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The Look of Love by Dusty Springfield

Amanda tootin' Taylor

Senior Member
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Tooting, SW London
Hello everyone and a belated Happy New Year!

Do any of you know who played the saxophone solo on "The Look of Love" sung by Dusty Springfield? I've tried a bit of Googling, but not found out yet!

Also, I've still very much got my L plates on where the sax is concerned, so could someone give me an idea how the player achieves this lovely husky effect that complements Dusty's voice so beautifully? Are they simply blowing more of an "f" sound into the mouth piece rather than a "t"?

Thanks in advance for any help! :)
 
Dennis Springer was more than likely the player. (SOTW)

Chris..
 
Last edited by a moderator:
My research found;
THE LOOK OF LOVE-DUSTY SPRINGFIELD - DENNIS SPRINGER -TENOR

I was sent an email several years ago as follows;

"A couple of older musician-friends, plus one or two web addresses, suggest it was RONNIE SCOTT. Andy W."
 
Agree wholeheartedly with Trimmy DK certainly the best version. (Maybe I'm a little biased as I think she's got the best legs in the business)
 
The research is ongoing;

#22 THE LOOK OF LOVE—DUSTY SPRINGFIELD

? - TENOR

The first recording was by Stan Getz as an instrumental in December 1966. The song with lyrics was originally recorded by Dusty Springfield for the Casino Royale soundtrack, receiving an Oscar nomination and reaching the US Top 40. Phil Ramone, the soundtrack's engineer, recorded the song separately from the rest of the film tracks. Springfield re-recorded the song the same year in London, featuring a throaty saxophone solo, and released it as the B-side of "Give Me Time". Courtesy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Look_of_Love_(1967_song)

DENNIS SPRINGER and RONNIE SCOTT are the two names that have been suggested. Their internet credits do not list this song.

“A couple of older musician-friends, plus one or two web addresses, suggest it was RONNIE SCOTT”. Andy W.

“with the English jazz tenor saxophonist Ronnie Scott (1927-1996) performing a memorable solo”

“Don’t recall- however having seen and heard Ronnie it’s not his style so Dennis Springer is probably a shout”. Mark Archer-7/20/16

Stan Getz has been mentioned;

http://www.bacharachonline.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=2323

“sorry but i have to tell you that is not Stan Getz..once i was with Burt himself and we were speaking about musicians..and i remember perfectly he said a name of someone that was not him..i hope the memory will come out in the way to help you ok?? cheers GABBA”

This song was recorded in two versions at the Philips Studios of London. The soundtrack version was released on 1/29/67 and the single version was out on 4/14/67.

Per; https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/…/sax-solo-on-dustys-the-lo…/

“I found this recollection from the late Phil Ramone, who produced the recording. Courtesy of David Powell:

"We did that in a small studio in London that was owned by Phillips Records. Dusty normally never recorded outside of the vocal booth. In this case, however, she just had a little isolation screen there, which added to the song’s taut style and drama...The sax solo was done live by an English studio musician. And what you hear is Burt’s [Bacharach] interpretation of the song. He half-sang what he wanted to Dusty in a breathy voice to convey his vision.”

An entry on a Youtube site by a "Nomad" states;

"Dennis Springer played tenor sax on this version, which is the 45. Teddy Wilson played tenor sax on the soundtrack version. Both were very successful British studio musicians of that era. Source: Internet, Wikipedia. Phil Ramone was the producer on the soundtrack version, while John Franz produced the single version. Thing to keep in mind is that Brits tend to be quite humble--nothing wrong with that, of course---and it's not surprising that a British studio musician would not bang the drum, so to speak, about being the tenor sax player---not the done thing, as the Brits say."

Another entry on "Casino Royal" LP recording on Youtube by a "qq kk" states;

(4 years ago)
This song and all the others heard on the Casino Royale soundtrack were recorded at Philip Studios in London. Burt Bacharach composed and conducted, Hal David Lyricist and Phil Ramone was the producer. Stan Getz (uncredited) can be heard on sax and Herb Albert (trumpet) plays the outro. Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass also played the title-track theme song and others heard on the soundtrack.

The song is not listed in any Stan Getz internet discography.

Another web site indicates Duncan Lamont but that appears to be the "Soundtrack" from the movie;

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1658851/soundtrack
The Look of Love
Music by Burt Bacharach
Lyrics by Hal David
Performed by Dusty Springfield with featured saxophone soloist Duncan Lamont
Courtesy of Mercury Records Limited
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises
 
It's such an awesome song. Dusty was a fabulous singer and her version with the nylon stringed guitar and haunting string lines etc was just perfect. The sax solo is a great concept with all those scoops and such a beautifully behind the beat feel. Whomever it was, terrific player. As has been said, I really can't see the sax player being Ronnie Scott. Diana Krall's version, aided by the terrific arrangements/orchestrations of Claus Ogerman is smoky and atmospheric - just lovely.
Getz's album of Bacharach tunes - What The World Needs Now - is also fabulous.
 
Under one of the You Tube vids someone has written that in fact a certain John Laughter was the saxophonist. :confused:
 
Update;

Email sent to Duncan Lamont’s website (see above). Posted with son's permission;

“Hi John,

Thanks very much for your email regarding the possibility of Dad playing the tenor sax solo on “The Look Of Love”. Funnily enough I asked him who the soloist was on Dusty’s recording a couple of years ago. I knew it wasn’t Dad (naturally I was very familiar with his sound), although it was very much the sort of thing he was doing around that period. Annoyingly, someone has credited Dad with it on the IMDB website “Casino Royale” page which further muddies the waters…

He told me the tenor solo was played his colleague, Bob Efford, who was also a busy studio saxophonist at that time. Sorry to throw another name into the mix-of course, Dad might not be right either but that’s all part of the fun! Bob eventually moved to LA in the 70s where he continued his career, perhaps most notably as the baritone player with Bob Florence’s band.

Speaking of baritone players, I will ask my good friend, Jay Craig (ex-Buddy Rich and BBC Big Band) if he has any further info. He’s my go-to guy for this sort of stuff. I’ll come back to you if I find anything out.

I’m sure Dad would have been very happy had he been asked- he loved Dusty’s singing! In fact, he did work with Burt Bacarach in the 60s when he did a tour with Marlene Deitrich. Burt was Marlene’s MD at that period, just before he really hit big as a songwriter.

I’m really looking forward to checking out the link you sent and best of luck with it all.

Kind regards,

Duncan Jnr.”
Sat, Sep 26, 2020 3:31 pm

The following website refers to Bob Efford and the song;
Final Note: Bob Efford - 47 Blog | AFM Local 47

“Life Member. Saxophone
4/6/1928 – 4/29/2019


Bob Efford, 91 years young, passed away April 29, 2019, at his Malibu home. He is survived by his son, Bob Jr. and family; half-brother John Collin; and nephews and nieces.
He was predeceased by parents Tom and Edith, his first wife Joan Efford (mother of son Robert), and second wife Bertie Efford.

Bob was born in London, April 6, 1928, a true cockney. He became one of the most sought after session players in town, playing on thousands of record dates, movies, TV and concerts which included “Geraldo,” the Ted Heath Orchestra, Benny Goodman, and with the Royal and London Symphony orchestras, doubling on all saxes, woodwinds and double reeds.

He moved to L.A. in 1976, where he continued recording and performing with the world’s greatest musicians and artists such as Tony Bennet, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Bette Midler, Mel Tormé, Natalie Cole, and big bands which included, Les Brown’s Band of Renown, Nelson Riddle, Ray Anthony, Dave Pell, Bob Florence, Bill Holman, Johnny Mandel, and many more.

He received Grammy nominations for Dusty Springfield’s version of Burt Bacharach’s “The Look of Love,” Bob Florence’s “Bluephoria” and Bill Holman’s “Peacocks.”
He was a world traveler and lover of the great American songbook. He lived by the ocean in Paradise Cove, Malibu, where he enjoyed being surrounded by his community of friends and good neighbors.

I will miss our long conversations putting the world right and enjoying Indian curries together.

We will always love you, Dad.”

There will be a celebration of his life on Sunday, June 23, 2019, held at 1 p.m. at the Musicians Union AFM Local 47, 3220 Winona Ave. Burbank CA 91504. Phone: 323.462.2161
 
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