Worst sax playing on a classic rock song?

[David Roach]

I also think this as well, take the sax out of the song and it wouldn't have been so iconic, the sad thing was that Raphael Ravenscroft got a small fee for his work and Gerry Rafferty was getting £188,000 a year royalties out of the song.

My take on this, as a pretty-much-retired professional sax player, is that in order to get the really big money in the arts one has to be prepared to shoulder the very onerous burden of fame - which of course has little or nothing to do with talent. The only exception to this is the musician who genuinely and honestly has elevated their art to the point where fame is unavoidable.

Having played on pretty much every recording of a very famous British composer sine 1984, I am quite happy to have avoided the media attention that my employer attracted, which has made him utterly miserable. I do get PPL royalties, and they add to my bank balance, but in a modest way on the whole. Money is important, we must make enough to live comfortably, but beyond that I am happy to remain fairly anonymous and modestly solvent.

 

[jazzdoh]

My take on this, as a pretty-much-retired professional sax player, is that in order to get the really big money in the arts one has to be prepared to shoulder the very onerous burden of fame - which of course has little or nothing to do with talent. The only exception to this is the musician who genuinely and honestly has elevated their art to the point where fame is unavoidable.

Having played on pretty much every recording of a very famous British composer sine 1984, I am quite happy to have avoided the media attention that my employer attracted, which has made him utterly miserable. I do get PPL royalties, and they add to my bank balance, but in a modest way on the whole. Money is important, we must make enough to live comfortably, but beyond that I am happy to remain fairly anonymous and modestly solvent.

I agree with you on this David, whilst the money is important, fame has its costs on life some good but plenty that is bad, not that I have ever been famous or rich for that matter, although I have made it on TV a couple of times due to my career, but hated every second of it.

Not quite the same with Lee Allen whose sound was literally unique I think.

 

[mizmar]

which has made him utterly miserable.

MN?!
That's a shame.

 

[Pete Thomas]

the sad thing was that Raphael Ravenscroft got a small fee fo

Lee Allen (tenor) and Alvin Tyler (baritone) played on lots of recordings Little Richard, Fats Domino ..., and their saxes made huge impact worldwide, didn't get any royalties.

Yes this is the truth. Any competent session player at the time could have done the Baker Street solo, especially as it was already composed. My friend Pete Zorn was booked to do the session but sadly had a bad cold on that day so suggested that Raph could do it. There wasa concern that Raph wasn't a very good reader, but Pete assuredGerry and Hugh it was simple enough for him read and/or learn quickly from the guitar guide track.

 

[lydian]

Not good. There are some really bad saxes in Rock and Pop! "Let's stick together", "Baker Street", "I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do", "Smooth Operator", "Careless Whisper", "Kokomo" ( but I love Andrew Clarks solo)....... often played by were good and competent saxophonist that took the wrong door in the recording studio. I can't see any other explanation! I use to turn up when I hear songs with Rock & Roll Saxophones. When I hear songs like these I turn down.

I think the sax is just wrong. Flute or a trumpet/flygelhoen would be better in "Baker Street" way. As I wrote very competent sax players.

For those who think sax was wrong for some of the most iconic (worst?) sax solos in pop history, you finally got your wish.

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[thomsax]

For those who think sax was wrong for some of the most iconic (worst?) sax solos in pop history, you finally got your wish.

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I have nothing against the saxplayers that played the solos. Good players and just doing the job. And the songs are ok as well. It's just the combo "easy listening arrangements and soft sax" that I don't like. I'm a big Rolling Stones and Bobby Keys fan. But the disco song "Miss You" is just too much for me. I know lots of groups and artists were looking for the hit. Not only the money .... .

 

[thomsax]

Here is a sample of a saxsolo I like but I don't like the song. There are perhaps not so many ways to play this short saxsolo. The audience would probably be disappointed if it wasn't played close/in the same style as it was recorded. You can put more soul and edge to a wellkown solo

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I don't want to judge what is bad or good. I'm not the right person. I just don't play songs I don't like. On the Hi-Fi, computer, radio .... I use the on-off switch.

 

[lydian]

I don't want to judge what is bad or good. I'm not the right person. I just don't play songs I don't like. On the Hi-Fi, computer, radio .... I use the on-off switch.

It’s just a joke. Everybody has their own taste and is entitled to their opinion.