I could not find the name of the keyboard player, but in Cyndi Lauper’s band All through the night (Live in Paris, 1987) there is a memorable MemoryMoog solo.
Although it is a curtis-based machine, it still retained some of the moogyness in its sound. There are other synths around the stage (DX7, Roland). Moog polyphonic strength was also its weakness sometimes: it speaks above everything else. Hard to mix with voice, even with some syrup on its settings.
I do not know the name of the performer either, I just know that the portamento patch was originally played by Peter Wood.
- The monkeys -
Other notable uses of the MemoryMoog include
Herbie Hancock - “Future Shock”
Level 42 - “Standing in the Light”
Jan Hammer - Miami Vice television series (e.g. Crocket’s Theme)
Steps Ahead
George Duke ( “Thief In The Night” )
The Cars
Rita Lee
Extreme
There is a well presented (but not so complete) list here:
http://rateyourmusic.com/lists/list_view?list_id=208199&show=25&start=0
Man, don’t even mention Coldplay! They use a voyager solely as a midi controller (at least when it comes to live performance)! It’s disgraceful! (I don’t mind a bit of Coldplay from time to time though).
A couple of updates to people mentioned in previous posts (I’ve just been reading through the last few):
Tim Blake and Steve Hillage both sold their MiniMoogs a few years back.
Tim no longer uses any Moog gear that I know of, though he’s shown interest in the Voyager. Jean-Philippe Rykiel, who often performs live with Tim Blake has the Creamware MiniMax.
Tim’s MiniMoog previously belonged to Manfred Mann, BTW. Considering who owns it now I’d expect it’s well looked after and probably working well.
Steve Hillage sold his MiniMoog, and the buyer has since re-sold it. It no longer has the modifications that had been done on it, as they stopped working, but the original Moog was said to be working well when sold. I don’t know if he or Miquette use any other Moog gear, but I haven’t seen or heard any in recent times.
Both artists well deserve checking out, though, Moog or not, along with Jean-Philippe Rykiel and Miquette Giraudy.
Hi Sweep, interesting to see that Spillage’s Minimoog has been moved on, I remember that ebay auction from a few years back, blue surround as I remember? Could you mention who picked it up, and who now has it - that Moog is a minor piece of music history for me, wish I had gone for that the ebay auction!
Hi. Sorry, I don’t know who bought Steve Hillage’s Moog, though I do know who has Tim Blake’s.
Looking back at the way analogue instruments continue to appreciate in price, I wonder if maybe I should have bought it at the time, even though musically I didn’t really need it. I love Hillage’s music from the seventies (I’m less keen on his more recent System 7 stuff), and it would have been nice to make use of that particular synth. But I hope it’s gone to someone who, like you, would really get something out of using it. I think that’s in the spirit of Hillage’s own approach to things. I remember hearing he sold his 1957 Strat (the one with the plain wood finish from the front of the L album and elsewhere) to a music teacher for less than he might have got elsewhere, because he felt the person buying it was deserving.
As noted in the other topic about the NBA all star break, Saturday evening, prime time TV, Cee Lo Green’s band had a Minimoog model D which was in the picture 80% of the time, although only used on the intro by the bassist. Also Lenny Kravitz’ keyboardist had one on his setup during the pre-game show at the All Star Game on Sunday evening. It was also not used on his first tune which was played and the vamp played on intros to one of the teams, whilst the Minimoog D was being played by the keyboard player during the second tune while the other team was being introduced. It was in the picture the entire time, though with the players walking by it after getting introduced.
Both were older Minimoog model D’s. Lenny Kravitz is known for his use of vintage instruments. Cee Lo Green’s “FU” song is pretty high on the charts… interesting the use of that instrument in the intro, although the sound of the song is fairly old school.
Orbital have added an RME to their setup.