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KC Editor

Alan Clark, Dire Straits / Eric Clapton / Tina Turner

March 27, 2021 by KC Editor Leave a Comment

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Alan Clark was a pivotal member of Dire Straits throughout the majority of that band’s career. As you’ll hear, it was just one of many interesting experiences for a keyboard player with a storied, ongoing career.

Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab):  

Trevor Horn

Alan’s Blog

History of working men’s clubs

Splinter – Streets at Night

Gregg Allman and Cher

Gallagher and Lyle Live – 1976

Dire Straits at Live Aid

Alan and Dire Straits Live

Alan with Eric Clapton

Alan and Tina Turner

Alan and Trevor Horn Reimagine the 80s

Mysterious Universe podcast

Tag a keyboard player: Keith Jarrett

Desert Island Discs: Innervisions – Stevie Wonder, Songs in the Key of Life – Stevie Wonder, Abbey Road – The Beatles, 8:30 – Weather Report, The Melody at Night, With You – Keith Jarrett.

Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.

We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, or Twitter.

If you’re a keyboard player, we also have a regular email newsletter with interesting news from the industry just for you.

To help us keep the podcast running like a fine oiled machine, we do have a Patreon account if you’d like to contribute the cost of a small cup of coffee a month.

Finally, check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: Alan Clark, Bob Dylan, Dire Straits, Eric Clapton, Greg Phillinganes, Splinter, Trevor Horn

Steve Porcaro, Toto

February 28, 2021 by KC Editor Leave a Comment

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Steve Porcaro is arguably one of the most listened to and prolific keyboard players in the world. Through his extensive session work (Michael Jackson, Don Henley, Yes to name just three), film and TV output and that small little outfit called Toto, there won’t be many people who won’t have heard Steve’s work. We attempt to capture a small snapshot of that amazing career in this interview. 

Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab):

Emerson, Lake and Palmer at the Hollywood Bowl 1971 (with Edgar Winter and Humble Pie)

Example of a Rheem Organ

David Foster

David Paich

Hans Zimmer and his modular rig/s

John Lehmkuhl and Unify

Eddie Van Halen and Beat It

Rosanna and that amazing solo

Greg Ladanyi 

In The Way – The Brothers Johnson

Steve’s solo album: Someday / Somehow

Elton John and ‘The Fox’ sessions

Heather Porcaro

Tag a keyboard player: Steve Weingart, David Garfield and C.J. Vanston

Desert Island Discs: Brain Salad Surgery – Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Close to the Edge – Yes, Empty Sky – Elton John, Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – The Beatles

Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.

We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, or Twitter.

If you’re a keyboard player, we also have a regular email newsletter with interesting news from the industry just for you.

To help us keep the podcast running like a fine oiled machine, we do have a Patreon account if you’d like to contribute the cost of a small cup of coffee a month.

Finally, check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: David Foster, David Paich, Elton John, Greg Ladanyi, James Newton Howard, John Lehmkuhl, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Steve Porcaro, Toto

Glenn Reither, Jon Stevens and Icehouse

February 7, 2021 by KC Editor Leave a Comment

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Glenn Reither is a keyboard and sax player with one hell of a history with acts ranging from the Little River Band to Icehouse and Jon Stevens. Glenn has some great insights on playing keys, touring and a great initiative to encourage young people to get involved in rock music. There’s even a mention of clotting agents and haemophilia: who says we’re not a well rounded podcast?

Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab):

The Rock Academy

Triple J Unearthed

Jon Stevens

Icehouse

Tim Partridge

Billy Whitton

Glenn performing with Nude Funk Orchestra

Glenn performing with Icehouse (both keys and sax)

Wilbur Wilde

Icehouse – Mr Big

Glenn performing with Jon Stevens

Phil Ceberano

Icehouse – DubHOUSE

Tag a keyboard player: Bruce Hornsby

Desert Island Discs: The Way It Is – Bruce Hornsby, Aliens Ate My Buick – Thomas Dolby, Luminessence – Keith Jarrett, Seal – Seal, Live – Alison Krauss and Union Station, Lovers Rock – Sade.

Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.

We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, or Twitter.

If you’re a keyboard player, we also have a regular email newsletter with interesting news from the industry just for you.

To help us keep the podcast running like a fine oiled machine, we do have a Patreon account if you’d like to contribute the cost of a small cup of coffee a month.

Finally, check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: Bruce Hornsby, Glenn Reither, Icehouse, Jon Stevens, Little River Band

A Selection of Bob Moog Interviews

January 24, 2021 by KC Editor Leave a Comment

Thanks to falling down a YouTube rabbit hole and also some specific recommendations (thanks Mark!), we thought we’d post a handful of Bob Moog interviews that will interest and maybe even inspire you. Enjoy!

  1. 2016 interview on early synths and instrument design

2. Bob Moog interviewed at his factory in Asheville, North Carolina (circa 1980s?)

3. For something educational and amusing, here’s three Robert Moogs on camera, but only one is real. Which one is it? (Circa late 1970s?)

4. 50th Anniversary of the Moog Modular (2014)

5. Moog – The Documentary (2004)

Filed Under: Synth history Tagged With: Bob Moog

Dan Walker, Heart

January 19, 2021 by KC Editor Leave a Comment

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Dan Walker has some great insights into the life of a keyboard player as part of a major touring act, as well as some great insights across performing and touring.

Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab):

K.C. Clifford – Rise Up

Dan playing live with LeRoy Bell

Star Anna’s Bowie Tribute

Dan with Ann Wilson’s solo tour 2017

Ann Wilson – Baker Street

Dan’s video  tour of his touring rig

Dan performing with Heart

Petosa Accordions

How to make a living making music – Danny Barnes

How to play in someone else’s band – Danny Barnes

Tag a keyboard player: Benmont Tench AND Geraint Watkins

Desert Island Discs: Live – Donny Hathaway, At Yankee Stadium – NRBQ, Bitter – Meshell Ndegeocello, Fossils – Aoife O’Donovan, Steve Reich: Music for 18 Musicians – Grand Valley State University New Music Ensemble.

Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.

We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, or Twitter. If you’re a keyboard player, we also have a regular email newsletter with interesting news from the industry just for you. To help us keep the podcast running like a fine oiled machine, we do have a Patreon account if you’d like to contribute the cost of a small cup of coffee a month.

Finally, check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: Ann Wilson, Benmont Tench, Dan Walker, Geraint Watkins, Heart, Moog, Nancy Wilson, Nord Stage

Pictures of the Prophet 5 and Prophet 10 rackmounts

January 13, 2021 by KC Editor Leave a Comment

Excuse me while I go wipe the drool from my chin. Here’s the full details on these tasty units.

 

 

Filed Under: Tech News Tagged With: Sequential

Sequential Announce Prophet 5 and 10 Rackmounts

January 13, 2021 by KC Editor 1 Comment

 

San Francisco, CA—Jan 12, 2021—Fast on the heels of the reintroduction of its legendary Prophet-5 synthesizer, Sequential today announced that it has created a desktop version of the acclaimed instrument. As with the keyboard version, the desktop model will be available in both five- and ten-voice configurations, dubbed the Prophet-5 desktop module and Prophet-10 desktop module, respectively. They feature the same authentic vintage sound and front-panel controls as the Prophet-5 and Prophet-10 keyboards, but in a smaller form factor designed for portability and space-conscious studios.

“Our introduction of the Prophet-5 and Prophet-10 Rev 4 keyboards has been hugely successful. At the same time, a lot of people have been asking us for an easy way to fit them into a smaller studio space or into a touring rig,” commented Sequential founder and original Prophet-5 designer Dave Smith. “It was an easy decision to create a desktop module to fill that need. The great thing is, we managed to fit the same big, ballsy sound of the full Prophet-5 into a desktop model. It sounds every bit as awesome.”

Like the original, the new Prophet-5 and Prophet-10 modules feature two multi-waveform analog oscillators, analog resonant low-pass filters and amplifiers, and a filter and amplifier envelope per voice. Modulation is provided by a multi-waveshape LFO and Poly Mod, a ground-breaking modulation scheme for its time that allowed the filter envelope and oscillator B to be routed to a variety of destinations including filter cutoff frequency, oscillator A frequency, and oscillator A pulse width.

And just like the new Prophet-5/10 Rev 4 keyboards, the modules feature genuine Curtis VCOs and filters as used in the Prophet-5 Rev 3, as well as the Dave Rossum-designed SSI 2140 filter — the modern counterpart of the original SSM 2040 Rossum designed in the Prophet-5 Rev 1 and Rev 2. A Rev switch on the front panel allows users to switch between the two as desired.

Also present is the new Vintage knob, which loosens up the oscillators, filters, and envelopes from voice to voice as they typically are in vintage Prophet-5s. Users can dial in progressively more vintage character from a very stable “4,” as in Prophet-5 Rev4, all the way to “1,” as in Prophet-5 Rev1, which was the most temperamental of all Prophet-5s. The original factory sound set is included as well.

Other modern enhancements include velocity sensitivity and aftertouch to increase expressiveness, as well as MIDI and USB connectivity. Control voltage and gate ins/outs are also present for connecting modular synths and other gear. The new modules are housed in a premium-quality, steel case with hand-oiled sustainable black walnut heartwood trim.

Both modules will be available in February. The Prophet-5 desktop module has a US MAP of $2,499. The Prophet-10 desktop module has a US MAP of $3,299.

Filed Under: Press Releases Tagged With: Prophet 10, Prophet 5, Sequential

David K Mathews, Santana / Etta James / Tower of Power (Part 2)

December 13, 2020 by KC Editor Leave a Comment

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David K Mathews has had, and continues to have, an amazing career across a range of genres. In Part 2 of our interview (Part 1 of interview – click here), David covers off his work with Etta James and Santana. If you’re a Hammond B3 player you’ll also love the detail David goes into about his rig..

Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab):  

Etta James Live

Santana Live

Bill Beer organ customisations

Bob Schleicher’s Electronic Instrument Service

The Fantasy Vocal Sessions – have a listen

Fantasy Studios

Pete Escovedo

Desert Island Discs: Anything by Art Tatum, Elis and Tom – Antonio Carlos Jobim, any of Jimmy Smith’s Blue Note releases, Live / In Performance – Donny Hathaway, Albeniz: Iberia Suites – Alicia De Larrocha, Magical Mystery Tour – The Beatles (honorary sixth pick).

Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.

We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, or Twitter.

If you’re a keyboard player, we also have a weekly newsletter with interesting news from the industry just for you.

To help us keep the podcast running like a fine oiled machine, we do have a Patreon account if you’d like to contribute the cost of a small cup of coffee a month.

Finally, check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: Bill Beer, Bob Schleicher, Etta James, Pete Escovedo, Santana

David K Mathews, Santana / Etta James / Tower of Power (Part 1)

November 25, 2020 by KC Editor 1 Comment

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David K Mathews has had, and continues to have, an amazing career across a range of genres. In Part 1 of our interview, Dave covers off his work with Tower of Power and The Rat Band. And he’s only getting started….

Links to content mentioned during the show (links will open in new tab):  

Tower of Power

Dave playing with Tower of Power

Elvin Bishop

Chester Thompson

Larry Blake’s Rathskeller

Dave with The Rat Band

Desert Island Discs:  Coming in Part 2!

Don’t forget to click on any of the subscribe links to automatically have each episode download, or just click play on the player above to listen right here.

We’re always keen to hear from you: drop us a line via the website, Facebook, or Twitter.

If you’re a keyboard player, we also have a weekly newsletter with interesting news from the industry just for you.

To help us keep the podcast running like a fine oiled machine, we do have a Patreon account if you’d like to contribute the cost of a small cup of coffee a month.

Finally, check out our podcast guest playlist on Spotify to get a taste of each guest’s creations.

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: Etta James, Santana, tower of power

JV-1080 ROM Play: Have A Listen

November 14, 2020 by KC Editor Leave a Comment

Today I had the pleasure of firing up my ROlan JV-1080 after having its internal battery replaced and the capacitors replaced on my expansion cards after there had been some issues (if you own any JV80 expansion cards you may want to read this). Aussie synth heads will definitely want to check out Elk Elektronik if you need any repairs done, they’ve done a brilliant job.

Once I’d fired up the 1080 firing on all cylinders, I decided to listen to the ROM Play for old time’s sake. And boy did it take me back. So for those you used to own a JV-1080, here’s the three demo songs in all their glory, enjoy!

Filed Under: Synth history Tagged With: JV-1080

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