I feel I've become the Polly Anna of the board always all, "Come on guys! Give it a chance." And I stand by an earlier statement that any instrument could be effectively used to make cool music.

But based on it's track record to date the flute is a crap instrument in a rock context.

losthighway wrote: Fri Apr 01, 2022 3:12 pm I feel I've become the Polly Anna of the board always all, "Come on guys! Give it a chance." And I stand by an earlier statement that any instrument could be effectively used to make cool music.

But based on it's track record to date the flute is a crap instrument in a rock context.

Give that Gravy Train record a spin.

Nico wrote:They added strings and – I didn’t like them, but I could live with them. But the flute! The first time I heard the album, I cried and it was all because of the flute.

See also: Bryter Layter.

pldms wrote: Sat Apr 02, 2022 7:03 am

Nico wrote:They added strings and – I didn’t like them, but I could live with them. But the flute! The first time I heard the album, I cried and it was all because of the flute.

See also: Bryter Layter.

Splitting hairs, but orchestrated folk or pop is not 'rock flute'. I think meeting the flute on it's own turf in the orchestra is easier to pull off. Bill Fay's first record has a nice melodramatic orchestra in the mix, but I can't remember any distinct flute parts. I'm sure they're there.

Not crap.

Used to good effect in the early (somewhat 'rocking') version of Kraftwerk (17 minutes in):



If you're gonna go there, the sound needs to be extra spitty/reed-y (or drowned in effects) to work. Smooth bird song flute will probably never 'rock'.

Well this band is news to me, and man this track is great. And that artwork, damn.


Also this of course:



Ian McDonald (King Crimson) on flute, both tracks.

There are also plenty of great tracks featuring Mellotron/Chamberlain using flute tapes.

GYBE! uses flutes sometimes, though they are not quite a 'rock' band.

It is hard to picture a live rock band with a flute player without conjuring images of a Pied Piper prancing around and fellating their instrument.

I imagine it would be better utilized as a rhythmic accent than as a solo.

Crap

Early Kraftwerk and Look Blue Go Purple = NC

rsmurphy wrote: Fri Apr 01, 2022 1:50 pm I really love Suzanne Thorpe's work with Mercury Rev, especially on the early, chaotic material. Quite lovely.

YES!