Mellotron MKII - Nights in white satin

[@frankabler]

The sad, wailing, melancholy voice of the Mellotron brings me to tears.

[@joeaverage3444]

Is there anything more beautiful about 1960s sound than the wail of the Mellotron's string voice...

[@judd8935]

no

[@melvideo63]

Don't forget the 8-voice choir settings. Both are my favorite; give me goosebumps.

[@יעלברנתן-ר1ו]

No Doubt About that

[@AnkothOfficial]

Yes, the wail of the Mellotron Choir, and GC Brass, the Lofi mellotron flutes and the Distorted Hammond Organ.

[@alexslingluff]

yes, the flute voice

[@edzalewski]

Excellent job! Moodies are one of my favorites! The mellotron was a key instrument in classic rock's psychedelic era, giving the songs that hauntingly beautiful, ethereal, spacey sound when utilized. Puts you in a 'high' without the drugs! I didn't realize how much of Nights in White Satin was played on the mellotron. So proud to have been born in 1967 when this album and classic rock was at it's psychedelic zenith!!! Sgt. Peppers, Are You Experienced?, Piper at the Gates of Dawn, The Who Sell Out, Magical Mystery Tour, Mr. Fantasy, Between the Buttons, Disraeli Gears, Surrealistic Pillow, Procol Harum, The Doors, Buffalo Springfield Again, etc.. An absolutely UNBELIEVABLE amount of classic albums!!!! 1967 was, without question, the GREATEST year EVER for classic rock!

[@marsupialmicron]

The mellotron is one of the most elegant and ethereal instruments ever created. And The Moody Blues is one of the most elegant and etheeral rock bands ever

[@toms.3977]

Agreed!

[@evigklytteren]

Dont forget King Crimson - the early works are drenched in mellotron

[@bobmander7886]

@@evigklytteren And Genesis used plenty of Mellotron during the Gabriel years.

[@jimbartlett1333]

Totally agree! One of my greatest musical influences!

[@waynetardiff9328]

I heard he took his melotron apart and used it to talk to aliens!!!

[@BenStoneking]

This song always gave me chills. Hearing it on the mellotron is killer!

[@XX-121]

that's how it was played live at shows!

[@GreenManalishiUSA]

With all the moving parts and tape ribbons inside them, it is a wonder that these things worked and that they sounded as good as they did. Quite a remarkable piece of engineering.

[@rafkaw1]

Every single unit had a unique sound as a result, a little like human beings.

[@lymangreen5020]

I understand that some of the progressive rock groups would have two or three Mellotrons because of the problems with break down. Tony Banks of Genesis mentions the problem they had with bringing a Mellotron to Nee York City because of the difference between voltage between Europe and America. They had to build a transformer and hoped that it would work!! Fun times!!

[@briane5706]

I think the double keyboard is the MK1. This wonderful song has the definitive Mellotron sound courtesy of Mike Pinder. As the player switched to the flute solo, we must remember Ray Thomas, flute, percussion. vocals and composer who sadly passed away recently. RIP.

[@KC9UDX]

The two most deserving of respect but got the least.

[@jasonmoyer]

Almost all of my favorite Moodies songs were written by Pinder or Thomas. They were brilliant.

[@dw8840]

Ray was overshadowed in my opinion

[@John-ip3xm]

@@jasonmoyer Michael Pinder was discounted towards the end of the 1970's by Justin Hayward in favor of Patrick Moraz, a keyboard wizard from Switzerland. John Keating

[@loganjohnson3589]

It's one of the most beautiful songs ever written .

[@mikelichteveld4604]

One of the most beautiful instruments ever!

[@martron1962]

There is something mysterious and magical about the Mellotron. I think it’s the greatest instrument ever created.

[@chipblock2854]

I have attended eight Moody Blues concerts in the last 40 years. I have heard this song played with an orchestra and one concert with two organs playing with the group. I love the full sound of the orchestra but hearing the Mellotron reminds me of why I have loved Nights in White Satin since 1970 in the first place. The Mellotron gives it a much dreamer sound and feel, which is what the album, Days of Future past, is all about. Thanks for the video.

[@Chaosga]

I can listen to the mellotron all day. Indeed one of my favorite instruments and you sir, just made it even more endearing.

[@Trans909]

Bravo! Excellent performance on a beautifully restored machine. My word, you have all of Pinder's counterpoints down perfectly. I'm very impressed.

[@cbyam1300]

Goosebumps inevitable . This eerie, ethereal sound captivated me when this song first came out & I was a kid. It still has the same effect now.

[@cablevamp3163]

Had the lyrics playing in my head as this played. So. Beautiful.

[@mikebunner3498]

Such a special and wonderful sound. And Mr. Mike Pinder was the master of the mellotron MKII. He makes it look so easy and it is not easy.

[@chrisnicol1644]

That mellotron is beautiful... I don't know why they don't come back...

[@usmcfutball]

When he initially kicks in with his right hand I get chills running down my spine. Because I recognize its place within the song...and because the 'sound' itself is soooooooo dreamlike. Miss the 1970s...

[@ball7066]

This was actually released in 1967. The Summer Of Love. The summer of so many great albums.

[@AD65]

it came out in 1967

[@uyauabing]

It re-entered the Billboard Top 100 in 1972, so you're not quite off the mark here.

[@countblue]

I miss those times too. Sometimes I hear a song and it beams me back in time and place to a scene where this song belongs too. Its always good memories. It seems I have forgotten all the hardships we endured then. It wasnt easy when you had long hair and listened to that kind of music then. We were outcasts.

[@Sargebri]

I prefer the Mellotron to most synthesizers today. They all had that spacey, dreamlike sound.

[@harryhaynes2580]

+Brian Washington Perfect comment man. It's like walking in Alice's wonderland mixed with walking on the moon.

[@Sargebri]

Oh yeah. In fact, when I had a vinyl copy of In the Court of the Crimson King I pretty much wore it out and Days of Future Past is an album to just lay back and relax to.

[@temptor7585]

Its that beautiful tape!

[@stratplayr6997]

Completely agree. You could sample the sounds to a digital keyboard, but it'll never have the depth & quality that an actual Mellotron has.

[@dadadruma]

The Mellotron really gives such a hauntingly heart tugging sound that cant be matched by any modern synth

[@zosxavius]

Well played and a great song to boot. They don't write songs like that anymore....

[@georgemaroudas4793]

I've always dreamed of owning an actual Mellotron, nothing on this planet sounds quite like it.. Back about 30 some years ago I owned a Sequential Prophet 2000 which was pretty much one of the first digital sampling keyboards, it used floppy discs. I had the whole Mellotron Library.. The samples taken were from an actual MKII , and came quite close, but not close enough, but oh how i love those Mellotron strings.

[@bizzlemedia]

Amazing sound, and what a song. Your performance sends shivers! Thank you

[@RoadKing21-e1p]

So hard to find a Mellotron MKII I've searched everywhere i could think of, awesome video that Mellotron sounds and looks beautiful

[@briankehew579]

There seem to be maybe 50-60 left in the world. A few people I know have two, or more, so that eats up the small pile of options. They are the greatest fun, and beautiful-sounding in person, like a Hammond and Leslie (not as good when recorded).

[@mintegral1719]

@@briankehew579 "A few people I know" How on earth do I go about meeting someone who owns an actual Mellotron? I've wanted to play one for so long, but I've never even gotten to see one in person, let alone play it.

[@Adibarum]

Mellotrons are on all my most favourite late 60's early 70's Music...this is a wonderful version of "Nights in white satin" you have just made a new subscriber

[@Earlvis]

You, Sir just broke KZbin with that performance! I had to watch it several times and I absolutely loved it!

[@PE9A3p4hUfwv]

A lot cheaper than studio musicians. Always loved the sound of this thing. So haunting. Rates up there with the Theremin.

[@potate_overlord]

Never thought to compare it to the theremin, both absolutely beautiful but haunting sounding machines in their own rights

[@lsswappedcessna]

Gentlemen, you're hearing what amounts to a $20,000 tape player. And dear god does it sound like every cent. Great playing, my man!

[@Jesus_Wept]

Man, just supremely played on a supreme instrument!!

[@pirhala]

That sound penetrates right to the core of my bones. Very lovely indeed! Thanks for the video 👍🏼

[@keithletchford5886]

A rare delight - thanks for showing us, takes me back decades.

[@markfaige9687]

Mesmerizing instrument. Beautiful song played on a fine instrument and a skilled musician.

[@neutralearth1061]

The MkII sounds so glorious, I can understand why Mike Pinder once said he didn't consider the M400 a "real" Mellotron.

[@johnnyd63]

Often imitated,never duplicated.Amazing.

[@cal4134]

As a kid, I thought the high notes in this song were bagpipes. It still gives me chills. Beautifully done, sir!

[@Tom-ok2rh]

A very beautiful piece of music even without the words..thank you and well done

[@peterjordan2738]

Now I know why the Moody Blues is my favorite group...of all time!

[@risvegliato]

Knights in white satin was one of the first records i bought as a kid. never realised where the sounds came from until now, and i actually studied acoustics and electronic music at uni. need to do more research into the mellotron...

[@johnm2012]

+risvegliato "Knights in White Satin" Lol, that conjures up a completely different mental image than the actual title "Nights in White Satin" does.

[@reneotten2288]

johnm2012 whahaha! Porn music!

[@blave549]

BEE-U-TIFUL MKII recreation. Wow. Nice playing/voice switchiing too!

[@clusterchord1]

sounds phenomenal, majestic. beautifully played as well.

[@TheHirade]

Had to grab my guitar and play the song. Thanks for passing me the past. How different it was :(

[@johnjeczalik8960]

That violin sound brings tears to my eyes.

[@1vtmom966]

Wow, this is as wonderfully distinctive a sound as Justin Hayward's guitar or John Lodge's base lines and Ray Thomas's flute! Thanks for the memories!

[@kiethblack3870]

Mike Pinder! One of music history's underrated geniuses & craftsman.

[@cakemartyr5794]

Hayward says that the song only came to life once Pinder added the Mellotron

[@raymatthews4319]

He deserves just as much credit as Wakeman and Emerson for helping shape the progressive rock sound.

[@beanotraffini681]

Mike Pinder: Sensitive, Gentle Genius (listen to "Out & In" from "Children's, Children's, Children...")!!!

[@artrandy]

Mike Pinder, the best mellotron player there's ever been, or ever will be. Why he walked out on the Moody Blues (and he did walk out on them, and not the other way around), and why he thought earning a living as a musician was incompatible with raising a family, is something I still can't fathom. He destroyed his own career, and took the Moodies down with him, (as far as Im concerned), then spent the next 40 years scoring points off them. He became so bitter, taking mellotron solos from Moodies recordings, editing them together and releasing them on his website as 'Moodies best bits'. I hated it. Family or no family, he must regret leaving. He spent years in a wilderness, seeming to be left out, and surely, if he could relive part of his life and it was January 1973 again, he'd walk straight back into that studio, apologise to Justin and the band, and get down to finishing off what was later called Island, then arrange songs for the new album, which is what he always did. Afterwards they could enjoy the tour, but reduce the dates if the schedule was oppressive. They didn't need to over sell themselves on the road after a number one US album. Mike for all his confidence and talent, was a fool to himself. I get the feeling he's 'unwell,' so naturally Im sorry to hear that..............

[@BP-kx2ig]

Absolutely haunting sound. Loved it ever since I first heard it on Threshold of a Dream. I first heard it live when I first saw the Moody Blues in 1970 in Southampton. Mike Pinder was tuning it up before the concert - talk about goose bumps.

[@ChristianTheChicken]

Breathe deep the gathering gloom Watch lights fade from every room...

[@raymatthews4319]

Bedsitter people look back and lament, another day's useless energy spent

[@justcarcrazy]

Except that's "Late Lament", not strictly speaking "Nights in White Satin".

[@KC9UDX]

@@justcarcrazy I just finally figured out the other day that Hole in the World is separate from Under My Feet

[@brianglade848]

Never moment....my pens in my pants.....

[@georgiethumbs2438]

I love that poem at the end, I memorized it!.............. "Breathe deep the gathering gloom Watch lights fade from every room Urinate in your bed and spew diarrhea Bang the chick when you see her Explosive fart like a rocket People suffocate and eat chocolate"

[@peterkendell5214]

And to think that Mike Pinder had the sheer nerve to TOUR with a mk ii!

[@gsxerwhite]

Amazing instrument and great playing!

[@melvideo63]

Great cover. The Organ on the left manual is a great addition. Thanks for sharing.

[@hifijohn]

looks great in piano black and gold trim.

[@beaufighter245]

Wonderful. All credit to you for the build of what is a beautiful instrument not only in sound but looks too.

[@allmyducksinarow]

You might as well be Mike Pinder! Well done!

[@joostvanegmond62]

Thank you very much! This sound brings emotions of long time ago.

[@scottcupp8129]

Absolutely beautiful sound and instrument. I love Mellotrons. They are amazing. definitely the most revolutionary instrument of all time!!

[@oaktadopbok665]

What an astounding song. The Moody Blues were one of a kind and they don't make em like that anymore.

[@abatista78]

Everytime that I’m listening this video I cry. Awesome.

[@scottkendall5655]

as you listen you can help but get a smile on your face... thanks.

[@progx8679]

What a Gorgeous Mellotron Mk.ll !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@stratplayr6997]

Mike Pinder, is that you? Seriously, beautiful job playing that song!

[@audioisgood]

DAMN THIS IS GOOD. I never knew this was Mellotron playing. So much soul for a sample.

[@dette-envers-les-animaux]

good musician. mellotron is my favorite instrument and sound. the best to make symphonic rock. I discovered it with the blessed moody blues

[@brettjames9088]

Guitar player drifted here looking at organ emulator pedals for guitar. That was really awesome. And fucking serious. And dark and magic and mysterious and seductive. Thanks very much.

[@Spaghettaboutit]

YOU BETTER BUY THAT EHX MEL9!

[@carmenmirandajunkie]

Beautiful exterior. Sounds dreamy and sweet. The mellotron, along with Ray Thomas' flute and Justin Hayward's voice made Nights in White Satin famous.

[@williamgreen4020]

Brilliant, haunting warm and chilling at the same time. True beauty in a keyboard, especially that three violin/string (?) sound.

[@1allanbmw]

I think for me, no other singular instrument defines an era like the melatron does. Of course, just about everyone used it at some time or another. But I don't think anyone else's music is so defined by it as The Moody Blues'. It was a key element in the music scene of the late '60's into the early '70's. For me, these were formative years in every way imaginable and The Moody's with melatron left a very huge mark upon me. It's so nice to see newer generations embrace it and its unique sounds and keep it alive as the Moody's music always shall.

[@seventscott3945]

OMG did that take me out of this world ! Beyond beautiful ..

[@Utulintu]

Haunting but beautiful

[@stephan.scharf]

60s+70s ... good memories ... great music! I miss it.

[@indy_go_blue6048]

Wow! I could almost hear Ray's precious flute and John's bass kick in.

[@beanotraffini681]

This is a particularly magnificent Mellotron, played with sensitivity (and talent...)!

[@CC007]

My god, that was beautiful...thank you for posting.

[@charleskuckel3173]

You get SUCH a magnificent, ethereal, full and majestic sound from technology that's from FIVE decades OLD! I LOVE this instrument and The Moody Blues TOO.

[@jasonpoole2093]

The grief towers over the shadowed hallows. Rising amongst the ruined dreams a song grasps the heart strings. Plucking them lonely and leaving the dim affair to unwind into darkness.

[@zedster911]

Awesome piece of kit ... didn't realise the late great David Nixon was involved with the 'Magic' of the 'Mellotron' ...

[@markJaggi]

Big thank you to the person who put this up!!!!

[@lionheartroar3104]

Lovely...nothing else has the tenderness and space of a mellotron

[@aliciacodurasmartinez3146]

Wonderful .. and undervalued ... Thank you Mike Pinder for creating it

[@KCGeno]

This week (Nov. 10, specifically), marks 50 years since the release of “Days of Future Passed”. What a masterpiece!

[@jacobdavis000]

It's such a beautiful sounding instrument. That one in the video looks really superbly maintained. And by the way: Breathe Deep my friend!!

[@narlycat]

Cold hearted orb that rules the night, removes the colors from our sight, red is grey and yellow white, but we decide which is right, and which is an illusion. ha ha.

[@ritchienegrea5779]

Hmmm. Beautiful. Just can’t matched

[@dalebaker6256]

Is that the mellotron violin and the cello sound? Utterly fab! That mellotron, did'ot came with the fantastic, 8 voice choir! To me the most beautiful sound, that ever came out of a keyboard.

[@MsMarciax]

Beautiful! The Mellotron and the sound. Absolutely Pure Bliss.

[@stevemumford6983]

Absolutely love the other Worldly sound of a Mellotron

[@mellotronn]

I'd love to hear you play the Moodies' "Land of Make Believe". It had beautiful strings (I believe it was the Chamberlin).

[@MsrAlaindeFerrier]

Just look at that keyboard action, looks gorgeous to play like a steinway or bosendorfer

[@KCGeno]

In 1975-‘76, a lot of bands were buying their first all-electronic keyboards. I was offered a used ‘Tron for under $50. But back then, there was no way I could come up with the money! I kick myself, now ...

[@devinthierault]

Gene Davis 4 years later and you had the "affordable" fairlight *sarcasm*

[@Miler97487]

Mellotron for $50? I would have hopped on that immediately, but since this was the '70s and I was a small child at that time, that would have been completely impossible for me. Not to mention location had I been an adult then. Sounds like whoever was selling it for that cheap probably got fed up with the mechanics and reliability. There was no internet where you can gather information how to keep your Tron running.

[@Reprodestruxion]

Gene Davis chamberlins

[@raymatthews4319]

Lol, I bet you wish your foot could reach all the way behind.

[@deeremeyer1749]

@@Miler97487 And you'd have taken it "on the road" and found out why you "stole" it.

[@YamDelgado]

And that's a very well preserved Mellotron!, well played by the way i like it! :)

[@noname1st139]

Wow, I never knew you could make such beautiful noises with a mellotron, would love to try 1

[@lexluthor9705]

It's such a classic sound, it sounds more authentic than most modern orchestral vst's

[@maxbackstrom]

What a beatiful instrument you got there!

[@Boemel]

First time i have heard about this instrument is this video, its amazing.

[@t.anthony3940]

That was absolutely beautiful.....

[@albertomerola9127]

Strumento magnifico, etereo, adattissimo alle melodie dei Moody Blues, ma anche dei primi King Crimson...bello e meritato omaggio!

[@yuvegotmale]

the haunting sound of a Tron.......magnificent....

[@bigpm64]

Wow unbelievable performance!!!👍👍

[@Dolores5000]

Lovely on so many levels priceless instrument as well thank you for posting

[@FuzzyMommy]

I want one!!!❤❤

[@RobertGraziose]

They are digital now. But you can still get an old M400. Tapes job made to order for about 5 grand.

[@tuscanod2]

Awesome job! That instrument looks NEW! THat is exactly the one they (Moody Blues) had! Where the heck did u get that???

[@lizichell2]

What a fantastic instrument when you realise how it works and all the electronics inside. No cheap Chinese microprocessors

[@leemaples1806]

That was a brilliant invention. It made keyboard an orchestra, literally. Unless you`re a rockabilly band you might want some mellotron in your band.