From simon@alphabeck.co.uk Wed Nov 04 07:35:49 2009
Subject:Anyone else into The Stranglers/Dave Greenfield?

One of my all-time favourite keyboardists (and Hammond players) is Dave Greenfield of 70s/80s punk (I use the phrase advisedly) band The Stranglers. Maybe the band isn't that well-known in the US, but if you can imagine Ray Manzarek or Keith Emerson accidentally joining The Sex Pistols... and enjoying it, that should give you an idea of the band's early sound. Dave Greenfield's keyboard rig during the Stranglers' early years comprised a Hammond L-100 (originally without a Leslie), a Hohner Cembalet electric piano and a Minimoog synth. It was what he did with these three keyboards that was amazing. The signature Stranglers sound was that of ultra-fast arpeggios and trills. Nowadays I suspect most players wouldn't bother - just use a sequencer. But Greenfield played it all by hand. The band's biggest hit, ironically was 1982's "Golden Brown", featuring a Brubeck-inspired 3/4 - 4/4 waltz tempo, no organ, no arpeggios and instead a vamping harpsichord. But check out The Stranglers on YouTube and you'll find some fantastic keyboard work on songs like "Something Better Change", "Walk On By" (yes, the Bacharach/David classic!), "Grip", "Go Buddy Go!" and "No More Heroes".

Simon

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