SOTM SOTM December 2025: Wexford Carol

[rhysonsax]

One of the online audio splitting sites (such as LALAL.AI ) could probably do a reasonable job of stripping Julie Andrews from that and leaving the backing. As far as I understand we shouldn't use such backings as that original recording is covered by copyright.

Rhys

 

[Tuppertn]

One of the online audio splitting sites (such as LALAL.AI ) could probably do a reasonable job of stripping Julie Andrews from that and leaving the backing. As far as I understand we shouldn't use such backings as that original recording is covered by copyright.

Rhys

Someone made a karaoke of the Yo-yo Ma version using LALAL.AI and posted it to YouTube. That doesn't necessarily make it okay, I guess.

View: https://youtu.be/3CgBDgaoJRw?si=yKiWo3N9twYkHqev

 

[mrblackbat]

One of the online audio splitting sites (such as LALAL.AI ) could probably do a reasonable job of stripping Julie Andrews from that and leaving the backing. As far as I understand we shouldn't use such backings as that original recording is covered by copyright.

Rhys

If you use Youtube to host it, then they will handle the copyright issues.

 

[rhysonsax]

If you use Youtube to host it, then they will handle the copyright issues.

I wonder what that means. They will probably run an automated comparison algorithm to see whether the item submitted to them is the same as a known piece that is under copyright. But if it just contains some copyrighted material, such as a backing track or a sample from a copyrighted track, then that may not be detected.

If the copyright holder gets upset and wants to take action, I can't see that YouTube having given it the OK would be much of a defence. Perhaps YouTube would remove the item, but they aren't going to fight a court case on behalf of the person who posted a track.

Not being a lawyer, I don't know whether the platform/channel has any vicarious liability along with the person who made and uploaded a track. Or would the Cafe Saxophone forum have some legal responsibility ? Paging @Pete Thomas

Rhys

 

[mizmar]

But if it just contains some copyrighted material, such as a backing track or a sample from a copyrighted track, then that may not be detected.

Quite a number of YouTubers who do music analysis get quite badly stuffed if their samples are more than a few seconds.
I think YouTube run their algorithm and any match is sent to the rights holder - if registered with YT. It's up to the rights holder to do the 👍🏼👎🏽

 

[h4yn0nnym0u5e]

When Phat Sax recorded the “Poirot” theme during lockdown, the YT algorithms spotted it and I got an email (since ‘twas I who posted it). It all seemed pretty low key - if I tried to monetise it I’d get nowt, and if YT started plastering ads at the start I wouldn’t get any of that, either. 4 years later it’s had 117 views, so nobody has lost much, and as I never intend to make anything out of my YT content I’m not bothered. I’d be more than happy if it did make Christopher Gunning something, and I was quite pleased it was recognisable!

Link to Cafe Saxophone thread here.

 

[MikeMorrell]

Not one I'm familiar with, so two different takes on Alto. One on the latest NWii to join the collection and another on the Buescher.

Be kind or might get the soprano out

I really enjoyed listening to both versions, @Digger2054!

They both immediately resonated with me. As a Welshman (with a great interest in Irish and Scottish folk music) I was immediately impressed by how well you managed to get a truly 'Celtic style and sound' on your sax. For me, it was almost like listening to someone playing the Wexford Carol on 'Celtic Pipes'.

I love listening to all the different 'interpretations' and playing styles of this Carol. But I absolutely loved these versions which immediately sounded to me as if you'd immersed yourself in the 'Celtic' musical history and culture. Maybe just my fantasy, but anyway they pulled on my heartstrings.

Your timing, long notes and 'balance in the mix' were IMHO perfect. Which (again) illustrated just how good @rhysonsax's backing track is .

Congrats,

Mike

 

[MikeMorrell]

Not my usual comfort zone, but just this once I was inspired! Or not, as the case may be. Never mind the playing, watch the pretty pictures...

Stunningly beautiful. @h4yn0nnym0u5e!

Not just the beautiful visuals but mostly the beautiful arrangement, backing track and your performances. Absolutely magical!

TBH, You led me down a rabbit hole which I was more than happy to pursue:
- first: not one of @rhysonsax's backing tracks but an original composition
- second: backtracking to the opening screen to find "John Rutter' as the original (SATB) arranger
- thirdly, to find on John Rutter's Wikipedia page a reference to a 'Vaughan Williams arrangement' in the Oxford Book of Carols in 1928 ; Vaughan Williams is one of my favourite composers so I'll definitely look up the references

Many thanks!

 

[MikeMorrell]

This is the Julie Andrews recording that inspired me to give it a try. I'd love to have the accompaniment to this one.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrJyd0ZI-Uk&list=RDJrJyd0ZI-Uk&start_radio=1

What a beautiful version by Julie Andrews in 1966! Her voice still sounds so clear, pure and and accurate even today. I can well imagine that later artists still envy her 'pronunciation skills'.1|

W.r.t. to the Wexford Carol, she was a real trailblazer. According to the 'Wexford Carol Wikipedia page', Julie Andrews was the very first vocalist ever to record the 'Wexford Carol'.

 

[h4yn0nnym0u5e]

Stunningly beautiful. @h4yn0nnym0u5e!

Not just the beautiful visuals but mostly the beautiful arrangement, backing track and your performances. Absolutely magical!

Thanks @MikeMorrell. Can’t take credit for the lovely arrangement, but I did play all the parts and take the photos (none in Wexford, though - never been there). The first takes were truly horrible, I had to bin them and start over…

 

[MikeMorrell]

Someone made a karaoke of the Yo-yo Ma version using LALAL.AI and posted it to YouTube. That doesn't necessarily make it okay, I guess.

View: https://youtu.be/3CgBDgaoJRw?si=yKiWo3N9twYkHqev

Yeah, during 'my research' I came across this YouTube video multiple times. It was often top of my Google search list'. It's a copy of the original Alisson Krauss/Yo-Yo Ma video with the vocals filtered out. When introducing my SOTM, I had no hesitation in deciding NOT to post a link to this video. Because:
- Although YouTube approved, it's just an easy rip-off of copyrighted media; something that I'm personally dead against
- Posting a link to a rip-off copy of copyrighted materials would be totally against the values that the café stands for
- making use of a 'ripped off' copy from YouTube is no guarantee that it would accepted by other music platforms

I (and the café) want to make sure that 'backing tracks' are legit: arranged by café members, paid for, used with permission, etc. As @Tuppertn says ".. posted it to YouTube. That doesn't necessarily make it okay, I guess."

@Tuppertn sums it up: if you smell a rat, then check it out,

 

[ESJohn]

I found this online this morning:

The Wexford Carol - Traditional Irish Christmas Carols

The Wexford Carol is one of Ireland's oldest Christmas Carols and is one of the oldest surviving Carols in the European tradition.

yourirish.com

 

[rhysonsax]

I just recorded a different carol which has been arranged for Saxophone Quintet with sopranino along with the conventional soprano, alto, tenor and baritone.

Here is "Carol of the Bells" with me playing all five parts (each one a complete take as played with an unforgiving metronome).

Carol of the Bells (Sax Quintet - Rhys V1).mp3 | Powered by Box

Rhys

 

[rhysonsax]

And here is a recording I just made on soprano with the shorter backing track of The Wexford Carol.

The Wexford Carol - Rhys on Sop Sax with Strings & Piano V1.mp3 | Powered by Box

Rhys

 

[MikeMorrell]

Hi Rhys, I love your recordings of the 'Wexford Carol' and 'Carol of the Bells'' on sop sax.
The 'Wexford Carol' is my now my 1st favourite carol. 'Carol of the Bells' is my 2nd close favourite.

I play exclusively tenor sax but the 'sax sound' I most enjoy listening to is sop. sax

Mike

 

[Ivan]

My version

Roughly the right notes but not really following the sheet

Thanks @MikeMorrell for a good tune

 

[MikeMorrell]

My version

Roughly the right notes but not really following the sheet

Thanks @MikeMorrell for a good tune

Wow, I loved your bari version, Ivan. Especially your variations on the melody and of course your improv! TBH, this is exactly what I hoped might happen with 'The Wexford Carol'. It can be played 'straight' but (IMHO) also offers enough scope for some members to 'add their own style'. In terms of variations, embellishments, improvs, etc.

 

[Jeanette]

Just had a listen to some of these, thank you all for taking part and thanks to @MikeMorrell for choosing and hosting. Huge thanks to @rhysonsax for backing tracks and dots.

I am a day or two early with thanks but am away from tomorrow with friends and may forget.

The thread never closes so please do add your recording.

January's host is in place.

All the best to you all over the new year period. 🎉🍾🍷🍸


Jx