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RIP Francis Monkman
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Lewian View Drop Down
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    Posted: May 19 2023 at 16:17
Rest in Peace Francis Monkman,  9 June 1949 – 11 May 2023. This is already a few days ago and I had missed it, but I think he is such a special prog musician that he deserves his own RIP thread. He was a great keyboarder, but particularly he wrote a number of great tracks for Curved Air and Sky. Of course he played also with 801 and a number of others. I had only heard one of his solo albums (Energism), which was fine actually. He may fit on PA, apparently he hasn't got a solo entry, but he may well deserve it. Not sure why I didn't explore his work further (too much music, too little time). I listen to Tempus Fugit now, and it's definitely interesting and original.






Edited by Lewian - May 19 2023 at 16:20
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BaldFriede View Drop Down
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Points: 10261 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BaldFriede Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 20 2023 at 02:32
He was a guitar player too. Sad news; I love his playing on the first three studio albums and the live album of Curved Air and the live album of 801.


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Points: 8719 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote suitkees Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 20 2023 at 05:07
Yes, it was mentioned in the RIP thread, but you're right: he deserves his own. Some major contributions to the  first two Sky albums and many contributions to other great albums...

The only contribution he had to the 801 Listen Now album, but he really puts his stamp on it. 801 - Initial Speed:

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Psychedelic Paul View Drop Down
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Points: 34789 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 20 2023 at 05:31
A belated entry for Prog Related maybe... Ermm

Francis Monkman's Albums
                  1981: Dweller on the Threshold (currently unavailable) Confused


Edited by Psychedelic Paul - May 20 2023 at 05:35
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Manuel View Drop Down
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Points: 12382 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Manuel Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 20 2023 at 06:16
Sorry to hear of his passing. My condolences to his friends, family and fans.
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verslibre View Drop Down
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Originally posted by Psychedelic Paul Psychedelic Paul wrote:

1981: Dweller on the Threshold (currently unavailable) Confused

It is, unfortunately.

This is the crown jewel of Dweller, an instrumental performed entirely on the Synclavier. It's gorgeous. It doesn't sound like Vangelis, Tangerine Dream, Jarre, Carlos, Tomita, Ciani, etc. The nearest comparison is probably Synergy (Larry Fast).
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Lewian View Drop Down
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Points: 14110 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Lewian Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 20 2023 at 18:43
^ Well, the synclavier sound needs some getting used to, but he shows his unique approach here for sure. Smile
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verslibre View Drop Down
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Points: 15007 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote verslibre Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 20 2023 at 18:49
Originally posted by Lewian Lewian wrote:

^ Well, the synclavier sound needs some getting used to, but he shows his unique approach here for sure. Smile

Surprisingly warm. I wouldn't have guessed the Synclavier. I would've figured a mix of PPG Wave and Yamaha CS80.
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Progosopher View Drop Down
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Points: 6393 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Progosopher Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 20 2023 at 23:16
I have enjoyed his work with 801, Sky, and Curved Air. Another sad loss. Condolences to family, fellow band members, friends, and fans.
The world of sound is certainly capable of infinite variety and, were our sense developed, of infinite extensions. -- George Santayana, "The Sense of Beauty"
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VianaProghead View Drop Down
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Points: 2663 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote VianaProghead Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 22 2023 at 03:33
Yeah, another sad loss. I also enjoyed his work with Curved Air and 801. He deserves to have his own merits.

R.I.P. hard. 
"PROG IS MY FERRARI".
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Boojieboy View Drop Down
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Points: 564 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Boojieboy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 22 2023 at 17:14
I mostly know him from Curved Air and 801 Live. There's a YouTube video with him demoing some 70's synth. I want to check out his solo material.

His talent deserved more output and attention.
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richardh View Drop Down
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Points: 26161 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote richardh Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 25 2023 at 02:01
Sky2 is a great album and this is in no small measure due to Monkman. Around 1980 it seemed there was only this and The Wall to listen to if you were a prog fan. I had both on cassette and wore them both out.

Notably he also did the soundtrack for the classic British gangster flick The Long Good Friday which starred Bob Hoskins and Helen Mirren.

A sad loss. RIP. 
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Jared View Drop Down
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Points: 17534 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jared Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 25 2023 at 02:31
Originally posted by richardh richardh wrote:

Sky2 is a great album and this is in no small measure due to Monkman.

Sky 1 and 2 are significantly better than anything that followed...

Curved Air 1-4 are significantly better than anything that followed (even tho he departed before Air Cut)...

He was most certainly a real talent and will be missed.  

RIP... Ouch
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