Dave Bryce Posted May 13, 2003 Share Posted May 13, 2003 I just got a note from Keyboard magazine editor Ken Hughes. They were quite pleased with the feedback they got from us on the most memorable MiniMoog recordings question, and he asked me to please post this for y'all: We wanna know what the forum thinks are the most memorable recordings featuring the Yamaha DX7. Could be the most cliched, the coolest, the most iconic, whatever. Unforgettable DX7 recordings. We'll boil down the forum's responses with our own and include them in an upcoming feature on the 20th anniversary of the DX7. Opinions shared between now and Friday will be eligible for inclusion in the article. Can we help Mr. Hughes out? dB Quote ==> David Bryce Music • Funky Young Monks <== Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RABid Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 The ep in One More Night by Phil Collins. That DX ep seemed to be in half the songs on the radio. Robert Quote This post edited for speling. My Sweetwater Gear Exchange Page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Analogaddict Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 I remember hearing Bobby McFerrin singing "Spain", with Chick Corea on DX7 "Rhodes". That was really nice. Brian Eno did some great stuff with DX7´s, too. Sorry I can´t be more specific, maybe somebody else can... /J nas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
synthetic Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 Chich Corea Electrik Band springs to mind. Also the big stack in Don Henley's "Sunset Grill". And Jan Hammer's Miami Vice soundtracks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odyssian Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 Easy! James Newton Howard and Friends (the friends are the Porcaro guys). It's a "direct to disc" recording, meaning that it was recorded live in the studio. Tons of DX gear and also a GS1 or 2. It's FM heaven, and incredible playing to boot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markyboard Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 Doogie Houser Top That! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PianoJazz1951 Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 ...Dave Grusin's theme from "St. Elsewhere". I looked on the credits from the album and noted Oberheim and Yamaha synths were credited. Bound to be a DX-7 given the era. Quote We will not waiver; we will not tire; we will not falter; and we will not fail! George W. Bush Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marino Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 Just *every* pop song of the 80's had a DX7 on it. Every studio, musician and producer had one or more. I can't think of many solos played on DX, but maybe my favorite one is Kenny Kirkland's burning solo on a song from "The Dream of the Blue Turtles", Sting's first solo album. The name of the song escapes me at the moment, but the beginning of that solo is unforgettable, with a feel of syncopated triplets. and later, a few distinctive bends. I don't have the album anymore, so please fill in the song's name for me... I'd also like to single out the use of the DX by Yes, on 90125 with Tony Kaye on keys. Also, the way Jerry Goldsmith used to merge synths with the orchestra for his soundtracks. He used three or four DX7s plus a few analog synths. Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock also made distinctive use of Yamaha FM synths. Just my 2 cents Carlo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
synthetic Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 Originally posted by marino: ..my favorite one is Kenny Kirkland's burning solo on a song from "The Dream of the Blue Turtles", Sting's first solo album. The name of the song escapes me at the moment, but the beginning of that solo is unforgettable, with a feel of syncopated triplets. and later, a few distinctive bends. "Shadows in the Rain". I learned that note-by-note, based on the transcrption in Keyboard. I still have the issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eric Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 Lots of TV and movie soundtracks from the 80's feature heavy DX7. The Law and Order theme has the DX Rhodes sound on it, to this day. Top Gun has a bunch of DX7. Kenny Loggins' "Highway to the Danger Zone" has the Slap Bass sound on the intro. Also, the very first note you hear in Harold Faltermeyer's Top Gun soundtrack features the cliched Tubular Bell preset prominently. Doogie Howser is a good one for the ubiquitous Rhodes sound. Getting a little more obscure, General Public's All the Rage album has a ton of DX7. The Calliope sound takes the lead on "Never You Done That," one of my favorite 80's songs. Ray Lynch's Deep Breakfast new agey album was chock full of DX7. I'm sure I'll think of more. Regards, Eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soundscape Studios. Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 Tina Turner - "What's Love Got To Do With It?" The harmonica sound was clearly patch 11. Yanni - too numerous to mention. Dave Grusin - "Serengeti Walk" , tons of others... I seem to remember the theme from "Reading Rainbow" had lots of tasty 80's DX-7 bits. I actually still use a DX-7 regularly at wedding gigs! Can't beat "Full Tines"! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gulliver Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 Originally posted by marino: ....... I'd also like to single out the use of the DX by Yes, on 90125 with Tony Kaye on keys. ..... I think it was Trevor Rabin who played the majority of synth parts on that record... Anyway, whoever was the player - I would second this. Also I believe Nik Kershaw used DX7 on a couple of his early albums... and with great results as well. Quote I am back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricG Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 David Paich & Steve Porcaro from TOTO was heavy into the DX-7 in the eighties. (They also played alot of session stuff.) So the Toto "IV" had lots of FM, probably the GS-1. And their later "Isolation" album & "Fahrenheit" album has DX-7 all over..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superbobus Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 I'm terrible at knowing which synth belongs to what recording, but if you ask me, Chaka's "Through the Fire" has tons of DX7. If that's so, I sincerely proclaim that one to be the most soulful DX7 recording ever. Quote http://www.bobwijnen.nl Hipness is not a state of mind, it's a fact of life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJDM Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 The Cocteau Twins use of the stock sound "Tubular Bells" on their 1984 release "Treasure" represents the only time I ever really enjoyed that patch. For those keeping track it's on the first two tracks "Ivo" & "Lorelei" and you cannot miss it. - DJDM Quote DJDM.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Tee Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 Gino Vanelli... Black Cars Album... DX7 top to bottom!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Grace Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 The first thing that comes to mind for me is the DX-7 bass on Janet Jackson's "When I Think Of You." It sounds just like one of the DX-7's stock factory patches. Best, Geoff Quote My Blue Someday appears on Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobT Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 Originally posted by Joe Tee: Gino Vanelli... Black Cars Album... DX7 top to bottom!!Yes! That was one of my favorite albums from Gino. You guys may have my head for this but Micheal Jackson's Thriller has got to rate up there too! Tons of DX7 stuff on it. Quote RobT Famous Musical Quotes: "I would rather play Chiquita Banana and have my swimming pool than play Bach and starve" - Xavier Cugat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Felix_dup1 Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 I saw this thread yesterday afternoon - then on my way home, I heard John Parr's "Naughty Naughty" on the radio and I had to laugh. The first song that came to mind when I saw the topic, though, was the short DX7 solo in Howard Jone's "Things Can Only Get Better," simply due to the fact that it sounded so DX7. Funny, it seems that just as early 80's new wave was waning, most of the artists I switched to were heavily sample-based (i.e. Depeche Mode). The DX7 was everywhere on the radio in the mid 80's, though, so much so that individual tracks and/or solos have trouble standing out in my memory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rod S Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 Madonna´s "Borderline" - the Bell-EP intro.. wasn't that a DX7? I think this was one of her 1st songs to hit it big. Funny.. I was just thinking about starting a "Happy Birthday DX7" Thread just the other day. It's been years since I played one.. still wishing I had gotten the DX plug in board for my CX6x What's next.. prophet 5? M1? Quote Korg Kronos X73 / ARP Odyssey / Motif ES Rack / Roland D-05 / JP-08 / SE-05 / Jupiter Xm / Novation Mininova / NL2X / Waldorf Pulse II MBP-LOGIC American Deluxe P-Bass, Yamaha RBX760 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Zeger Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 It could be an MKS80, but Lyle Mays used a "digital EP" sound on his solo album Street Dreams. It's not a keyboard texture usually associated with Lyle Mays. I loathe the song, but the DX7 EP sound is center stage on Whitney Houston's "The Greatest Love of All". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reverend Rhythm Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 Except for the ep that was everywhere, the one I remember the most is Jan Hammer's Miami Vice music, especially a guitarish sound that I can still hear in my head. During the U2/Brian Eno days was that DX7 for the pads? BTW, I still have my DX7II, and I use it. I don't think I could I could sell it. But I can't use the eps. It just seems too dated. I'll have to wait another 10 years or so. Quote David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mzk4life Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 Great thread. Sorry for blowing it off course a little but interested to hear whether Korg's poly61 was ever considered a heavyweight? This was really the first synth I bought in 1983. I remember the salesman calling it the greatest thing ever. It served me well but just weeks later came along the DX7 and I was stuck in analog (it wasn't considered too cool back then). Someone mentioned M1 next. Wow. That is the main feature in my rig (please don't kick me off the forum). Earle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Fortner Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 Let us not forget "INT 7: MARIMBA", the electric piano's equally infamous next-door neighbor. This appeared on such iconic 80's tunes as "Axel F" and another one from Sting's Blue Turtles LP, "Love is the Seventh Wave" (the bouncy Carribean tune).That sound had more aliasing than the witness protection program, but there was something that made it hard to resist. I overused it myself. Thanks to plenty of food-service overtime, my teenage rig from 86-90 consisted of a DX-7 and Oberheim OB-8 I got a good used deal on. I was in hog heaven, and in demand for local top-40 bands, because with those two synths I could sound like any song on the radio! Ahhh, memories. Sold the Obie, kept the DX. Quote Stephen Fortner Principal, Fortner Media Former Editor in Chief, Keyboard Magazine Digital Piano Consultant, Piano Buyer Magazine Industry affiliations: Antares, Arturia, Giles Communications, MS Media, Polyverse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve LeBlanc Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 I don't really have any to add. Chick Corea didn't use a DX7 on "Electric Band" did he? It doesn't sound like it to me. Quote http://www.youtube.com/notesleb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Bryce Posted May 14, 2003 Author Share Posted May 14, 2003 Originally posted by Stephen LeBlanc: Chick Corea didn't use a DX7 on "Electric Band" did he? It doesn't sound like it to me.Well, I don't know about the album; but when I was working for Miles Davis during the '80s we did a gig with the Elektrik band, and Chick's rig had a DX7II FD on top of a MIDI'd Rhodes. The two keyboards were both connected to a rack that had two TX816 racks, so that's basically 18 DX7s that he was packing at the time. IIRC, Steve Winwood's "Arc of a Diver" had DX7 all over it... dB Quote ==> David Bryce Music • Funky Young Monks <== Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve LeBlanc Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 duh, nevermind...I just did a bit of research..."Electric Band" is indeed full of DX7 Quote http://www.youtube.com/notesleb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan O Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 Alan Parson's " I wouldn't want to be like you" .I believe the DX7 was used . Dano Quote www.esnips.com/web/SongsfromDanO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peake Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 The "bass" sound in Front 242's "Headhunter", late 80s, is the most amazing FM sound I've ever heard. At least I'm guessing that it's DX FM. I'm probably the only person here who was unimpressed by the DX7 (excepting the tuberupt sound) and never bought one. I barely remember the flexidisk that came with Keyboard and wondered at the anemic sax etc. Then came the page in Keyboard about gray market sales... Wasn't that in Keyboard? I definitely got into FM when the TX81Z and the SY series came out. Part of my dislike of the DX involves its ubiquity in recordings and the trend it started toward "piano" instruments versus true synthesizers. Give them what they want and they'll buy it, and us freaks will suffer ;-) Back in that day, it seemed as though you could always tell when it was dinner time as the tempo of the tracks on the radio would slow and the DX Rhodes sound would appear. Ad nauseum. Quote Give me the ANALOG and no one gets HURT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Bryce Posted May 14, 2003 Author Share Posted May 14, 2003 Originally posted by Dano: Alan Parson's " I wouldn't want to be like you" .I believe the DX7 was used.That's from "I Robot", which I believe is waaaay pre-DX, isn't it? dB Quote ==> David Bryce Music • Funky Young Monks <== Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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