New Wave Outpost Forum

With the passing of Robert Moog, this seemed like a good time to ask this question. Who do you consider to be the best NW keyboardists? Now, note that "best" does not necessarily mean technically proficient. Many NW keyboardist's talents lay in their ability to program and layer sounds to achieve a certain atmosphere in a song that is every bit as demanding as a Keith Emerson solo. So in addition to the Geoff Downes level of virtuosity I'd be interested in hearing about your picks for artists that can set the perfect "tone" for a song with a synthesizer. My picks:

Geoff Downes--Undeniable technical master as evidenced by several songs off "The Age Of Plastic"
Jools Holland--Four Words: Uncertain Smile Piano Solo
Rupert Greenall--An atmospheric master and perfect counter-balance to Jamie West-Orem’s guitar work
The various members of Depeche Mode (and Vince Clarke)--Most notably for their pioneering work with samplers
Mark Lindup--Anyone who can keep up with Mark King must be good
Ian Craig Marsh--for both his work in the Human League and Heaven 17
Richard Barbieri--an unbelievable ability to set a mood for a song
Thomas Dolby--'Nuff Said
Mick MacNeil--Just Listen to New Gold Dream...Any questions?
Barry Andrews--Whose input in several bands has influenced many keyboardists
Rob Fisher (RIP)--One of the first times I heard a Fairlight used
Blair Cowan--Lot of soul in that Hammond B-3 playing

Others I forgotten?

Jimmy Destri and the Farsia. Clem Burke on Drums usually gets a lot of recognition for Blondie's sound - but I can't imagine them without Jimmy Destri either - check out The Hardest Part, Atomic, Fade Away & Radiate, etc.

Alan Wilder of Depeche Mode.

But seriously, no keyboardist list can be complete without Vince Clark of Depeche Mode, Yaz and especially Erasure fame.

gotta throw Brian Eno into any discussion like this...

[quote][i]Originally posted by waukena[/i]
<br>gotta throw Brian Eno into any discussion like this...
[/quote]
What discussion? Didn't you just end it?! [;)]

Gillian Gilbert, New Order.

Now it's done Blir [;)]

Greg Hawkes - The Cars

i'd second jimmy destri - i was always impressed by his sound on the classic blondie tracks, definately an underrated musician.
i think there's two distinct sounds to new-wave80's keyboards that i like, the giorgio moroder sequencer sound (duranduran, japan etc...) and the wheezy farfisa organ - both of which destri managed quite well!

Since Jools Holland was already named, I choose Johnnie Fingers from the Boomtown Rats.

[quote][i]Originally posted by Dan Coogan[/i]
<br>Greg Hawkes - The Cars
[/quote]

I agree with this--very talented and underrated

Certainly Eno's work with electronics in general (I'd say he used tape loops and other tricks as much as synthesizer programming in a lot of his stuff) has influenced many.

You know, as popular as they are, I've never been that impressed with Gillian Gilbert's work. Don't get me wrong, I like a lot of New Order's stuff, but I've just never been bowled over by Gillian's style. I haven't heard their whole catalog so there may be some stuff I'm missing....Suggestions, Blir?[?]

Richard Kirk?

Of course I'm biased towards eno, but lets not forget our eastern friends of ymo such as ryuichi sakamoto or our german friends in kraftwerk or Synergy aka Larry Fast, Patrick Moraz, Vangelis, Moogy Klingman, Todd Rundgren, Miquette Giraudy, some are classicaly trained and some are studio or session musicians that never achieved much nototariety but most are still out there in one way or another.

[quote][i]Originally posted by NuWaveRx[/i]
<br>You know, as popular as they are, I've never been that impressed with Gillian Gilbert's work. Don't get me wrong, I like a lot of New Order's stuff, but I've just never been bowled over by Gillian's style. I haven't heard their whole catalog so there may be some stuff I'm missing....Suggestions, Blir?[?]
[/quote]
None really. You're probably right that she's not really a keyboard technician - New Order were just able to write some amazingly cool riffs.

See Hensoneno's comments - a ton of folks I forgot about and a few more I'm not that familiar with. I'm glad Dan mentioned Greg Hawkes - it can't be underestimated how new his stuff sounded in the mainstream context of 1978.

Nick Rhodes: not the most technical player, but is a creative, talented programmer in coming up with unique textures.

Greg Hawkes: great chops and tasteful playing

Thomas Dolby: he can do it all

Gillian Gilbert: often under-appreciated

Anne Dudley: not only for her work w/ Art of Noise, but also for the albums she worked on with Trevor Horn for ABC & Frankie Goes to Hollywood. She's also done keyboard & string arrangements for both the aforementioned bands, as well as the Pet Shop Boys, Pulp, Marc Almond, Electronic, and Seal

Richard Barbieri: came up w/ great textures w/ Japan.

Michael McNeil (Simple Minds)

Chris Lowe (whether it's NW or not is debatable): incredible work in Pet Shop Boys

Ian Stanley (Tears for Fears)

Alan Wilder (incredible sound programming & was the best technical player of anyone in Depeche Mode--they should beg him to come back)

Ron Mael(Sparks)-everything he played,piano,organ or keyboards did it with his weird statik playing.Sparks early keyboard sound is something totally unique.

Alan Rankine(Associates)-the real contributor of Associates brightness.Swirling ,atmospheric almost underwater synth playing with reason.

Dave Greenfield(Stranglers)-His back in basics playing'' made sweeter'' Stranglers grind identity,i would say that only made them more scary and dark.Never forget his sound.

Greg Hawkes-Great!!