If you want to hear some good rock and roll sax in a progressive rock band, listen to The Mars Volta, even though their first album is my favorite, there is no sax in it. Listen to Amputechture or Frances the Mute for tenor and some hidden soprano action. By the way, anybody like this band?
The Mars Volta ROCKS!
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I have all 3 of their CDs. Pretty cool stuff, Omar is a monster guitar player.
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yeah, I'm big on TMV but I haven't noticed the sax, I'll go back and listen to it.
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There isn't a lot of it, but its in Frances the Mute and Amputechture. Listen for some runs and altissimo shrieks. I'm not sure where the sop is he spoke of though, maybe he could let us know.
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ah ok, I'll check it out. I love Amputechture but haven't listened to as much of Francis the Mute, it seems harder to get into so far, but if there's sax in it I'll give it another go 
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Love these guys. Haven't heard Amputechture yet. But Francis and DeLoused are pretty incredible.
The guy's name is, I believe, Adrian Terrazas-Gonzalez. I could be wrong.
He also plays in the Omar Rodriguez (guitarist in TMV) Quintet, which is an avante garde prog-rock-free-jazz group. I'm not sure how readily available their album is, but if you get a chance, pick up an LP copy of the self-titled album. It just works so much better on record. But yeah, it's pretty cool.
I feel like Coltrane has always been an influence on prog rockers, but it's usually his pre-free jazz days that I hear. These guys sound like they're way into late-period Trane.
He also plays in the Omar Rodriguez (guitarist in TMV) Quintet, which is an avante garde prog-rock-free-jazz group. I'm not sure how readily available their album is, but if you get a chance, pick up an LP copy of the self-titled album. It just works so much better on record. But yeah, it's pretty cool.
I feel like Coltrane has always been an influence on prog rockers, but it's usually his pre-free jazz days that I hear. These guys sound like they're way into late-period Trane.
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I'm definitely a fan of MV. Saw them live a few years ago right after their second album came out. I also listen to their former band, At The Drive In and enjoy them too, but not as much. I've heard that I'm in the minority there. Seems most like one or the other, but not both.
Best,
Chris S
Best,
Chris S
Wow, I'm glad to see the response of people here who like the band. I have been a HUGE fan since I saw them for the first time in the Berkeley Greek Theatre. I listen to them religiously, and I am waiting everyday for their next album Bedlam in Goliath which is coming out October 30th 2007 according to Wikipedia.
As for the soprano, I don't know if its in their albums, but I've seen a straight soprano used live when I saw them in los angeles. Adrian terrazas gonzalez is the sax player responsible for those cool solos and accompaniments in the music.
As for the soprano, I don't know if its in their albums, but I've seen a straight soprano used live when I saw them in los angeles. Adrian terrazas gonzalez is the sax player responsible for those cool solos and accompaniments in the music.
Yeah, I would next check out their first album, Deloused in the Comatorium. Rick Rubin, if you know him, produced that album, and it is in my opinion a classic and the best TMV album. Quite a few people hate on Frances the Mute. I met a kid that called it '45 minutes of sound effects'. It is progressive music, that is why there is a 32 minute song instead of a 3 minute 20 second song which is the average of what you hear on the radio probably. I am glad there are people here that appreciate it.wersax said:
If you want to hear some REAL jazz fusion, listen to the guitarists self-titled solo album, Omar Rodriquez Lopez. It is 5 songs: 2 are trash fillers, leaving 3 good songs full of saxy-jazz action.
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I've got all three "albums" now, but I like Francis the Mute the best; it's the the most interesting musically, IMHO---a series of suites with wonderful contrasts and twists and turns. A bit of "musique concrete" with the effects and all, which I find fascinating in this setting. I'm not that big on the live stuff I've seen though; I'm a bit put out by the antics. I prefer music straight up with no chaser, but I realize most people hate that approach.....darylYazzman said:
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