Hope this helps a little;
#2 BAKER STREET—GERRY RAFFERTY
RAPHAEL RAVENSCROFT - ALTO
Raphael Ravenscroft has played for artists ranging from Marvin Gaye to Pink Floyd. “Baker Street” is his most well known saxophone solo. In 1979, Ravenscroft recorded a solo album, Her Father Didn’t Like Me Anyway. He has also performed with Chris Rea, Ian Gomm, Alvin Lee, Robert Plant, ABBA, Kim Carnes, Red Rider, Mike Oldfield, Roger Waters, Willie & The Poor Boys, and Phil Collins’ Brand X, in addition to two more LPs with Gerry Rafferty. In 1990, Ravenscroft also published a successful instruction book, The Complete Saxophone Player.
Legend tells us that the solo on Baker Street apparently happened by accident. The part was originally written for guitar and Raphael was booked to play just a short introduction on soprano saxophone. When the guitarist did not show, Raphael said he had an alto sax in the boot of his car and why not try it with him playing the solo. Ravenscroft played the part not really expecting it to become the standout track from the album which made him famous.
"Please send an email for the most recent list as I am currently in pre production of a series on sax players".
Thank you
Raf Ravenscroft=”
(List sent)
“Thanks mate.Thank you so much for your help will be in touch soon.”
Raf
11/12/2007
CD book sent.
“Dear John
Thank you so much for the CD: It really is the most brilliant piece of work. I should love to have a chat with you regarding my own project.
Thanks mate”
Raphael Ravenscroft
11/11/07
Rafferty’s perfect pop moment came in 1978 with ‘Baker Street’, a song of hoarse sincerity about giving up the booze and the one-night stands and settling down. It is now a staple of soft rock stations, where it has the sturdy inevitability of Christmas or death. Movie director Gus Van Sant used it for a key scene in Good Will Hunting and the song was a hit once again in the Nineties when covered by Undercover. It even featured in an episode of The Simpsons, with Lisa playing it on her saxophone. Yet until Raphael Ravenscroft overlaid a glistening saxophone solo, it was destined to be just another folky tune. Ravenscroft’s name doesn’t appear on the writing credits – allowing the NME to start up an urban myth that bespectacled former Blockbusters presenter Bob Holness had performed the sax solo. Rafferty maintains that he wrote the hook, and claims he intended to sing the refrain at first. Ravenscroft disagrees, saying he was presented with a song that contained “several gaps”.
“In fact, most of what I played was an old blues riff,” says the sax musician. “If you’re asking me: ‘Did Gerry hand me a piece of music to play?’ then no, he didn’t.” Ravenscroft’s fee was a cheque for £27, which he says bounced anyway and is now framed and hangs on his solicitor’s wall. Rafferty has not attempted to make further payment, and Ravenscroft has chosen not to pursue the matter of a song that guarantees Rafferty a yearly income of £80,000. Since the song thrust Rafferty into a spotlight that has made him deeply uncomfortable ever since, maybe Ravenscroft is right to regard the riches of ‘Baker Street’ as tainted money: “If I had received pots of money, I wouldn't have known what to do,” he remarked recently. “It might have destroyed me.”
The following statement was found on the Sax on the Web message board;
“The Sax AL NEWMAN used is a Selmer Alto Mark VI circa 1958 SN84452. In the docs Al supplied to Howarths of London he writes: “The last recording session I played it on prior to leaving for America in late 1977 was at a recording studio in Rodmarton Street, near Baker Street W1 where was required to perform an Alto Sax solo and had to sign a release form. I later found out that this track was Baker Street by Jerry Rafferty and that credit for the Sax solo was first taken by the producer of the track and later falsely by Raf Ravenscroft who certainly did not play on that track - which in actual fact I did!!!”
The following statement is from Al Newman’s son;
1/7/2011
Hi John,
“I found your history of sax.
My name is Jonathan Newman and I am the son of Al Newman, who recorded the original sax riff on Baker St. I am so pleased you have set the record straight to what is a very long overdue omission in the history of this famous song. (Jonathan refers to the above note found on Sax on the Web)
The last session my father played on in 1977 prior to leaving for LA was Rafferty's Baker St, in a recording studio in Rodmartin St, where he played alto sax (a Selmer Alto Sax MK V! - No 84452 -auctioned through Howarth's). He was required to sign a release form, common in those days. He later found out that credit was first taken by the producer of the track, and then sometime later falsely taken by Ravenscroft.
My father, though very well known in both the jazz and the session world, has never sought the limelight. He is now in his 80s and has retired. It is sad to me that the truth has never come out, that Rav took credit for this, and that my father never got the recognition he deserved”.
Best wishes,
Jonathan Newman
My response to Jonathan;
1/8/2011
Jonathan, it is good to hear from you!
I will be glad to add your email to the list if that is okay with you? I have followed the comments on SOTW and will be glad to add your comment to the list so that everyone can read all sides of the history behind the song "Baker Street".
Is it okay to add your email statement to the book?
Thanks
John Laughter
1/8/11
“Yes of course”
Jonathan Newman