They debuted with the complex, symphonic rock of Act One, but changed course for 1971’s art rock-influenced Waters Of Change. Beggars Opera: Time Machineįormed in Glasgow in 1969, Scottish prog-rock outfit Beggars Opera were co-founded by vocalist Martin Griffiths and guitarist (and future Iggy Pop collaborator) Ricky Gardiner. A terse, impassioned protest song, “New World” was a highlight of 1972’s Grave New World but it was Blue Weaver’s inspired Mellotron parts (fanfare blasts of brass and swirling strings) which took the song to another level altogether. Written by frontman Dave Cousins, Strawbs’ “New World” was very much a companion piece to “The Hangman & The Papist” from the band’s previous album, From The Witchwood, in that it drew its subject matter from the Troubles in Northern Ireland – a subject which rarely fell from the headlines during the early 1970s. However, even its harshest critics would have to concede it bequeathed a clutch of classic tracks, courtesy of “She’s A Rainbow,” “Citadel,” and the infinitely spooky, proto-space rock workout, “2,000 Light Years From Home”: all of which are significantly elevated by Brian Jones’ mercurial Mellotron wizardry. The Rolling Stones’ lone foray into full-blown psychedelia, 1967’s Their Satanic Majesties Request had a lengthy and difficult gestation and it continues to divide fans and media alike. The Rolling Stones: 2,000 Light Years From Home The latter also co-wrote the album’s epic closing track, “Shadow Of The Hierophant”: a remarkable, 11-minute suite during which haunting, Mellotron-generated strings contrasted beautifully with guest vocalist Sally Oldfield’s emotive keening. Steve Hackett recorded his first solo set, 1975’s Voyage Of The Acolyte, while he was still in Genesis and the sessions featured contributions from his band-mates, Phil Collins and Mike Rutherford.
Framed by sweeping, Mellotron-generated strings, the lush “The Prisoner (Eight By Ten)” was arguably Spring’s apogee, but the whole record was pleasantly accessible and it still sounds good enough to satisfy any open-minded rock fan panning for gold.Ĭlick to load video Steve Hackett: Shadow Of The Hierophant
It remains a must-have for all Mellotron fans, as the instrument played a key role in all of its eight tracks. Oft-forgotten Leicester prog-rock outfit Spring featured future Dire Straits drummer Pick Withers and recorded just one self-titled album for RCA in 1971. The song’s weighty subject matter was well-matched by its complex – if energetic – mix of time signatures, with Tony Banks’ Mellotron responsible for the sweeping strings which perfectly framed the track’s pastoral middle section. The epic opening track from Genesis’ eighth album, 1976’s Wind & Wuthering, “Eleventh Earl Of Mar” told the story of John Erskine, a Scottish Jacobite who supported the restoration of the House of Stuarts to the British throne during the 17th and 18th Centuries. Veteran UK rockers Uriah Heep also took a surprisingly ethereal tilt at the song for their first album, 1970’s …Very ‘Eavy… Very ‘Umble, with sessioneer Colin Wood’s eerie Mellotron framing the band’s haunting, proto-goth reading of the song.Ĭlick to load video Genesis: Eleventh Earl Of Mar Penned by Fred Hellerman and Fran Minkoff, durable anti-war paean “Come Away Melinda” was first recorded by Harry Belafonte in 1963 and it’s since passed through the hands of artists as diverse as Bobbie Gentry, UFO, and Tim Rose. Kingdom Hearts II ( HD II.5 ReMIX/ HD II.8 Final Chapter Prologue/ Soundtrack/ HD II.Click to load video Genesis: Dancing With The Moonlit KnightĪ Top 10 hit in the UK and a sizable breakthrough in the US, Genesis’ fifth studio album, 1973’s Selling England By The Pound opened with the shape-shifting “Dancing With The Moonlit Knight.” Initially nostalgic and wistful, the song built into a hard-edged rocker which slashed and burned its way through eight minutes, offering guitarist Steve Hackett ample opportunity to display his virtuosity and for keyboardist Tony Banks to deploy the Mellotron’s woodwind and choral functions to devastating effect.Kingdom Hearts ( HD I.5 ReMIX/ Soundtrack/ Soundtrack Complete/ HD I.5 ReMIX Soundtrack)
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