[Swampcabbage]

http://www.avclub.com/content/feature/dont_blow_it_10_great_songs

I think the writer has some points but doesn't know enough as the why or what the reason for these songs being "ruined". For instance, I always felt that having Sanborn blow during the choruses of "Young Americans" was to busy and drew away from the lyric. But, the intro and solo, to me, make the song.

Ultimately, I think it just proves that songs aren't ruined by an instrument but more by a performers unguided vision. I've been to many recording sessions when the songwriter/performer said "I want sax on this piece" only to have to say. "Where are you gonna put it; you have too much going on there."

Thoughts?

 

[sambeaux]

F that guy. I know, I'm preaching to the (saxophone) choir, but we could always use more sax.

The point is, the decision of what instruments to use is made by the artist and the producer. Sure, it's easy to mess up a song with too much of one thing or another, but these were all well-known songs - the production must be considered a success on a very basic level. This guy's article is like me deciding that the maple leaf is TOTALLY ruining the Canadian flag. Sure, I am entitled to my opinion, but aren't I wasting my time blowing against the wind (section)?

Mr AV Critic guy: the next time you produce a major hit song, feel free to omit the saxophone.

Critics - you can't live with 'em, and you can't.... well, I guess you COULD live without 'em!

 

[Swampcabbage]

How about a list of songs "ruined" by:

Vocals
Guitars
Bass
Drums
Keyboards

etc....

I loved how he denegrated the Cures touch of sax as sounding too "professional." He's kidding, right?

 

[ismail]

hes right.
in pop/rock, the sax can be awfully annoying...and superfluous... it´s not a matter of fact, it´s a matter of taste.

 

[Swampcabbage]

I think it's a matter of the right player for the right job.

 

[martysax]

Like a lot of the guys my age or older who have been playing 30+ years, I've been able to play professionally with several styles of music, including some that wouldn't tend to have a sax player in the band.

I get hired because I add to the band. Others are missing what we bring to the gig.

When someone doesn't know where to play, they haven't studied the music or the style thoroughly enough yet. Anyone can play notes, but only the players know where to put the rests. My favorite rests include a sip of whisky.

 

[coolsax2k7]

wow, well I can say drinking helped calm me down at my gig. Just one beer was right. I also felt like at first I was overwhelming the band with my energy. Then I learned I had to lay back and try to flow with the vibe. It was like working with the energy in the room. I felt great but I also felt bad when I played stuff I didn't really mean to. It will take time I guess to learn to play better in new environments.

 

[Grumps]

Like a lot of the guys my age or older who have been playing 30+ years, I've been able to play professionally with several styles of music, including some that wouldn't tend to have a sax player in the band.

Very accurate. Although there's always the guys in the band who feel if a sax wasn't in the original version of the tune (or style of music), you can't have it. But it is fun to win those folks over; but you gotta know when to play, and most importantly, when not to.

I find more rock bands to get excited over a sax player joining them for a gig, rather than jazz groups. To a jazz group when a sax player shows up, it often means a long night.

 

[martysax]

I find more rock bands to get excited over a sax player joining them for a gig...

You should have seen the heavy- metal and punk bands reactions!

 

[Reedsplinter]

My favorite rests include a sip of whisky.

Important lesson here: you're also playing when you're NOT playing.

 

[Bill Mecca]

guys an idiot or a genius. Best way to drive traffic to a website/blog is to make outrageous statements and top ten lists are one of the top ten ways.

I was baffled by his comments on Jungleland, but at least I got to watch/listen again.

He knows nothing about building to a climax, something his girlfriend/wife is probably well aware of. (sorry I could resist)

 

[Grumps]

You should have seen the heavy- metal and punk bands reactions!

Oh, no doubt. Back in the 80's I used to sit in with a group that played shop tools (but very well, mind you, as they were very well rehearsed and had a solid drummer). That was all fine and dandy until my girlfriend at the time and her identical twin sister beat the hell out of a member of their entourage right on the dance floor in front of the band one night. Might have joined the group had it not been for that...

 

[nachoman]

I was baffled by his comments on Jungleland, but at least I got to watch/listen again.

He knows nothing about building to a climax, something his girlfriend/wife is probably well aware of. (sorry I could resist)

Here Here and ROFL respectively! (ah juvenile humour, love it!)

 

[alleysax]

I don't/didn't like any of those songs in the first place...so I had to listen to all of them to find the sax!:shock: (didn't even know the Cure used a sax!!)Can't say I agree with him, however. I still don't like any of those songs...

 

[Al Stevens]

How about a list of songs "ruined" by:
...
etc....

Banjo and tuba

 

[danarsenault]

Let me know when this gets round to having anything to do with music, he said, listening to Phil Woods on Just the Way You Are on musak.

 

[Swampcabbage]

Banjo and tuba

Or howabout the cello movement of the 90's and the english horn/oboe/soprano movement of the 80's.

Whether a sax player knows what to do can be a non issue in cases where leaders (producers) are insistant as to where they should play. Sanborn is not someone who has traditionally overplayed. However, I sense that he was instructed to come in on those choruses like that.

Ultimately, many players keep working because they know where and what to do, but are also willing to take direction. It's just whether you wish to jump off certain bridges that is in question.

 

[area51recording]

For myself at least, the guy's out of his mind when it comes to Jungleland. When the Big Man comes in with that HUGE entrance it still gives me shivers. His solo on that tune used to make me cry BEFORE I ever picked up a saxophone.

 

[devanabigia]

i cant see anything wrong in these songs, except few ones that the problem is not the sax in the song but the song.

 

[Alexk]

Ismail wrote:

in pop/rock, the sax can be awfully annoying...and superfluous... it´s not a matter of fact, it´s a matter of taste.

Swampcabbage wrote:

I think it's a matter of the right player for the right job.

I have played in quite a few cover bands, and in some pop songs, I just don't let the sax get in the way. I try to be the right player for the job and I might play percussion of some sort if it will take it, or sip a drink, or just chill out. Hide behind the bass player's rig or behind a front of house speaker.

I asked a very experienced guy once what are the most important things to learn as a player, he said learn when to stand up, when to sit down, when to play up and when to shut up. I always think that if I can't add anything, I'm happy to lay out.