TimHighfield
Group: Members
Posts: 543
Joined: Oct. 2000 |
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Posted: Nov. 13 2001, 06:50 |
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Evenin' all,
In 1999, at the Langeland Festival press conference, Mike said:
| Quote | I hate saxophones...Well, I mean, there are 2 players in the world, one is Courtney Pine, the other one is ... you know, who did ... that <sings> [Tim says: this is generally accepted to be Baker Street, by Gerry Rafferty, sax by Raf Ravenscroft- thanks to all who pointed that out to me ages ago!  ]...2 players. I don't like the sound of saxophones. It sounds like a fart. <laughter> To my ears. Unless one of these 2 people play it, they can really play it.
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Now, I have to disagree with Mike on this. The saxophone, when used properly, can be an absolutely fantastic instrument. And there are some fantastic saxophonists around.
About Courtney Pine, I haven't heard much of him, and I don't listen to Music from the Balcony very frequently, so no comment.
Raf Ravenscroft- yes. Baker Street is fantastic, of course, and there's also some good sax work by him on another album by Gerry Rafferty, "Night Owl". In particular a track called "Take the Money and Run".
Other damn good saxophonists:
Clarence Clemmons- saxophonist in the E-Street Band (i.e. the blokes who work with Bruce Springsteen). In particular, "Jungleland", a smashing nine-minute workout with great sax playing, from the album "Born to Run".
Mike Brecker- "Going Home" from the Local Hero soundtrack (Mark Knopfler). Need I say more?
Dick Parry- sax player for Pink Floyd for "Dark Side of the Moon", "Wish You Were Here", "The Division Bell"... Some brilliant playing, such as on "Money" and "Us and Them" from DSOTM.
Andy Mackay- saxophonist in Roxy Music. Some brilliant work there...I saw him when Roxy Music did their world tour a few months ago, and his sax work really stood out. Phenomenal in a live setting. In addition to Roxy Music, he contributed some great playing to "All the Way from Memphis" by Mott the Hoople (album "Mott"). And he's also given a credit on Islands, according to the Tubular Web discography, but as I don't have the album, I don't know why. (Anyone able to clarify it for me?)
There are a whole lot of saxophonists out there who do some great work...I've just listed some of the more famous players...
Who do you think proves Mike wrong about there only being two good players (Pine and Ravenscroft)?
-Tim-
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:sorry: