Moog

Synthesizer creator Robert Moog may not be a name that instantly trips off the tongue when discussing people who have made invaluable contributions to the world of music, but this documentary aims to rectify that with a look at his work and influence. The 1960s and '70s saw Moog's keyboards entering the public consciousness as his range of instruments were adopted by musicians from a variety of genres. Initially they sparked a craze for novelty cover versions, with whole albums conducted via the warm squelching gurgles and bleeps of the Moog synthesizer. But serious musicians soon picked up on the possibilities offered by Moog's versatile array of keyboards, and prog rock bands such as Yes were soon adding them to their arsenal. What separated the various Moog keyboards from other, similar technologies was the analogue circuitry and banks of envelope filters, LFO's, and oscillators that could be manipulated to make the instrument sound different every time it was used. This lead to musicians forming a unique bond with their instrument, as they were able to interact and manipulate Moog's creations in ways that other keyboards didn't allow. As the decades passed, the Moog proved to have an incredibly long shelf-life, and became a vital instrument in the evolution musical styles as diverse as funk, techno, and even indie-rock. This film by Hans Fjellestad charters the history of the Moog, talking to the creator himself, as well as a number of musicians who have used the instruments he created; among them are Keith Emerson, Stereolab, Money Mark, Rick Wakeman, Bootsy Collins, and many others. (Verleiher-Text)