MARK VAIL – VINTAGE SYNTHESIZERS

(Miller Freeman, 2000 – updated and expanded – US $ 27,95, ISBN 0-87930-3)

When I discovered the progrock I used to look at every cover to search for details about the usual  array of keyboards. So I learned to recognize several sounds like a string ensemble, the Minimoog, the Hammond organ, the Fender Rhodes piano and of course the Mellotron. I was also mesmerized by the shape of  those keyboards, all the knobs and wires and the characteristic details, from the Oberheims and ARP’s to the Moogs and Yamaha’s. This book (342 pages) is a perfect guideline to learn the history and basic details from lots of interesting synthesizers and miscellaneous keyboards (from the Mellotron and The Optigan Music Maker to harpsichords and electric pianos). After a foreword and an introduction you will be stunned by the prologue: a 22 pages gallery of vintage synths (most of them full colour), from the RMI Keyboard Computer KC-11 and Keith Emerson’s Moog Modular System (spectacular Brain Salad Surgery tour picture) to the EMS Synthi AKS, ARP 2500 and Odesssey, Yamaha CS 80, Birotron, several Mellotrons, the Theremin and lots of less known but beautiful synthesizers. Then 6 sections titled The Heart Of The Modern Synth Industry (builders, rise and fall of Moog and ARP, the Euro synth industry), Modular Synthesizers (Buchla, EMS, Moog, ARP, EML, E-mu, Serge), Famous Analog Synths (Minimoog, Oberheim SEM Module, Prophet 5, Yamaha CS 80, Chroma, Korgs), Digital Synths & Samplers (PPG Wave, Digital Keyboards Synergy & Crumar GDS, Fairlight CMI, E-mu Emulator), Miscellaneous (Mellotron, Rhodes, combo organs, harpsichords, Roland, Linn drum computer and The Optigan Music Maker) and The Patchbay with current value, buying synths, “You gotta hear this” (LP’s/CD’s from Kate Bush and Chick Corea to Epidaurus, Eddie Jobson, Patrick Moraz, Triumvirat and even Ether). Furthermore books, web sites, a good glossary and some facts about the authors. Great pictures, captivating stories, many interesting details and a clear and pleasant style, this book is an absolute must for ‘keyboard-aficionados’!

Erik Neuteboom