PPT mouthpieces
PPT mouthpieces
PPT mouthpieces
PPT mouthpieces

Playing the saxophone 10 "classic" blues songs with sax?

thomsax said:
The drummer played in a metal in Berlin and he don't like shuffle. So it's often blues songs that rock band did. Lots of Stones, Allman Brothers, CCR, SRV ... that kind of stuff. I'm the only guy that likes "the" blues and R&B
Read more…

The drummer doesn't like shuffle ? It's more likely he can't play shuffle, I suspect. You quote several rock bands who did blues songs. I don't know who SRV are. I presume CCR is Credence Clearwater Revival. Doug Clifford was a fine, versatile drummer who used shuffle a lot. Have a listen to "Willie and the Poorboys."

The same goes for Butch Trucks of the Allman Brothers (who died suddenly two months ago, aged 69); and no one could ever accuse Charlie Watts of refusing (or being unable) to play a shuffle beat.

Frankly, ability or willingness to play a shuffle rhythm, even if only used occasionally, should be a prerequisite for drumming in a blues band: it says a lot about the drummer's understanding of, and sympathy for, blues music. If your current drummer is too hide-bound or too incompetent to play a shuffle rhythm, you need a new drummer; if the rest of the band are happy with him, you need a new band !

Reading between the lines, I reckon this idea has occurred to you already — but maybe you should start your own blues/r&b band ? Go for keyboards, double bass (get a rockabilly guy) who can double on electric if necessary, and a solid drummer who likes shuffle. Only then do you get a guitarist — and pick one who plays a "jazz guitar", like an f-hole Gibson — he'll be more open-minded and versatile than a Stratocaster blaster. You'll need a vocalist, too, if none of the rest of you can carry a tune.

I'm sorry to be so negative about your current line-up, but I've learnt over the years that there's nothing that will destroy a band musically faster than a drummer who can only play one rhythm.
 
What about "The Sky is Crying". its a slow blues jam staple in my neck of the woods.
You're also missing something with a Bo Diddley or Mambo beat... "Who do You Love" maybe (seem to remember there's a cracking version of that by George Thorogood with a wild Hank Carter solo).
"Chitlins Con Carne" by Junior Wells - fantastic groove and a great Kenny Burrell & Stanley Turrentine version out there to steal riffs from
 
trimmy said:
Shamefully only came across this tune the other day, it's brilliant just love it.
Some great versions out there but love this one
I need to learn this....
View: https://youtu.be/_iEvF-ZrtZ4
Read more…
Get yourself Midnight Blue by Kenny Burrell... a great album with a cracking version of this tune... the original album harmonica ones interesting too, much more Latin feeling, it's a sort heavy mambo
 
Last edited:
Two more that might work well that a fair number of people would know; “Summertime” (George Gershwin) and “The Night Time is the Right Time” by Ray Charles. I was going to also suggest “Night Train” (Sam Butera version) but it looks like you need songs with lyrics.
 
In 1958 New Orleans pianist Champion Jack Dupree recorded an all-time classic blues album. Entitled "Blues from the Gutter" it featured, as well as the leader's piano & vocals, Larry Dale (Ennis Lowery), on electric guitar and the great Pete Brown on alto sax.

This album is an object lesson in how a sensitive electric guitarist and a saxophonist can complement each other, to make fine co-operative band music, rather than fight each other for occupation of the solo glory hole. Every track of the ten on the album is a gem, but the stand-outs for me are the last two, both eight-bar blues with brilliant sax solos, "Frankie and Johnny" and "Stack-O-Lee."
 
The Doobie brothers' Long Train Running could be fun, the saxes could do the harmonies on the "without love..." parts and of course the harmonica solo in the middle, each could take a turn or have duels (triels ?) I know it's not strictly blues but....
 
Jules said:
A What! A sensitive electric guitarist! :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
Read more…
Yep. I know it beggars belief, but have a listen to the session: Ennis Lowery is amazing, the way he works with Pete Brown instead of against him. It's an object lesson which should be required listening for all cat stranglers.

And Pete Brown is…… Pete Brown. To say he's one of the greatest saxophonists ever to pick up an instrument is to damn him with faint praise.
 
davidsol said:
The Doobie brothers' Long Train Running could be fun, the saxes could do the harmonies on the "without love..." parts and of course the harmonica solo in the middle, each could take a turn or have duels (triels ?) I know it's not strictly blues but....
Read more…

Check out the "live" version with Marc Russo on alto sax and a horn section.
 
Ads are not displayed to logged in members. Yay!
Join us in the Cafe!
Contact mods
Follow us: Bluesky  Facebook

Member Blogs (currently active)

Popular Discussions on the Café

Featured Classifieds

Latest Song of the Month

Forum statistics

Topics
31,945
Messages
565,541
Members
7,969
Latest member
willyoueverwin
Back
Top Bottom