Watcher of the Skies, Opening Chords with the Mellotron M4000D

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  • Опубліковано 8 кві 2020
  • Watcher of the Skies, Opening Chords with the Mellotron M4000D, using a Korg O1W ProX for the left hand notes, Hammond XK3C direct for the Hammond. Music written by Tony Banks and Genesis, from the Foxtrot album.

КОМЕНТАРІ • 172

  • @andrewmurray5542
    @andrewmurray5542 2 роки тому +139

    He looks exactly like what I imagined a watcher of the skies would look like

  • @fueledbylove
    @fueledbylove 4 місяці тому +16

    I knew that Santa kept all the best Toys for himself!

  • @ProgRockDreams
    @ProgRockDreams Місяць тому +5

    Amazing. Goosebump time. How I miss Genesis live from the 70 and 80's.

  • @erickjason9092
    @erickjason9092 2 роки тому +80

    What a sick setup! There is no sound more beautiful than a mellotron.

    • @ProgRockKeys
      @ProgRockKeys  Рік тому +14

      Worked on this setup my whole life! Thanks!

    • @erickjason9092
      @erickjason9092 Рік тому +6

      @@ProgRockKeys NO thank you for displaying an age and style of playing that no longer exists. Oh how I miss the 60's and 70's

    • @erickjason9092
      @erickjason9092 Рік тому +1

      @@BP-kx2ig Unbelievable - amazing

  • @TheScreamingFrog916
    @TheScreamingFrog916 Рік тому +39

    One of the most beautiful uses of the Mellotron, in Progressive rock history.
    Wonderful performance sir.
    Thanks for sharing.

    • @ProgRockKeys
      @ProgRockKeys  Рік тому +3

      Thank you, that was very nice!

    • @robertpfeiffer8836
      @robertpfeiffer8836 Рік тому +4

      Agreed! Tony Banks, Wakeman, Mike Pinder (moody blues) were/are the definitive masters of the Mellotron IMO. And this dude completely nails it!! Beautiful.

  • @bernwebb1539
    @bernwebb1539 Рік тому +16

    As a drummer I start the hi hat rhythm off as you fade out, perfectly played John, wonderful!

  • @hillshepherd9444
    @hillshepherd9444 2 роки тому +15

    The MOST CORRECT Sound I have ever heard from Cover !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Excellent !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • @nx01craig
    @nx01craig 7 місяців тому +3

    Behold the majesty and glory of our Mellotron overlord! Praise!!!

  • @lazycalm41
    @lazycalm41 2 роки тому +66

    As a life long Genesis fan I can say that was perfectly done! however my eye was drawn to that modular Moog behind you. Keith would have been proud!

    • @ProgRockKeys
      @ProgRockKeys  2 роки тому +9

      Thanks! That modular is the product of a wonderful small company located south of Dallas Tx called Synthesizers.com. I have it featured on another video, playing a Bach Invention, but I have this idea for something completely different hopefully coming soon.

    • @KilroyWasHere83
      @KilroyWasHere83 2 роки тому

      Of course the true way to make him proud is to stab knives into its keyboard

    • @reeseboyd5730
      @reeseboyd5730 2 роки тому

      Nice Time and Tide profile pic!

    • @lazycalm41
      @lazycalm41 2 роки тому +1

      @@reeseboyd5730 Thanks, Greenslades finest album, sadly too late to save the band from breaking up!

  • @ashratempel5094
    @ashratempel5094 Рік тому +7

    Amazing Mellotron intro from the summer of my years.❤❤❤❤❤

  • @skipmessier765
    @skipmessier765 10 місяців тому +3

    He absolutely nails it ! Sounds like Tony Banks with original equipment. No knock to Roger King who, to the best of my knowledge uses synths only to achieve the same.

  • @ericpaulos1695
    @ericpaulos1695 Рік тому +5

    Gave me chills to watch this!! Off the hook!

  • @mikelmart
    @mikelmart 2 роки тому +6

    That introduction is prog in a nutshell.

  • @edwardcumpstey9061
    @edwardcumpstey9061 4 роки тому +30

    Woah, you are like a wizard. Great cover sir!

  • @ericst-jacques2496
    @ericst-jacques2496 2 роки тому +11

    One of the greatest cover i’ve heard. Fantastic!!

  • @MagnumMuscle1000
    @MagnumMuscle1000 Рік тому +4

    I've heard this intro hundreds of times (well done!) And just now realized it sounds like the soundtrack to a 1950's creature feature monster movie. I can just picture Dracula emerging from his coffin, or Frankenstein coming alive with lightning. So cool.

    • @ProgRockKeys
      @ProgRockKeys  Рік тому +4

      Thats what it looked like to me, at the Roxy in 1973. I had never even heard the band before, this was my first intro to them, live, with Peter Gabriel in the dark, spreading out his bat wings right in front of me! It really made an impression, I have to tell ya!

  • @daonfpe
    @daonfpe 10 місяців тому +1

    Wow!
    “How appropriately monumental, and that without decadence!
    What we’ve captured in that one composition alone-ALONE!”

  • @brianburke8035
    @brianburke8035 3 місяці тому +2

    Bang on John - it sounds exactly like the way Banks played it. Great sound

  • @akaski777
    @akaski777 8 місяців тому +1

    Still blows my mind today today

  • @jondoe7451
    @jondoe7451 9 місяців тому +3

    It's the warble and imperfections that make it great.

  • @redyosh9811
    @redyosh9811 Рік тому +2

    Damn, Santa. Kick ass!

  • @MuzixMaker
    @MuzixMaker 5 місяців тому +1

    Brilliant.

  • @Keefcooks
    @Keefcooks 2 місяці тому +1

    Brilliant!

  • @andreaforte8768
    @andreaforte8768 9 місяців тому +2

    Che emozione. Sembra proprio di ascoltare l'inizio di Foxtrot. ♥️ Tony Forever.

  • @michaellloyd463
    @michaellloyd463 2 місяці тому +1

    fantastic....I absolutely love this.

  • @stevefick3919
    @stevefick3919 2 місяці тому +1

    Such a beautiful haunting sound!

  • @1ouncebird
    @1ouncebird 11 місяців тому +3

    Wow! That hits the spot. Well done sir.

  • @MAZZI100
    @MAZZI100 2 місяці тому +1

    Superb!. ♥

  • @GTurch52
    @GTurch52 Рік тому +2

    Perfection!!!!!!!

  • @tindrum
    @tindrum 5 днів тому +1

    Anyone else start singing the high hat pattern toward the end? beautiful work.

  • @daviddelossantos6075
    @daviddelossantos6075 8 місяців тому +1

    Love this!!

  • @malkin_laboratory4692
    @malkin_laboratory4692 2 роки тому +2

    Now I've got, how real watcher of the skies looks like!) Great mild sounds and slow deepest tempo of performing!

  • @michaelrocker9000
    @michaelrocker9000 Рік тому +1

    I remem ber seeing them when they first came touring in the US. First time i ever saw a Melotron.They had 3 separate tape racks all in road cases and they had to sit out in room temperature so they would be stable when inserted in the Melotron. It sounded so cool. Back then in 1973 my friend bought a brand new B3 with a 122 Leslie right out of the box for $3000 USD as well as a Mini Moog Model D. They did Yes ELP and Gen and played in battle of the bands. They never won despite how good they were. It was always the Led Zep style bands that won.
    BTW nice job on WOTS. :)

  • @massimomarchesin8708
    @massimomarchesin8708 3 роки тому +8

    Una delle più belle introduzioni strumentali col Mellotron che abbia mai ascoltato e sempre nello stesso brano uno dei più bei finali sempre col Mellotron e sempre dei Genesis un altro grande finale da Seven Stones sempre col Mellotron !!!!

    • @orcogeniale
      @orcogeniale 3 роки тому +1

      Ma seven stones non finisce col piano? 🤔

    • @giannirizzi1031
      @giannirizzi1031 7 місяців тому

      ​@@orcogenialeBeh, no. Il piano in Seven Stones non viene utilizzato, ci sono solo organo e Mellotron ed è proprio quest'ultimo che termina il brano unitamente all'organo Hammond.

  • @need2knowblue
    @need2knowblue 2 місяці тому +2

    epic

  • @Bacteriod
    @Bacteriod Рік тому +2

    Nailed it!

  • @deaterk
    @deaterk 2 роки тому +1

    Beautiful! Thank you for sharing!

  • @Coopertom
    @Coopertom 3 роки тому +2

    Absolutely beautiful!

  • @stevepersighetti3400
    @stevepersighetti3400 Рік тому +1

    Goosebumps!

  • @sammyvh11
    @sammyvh11 Рік тому +1

    Outstanding !

  • @enfacedeglace
    @enfacedeglace Рік тому +1

    Marvellous!

  • @edelachtbare100
    @edelachtbare100 8 місяців тому +1

    Absolutely wonderful!

  • @garysczerbaniewicz5951
    @garysczerbaniewicz5951 10 місяців тому +1

    Spot-on! Well done!

  • @Mellotron61
    @Mellotron61 3 роки тому +3

    oh lala ...excellent 👏👏

  • @johnny-p
    @johnny-p Рік тому +1

    Excellent!

  • @randlerobbertson8792
    @randlerobbertson8792 2 роки тому +3

    Ethereal, spine tingling and wonderful....

  • @gabrielapfel6467
    @gabrielapfel6467 10 місяців тому +1

    One of my favorite videos on youtube at the moment, i love the end how he keeps going

  • @samuelfaust
    @samuelfaust Рік тому +1

    Simply Amazing. Wonderful.

  • @ny21live
    @ny21live 2 роки тому +1

    Perfect.

  • @NicolasMelis
    @NicolasMelis 8 місяців тому +1

    sounds great! well done !

  • @jamesalfaro3155
    @jamesalfaro3155 2 роки тому +1

    Excellent performance !!! 👍👍👍

  • @vocalworks
    @vocalworks 2 роки тому +1

    Perfect Performance!, the best cover of this song that I have seen, and I saw a lot of it, congratulations!

  • @Zerpersande
    @Zerpersande Рік тому +1

    Well, that was pretty much spot on, huh? Pretty much perfect. Congrats!

  • @andreaforte8768
    @andreaforte8768 Рік тому +1

    Perfetto. Grazie

  • @anthonyelectric6045
    @anthonyelectric6045 Рік тому +1

    Perfect 👍

  • @Sam_Utah
    @Sam_Utah 2 роки тому +1

    Abso-feaking-lutely. So good. Korg 01W!!! Mellotron! Two of my fave instruments of all time. Did several albums with the Korg 01W, simply a great and easy to use workstation. Floppies aside, the sequencer!! so easy and the sounds never get old to me although I guess I would be considered old by now. Sold my mellotron in 1988 to get a VP330, always regretted that move should have stretched and kept both. You are the real deal. sub.

  • @javicampins8547
    @javicampins8547 2 роки тому +3

    Perfecto !!!

  • @stevedaymond3857
    @stevedaymond3857 2 роки тому +1

    Awesome

  • @MarcoAntonio-ve7je
    @MarcoAntonio-ve7je 10 місяців тому +1

    great cover

  • @vanderlei3450
    @vanderlei3450 2 роки тому +2

    Perfeito, parabens

  • @ariokanario
    @ariokanario 2 роки тому +2

    Spot on! Labour of love! Magnificent!

  • @pietrozaffutomusic
    @pietrozaffutomusic Рік тому +1

    Congratulazioni maestro

  • @fisicauniversitaria
    @fisicauniversitaria 13 днів тому +1

    Genial ❤❤

  • @dariaschooler
    @dariaschooler 3 місяці тому +1

    In 1976-77, age 16-17, I went into Chicago to see Genesis with Peter Gabriel on vocals and Phil Collins on drums. This song was the opener. Unforgettable!

  • @TheOriginalPickleRick
    @TheOriginalPickleRick 2 місяці тому +1

    Was waiting for the bass and drums to come in.

    • @eegull
      @eegull 2 місяці тому

      Dah-de-de dot dot dot dot dot de-dot dah-de-de dah-de-de
      Dah-de-de dot dot dot dot dot de-dot dah-de-de dah-de-de
      etc!

    • @TheOriginalPickleRick
      @TheOriginalPickleRick 2 місяці тому

      @@eegull Yeah that's it.

  • @ADVENT_MarkPtak
    @ADVENT_MarkPtak 3 роки тому +7

    Very nice...
    (I think there should be an octave Bb in the left hand at 0:32 , though.)
    Excellent sounds...great job!

  • @JohnLRice
    @JohnLRice 3 роки тому +2

    Nicely done! :-)

  • @mylowproject
    @mylowproject 2 роки тому +1

    VERY NICE

  • @lucberger3947
    @lucberger3947 3 роки тому +2

    5 stars excellent

  • @neutralearth1061
    @neutralearth1061 7 місяців тому +1

    Thanks for the awesome Mellotron demonstration, and for playing one of our favorite Mellotron songs! As longtime lovers of the sound of the Mellotron (Craig's 1st musical instrument was his M400 acquired in 1976) our philosophy is... "There is no such thing as too much Mellotron". We have the M400 (W/4 tape frames) an M4000D (the big one), and two Mellotron Micro's. We also used several Mellotron Apps on our 1st album.
    Long live the Mellotron!

    • @ProgRockKeys
      @ProgRockKeys  7 місяців тому +1

      Cherry Records is releasing a compilation called Blank Generation. One cut is called Gimme Cigarette by Cigarettes, basically Philo Cramer and me in 1975-1977. Opening chords are from my chamberlain 100, strings, the prototype for a Mellotron. A true bonafide nightmare instrument.

    • @neutralearth1061
      @neutralearth1061 7 місяців тому

      @@ProgRockKeys Sounds awesome! We will look for it!

  • @lastcre8iveicon
    @lastcre8iveicon 3 роки тому +1

    Cool beans, John!

  • @manuelandrada9065
    @manuelandrada9065 2 роки тому +1

    genial!

  • @armandmichaeldream8654
    @armandmichaeldream8654 2 роки тому +2

    excellent Mellotron !

  • @massimoemma6617
    @massimoemma6617 Рік тому +2

    magia... pura.... 🎶👍🎵💪😁

  • @boatingdave1883
    @boatingdave1883 2 роки тому +1

    Bravo!

  • @robertpfeiffer8836
    @robertpfeiffer8836 Рік тому +1

    Dude, a modular Moog....in your home set up??? WOW! What a rig!! I'd give my left foot to have something like this at my daily disposal. Oh, and outstanding rendition of the Watcher intro, BTW. Thank for this!

    • @ProgRockKeys
      @ProgRockKeys  Рік тому +1

      The Modular is by a company called synthesizers dot com. The make full size modules in the style of the original Moog, but with modern components.

  • @kwtk6636
    @kwtk6636 9 місяців тому +1

    とても素晴らしいです。

  • @anthonyderosa5181
    @anthonyderosa5181 4 роки тому +1

    Very nice John.

  • @tonykeith76
    @tonykeith76 10 місяців тому +1

    For my whole life I dreamed to have such instruments.. ( Minimoog first )
    Congratultions and greetings from Italy

    • @ProgRockKeys
      @ProgRockKeys  10 місяців тому

      Yes, me as well! I’m 67 years old, went to work at 17 and got my first Hammond M3 organ for my 18th birthday. I keep buying keys ever since that time! 50 years of working, but I finally have them! Haha
      Now I need to use them more, your comments are inspiring

  • @erikhertzberg
    @erikhertzberg 2 роки тому +1

    Great work! Helped me to learn. I wonder if you could get that left hand accordion bass sound on a Moog also?

  • @usaroman
    @usaroman 8 місяців тому +1

    Congratulations... the entire note by note performance is spot on. Wish to there was a score to these parts. Thanks 🎉

    • @ProgRockKeys
      @ProgRockKeys  8 місяців тому +1

      There’s a great top view of someone playing this, I scribbled a score down from that at the time, then memorized it.

  • @TRAZOME
    @TRAZOME 5 місяців тому +1

    💥

  • @fryderyk2462
    @fryderyk2462 2 роки тому +1

    Best overall sound in this version....

  • @krm3345
    @krm3345 Рік тому +1

    Really he is a Wizard

  • @davebellamy4867
    @davebellamy4867 2 роки тому +2

    1:46 Just needs Phil to come in quietly there. This reminds me of the Genesis Live version.

  • @hamiltonburger4574
    @hamiltonburger4574 2 роки тому +1

    BRAVO!
    Fucking Brilliant!
    Well done indeed.

  • @MattyB3
    @MattyB3 3 роки тому +3

    John, this is one of the best versions I’ve heard. I am currently in the middle of re-creating the sound and was wondering if you used in Oregon/B3 . for the left hand did you use use a chord or just an octave for notes held. Again great job

    • @ProgRockKeys
      @ProgRockKeys  3 роки тому +3

      Thanks! Left hand is octave only, played on a Korg 01W/ProX with an orchestral card, the Anna Strings patch. Right hand is Mellotron 4000D, Brass on one channel, 3 Violins M400 patch on the other. When I turn to my right I do switch to a Hammond XK3c on right hand, doubling the Mellotron part on my left - Hammond sound is a direct patch, I didn’t bother with the Leslie.
      I recorded direct into Reaper through my Tascam interface, and applied a fairly heavy dose of Reverb but I don’t remember which Reverb patch it was. That was when it really filled out on my studio speakers. When I play it in the room it also sounds awesome, but I use a couple of old Bose effects units live, one for digital delay and another for reverb.
      That Korg Anna Strings patch when doubled up with Mellotron really works also, I will post something one of these days to demo that sound. 30 year old keyboard, that Korg, but it has a few sounds that still sound fat and lush, at least to my old ears. :)

  • @patrickr.452
    @patrickr.452 3 роки тому +1

    Spot on!

  • @arthurmee
    @arthurmee 3 роки тому +2

    Tony Banks in 40 years time . . .

    • @briane5706
      @briane5706 3 роки тому +1

      Tony Banks in forty years time will be 101!

    • @arthurmee
      @arthurmee 3 роки тому +1

      @@briane5706 precisely . . .

  • @RayyMusik
    @RayyMusik 2 роки тому +3

    Very accurate reproduction of my favorite Mellotron piece.
    But what I like even more is your complete set of keyboards. 🤩
    Would you mind to list it?

    • @ProgRockKeys
      @ProgRockKeys  2 роки тому +10

      Let’s see - current main rig
      Hammond XK3C with Leslie 3300
      Moog Voyager XL
      Synthesizers Dot Com System 66
      Korg O1W Pro/X
      Roland RD700NX
      Mellotron M4000D
      Mini Moog Model D (original)
      Soundcraft GB2R 12.2 Mixer
      QSC Power Amp
      JBL pole mount stage monitors, 15” woofers
      Roland KC 600 for low end
      Working on something that will feature the entire rig, soon.

    • @robertpfeiffer8836
      @robertpfeiffer8836 Рік тому

      @@ProgRockKeys - all you need at this point is a set of Taurus Peddles and your life is complete! 😁

  • @paolocrestani2371
    @paolocrestani2371 9 місяців тому +1

    Is he playing two mellotrons ? Tony Banks used to have just one.

  • @patrickpeeters2637
    @patrickpeeters2637 3 роки тому +9

    great sound John, I'm trying to get this out of my Memotron, but I think I might need a second kb to get closer to the original....good job.

    • @ProgRockKeys
      @ProgRockKeys  3 роки тому +2

      Thanks - Brass and Strings on right hand, I think he used Accordian of all things on the left, very low register. I’m just using a low string pad of the Korg 01W Pro/X. The Anna Strings patch on the old Korg sounds amazing just doubling the Mellotron strings, one of these days I will post a recording of that.

    • @GenesisFan01
      @GenesisFan01 2 роки тому

      @@ProgRockKeys yup, it was an accordion in the left hand. Don't know how he did it when he changed to just the M400 though.

  • @harrynewiss4630
    @harrynewiss4630 Рік тому +1

    Father Xmas is a good player

  • @GNeuman
    @GNeuman Місяць тому

    I didn't know Dicky Attenborough played keyboards😮

  • @hubbsllc
    @hubbsllc Рік тому +1

    Where can a person find a transcription of the whole intro?

  • @joelupo9999
    @joelupo9999 Рік тому +1

    excellent, is that a 55 behind you?

    • @ProgRockKeys
      @ProgRockKeys  Рік тому

      System 66 by a company in Texas called synthesizers dot com

  • @billmay7364
    @billmay7364 2 місяці тому +1

    To me Watcher of the Sky's
    By Genesis and Starless by King Crimson set the Bar for Mellotron.

  • @frank7690
    @frank7690 8 місяців тому +1

    Questo pezzo sarebbe favoloso anche suonato in una chiesa.
    Poi si lamentano che nessuno ci và più.

  • @saracot8994
    @saracot8994 Рік тому +3

    Nádhera-Phil Colins říkal,že když to hrál Tony Banks v koncertní realizaci,že si připadal jak v raketě

  • @devintariel3769
    @devintariel3769 Рік тому +1

    Garth Hudson's brother Space Hudson.