Ian McDonald Conversation on Mellotrons: Pt. 1 of 8

[newfuckingwave]

it's funny how macdonald was the leading force on in the court of the crimson king, not fripp. obviously fripp emerged as the central force in an ever-changing lineup following macdonald's departure. but on that first album he's woodwind and mellotron work was the centerpiece. plus he and sinfield did most of the writing

[SuperNevile]

Ian (and Michael) on the M and G album cover looked like the coolest dudes on the planet, with their women. Ian here sounds like a music lecturer at a provincial University. Great. For me, the mellotron sounds on COTCK took the Moodies sound to the next level up, and added that extra gothic depth. Good to hear Ian explaining it Tracks only used where needed with double tracking of the mellotron, precise drumming, and multitracked "choir" to give extra power. Oh and deep lyrics!

[oLdSkOoLkisS]

He is very humble & likable....but it is hard to hear his speaking voice.

[zappatx]

Alright! I'm glad someone posted this. I was there in that room too. I was new to the whole subject so not knowing Ian well I asked some questions which were unfair or naive and I always felt bad about that.. Hopefully he would forgive me although I'm sure he has forgotten. He was a true gentleman and even signed my M400 end stock. I tool a lot away from this meeting so thank you Ian!

[emibronte]

Interesting interview (what could be heard, as Ian is a soft speaker). As a Moodies' fan, was pleased to hear a MBs reference toward the beginning of the interview. I think Ian said something like: "Obviously, we had heard of the Moody Blues.." The Moodies were innovators, no doubt about it. Epitaph is such a beautiful song, and the mellotron adds so much to it.

[micheljch]

@emibronte THe first Crimso LP would have been produced by Tony Clarke but the band wasn't happy with they way he was directing the sessions so they abandoned them and decided to produce themselves. Basic tracks from some of these sessions (without vocals) do still exist. Mike Pinder was actually working for Streetly Electronics as a mellotron tech at the time . . .

[reverendbryan]

For some reason, the sound KC got from the mellotron on that first album is the standard by which I measure all others. It was so clean and otherworldly. I've never heard it produced in quite the same way.

[faunoram]

me cago en los que putean contre ian mcdonald, el tipo es un genio no reconocido empañado por la fama de r. fripp

ian mcdonald is great !!

thanks for posting this

[Mikemaniax]

Has this guy ever even heard of Mike Pinder?

[Jacksonjim2]

Probably not. King Crimson's first album is certainly replete with Mellotron, but more people have heard the Mellotron via the Moody Blues' "Nights In White Satin" and all those other Moodies records. That band sold a shitload of albums. Crimson...not so much.

But that by no means diminishes Ian McDonald's role in KC.

[VDGG94ki]

Screw that dudw for saying bad stuff about Vanilla Fudge... they rock so much because they are dated!