MOOGFEST 2006 LIVE

For me the Moog synthesizer is one of the essential instruments in the Classic Progrock sound, just like the Mellotron, Hammond organ and Moog Taurus bass pedal. The LP Pictures At An Exhibition by ELP was the first time I heard that fat and powerful synthesizer sound, produced by Keith Emerson on the mighty modular Moog but it was Rick Wakeman with his dazzling flights on the unsurpassed Minimoog (featuring a patented 3 oscillators system) that really blew me away, also because of the futuristic shape: a wooden structure and a turning panel with lots of 'magical' knobs, how exciting to watch and ... to play, at the home of Ayreon's Arjen Lucassen (in 1996 during an interview just before his album Actual Fantasy was released), I was allowed to 'touch' his Minimoog and I will never forget how exciting it was to create that mighty Minimoog sound and to use the pitchbend button, goose bumps! And during a visit a the home of a Dutch Moog freak I got the opportunity to 'play' (I only know a few chords) on a Minimoog, Memorymoog and the spectacular Ribbon Controller (the instrument Keith Emerson wipes his bump with), then you realise what a great invention the Moog synthesizer was. And that's exactly what the keyboardplayers tell about during the introductions of the compositions, from "a whole new voice" to "for the first time you could challenge the guitarist", they are all so thrilled and dedicated, for me it was even a bit moving to hear those very positive words because I am such a vintage keyboard freak and all those famous musicians are talking as they are in a huge toyshop, so grateful and happy!

This 2006 Moogfest edition contains performances by Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater, Liquid Tension Experiment), Keith Emerson (The Nice, ELP), Jan Hammer (The Mahavishnu Orchestra, Jeff Beck), Bernie Worrell (P-Funk), Roger O'Donnell (The Cure), The Mahahavishnu Project and DJ Logic. Not every artist or song is 'my cup of tea' but they all delivered inspired contributions and you can notice the joy and excitement. Jordan Rudess was playing on the new monophonic and analogue Moog synthesizer named Little Phatty (it points at the fact that the Hip Hop world often used the fat Moog synthesizer sound) in a very spectacular way, ranging from SF and very fat sounds to sensational use of the pitchbend button that sounds like a tribute to Jan Hammer. Not strange because in the late Eighties Jordan had founded a trio with Jan Hammer and Tony Williams! And how exciting that Jan Hammer also appeared on the Moogfest 2006, with the outstanding The Mahavishnu Project. First this band performed a Mahavishnu Orchestra medley (Meeting of the Spirits/The Dance of Maya), then they were joined by the legendary and very popular Jan Hammer. I am delighted about his work on the Little Phatty Moog (lots of flashy solos) and the renditions of the Jeff Beck-era songs Blue Wind and Led Boots, he freaks out with a sensational pitchbend driven, wah-wah-like sound (on the albums he had to compete with Jeff Beck his powerful and often distorted guitar sound!) ... on the Korg synthesizer. That's a bit ironical because Keith Emerson as Rick Wakeman left the Moog synthesizer when they got an endorsement by the Japanese company Korg. So you can enjoy both the Moog - as the Korg synthesizer sound on this Moogfest. The final artist is the one who epitomizes the Moog synthesizer sound in progressive rock: Keith Emerson. With his powerful and energetic band he delivers great renditions of Living Sin (exciting harder-edged guitarwork), Lucky Man (wonderfull blend of guitar and synthesizer) and especially Tarkus: mindblowing runs on synthesizer, organ and piano in lots of very dynamic and swirling climates, it's awesome to watch Keith Emerson playing on the huge modular synthesizer, evoking the good old times of Pictures At An Exhibition and Brain Salad Surgery, progrock magic!

NOT TO BE MISSED BY ANY MOOG FREAK!!

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