Archie Shepp

[Saxlicker]

Just seen him on sky.
This is the first time Archie and I have met!
Thoroughly earthy and enjoyable.

I would describe his sound as
Dark,
Thick,
Bulging with overtones or is that edge? (wanna tell me?)
Not warm,
Husky at times.

A little test to see how differently we hear things ...
List your description

 

[ken_aust]

Earthy,
I prefer his Alto playing to his Tenor playing.
Apparently, he is a very busy and successful Theatre Producer also.
Ken

 

[ken]

Missed that one Saxlicker 🙁 will keep a look out for it to return.

Did see Bobby McFerrin the other night, not sax, but a real enjoyable entertainer doing all sorts of cool vocals effects... different!!

 

[mfox]

his live at newport album is good

 

[whatever]

try to buy "Left Alone revisit" album from amazon...thats quite nice!!

from another CD the Masters of Jazz ( i think), Left Alone played using soprano....very nice as well.

 

[frank_johnson]

Saxlicker, I agree with you apart from "not warm". His discography is immense and so varied. Best album🙁my opinion only) LADYBIRD on Denon and , if you like solo sax with warm included listen to TROUBLE IN MIND, Steeplechase: great to play along to!!
The man is multi-facetted and I love his Tenor mistery and darkness.
I nearly called my son Archie, but Miles won. I saw him in Birmingham when he was still under appreciated and misunderstood. Nice guy too.

 

[Linky Lee]

I'll disagree with you frank, I think his tone on Trouble in Mind isn't what I'd call warm.

His sub-tone is warm, but his general tone is quite thin and bright.

Overall saxlicker:
Dark
Thin
Husky with the sub-tone
Edgy, slightly raucous higher up
It's not what I'd call a 'round' or 'smooth' tone.

 

[Saxlicker]

I was intrigued by 'thin' in Linky's description, so I checked it out from the samples on itunes. The gig I saw on TV back in sept 06 was anything but thin....
AND Yeah!
On the recording Trouble in Mind its not quite the thick sound I was describing. For the record, I didn't describe as fat because to me thats a big smoother sound that I would associate with some degree of warmth .....
Hence my wonderful description of thick instead 😛 Goes with earthy!!!!

So about the warmth...Yes I also hear it in the subtone...is that what your picking up on Frank ?
or is it warm through the register to your ears?

Bottom line is, thats another ?7.99 i'm out of pocket and another win for itunes! I thought it was great! Thanks Frank >.<

 

[Linky Lee]

I think some of that could well be down toward the engineer though not recording the sax to well and using the right EQ if any!

What I'd really love to see is a compilation album of saxophone sounds. Just basic simple tunes played and recorded beautifully, all saxes, loads of different saxophonists. Loads of different styles of Jazz, R n B, Blues.

It would be 'an education in tone' so to speak.

I think it would be quite beneficial in many a variety of ways. Having the tunes 'simple' would allow playing along and style/tone mimicry as well.

Simon... get on to some contacts and get a project going 😛

 

[frank_johnson]

Hi y'all,
points taken. I think I'm confused between warmth of tone and playing that creates warmth through its passion. I 've always been a sucker for playing that makes the little hairs at the back of my neck stand proud or kicks me hard in the stomach. When Archie plays the less"free form" stuff, this often happens.

_________________________
Where's Bob's nurse?