you should get a Roland VR 760 that came out years ago and still kicks ass on a everythig keyboard, or on the red want to be boner.....or just get a Hammond B3 and a wurlitzer 200 and a Fender Roads mark 1 and a clave and get a zipper to zip your hateful want to be keyboard player geek mouth! No body gives 2 shits as much as you give 2 shits about my reply. just be happy to see that there is outher good keyboard players out there

[tyleryesta1]

Why would any keyboard company make a Rhodes sound like that. This keyboard missed the mark big time. Even if thats just a preset.. it should be an option.

[madamebarso7]

This guy is my idol,my inspiration and a hero of mine because of where hes come from to the confidence he has now hes nothing but a genius i dont care about the ones that are slating him youre obviously not appreciative of such great work hes having a good old mess about with a keyboard nothing polished! So please people who are slating him get a grip and if you want to slate me back please do by all means but dont slate the Barzo!!! x

[Pau1Ru55311]

After this demo Mike would have played to a capacity audience of 3000. A small venue for the band to play, main stage at glastonbury, reading, t in the park, and thats just in the last two years, ignoring the massive gigs supporting Bowie and Sting on their stadium tours in the 80's. All these laptop lapdogs know better though. Mike can't play and thanks to the korg video we have only just found out. Go you all.

[trevyn41]

he might be a legend, but its not for his improvisational or technical skill...

[KeeKeeDi]

@trevyn41 He's a professional performer, unlike yourself. I wonder why that is.

[trevyn41]

@KeeKeeDi Because he caught a lucky break, perhaps. Wrote some catchy songs and people liked what they saw.

Why am I not a professional performer? I'm a full time student at West Point. I have an 8 year commitment in military intelligence. Its not exactly in the cards right now.

[MrNuttylee7]

@trevyn41 Im going to have to disagree with you there. You are an excellent pianist,but you SHOULDNT judge Mike on what you see here. He has got superb technical skill.You should try to play the organ & piano at the same time like he does at a gig,then you might appreciate his playing skills. How do you know he cant play like you?

He has got a superb songwriting talent & is where he is for a reason. A career spanning nearly 33 years & still going strong.

Ask Jools Holland what he thinks of Mike.

[KeeKeeDi]

The man is improvising, playing around on the keyboard. He's not giving us a concerto performance. The original knocker sounds a tad jealous because he thinks he is a better player and should be professional, but isn't. Instead he's sitting aroud on youtube probably bashing every other professional keyboard player.

[Pau1Ru55311]

Glad to see comments back on positive side.

Q.Why would Korg ask an amateur to try their piano for endorsement, and if the demo was so obviously awful then why would they post the results?

A: Mike was improvising. And they'd heard madness songs and so recognised the tunes in between the getting used to the effects. It's obviously been done at sound check or rig, so weren't expecting the most polished demo. The answer to all the crtiques is The Liberty of Norton Folgate. Write that haters!

[zero0zero99]

Thanks!!! THis dude is too awesome for words, he's a master

[RhythmDramatist]

JORDAN RUDESS

[StigOHarrison]

Arise sir Barso!!

[VESPACOL]

Mike is the best a legend he is just messing about on here not performing you fools :-)

[dominickearney]

Anyone who can play a chromatic scale this quickly: watch?v=P0TQNp5MIO0

isn't bad. Tell you what, Maestrokneer, when you've had a 30 year professional career, then maybe you can comment. Why not put a video of yourselves up on YouTube so we can judge you? Put up or shut up!

[Leahrixxy]

I don't understand why people are making judgement on a player they don't know, if you knew Mike more you would know he isn't very sociable and doesn't like being put in the centre of attention like Lee said. He is playing the voice parts to the songs and if you listened to the actual keyboard parts to Madness songs you will see they are very complex and that Mike is very passionate and talented at what he does. So please, before you judge read-up on the background infomation.

[madamebarso7]

@Leahrixxy well said Leah x

[MrNuttylee7]

Korg havent allowed my video response to be shown,so if youre interested please go to my Youtube page- MrNuttylee7 & in my uploads look for a video entitled "MY VIDEO RESPONSE TO THE PEOPLE KNOCKING BARSO ON THE KORG SV-1 VIDEO".

Ive been playing Madness songs on the keyboards since 1983 & I feel ive got enough experience to defend Mr.Barson.

[texluh]

Ok, this is from Clive Langer, record producer.

No, this does not mean Clive knows everything - but it does put comments like "hitting the keyboard like a monkey" in the ignorant context they desrve. Now, Im educated :)

"Langer remembers watching a rehearsal. "You could tell that this was potentially brilliant. A lot of the elements were already there. Woody was obviously a good drummer and Mike a great rock piano player, in the Thunderclap Newman mould, really hitting his piano hard. "

[texluh]

I'm a Madness fan and I have a musical ear and I supsect that all the negaitive comments are nit-picking

However, I dont know much about keyboarding / piano playing so would love to be educated !

I can tell you I have seen Bruce Forsyth live !!! And he is impressive !!! And Mike Live too!He's impressiive in a different way.....Can someone please let me know where to look for apparently better demos of the SV-1 by 'apparently' much better players? I'd love to be educated!

many thanks

[Pau1Ru55311]

Love hearing these stripped down tunes, been a madness fan for many years and it's a nice way to hear them. Don't really get the negativity, he's doing a wee demo here, not a paying performance. Don't recall Barso ever claiming to be the next mozart, his playing style is very original, the nutty sound they called it.

Not a great one for product endorsements (neither it seems is Barso) but I enjoyed this post anyway.

As a madness fan I'm almost certainly biased, but then why am I madness fan?

[MrNuttylee7]

@Pau1Ru55311 Beautifully said.

[ImaniHekima]

@Pau1Ru55311 Great to see this clip, as a keyboard player myself who has listened to Barso's work a great deal. Barso developed his own unique way of playing piano, no-one else really sounds like him. Not many musicians achieve that.

[Ponymusicgroup]

mike is the best in the world

[3956878]

True legend!

[Ringer1982]

Why do you use sunglasses in the dark? ))

[madamebarso7]

@Ringer1982 its part of his persona, as in the band they are known for wearing sunglasses on stage x

[jimlavery]

Brilliant mr barson just experimenting.. I love this as a fan-- it does not show how proficient he actually is and that is why his tunes still pack out uk stadiums 30 years on.

[keyboardprince]

still love ya

[MrNuttylee7]

It will be interesting to see if KORGTV allow my video response to be published here.

Watch this space!!!

[MADNESSRULE2K8]

Every One Slateing Barso Should Shut The Fuck Up//////Clearly You Know Nothing On The Bases Of Playing Keybord/Piano.........Mike Can Play......And Very Fucking Well...If This Was The Likes Of Fats Domino Would You SayHes Avrage Or Cant Play? No You Wouldnt.......Before You Start Sayin "But Hes Crap,,In A Reply...Hes Using Vocal Melody RAther Then What He Useuly Plays Yeah So Shut TheFuck Up Cunts

[pekar5]

an average piano player not impresive pretty much every second piano player could play this

[arturionn1]

Продам В Москве KORG SV-1(73 и 88) LP-350 M3 M-50 Все новое-Все с официальной гарантией! Звоните.......................­......8(926)382-64-21.

[tyleryesta1]

I'm sorry, but the way he has it eq'd kinda makes it sound worse than it is. At least I hope it sounds better then that. A little thin on the piano's there. I'm thinking of buying one of these, and this is a bit disappointing. I might be better off saving up the extra money to get a nord, but then again I really need those weighted keys. Getting new shit can be so frustrating.

[skellaway]

I'll have 10 of them please Mike :-)

[lint182]

i love the part when he plays "my girl" and "it must be love" ...just beautiful

[CrocodileRocker]

Nice to hear the Madness tunes on here, but he could get so much more out of the keyboard if he played it better.

[bjaws]

Ha Ha ... 1:22 "Can't remember what number it is". Certainly aged!!

[Josielou20]

I love the way he plays, he is one of my favourites out of madness. I have been playing the keyboard since i was ten and would love to be able to get as good as Mike. x

[TheMackbaz]

Are you guys dumb?? why are you giving this guy so much praise. That keyboard can be played much better. I see nothing special at all but did see some mistakes.

[Maestrokneer]

@TheMackbaz

Wholly agree....this guy has no touch or technique at all. Just banging on the keys like a monkey, missing notes, getting out of time. Sounds like he's either really drunk, or has only been playing for like 8 months. Check out this video to see a real player get his hands on the SV1:

[dorsetbear]

@Maestrokneer

How many hits have you and TheMackbaz written between you? Probably less <1 I would guess.

[Maestrokneer]

@dorsetbear

Well I don't remember what my original comment was because it's been removed (nice way to censor people with differing opinions) but I believe it had something to do with his chops (or lack thereof).

Songwriting abilities and playing ability are completely different. Look, the Beatles are my all time favorite band, but I'm not going to get bent out of shape if someone criticizes Ringo's drumming, or John's guitar playing because THEY weren't the most technically proficient.

[Maestrokneer]

@dorsetbear

Ran out of characters in my first response.....point being though: This guy can barely play.  I teach 8 and 9 year olds to play that have his technical abilities or better. So he writes great music? Congratulations, good for him. The world is a better place because of it. But that still doesn't mean he has any chops. Not a personal attack on him or his music, just a statement of fact.

[dansumo73]

@Maestrokneer clearly you know nothing about music which is why your own youtube chanel consists of a video of dancing 5 year old and an oil change. fascinating stuff. and as for TheMackbaz's comments... his youtube chanel consists of him playing a keyboard one finger at a time with the volume turned off. incredible talent you have there "mate".

this video is to show Madness fans some of their best tunes performed in a style which you'd never hear anywhere else by the musical genius Mr Barson.

[texluh]

@Maestrokneer I dont quite understand. ....... he was certainly never meant to be in time....... he is improvising.............. as for banging on the keys like a monkey - he has been playing like that for over 35 years !!! SO I do think it's his style to play like that, while others are more delicate. It's a bit like saying Ivan Lendl or Jimmy Connors had no touch or technique as tennis players, whereas John McEnroe did. When in fact they just had different styles, all had massive techniqu

[dominickearney]

@TheMackbaz Why? Because he's written some the best pops songs of all time, that's why.

[TheMackbaz]

@dominickearney This is obviously a video using someone famous to endorse a product. They had better be able to play (not write) to show me what the keyboard's worth. There are about a million people out there that play so much better than him. I can't comment on his writing, but its clearly not the reason for my comment.

[dominickearney]

@TheMackbaz Yes, he is endorsing a produce and he was asked to do so because he is good popular music pianist from one of Britains most popular bands ever. Why don't you listen to some Madness a hear how good a pianist he is? Of course there better pianists in the world, but part of an endorsement of a product is that people have to also know who you are. As for the mistakes, he was mainly just playing around and improvising.

[JanEgbersNL]

barso + sv1 = awesomeness.

[MrSwanlake7]

excellent searched every were for a piece of that solo

[IndioFreak]

Can't beat the Barso. I'll order a SV-1 and whatever he endorses.

[bradley2brad2]

I wouldn't mind a Korg SV1 now :L

[MsBluebug]

aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh mike!

[madamebarso7]

@MsBluebug :)

[Charlierosea]

Its interesting, i've seen alot of keyboard players on here that seem way talented than mr barstow, but you kind of wonder that there is no comparison between playing well and coming up with a good well written song that everyone likes. He must be really talented, he's just not showing his full ability.

[dansumo73]

@Charlierosea who is mr barstow? wasnt he a darts player? :o)

[bradley2brad2]

Mike Barson has to be the best Pianist ever... he should do most Madness songs on just the keyboard.. the way he plays My Girl... it just pulls strings in your heart and soul

[jimlavery]

The amazing Mr Barson shows why he is such a great musician....fantastic video

[madamebarso7]

totally agreed jim!!

[Rastapasti]

Sorry the tune he's playing at 0.22 is Nightboat To Cairo

[Rastapasti]

It's Nightboat To Cairo

[tannerthomason]

what does he start playing at 0:22 ?

[knobfieldfox]

I'm glad to see that your keyboard arrived at the correct destination this time!

[MrNuttylee7]

What a fantastic surprise to find this video. Mr.Barson is such a gifted player/songwriter who deserves to be recognised as one of the best musicians out there.I was gutted when he left Madness in 1983. As a keyboard player myself nobody inspires me to play more than the mighty Barzo.

[madamebarso7]

totally agreed!! all hail Monsieur Barzo!!

[madamebarso7]

agree with you there kingofkop!

[MrSpeaker06]

Amazing stuff Mike! I just love the way he says "umm hi" at the start

[dominickearney]

Barzo the Maestro!

[madamebarso7]

My girl brings a tear to my eye he plays it so beautiful. Talented man and cute as well!!

[rudy81]

Splendid!

[DiamondLass]

This is great. Thank you. I want one of those keyboards now - and I want Mike to come and play it for me too!

[nuttybex]

Absolutely wicks.

This is bloody brilliant

[privatehelluk]

Legend!

[dansumo73]

Barso should do an album of madness songs played just by him in this lullaby style. My Girl is just beautiful and as for Night Boat To Cairo...? I'd pay good money to listen to him play. the man's a musical genius and the world's most gifted pianist.

[heantonstudios]

@dansumo73 I agree with you, most gifted from the era and better than whats out there now, as for a comment from someone saying 7 & 8 year olds being technially better, maybe? but can they write hit songs and melodies that people remember. feeling and being creative is what music is about not just learning sheet music. Been a fan since 79

[byteme1963]

The man is simply a legend!!

[Madamebarso]

Could watch this all day!! Thank you! Emma x

[MadIncFilm]

A Total Delight. :-) Night Boat, It Must Be Love and My Girl Ballad Solo. :-) Thank you MR B and MR KORG

[jeanne5273]

OMG the man is a legend. Nice one Monsieur. xxx

[BaggyTrousers]

Well I think we now know what Timothy Barson will be getting for Christmas this year:) There's an idea KORG, you should have Mike's son put the very cool SV-1 through its paces as well - He's a very talented keyboardist in his own right and it would compliment this video nicely.

[madamebarso7]

He is such a fantastic pianist!