The Journey of Jean -Jacques Smoothie's Yamaha CS-5!
It's time for more synth-ro-pomorphization.....
Our dear friend and label mate, Jean - Jacques Smoothie, bestowed upon us this lovely little rock star of a synth, the Yamaha CS-5. Mr. Smoothie used this very synth to create the sweet bleeps and blips in his 2001 classic, "2 People". Along with a Moog Opus 3, Smoothie also used the charming little synth in his live setup and during his 2003 tour (guess who got to sing "2 People"?).
And now....
Here is the first episode of the CS-5's journey to our L.A. digs with her new foster parents! Via tarabusch on YouTube:
I'll be firing her up today - hopefully she'll have a mouthful of obscenities for us between what may be an injured circuit board and a few loose screws. Perhaps we can fix her together!?? Thoughts anyone?
Till then, here's the divine Jean Jacques Smoothie w/ his sweet U.K. smash "2 People" on Top of The Pops.
Find Smoothie's website here!
It's full of great goodies & downloads including the new version of "2 People" by Smoothie and Vandal with my vocals.
Analog Suicide
1 Comment
Hooray! SonicState.com's latest eposodes of Wigdergal's World and Top 20 Weirdest Instruments!
It's time for the latest episodes from two of my favorite series that SonicState.com has on their divine menu!
First is Wigerdal's World, SonicState.com's "very own Stockholm correspondent. This week he digs even deeper into his bizarre collection of junk (er, I mean musical instruments) to show us his very own personal pocket calculator with attitude, the cuddly ol’ Casio VL Tone."
I'll keep my eyes peeled during those neighborhood yard sales for this sassy little Casio.
I had a chance to visit Mr. Wigdergal's website - wow! What a wonderland.
Next up, SonicState.com's latest episode of the 20 Weirdest Instruments....
The EMS Synthi 100 steals the show.....the devastating blow wasn't the 12 VCO's, the 3 ring modulators, the 3 channel digital sequencer(from 1969?!)or even the oscilloscope - it's the fact that it requires an ignition key. Dreamy.
More movies to come today! The rumours are true!
AnalogSuicide.com Loves You! Now watch these nice commercials...
I am performing a bit of "maintenance" today, but felt I could at least get myself involved in providing you guys with some extra special hold music...'till then, I must carry on working to uphold my end of the wonderful rumour that the Graham Massey sequel to this post will be up tomorrow!!
You're gonna LOVE this, especially you fellow American '80's kids . Everyone else will hopefully have some morbid curiosity....remember Alfonso from the show Silver Spoons? The "fold -out breakin' board"?
via radiumclock on YouTube.
But wait! Here's more. I've never even heard of this and it's not even a commercial! It's just another terrible 80's video. But do I spy a Moog Prodigy?
via microview on YouTube:
"Synth-pathy" for the Pro One Synth! A Homecoming...
The "less rational" side of me likes to believe that my keyboards are living, breathing creatures. That side of my character must stand up and have her say tonight. In saying that, the rational side of me would like to prepare you for a post that is a bit off of the usual burrito.
You see, the "less rational" side of me usually is distracted with things like song writing, eating avocados, injecting red wine straight into my bloodstream, etc.... but I can't help but share my sympathy for my Pro One synth. Or should I say "synth-pathy"? Damn, I'm good.
Anyway, we traveled to North Hollywood to scoop up my newly repaired Pro One from Big City Music. One of my favorite places to visit, we had a short wander with Roger around the "candy shop"! And what a candy shop it is.... a massive Analogue Systems Modular, Analogue Solutions Vostok Suitcase Synth, LL Electronics RozzBox (the one with the "tube filter"...hmmm!),Moog Taurus Pedals, Future Retro's Revolution Synth, Jomox's XXX 999 Drum Machine, Metasonix pedals and Moogerfoogers, the Minimoog OS...and, sitting quietly in the corner dripping patch cords from her face like a 3 year old child with a plate of spaghetti, was the one that makes my heart sing: the ARP 2600. (via AutomaticGainsay on YouTube.)
We made our way to the main room where a few machines in a similar state that my Pro One used to be in were undergoing "minor surgery". I spied a Roland TB 303 & a Moog Prodigy ( maybe - I could only see the back) and maybe an OB-8 or two ?? Anyway, I began wonder: is my Pro One happier here? I bet I'm taking her away from all her new friends!
This scenario brought to mind that movie that traumatized many children in the 1970's - "Snoopy Come Home"....Oh, the dispair that flooded forth when Snoopy and Charlie Brown were seperated...Who remembers this? Via TickleMeCthulhu on YouTube:
If this doesn't make you sob, then perhaps you need to put some marshmallows in your hot cocoa. Or maybe some bourbon...
We said our goodbyes and sped off into the hills for Los Feliz. The Pro One sat mournfully in the back seat (behind her securely fastened seat belt) and I thought...well, Farfisa & Vox Jaguar will be happy to see you; so will Rhodes and Whurly! Well, here's the good news:
Happy keys indeed....but Pro One hasn't met the "new" Yamaha CS5 yet.... Stay Tuned!
AnalogSuicide in Wales: The Lovely Llanfrynach Church's Pump Organ!
Here's the first in our tales of Wales! As you may know, Maf & I visited his home country of Wales recently. We were nestled in the stunning Welsh countryside at his brother's house in Cowbridge among frolicking lambs, an organic farm that boasts fresh asparagus, strawberries, fruit trees and a luscious vineyard. A short distance away lies the Llanfrynach Church, "the ancient church of St. Brynach".
I especially love that you must get the key to the church from the pub up the street....wonderful.
Here's a bit that I copied from the sign out front:
"...St. Brynach's is a little altered mediaeval church of 12C origin. It is noteworthy that St. Brynach's was for centuries the parish church of Penllyn and remains its burial ground.It is thought that the stone traces of the settlement adjacent to the church are of Romano British origin and that this "village" was wiped out in the Black Death(14C)."
Read more about the history here and here.
And yes! The Pump Organ! Wheezy, sad and reluctant with sticky keys and mildew, nothing sounds quite like it. I love it. I was particularly charmed by the fact that this Mary Pickford of a musical instrument had a Vox Humana "organ stop"...hmmm...just like the luscious Polymoog (What is Vox Humana? Peek here.)!! Watch here via tarabusch on YouTube...
Stay tuned for more adventures from Wales including "The Journey of Jean Jacques Smoothie's CS-5":