"Travelin' Band" - Creedence Clearwater Revival/John Fogerty

[thomsax]

“ I played sax on “Travelin’ Band”, the Creedence single that came out in January 1970. Well, I just felt the urge to pay homage to that whole Little Richard sound. I had gone and rented a sax in the early sixties to play a song that Tom had written called “Watusi Lucy.” I had practiced enough to play that little part, which is exactly what I did with “Travelin’ Band.” Of course, what I really should’ve done is to get a real horn section. That’s what The Beatles would’ve done, but somehow there’s that thing in my head: “I do it myself.” In a way, that made it sound charming, homemade.”, wrote John Fogerty in his book “Fortunate Son”.

I talked to Sax Gordon about John Fogerty's stubbornness. Gordon is also a John Fogerty fan. Of course, he thought he should leave the horn parts to a real horn section. We agreed that many of us are suffering from stubborness. Sax Gordon is traveling around doing his thing. I would probably spend my last money on a RockSax project even if there are no honkers that have signed up.

“Travelin’ Band” is another song that I tried to play when I was around 14 years old. Just learned the riffing/background sax parts by ear. The hardest thing was to use the other keys/tones. It’s recorded in concert F#/Gb ( Bb instruments in G#/Ab, Eb instruments in D#/Eb). No tenor solo. But if you play a solo, keep it short. Songs like these are perfect for gigs at small places (PUB’s, Kafé …). Play the single format, often 2:00 - 2:30 long, don’t talk too much between the songs, a 4 - piece band (drm, bass, gtr and sax), less equipment just have the vocals through the PA ….. .

“Travelin’ Band” comes out great in concert E as well. And a 3 - horn section is also fine (bs,ts, trp).

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View: https://youtu.be/VwcJ5WQSamQ

 

[eb424]

You do love your rock sax...i'm only a relative newbie but hey Swedens not that far.....48 hours on a ferry if my ageing memory serves me well...

 

[thomsax]

You do love your rock sax...i'm only a relative newbie but hey Swedens not that far.....48 hours on a ferry if my ageing memory serves me well...

Thank you. For the 45 years I've buying books, magazines, VHS, DVD's, CD's LP's, singeles ..... so it's more or less a "compilation" about RockSax. To play sax à la Traveling Band is not hard. But it's easier if you like Rock and listen to music in the so called rock keys. I think the days with low price flights are gone. You could fly from England to Sweden för about £ 10.00 !!!!! Ferry to Esbjerg, Denmark and then train to Copenhagen or Malmö. You wold be the first UK players that join a Rocksax workshop or Adult Rocksax Summer Camp !!!!

 

[eb424]

Thank you. For the 45 years I've buying books, magazines, VHS, DVD's, CD's LP's, singeles ..... so it's more or less a "compilation" about RockSax. To play sax à la Traveling Band is not hard. But it's easier if you like Rock and listen to music in the so called rock keys. I think the days with low price flights are gone. You could fly from England to Sweden för about £ 10.00 !!!!! Ferry to Esbjerg, Denmark and then train to Copenhagen or Malmö. You wold be the first UK players that join a Rocksax workshop or Adult Rocksax Summer Camp !!!!

you see now i'm interested.......are they for beginners through only 5 years in...what would be the cost.......don't forget £GBP low at the mo..

 

[thomsax]

are they for beginners through only 5 years in

Yes, of course. RockSax is very about brainwashing. To have an old jazzcat at a RockSax workshop is not easy.

what would be the cost

The latest RockSax workshops were free. I so hard to charge a person that's been paying fuel, B&B .... to join us.

 

[eb424]

It sounds like it could be fun tho..