This page is devoted to those albums that are frequently quoted as 'containing Mellotron', but it turns out to be a case of mistaken identity (although not as a result of using samples). Most of the cases I've run into have been simply string synth or real strings, but there's always a few interesting ones that deserve some sort of comment.
Ratings:
The * rating (½-5) is my personal, entirely subjective and completely partisan rating of the music.
There is, of course, no 'Tron rating.
Amon Düül II (Germany, kraut) |
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Dance of the Lemmings [a.k.a. Tanz der Lemminge] (1971) REVIEW (***½)
Wolf City (1972) REVIEW (***½) |
Atonal (Argentina) |
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Plegaria Urbana (1979) |
Beatles (UK) |
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Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) REVIEW (****½) |
Box Tops (US, pop) |
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The Letter (1967 single): real strings |
Brand X (UK, fusion) |
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Moroccan Roll (1977): pictured but not used. Seems they'd intended to, but it broke down... |
Crypto (Netherlands, fusion) |
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Crypto (1975) - string synth REVIEW (***) |
Lucio Dalla & Francesco de Gregori (Italy, pop) |
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Banana Republic (1979): credits 'solina mellotron'. No, it's not a Mellotron, nor does it sound like one |
Dalton (Italy, progressive) |
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Riflessioni: Idea d'Infinito (1973) REVIEW (***½) |
Deadsy (US) |
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Phantasmagore (2006) - Leslie Hall credited on track cut from eventual release |
Stefan Diestelmann (E.Germany, blues) |
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Folk Blues Band (1978) REVIEW (***½) |
Discipline (US, progressive) |
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Push & Profit (1994) REVIEW (***½) |
Druid (UK, progressive) |
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Fluid Druid (1976): real strings/flutes/choir |
Eddy Zoltan (Norway, progressive) |
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Spelemannen (1974): credited, but string synth |
Electric Light Orchestra (UK, progressive pop) |
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A New World Record (1976) REVIEW (***)
Out of the Blue (1977) REVIEW (***) |
Emerson, Lake & Palmer (UK, progressive) |
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Trilogy (1972): the 'strings' on 'Abaddon's Bolero' are overdubbed Moog, according to Emerson |
Espiritu (Argentina, progressive) |
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Libre y Natural (1976) - Ciro Fogliatta |
Frágil (Peru, progressive) |
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Avenida Larco (1981) REVIEW (***½)
Frágil (1979) - César Bustamante
Serranio (1990) - César Bustamante
Cuento Real (1993) - César Bustamante
Alunado (1997) - César Bustamante
Sorpeso del Tiempo (2002) - César Bustamante |
Fruupp (UK, progressive) |
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Future Legends (1973): real strings/string synth
Seven Secrets (1974): as above
The Prince of Heaven's Eyes (1974): as above
Modern Masquerades (1975): as above |
Gandalf (Austria, synth/new age) |
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Visions (1980): before his Mellotronic purchase |
Gentle Giant (UK, progressive) |
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In a Glass House (1973): pictured on sleeve, but not heard (opening FX are apparently BBC tapes) |
Haboob (US/Germany, progressive/kraut) |
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Haboob (1971) REVIEW (***½) |
Horizonte (Argentina, progressive) |
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Horizonte (1977) |
King Crimson (UK, progressive) |
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Live at Summit Studios, Denver, 1972 (2000): credited, but not heard |
Kraftwerk (Germany, synth) |
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Radio-Activity [a.k.a. Radio-Aktivität] (1975): Orchestron |
Led Zeppelin (UK, hard rock) |
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Led Zeppelin IV (1971) REVIEW (****½) |
Lynyrd Skynyrd (US, hard rock) |
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Skynyrd's First &... Last [a.k.a. Skynyrd's First: the Complete Muscle Shoals Album] (1978) REVIEW (****½) |
Máquina de Hacer Pájaros (Argentina, progressive) |
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La Máquina de Hacer Pájaros (1976) |
Gustave Montesano (Argentina, progressive) |
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Homenaje (1977) |
Mountain (US, hard rock) |
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Nantucket Sleighride (1971): some harmony guitar, some distorted Hammond. No Mellotron |
An Pierlé (Belgium) |
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Helium Sunset (2002) REVIEW (***½) |
Polifemo (Argentina, progressive) |
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Polifemo (1976)
Polifemo II (1977) REVIEW (***½) |
Popol Vuh (Germany, kraut/avant garde) |
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Aguirre (1975): apparently the infamous choir-organ again, as heard on various Amon Düül II albums REVIEW (****) |
Raul Porchetto (Argentina) |
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Mundo (1979) |
Predmestje (Yugoslavia) |
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Brez Naslova (1977) REVIEW (***) |
Rainbow (UK, hard rock) |
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Rainbow Rising (1976) REVIEW (*****) |
Rascal Reporters (US, avant-garde progressive) |
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The Foul-Tempered Clavier (2001): credited but just... not REVIEW (***½) |
Schicke Führs Fröhling (SFF) (Germany, progressive) |
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Ticket to Everywhere (1978): pictured but not used |
Sui Generis (Argentina, progressive) |
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Pequeñas Anéctodes Sobre las Instituciones (1974) |
Armando Tirelli (Uruguay, progressive) |
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El Profeta (1978): credited but inaudible |
Martin Wall (Canada) |
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Metaphysical Facelift (1977): string synth REVIEW (***) |
When (Norway) |
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Black, White & Grey (1988): 'Death in the Blue Lake' - interesting samples, but no Mellotron |
Barney Wilen & Dièse 440 (France) |
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Live in Paris, 8 Janvier 1983 (1983) REVIEW (***) |
Robert Wyatt (UK, progressive) |
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Ruth is Stranger Than Richard (1975) |
Yes (UK, progressive) |
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The Yes Album (1970): it's a recorder. Tony Kaye allegedly complained enough about having to play Moog... |
Zoppo Trump (Germany, progressive) |
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Zoppo Trump (2009, recorded 1971-76) REVIEW (***) |