Mellotron MkII Watcher of the Skies

[@almason253]

Fun Fact: The Mellotron Mk2 used by Genesis was purchased from King Crimsom. It was prone to breaking down so they dubbed it the Black Bitch. Thank you MM for playing this.

[@michelangelolucco7018]

And after, Banks sold it to Hackett... another strange fact.

[@wjb270]

Download the free demo version from Arturia's website,loads of settings and you can add effects like reverb and chorus!

[@carologiwan501]

@@michelangelolucco7018 interesting as Hackett recommended getting a Mellotron for the band in the early days when he joined the band. He is a keen explorer of different and unique sounds.

[@Yakkymania]

@@michelangelolucco7018 never knew that up until now, you learn something new every day

[@briane5706]

The very best composition written for a Mellotron ever!

[@4fterd4rk13]

My vote for that would be King Crimsons “In the Wake of Poseidon.”

[@malkin_laboratory4692]

The very best composition written.

[@giofarace]

I absolutely agree

[@vancecalvin4042]

@@giofarace Absolutely The Best

[@sheepshoop6190]

I sure do love it, but epitaph by king Crimson is pure genius.

[@GTX1123]

This song is the acid test for any digital keyboard replication of a mellotron. The intro to "Watcher of the Skies" is one of the hardest mellotron sounds to replicate. I've heard some that are noticeably lacking but this one is actually pretty good.

[@md1jkb]

Well it is a proper mellotron, not a digital version. Theres about 4,300 foot of tape in there.

[@GTX1123]

@@md1jkb Ahhhhh...didn't catch that. No wonder it sounds so close...

[@zachhaywood1564]

There are some pretty spot on software versions, namely the G Force M-Tron Pro and Arturia Mellotron V.

[@funklover24]

The magic of early Genesis!

[@stratovani]

Fantastic! The Moody Blues and Genesis were the Kings of the Mellotron.

[@dette-envers-les-animaux]

mellotron can give the most powerful sound. Sorry it is forgotten today. it belongs to others days when people who made true music were true musicians. Not like today. thank you.

[@tangofizz77]

The Mellotron can still be heard on many new releases today. It's also sampled on many virtual instrument libraries.

[@ronniefarnsworth6465]

The Best Mellotron song Ever !!!

[@johnbreedlove3245]

Oh my God. This is IT.

[@TheMister123]

No, no... "IT" is a completely different Genesis song. :-P

[@giofarace]

@@TheMister123 :))) good

[@progx8679]

That is One Gorgeous Mkll Mellotron !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@davekerzner]

It sure is!!!

[@10CentHead]

Classic. Pretty much the ultimate Mellotron intro of all time (IMHO)

[@rhythmista7707]

Tony Banks, man.. What genius at such a young age..

[@FrankyLecostaud]

Agree with you. 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@massimomarchesin8708]

Fantastico grande introduzione strumentale per uno dei brani più belli ed iconici dei Genesis con PETER GABRIEL vestito in calzamaglia nera col mantello faccia pitturata di bianco e copricapo con le ali di pipistrello Così appariva durante le sue performances live nel brano in questione ovvero Watchers of the Skies

[@GTurch52]

17 ppl voted thumbs down??!!! What the hell is wrong with you?!!!! Absolutely spot on - even have the reverb!!!!

[@dalebaker6256]

The mellotron is just amazing, i would so love, to have one, or just play one.

[@misterakt]

Dale Baker super manetron is a wonderful app you might be interested in. iOS app with samples from a 1974 M400 mellotron.

[@raymatthews4319]

I would love to play one just once before I die.

[@mintegral1719]

I've been obsessed with the instrument for years and have still never even been in the same room as one, let alone played one. Someday...

[@massimomarchesin8708]

Questa overture strumentale è incredibile sembra di sentirsi un tutt'uno con l'universo ed il creato Mitici Genesis !!!!!! A Tony dico certamente la tua conoscenza di classica sinfonica e contemporanea compositori come Bach Handel Beethoven etc ti hanno sicuramente ispirato per comporre questa meraviglia !!!!!!!

[@Tjoppy]

Great playing! And that Mellotron looks awesome, almost brand new!

[@paulhess8964]

An ICONIC piece of Music...Gives me chills...Bravo...!!!

[@TheLucreziia]

WOW seeing it played pure Mellotron classic love it thanks.

[@Steinstra-vj7wl]

Beautiful. The Mellotron is a unique instrument.

[@armstronglance]

Sadly I sold my 3. Watcher was the first song I learned on my 1st one. Had a whitey, a teak. and EJ's black one bought on consignment. I didn't come out of my room for a month when I got my first one around 76 or so

[@steve_cdh7324]

where can i find one

[@armstronglance]

Supersuds playz Every now and then you’ll see one for sale. Put a watch on eBay. Know that they require a lot of TLC. Fortunately the one I used the most live, had the updated motor board, and I added my own mods so it never ate tapes anymore. Getting replacement tapes became a challenge after the 80’s. I still have 3 tape frames that I need to sell. Unfortunately each is missing a few tapes, so I’m selling them as just the frame. In the 80’s I sampled my Mellotron on a Roland S50. These days you can purchase Pinder’s Mellotron CD with all the samples.

[@davekerzner]

If you still have those tape frames I'd be interested. I have some tape reels that need frames for my M400. You can find me on Facebook or instagram under the same name: davekerzner or my website

[@allenbaker_music]

Absolutely beautiful!

[@vancecalvin4042]

SPOOKY Ole Fashioned sound Chills ... You just can't beat this Powerful Song Thanks for posting

[@jords5721]

One of my favourite songs played perfectly on one of my favourite instruments. Well done!!

[@rollomaughfling380]

Man, is that one beautiful MkII! Drooling.

[@chrisofnottingham]

Such a fabulous sound - and well played.

[@venomslair137]

Wow, wow... And WOW!!! Can you perform Fountain of Salmacis?

[@bubbamike4743]

Venom's Lair Yes Please!!!

[@campagnol1]

Yep viva Salmacis!!!

[@PearComputingDevices]

Oh my.. Almost steered some emotions it was so beautiful, so complex. Yes a few notes here and there, still that's not an instrument for nubies. Mix that with a little jazz infusion... Lovely!

[@migueldebaires9146]

A m a z i n g. Thanks a lot for this great revival of one of the best songs of Genesis. Thanks again.

[@menswear2112]

Grandiose. Light and Darkness meets.

[@cosmojairzinho14]

C est exactement ça...!!!!

[@danedmiston7734]

All I can say is that I want one!!! Great job!

[@Tarkus406]

Just ordered a new digital Mellotron. Cannot wait to play this!

[@sylvainbonsang7319]

TKs ! ! ! I am in love with that band, & that song ...& that magic chords, really

[@christianguignard9980]

The most magic music of the entire history of music ! Genesis were genius and the mellotron came from another world !

[@jr8870]

The Moody Blues pioneered both the Chamberlin and the Mellotron long before Genesis showed up... Mike Pinder is considered the best to ever play the instrument, and he even introduced it to The Beatles... It features heavily in the 7 concept albums done by The Moody Blues, starting with Days of Future Passed and ending with Seventh Sojourn...

[@BP-kx2ig]

Agree , the Moody Blues are the finest example of the use of the mellotron.

[@olafdahlmann6802]

Such nice and unique sound. Just great. Thanx for the upload 👍

[@fisicauniversitaria]

Sublime. Se me ha erizado la piel. Gracias GENIO ❤.

[@ElektrikHob]

What a sound!! Well played sir! I agree with one of the comments. I think the chord at 0:43 needs a couple of extra notes: an A below the B and also a G# above the F# which I believe then needs to be sustained thru the next 3 chords as well. I have a vid of the intro section. It's not played on a MkII but on GForce's M-Tron Pro. Not as good as the original instrument but not a bad simulation... :) PS. I also think the E at 1:49 should be an F to give a major rather than minor chord... :)

[@danvitco771]

Indeed. I had the same thoughts on the two spots you mentioned.

[@margovallen]

Lovely inside and out. Great playing!

[@GodOfFire334]

I don't know what you're talking about with it being 'not quite right'...I grew up listening to '73 Live on headphones riding my bike to school every morning; that was perfect

[@robertcowart121]

Its not quite right

[@charlesnolan7602]

I heard this intro off a neighbor's radio during summer, 1973.... Found out it was GENESIS!

[@eddajokie4115]

Congratulations! A fantastic interpretation of one of my favourite songs...👏

[@djorlando57]

Wow awesome I just synthesized it with a tune on my KZbin page but still nowhere near the analog. 🎉❤spectacular!!!

[@wajobu]

It never sounded so good, and I've seen it live many times from the early days.

[@Mink-yu8nu]

Jamie Saft playing my fave Genesis song!

[@ericst-jacques2496]

What an amazing sound. Thanks for sharing!

[@mensamoo]

One of the best features of the mellotron is it's faults. I love it when the notes go slightly flat when the motors are overworked.

[@moseva]

Probably best intro ever?

[@relayer705]

The mellotron makes my hair stand on end!!

[@stefanocortivo5374]

Love forever!

[@Bacteriod]

Well, that was just FLIcking fantastic!!

[@2visiondigital]

Curious that one of the most evocative musical instruments of the 20th century is a tape based sampler keyboard. Many of the songs it is featured on like this one, get into you emotionally. LoFi magic

[@matthiaswilhelm9813]

Very nice Performance!

[@antonhoward7968]

That's really good brother

[@Deepwatermusic]

Very nicely done!

[@josephtalboom6090]

Fabulous!

[@Tuurke01]

Mellotron rules!!

[@johnnyd63]

Instantly alluring.

[@judykramer7562]

Mike Pinder’s contribution to rock/progressive music

[@IPLAYPEDALSTEEL]

Holy moly yours is so clean!!!!!

[@massimomarchesin8708]

Il MELLOTRON che meraviglie che magie sonore riesce a compiere !!!!!! Ai tastieristi in generale ma soprattutto a quelli delle giovani generazioni usate il MELLOTRON perché è il miglior strumento musicale a tastiera per riprodurre l'orchestra ,grandi arrangiamenti orchestrali e creare delle atmosfere magiche curiose inquietanti originali insolite mi raccomando specialmente per chi ha scelto di incamminarsi in avventure sperimentali Progressive rock ,il Mellotron secondo me è meglio molto meglio averlo !!!!! Poi ovviamente ogniuno deve fare come meglio crede ci mancherebbe altro !!!!!

[@jennifergonzalez6696]

AhhhHHHHhHHH IT'S BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!

[@thisislogout]

Yes, and let's not forget another awesome accompaniment to the Mellotron, the Bass Pedals. Just two instruments can create a big, awesome drenched sound. Just ask Genesis. I don't think King Krimson used a Bass Pedal?

[@jesusrocknroller6805]

WOW!!! I prefer the 1973 version from the "live"-LP ... respect, perfect!

[@ALONSOBETETTA]

bravo!

[@mammakujo8987]

Sounds great. Can you play some Moody Blues? That would be cool to see on a Mellotron on a youtube video. Something from the "To our Childrens Children's Children's" Album. Good job!

[@MrMellotronman]

See my version of Nights in white satin elsewhere on youtube.

[@davidpancerev9658]

I have a mellotron bucket list .are there any around Erie pa ? need to play it !

[@raymatthews4319]

@@MrMellotronman Do you have a version of Out and In?

[@steviemusic1]

Excellent stuff! Brilliant sound. The only (very small) thing for me is I think the Bm at 0:43 should be Bm7, but otherwise I think it's pretty spot on. My Mellotron is being built as we speak - can't wait...! :-)

[@BetamaxFlippy]

+steviemusic1 are you taking a mechanical or a digital one?

[@steviemusic1]

+Betamax Flippy Mechanical. A new M4000 from Streetly Electronics 😀 Can't wait..!

[@BetamaxFlippy]

Gotta be a lot of work to build it in the digital era!

[@dogastus]

Amazing. Thank you.

[@pataleno]

Amazing...

[@luigicaseri2484]

BRAVO!

[@giofarace]

very good, bravo!

[@Moishe230]

Looked up "watcher of the skies mellotron" Got exactly what I searched for

[@detheridge1951]

Note that th4e left-hand part uses accordion bass for the sounds.

[@lrcb40]

Fabulous

[@rgenericson5361]

Awesome!

[@picardbs]

Brilliant

[@Sargebri]

For some reason I am more drawn to the sound of a Mellotron than I am the more modern synthesizers. At least with the Mellotron you get the sounds of an actual instrument, albeit on tape, as opposed to the electronic sounds of a synthesizer.

[@TheColourCyan]

+Brian Washington I don't think the fact that synths use electronic sounds as opposed to tapes of actual recordings is a bad thing. That said, something about the mellotron draws me to it, and I wish I could afford one, absolutely one of my favourite instruments. Synths are awesome too though!

[@Sargebri]

The funny thing is that I don't think it ever really caught on with American bands. Most of the bands I've heard use them were British.

[@JohnJGenna]

+Brian Washington Check out ""In My First Mind" from Steve Miller Band's 1st album "Children Of The Future"

[@TheColourCyan]

+J. J. Genna Is this going to be a tasty Mellotron album? also - if you want Mellotron albums, look up the website PlanetMellotron. It's devoted to finding and rating all mellotron albums in terms of quality and "mellotronness." Happy listening.

[@BrainPolice5]

+TheColourCyan "Mellotronness". That's just genius.

[@diegomorales8616]

I think the first 2 chords are supposed to be Bmaj7/F# and C#/F#.

[@jumb0j0ck]

Brilliant. What a sound. At 0:43, try putting an A flat with your right pinkie and holding it till it runs it's 8 seconds while playing the chords you already do. What's it like to play? Can you really hear the clunk as the weights rewind the tape after releasing the note? Played G-Force's M-Tron Pro for years now live with Genesisn't but never had my hands on the real thing. Nice one!

[@ElektrikHob]

I concur! :) In my transcription (see comment below for where to find it) I do EXACTLY that!

[@royism]

well done - I believe that Tony Banks used a combination of keyboards including the Mell for Watcher

[@md1jkb]

Not really, just the MkII. Later when he changed to the M400 version he may had supplemented the decending chords towards the end of the intro with a bit of hammond.

[@tioposer]

Awesome!!

[@ukuku99]

Excelente!!!

[@jrockofages5413]

I love the sons of a drunken Hammond

[@paulspivey6799]

You know that was the actual Mellotron that Tony Banks used in Foxtrot, In fact he used it in Trespass, Nursery Cryme and Foxtrot. After that the band purchased the Mellotron M400.

[@md1jkb]

They didn't own one for Tresspass, that was hired in. After that they bough a MkII from King Crimson.

[@irahoffman3867]

good show

[@Price924]

AMAZING!!!!

[@Ritchievilla]

Clap clap clap clap clap👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@titoujezxtian912]

i want this intro for my burial ;-)

[@wirstinson]

The real McCoy 🎶🎹🎹🎹🎹🎼

[@larrylanberg3552]

Very good, very entertaining. Thank you. But I don't agree that its Tony Banks' finest on the mellotron. Instead the outro of "Seven Stones" is. He plays that so well that it literally sounds like a real orchestra.

[@kwtk6636]

とても素晴らしい。

[@kencrisp6333]

Did you experience any challenges playing this piece with the Mellotron 8-second time limit imposed on each note?

[@wellylhakim3619]

Awesome

[@hubbsllc]

What tape/track is being used for the left hand?

[@md1jkb]

Bass accordion

[@tohtori666]

how much do these cost and where can I get one?

[@efhess]

Is it possible to play this on BBC FX MK.II also? I know it has divided manual for each but maybe somehow possible to set as a regular mk2?

[@efhess]

I think they have the regular set with the addition of effects. Because that's the exact model that has been played on strawberry fields forever.

[@efhess]

Thank you for the info. I'll keep that in mind.

[@akemitakeshi8411]

nice

[@vibefrequencyable]

i think the mellotron was the reason I loved genesis and the moodys so much... the loss of hackett and mellotron in 77 expalains why they were not the same after

[@BetamaxFlippy]

Is it possible for you to record it directly?

[@SynthOSphere]

Just wondering what tapes were used for this sound? Thanks!

[@BohemExodia13-w2c]

Grande el Tony Banks

[@massimomarchesin8708]

Il Mellotron Mkll e stato usato dai MOODY BLUES dai BEATLES dai KING CRIMSON dai PINK FLOYD dai VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR dagli STRAWBS dagli ZOMBIES dai GENTLE GIANT dai CARAVAN dai JETHRO TULL dai FAMILY dai TRAFFIC dai CURVED AIR dai GENESIS ed altri .