Harpsichord in rock
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Other music related lounges
Forum Name: General Music Discussions
Forum Description: Discuss and create polls about all types of music
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36512
Printed Date: May 08 2025 at 01:06
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Harpsichord in rock
Posted By: Dick Heath
Subject: Harpsichord in rock
Date Posted: April 06 2007 at 18:40
|
Not so long ago a thread asked about obscure instruments in rock. To my surprise the harpsichord was nominated. That was enough to trigger me off and try to fill up a 80 minute CD burn compilation from my record collection, to make my point that the keyboard is more common than some think. Actually (by one or two rule bends) I've exceeded my target and offer it here, with a few words of annotation: The Yardbirds: For Your Love Bonzo Dog Do Dah Band: Music For Head Ballet Love: Stephanie Knows Who/The Castle/Revelation The Doors: Wintertime Love Renaissance: The Wanderer Donovan: Sunshine Superman The Leaves: Lemon Princess Nico: Evening Of Light Pacific Drift: Tomorrow Morning Brings Nick Drake: Fly Spooky Tooth: Sunshine Help Me The Nice: The Thoughts Of Emerlist Davjack Gracious: Introduction! The Stranglers: Golden Brown Dr Z: Evil Woman's Manly Child Stackridge: Fundamentally Yours Judy Collins: Hard Lovin' Loser Modern Jazz Quartet: Regret? Comments 1. I didn't think I'll make the 80 minutes when I included the three Love tracks, early on - Revelation from De Capo is takes up the whole of one side, with only short opening and closing harpsichord pieces bookending the tune; this I would remove with a reselection of tracks, e.g. I would drop in Beggar's Opera: McArthur Park The Waphphle: I Want You Also have another Judy Collins tune I'll Keep It With The Mix. Found a tune Along Comes Mary by the Association with one instrument sounding occasionally like a harpsichord (but so does an acoustic guitar struck in a certain way), but way down in the mix for my ear to be certain. 2. The Nico track was recorded in 1968 and is probably has the most way out use of the instrument -although I 'm assuming it is a harpsichord on the basis of the date and the liner notes (of the sampler album I took it from), that only states 'keyboard' and viola played by John Cale. Coincidentally John Cale supplied harpsichord and viola for the Nick Drake tune - and very different affair it is, too. 3. The MJQ tune was selected since it fitted neatly at the end of the burn - and it doesn't sound out of place. More suggestions please ------------- The best eclectic music on the Web,8-11pm BST/GMT THURS. CLICK ON: http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php - http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php Host by PA's Dick Heath. |
Replies:
Posted By: Chus
Date Posted: April 06 2007 at 19:24
|
BST's "The Battle" has a harpsichord opening passage, I think ------------- Jesus Gabriel |
Posted By: Dick Heath
Date Posted: April 06 2007 at 20:00
WHich Blood Sweat & Tears (I assume) album Chus? ------------- The best eclectic music on the Web,8-11pm BST/GMT THURS. CLICK ON: http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php - http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php Host by PA's Dick Heath. |
Chus wrote:Posted By: Chus
Date Posted: April 06 2007 at 20:03
|
BS & T 3, the second track ------------- Jesus Gabriel |
Posted By: progismylife
Date Posted: April 06 2007 at 20:07
| Jimi Hendrix's Burning of the Midnight Lamp has harpsichord in it. |
Posted By: clarke2001
Date Posted: April 06 2007 at 20:10
|
Queen - Love Of My Life (studio version) contains overdubbed harp passage. So does Brian May's "The Dark". Do you consider celtic harp and similar instruments, such is dulcimer, as "harp-related"? If so, there are Pentangle's "Cruel Sister" fits the list, and probably many more names of (prog) folk. Andreas Vollenweider is worth mentioning too, his music is new agey but with some progressive tendencies. Oh, and I think John Evan Band (pre-Tull) were using a harp too... EDIT: I am an idiot, sorry. I was convinced the thread was about harp, not harpsichord...  I will try to repent for my sins: Well, Queen used harpsichord in Fairy Feller's Masterstroke. You mentioned Bonzo Dog Band. Another Bonzo's song: Sport (The Odd Boy). The Rolling Stones, of course. And Mick Jagger solo in "Angel In My Heart". ------------- |
Posted By: rileydog22
Date Posted: April 06 2007 at 23:27
|
I'm pretty sure there's a Harpsichord on The Door's Love Me Two Times.
-------------   |
Posted By: MrBertstown
Date Posted: April 07 2007 at 00:19
|
The Beatles had songs featuring the Harpsichord. Such as 'All You Need Is Love', 'Fixin a Hole', and 'Piggies'. ------------- Thank God for Kids who love Obscure Things. Lee Hazelwood (1929-2007) |
Posted By: rileydog22
Date Posted: April 07 2007 at 01:37
|
Also, in Sid Smith's wonderful King Crimson biography, he mentioned that there was a Harpsichord in the studio where the band was recording the debut that appears on various parts of the record, but I haven't ever noticed it.
------------- |
Posted By: chopper
Date Posted: April 07 2007 at 04:40
| The obvious one is Yes' Siberian Khatru - a solo in the middle. |
Posted By: Richardw
Date Posted: April 07 2007 at 04:42
| The opening of the Focus track 'Birth' has a wonderful harpsichord intro. One of my favourite tracks ever. |
Posted By: Man Erg
Date Posted: April 07 2007 at 04:45
|
The Zombies - Oddysey and Oracle (sic) ------------- 
Do 'The Stanley' otherwise I'll thrash you with some rhubarb. |
Posted By: andu
Date Posted: April 07 2007 at 04:51
|
How can one tell the difference between a true harpsichord and a synthesized one, when listening to a recording? For example, the "Siberian Khatru" harpsichord part sounds genuine on the studio version, but when played live there's no harpsichord on stage, and that certain part is obviously performed on synth. Or maybe they replaced it with a similar synth harpsichord sound in order no to carry the original instrument along when touring? Yesterdays, the band some sympho-maniacs here like and will soon be added to the site  , has an excellent harpsichord part. I'll have to check with the band, though, for the list of the actual instruments used on the album.------------- "PA's own GI Joe!" 
|
Posted By: Dick Heath
Date Posted: April 07 2007 at 05:46
Sorry too lazy to search the vinyl - however, (after that run of BST on the radio show a couple of weeks ago) now just ordered the CD. ------------- The best eclectic music on the Web,8-11pm BST/GMT THURS. CLICK ON: http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php - http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php Host by PA's Dick Heath. |
Posted By: Dick Heath
Date Posted: April 07 2007 at 05:53
That is a real problem - but you'll notice most of what I listed so far, probably predates synths with a trigger labelled 'harpsichord'. I'm sure the Stranglers used a harpsichord for the studio version of Golden Brown. Relistening to that Nico tracks, I remain only half convinced of that being harpsichord - the playing is so chopped compared with anything else - and indeed I'm wondering if a mandolin was used , despite the liner note's claim the keyboards where used (btw can you tell if a spinette or one of the earlier plucked keyboard instruments from a harpsichord?) ------------- The best eclectic music on the Web,8-11pm BST/GMT THURS. CLICK ON: http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php - http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php Host by PA's Dick Heath. |
Posted By: Abstrakt
Date Posted: April 07 2007 at 06:01
|
Triumvirat uses Harpischord in quite a few songs.
The only one i can think of at the moment is "Across The Waters" from "Mediterranean Tales".
|
Posted By: salmacis
Date Posted: April 07 2007 at 07:22
|
Nice compilation, Dick. The Beatles' 'Piggies' from 'The White Album' has it featured prominently, as does my all time favourite Beatles' song 'Because' (albeit an electronic one). And I think one of the few songs I liked from The Rolling Stones' 'Their Satanic Majesties Request', 'In Another Land', featured it, as does the classic 'Lady Jane' from 'Aftermath'.
I think the quirky tune Frank Zappa threw in on 'One Size Fits All' called 'Evelyn A Modified Dog' had Frank's voice and harpsichord.
I'm fairly sure that it is a harpsichord used on the original Close To The Edge version of 'Siberian Khatru'- indeed, that's one of my favourite little sections of the album. I'm unsure as to whether a harpsichord is used on the Genesis track 'Time Table' from 'Foxtrot'...
|
Posted By: Dick Heath
Date Posted: April 07 2007 at 07:36
|
Many thanks for the additional titles everybody , (my omissions - since 75% of the recommendations are sitting in my record collection), looking /listening into them at this very moment. Hope to supply an improved playlist for a burn later - enough for 2 hours play so far!
------------- The best eclectic music on the Web,8-11pm BST/GMT THURS. CLICK ON: http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php - http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php Host by PA's Dick Heath. |
Posted By: Dick Heath
Date Posted: April 07 2007 at 11:28
|
4 hours later. Now have Nico's Marble Index (remastered as part of Frozen Borderline set)) and the liner notes don't suggest a harpsichord is used - however, no idea now what is being played on Evening of Light? Checked the Zappa, and I'm afraid the suggested track sounds like an upright piano with drawing pins in the hammers (a trick we kids got up to at school on the morning assembly piano - gave those hymns a certain edge) - similarly the Zombies do that on Oddyssey & Oracle (my other purchase lunchtime) although there are at least two tracks with real harpsichord. ------------- The best eclectic music on the Web,8-11pm BST/GMT THURS. CLICK ON: http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php - http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php Host by PA's Dick Heath. |
Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: April 07 2007 at 12:52
| "Madrigal" by Yes is just Rick on harpsichord and Jon on vocals. |
Posted By: Dick Heath
Date Posted: April 08 2007 at 10:22
No mention of it in the liner notes to the CD....... Thanks however, to all who have supplied further input. Now just short of two 80 minute burns, based on what I have in my collection, i.e. (list here based on track order on the second burn): Blood Sweat & Tears: The Battle Judy Collins: I'll Keep It With Mine The Waphphles: I Want You Judy Collins: Both Sides Now Jimi Hendrix: Burning Of The Midnight Lamp The Beatles: Piggies/In My Life Yes: Siberian Khatru The Doors: Love Me Two Times Zombies: I Want Her/She Wants Me/Imagine The Swan/Smokey Days Rolling Stones: Lady Jane Beggars Banquet: MacArthur Park Happy The Man: Service With A Smile Its A Beautiful Day: Girl With No Eyes The Beatles: Fixing A Hole/All You Need Is Love Bonzo Dog Do Dah Band: Sport (Odd Boy) Comments: 1. While harpsichord is listed amongst the instruments played on Focus 3, I've managed to miss it - anybody enlighten me to which track? 2. The Stones' Lady Jane sounded to start with an spinnette(?), another mechanically plucked keyboard instrument, which dates back to at least the Elizabethan period - I had a colleague who owned and played one, and you needed to be less than 6 foot from it to hear it. The harpsichord comes in several verses later and sounds quite different. 3. Siberian Khatru's use of the harpsichord is even shorter than Love's use on Revelation - what some would call 'brief colouring'. 4. Elektra Records studios must have had a harpsichord around 1966 to '8 (other had the Moog), the number of the artists who used it. For instance the two Judy Collins listed here sound to have just about the same arrangement, and really different from the previously mentioned Hard Lovin' Loser. Finally keep coming with suggestions ------------- The best eclectic music on the Web,8-11pm BST/GMT THURS. CLICK ON: http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php - http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php Host by PA's Dick Heath. |
Posted By: Richardw
Date Posted: April 08 2007 at 14:07
| I can't find the harpsichord on Focus 3 either, but I have found another track : Frank Zappa - 'Twenty Small Cigars' from the Chunga's Revenge album. |
Posted By: Dick Heath
Date Posted: April 08 2007 at 18:06
Thanks for the Zappa now included on the second burn! - 150 minutes recorded to date ~9 minutes of space to fill - keep going. ------------- The best eclectic music on the Web,8-11pm BST/GMT THURS. CLICK ON: http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php - http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php Host by PA's Dick Heath. |
Posted By: Richardw
Date Posted: April 08 2007 at 18:42
| The Metamorfosi album 'Inferno' has lots of harpsichord. Especially the track " Lussuriosi " . Great album. |
Posted By: andu
Date Posted: April 09 2007 at 05:28
|
Tull's "Songs From the Wood" has some harpsichord-like synths, especially on "Velvet Green" and "Pibroch". Though there's no actual harpsichord there, I think the keyboardists' endeavor to get mediaeval-like sounds (both in tone and playing style) of the modern instruments is a sign of creativity.
------------- "PA's own GI Joe!"
|
Posted By: paolo.beenees
Date Posted: April 09 2007 at 14:09
|
As far as prog rock is concerned you'll find loads of songs featuring a harpiscord. Let me just recommend some of them:
- La Mente Vola (Alphataurus)
- La Fabbricante d'angeli (Le Orme: the harpiscord here is used in its muted voice)
- Wanderer (Renaissance)
- The Cask of Amontillado (Alan Parsons Project)
Outside Prog rock... well, I can remember harpiscord being played in two very dark metal tracks:
- Black number one (Type O Negative)
- What's going on (behind these walls) (King Diamond)
|
Posted By: MrBertstown
Date Posted: April 09 2007 at 20:10
|
There are also other songs which contain the harpsichord....
Different Drum-Linda Ronstadt
Look to Your Soul-Procol Harum
Never Ever Gonna Give You Up-Barry White
God Only Knows-Beach Boys
Cities-Moody Blues
Sunshine Superman-Donovan
Got to be there-Jackson 5
Two Sisters-Kinks
------------- Thank God for Kids who love Obscure Things. Lee Hazelwood (1929-2007) |
Posted By: Dick Heath
Date Posted: April 22 2007 at 14:17
|
Thanks everybody for for great suggestions, managed to put the following down onto a a CD burn - surprisingly the burner allowed me to put down 80'40" of recording - longest single CD I have now! Deliberately gone for tracks (from my record library) which feature the harpsichord taking the lead (as far as possible), rather than used for a short break usually to add colour (i.e. 1 to 2 bar filler), and where possible used as rock instrument, rather than one that gives a rococco 18th century feel to a rock track. 1.The Yardbirds: For
Your Love 2.The Beatles: Fixing
A Hole 3.Jimi Hendrix:
Burning Of The Midnight Lamp 4.Renaissance:
The Wanderer 5.The Doors: Love
Me Two Times 6.The Rolling Stones:
Lady Janes 7.Its A Beautiful Day:
Girl With No Eyes 8.Love: Stephanie
Knows Who 11.Yesterdays: Seven 12.Blood Sweat & Tears:The
Battle 13.Modern Jazz Quartet: Regret? 14.Pacific Drift: Tomorrow
Morning Brings 22.The Waphphle:
I Want You ------------- The best eclectic music on the Web,8-11pm BST/GMT THURS. CLICK ON: http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php - http://www.lborosu.org.uk/media/lcr/live.php Host by PA's Dick Heath. |