That 'Country Air' wiggly organ......

[Willy Wilson]

What's the story with that wiggly distortion? Did the bumble bee from the Wild Honey stained glass window come to life and fall into the organ?

Me I love it, sadly missing from the MIC stereo remix. It even gets a 'burst-through-the-speakers' mention in the Twofer booklet.

Is it the famous Baldwin? Why was it left in? Was it deliberate? I'm intrigued!

I wonder if the Great Mr Desper knows?

[DonnyL]

Chamberlin

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

I *love* that sound...

[Jay]

It makes the song what it is. 

[jiggy22]

What's the story with that wiggly distortion? Did the bumble bee from the Wild Honey stained glass window come to life and fall into the organ?

If that's the case, then I guess the bee is also stuck in the piano for the entirety of "Here Comes the Night"

[JK]

If I understand correctly, the Chamberlin preceded the Mellotron, was more versatile but less easy to mass produce, although both seem to have been used equally over the years.

On a side-note: I never realized the cello in Oasis's "Wonderwall" was a Mellotron! 

[DonnyL]

If I understand correctly, the Chamberlin preceded the Mellotron, was more versatile but less easy to mass produce, although both seem to have been used equally over the years.

On a side-note: I never realized the cello in Oasis's "Wonderwall" was a Mellotron!  

Simply put, the Mellotron was (literally) a rip-off of Harry Chamberlin's homebrew devices (the recordings of which were made in his garage). Chamberlins were handmade in the US, and the sounds were generally superior (original Mellotron tapes were actually Chamberlin tapes dubbed down with extra compression added).

[JK]

If I understand correctly, the Chamberlin preceded the Mellotron, was more versatile but less easy to mass produce, although both seem to have been used equally over the years.

On a side-note: I never realized the cello in Oasis's "Wonderwall" was a Mellotron! 

Simply out, the Mellotron was (literally) a rip-off of Harry Chamberlin's homebrew devices (the recordings of which were made in his garage). Chamberlins were handmade in the US, and the sounds were generally superior (original Mellotron tapes were actually Chamberlin tapes dubbed down with extra compression added).

Fascinating. Thank you, sir.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

If I understand correctly, the Chamberlin preceded the Mellotron, was more versatile but less easy to mass produce, although both seem to have been used equally over the years.

On a side-note: I never realized the cello in Oasis's "Wonderwall" was a Mellotron! 

Simply put, the Mellotron was (literally) a rip-off of Harry Chamberlin's homebrew devices (the recordings of which were made in his garage). Chamberlins were handmade in the US, and the sounds were generally superior (original Mellotron tapes were actually Chamberlin tapes dubbed down with extra compression added).

Thank you for that!

[DonnyL]

For those so inclined:

http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php?action=printpage;topic=4394.0

[JK]

For those so inclined:

http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php?action=printpage;topic=4394.0

Thanks, Donny. I remember that topic now from c-man's comment about Alan and the drum effect on "Do It Again"...

[Willy Wilson]

For those so inclined:

http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php?action=printpage;topic=4394.0

Wow thanks for that link... that was great!! 

[Dave in KC]

The song also features the best hum ever of any song.

[Willy Wilson]

The song also features the best hum ever of any song.

Along with 'Little Pad' and 'Surf's Up' of course.....  

[Manfred]

It´s indeed a Chamberlain or Mellotron - BUT it doesn´t sound well.

[sockittome]

What's the story with that wiggly distortion? Did the bumble bee from the Wild Honey stained glass window come to life and fall into the organ?

If that's the case, then I guess the bee is also stuck in the piano for the entirety of "Here Comes the Night"

I've heard that bee in at least one section of "Can't Wait Too Long".  Apparently a part done during the Wild Honey sessions?

[Willy Wilson]

Lack of technical jargon alert: I wonder if the Chamberlain was faulty, or the method of recording could not handle a certain frequency or something.

[DonnyL]

Lack of technical jargon alert: I wonder if the Chamberlain was faulty, or the method of recording could not handle a certain frequency or something.

Definitely not the method of recording ... as this same "issue" is apparent on the Sagittarius track "Musty Dusty": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMZc2zft70Q ...

And I don't think the Chamberlin on both track was the exact same unit, as I believe the Beach Boys owned theirs (something Mr Desper could possibly verify if he weren't chased off this board in that other thread).

My guess is that preamps are overloading/distorting as a result of the high-mid frequencies present, or the Chamberlin was in a bright amp (like a Twin Reverb), where the "whistling" type overload occurred. Could also be on the original tapes or error in the duplication of the tapes ... though I've never ever been able to pin down which tape is used for "Country Air", I would guess a strings and brass combo. I don't think there's any distortion like this on the original tapes though; they're pretty clean sounding compared to a Mellotron.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Is it wrong that the thread title phrase "wiggly organ" makes me giggle a little?

[SMiLE Brian]

 

[CenturyDeprived]

  +1

[Willy Wilson]

Well you can't have a name like mine without the odd wiggly organ on the agenda.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

[Willy Wilson]

Wouldn't this song have made an wonderful single? A gorgeous elemental double A-side with 'Cool, Cool Water' perhaps.

[Aum Bop Diddit]

Perfect song, perfect recording.  And  important ingredient of their greatest LP, "Wild Honey."