By Dayo (81.134.214.146) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 12:32 pm:

Can I humbly offer this new thread in tribute to the mostly unknown sax players who spiced up some of the greatest soul sides of all time with their awesome licks and energy?

I'm talking about sax breaks. Long gone and sorely missed, these eight bars of groovy good taste spurred us dancers to greater heights - and sometimes to painful injury ;-)

So which sax breaks are your faves? Please try and limit yourself to 2 or 3, it's much more interesting (IMHO)

Can it be me - Mel Williams
Mr. Big shot - Gene Chandler
Put your arms around me - The Sherrys

Whaddaya think?

Soulfully yours, Colin

By Tony Russi (216.78.189.78) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 12:40 pm:

The sax breaks in Gary U.S. Bonds records were all killer by Daddy G.Also, the sax breaks on most of the Cameo-Parkway records By Chubby, Dee Dee Sharp, The Orlons & Dovells.Eli would know who the sax player is.Oh yea, welcome to SoulfulDetroit Dayo!

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 12:41 pm:

Any sax break played by Andrew Mike Terry is a winner in my book...
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Gary (66.73.238.5) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 12:42 pm:

Mickey's Monkey
Get Ready

By Dayo (81.134.214.146) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 12:50 pm:

Thanks for the welcome Tony. Agree with you re the Cameo stuff. The 81... yaaay!

By Eli (68.236.53.71) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 12:50 pm:

The Cameo/Parkway sax breaks were played by the late Buddy Savitt and sometimes Georgie Young.

Some of my faves:

Aint to proud to beg
Get ready
Mr. Lee (Bobbettes)
Why do fools fall in love
I cant help myself
Its the same old song
Love wont let me wait
Tequila
Rebel Rouser
Harlem Nocturne

By manny (80.58.52.235) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 01:52 pm:

Hey, Dayo and all

The trhee "killer" sax breaks that come to my mind instantly:

-The sax in the intro of Jean Carn's "My Love Don't Come Easy".

-The sax in People's Choice "Opus-de-Funk" and in "A Mellow Mood", played by Sam Peak.

-The sax in André William's "Rip Tips"

(Only three, ladys & gentlemans, this is very hard!!)

Peace & Soul Food!

By Larry (69.3.132.116) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 02:01 pm:

Charlie "Yardbird" Parker

"A Night in Tunisia" - recorded circa '43

By Robb_K (204.108.65.10) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 02:18 pm:

What come to mind immediately is "Roadrunner", "You Know You Ain't Right", and "Shake And Fingerpop" by Jr. Walker & All Stars, What's The Matter" by Shorty Long (Jr. walker) and "Get Ready". I'm sure there were a lot by King Curtis, Mike Terry and the NY saxist who did the sax breaks in many of the Brill Building girls group songs on Philles, Dimension and Red Bird, which I would list, if my memory were clearer. Just

By john dixon (64.12.96.168) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 02:58 pm:

I love the "whispery" sax break in Dusty Springfield's "The Look of Love" that emulates her whispery vocal. It sustains the sexy mood of the song...

By Ralph (209.240.205.62) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 03:34 pm:

The ultra smokey solo in Ed Townsend's For Your Love.

By Dayo (81.134.214.146) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 04:07 pm:

Mmmm ... just checked it and the Look of Love Sax Break defines cool. Thanks for the memory jog Mr Dixon :-)

By Eli (68.236.53.71) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 04:10 pm:

The Stroll by the Diamonds had one of those 'smokey" sax growls.
While were on the subject , how about "Smokie" by the Bill Black Combo and Yaketty Sax by Boots Randolph?

And of course, its "daddy" Yaketty Yak!

By Tony Russi (216.78.189.78) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 04:15 pm:

Steve Douglas did the sax breaks on the Phil Spector records recorded at Gold Star in LA...like "He's A Rebel", "Da Doo Ron Ron", "Fine Fine Boy" ect.Thank you Robb K for mentioning Jr. Walker VERY distictive sax playing.

By Rodmann (12.223.170.105) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 04:32 pm:

Does anyone know who played sax on the Mary Jane Girl's first album? Particularly 'All Night Long'. Great wailing on that one!

By Laurence (195.93.34.12) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 05:57 pm:

Mike Terry is my all time favourite, and the list of his work is endless.

So thinking apart from Mr Terry's baritone heres a couple of sax solos to consider...

King Curtis does a brilliant, cool, lazy solo on The Coasters "Shopping for clothes", and another solo worth a mention is on Nina simone's version of "I put a spell on you" by a sax player I dont know the identity of.... all great stuff

By ladylove (169.3.74.205) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 06:46 pm:

Kenny G?......

OK JUST KIDDING.... STOP THROWING STUFF AT ME!!!!

By Jay (167.167.200.218) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 06:59 pm:

As Larry said:
Night in Tunisia..... Charlie "Bird" Parker

By MagyarEd (209.163.99.160) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 07:22 pm:

Takin' it to the Streets...

By manny (80.58.52.235) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 08:41 pm:

Wow!,
Pardon, Dayo,
Only to choose three it's unjust!
I'm hearding at this moment "Pure Imagination" by Lou Rawls and the fantastic solo sax that contains, deserves to be mentioned. (I believe is by Zack Zachery, ?).

Peace & Soul Food!

By Robb_K (66.81.179.254) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 09:16 pm:

Let's not forget Silky Hargreaves on all those good Mike Hanks productions and other Detroit non-Motown records. And Joe Houston on all those '50s L.A. R&B records.

By dvdmike (65.208.234.61) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 08:08 am:

Some of my favorite sax men

Charlie Parker
Willis Jackson
John Coltrane
Stanley Turrentine
Bennie Maupin
King Curtis
Cannonball Adderley
Zach Zachery
Sonny Seals
Don Myrick
Cliff Davis
Gil Bernal
Hank Cosby
Mike Terry
Norris Patterson
Coleman Hawkins
Lester Young
Branford Marsalis

By Funk Timo (195.218.79.69) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 08:35 am:

Shotgun - Jr. Walker
Ain't Too Proud To Beg - Norris Patterson/Kasuku Mafia?
Get Ready - Norris Patterson/Kasuku Mafia?

By Soul Sister (65.43.144.46) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 09:17 am:

My favorite sax men:

Pres
Bird
Webster
Hodges
Garland
Stitt
Prysock
Hawkins
Coltrane
Fathead
Crawford
St. Clair Pickney
T.K. Blue

S.S.

By Sudi Kamau (66.117.198.35) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 11:31 am:

Some Favorite Sax Players:

"Bird"
Hank Mobley
Harold Land
Jackie McLean
"Ball"
Frank Foster
Eric Dolphy
"Trane"
Stanley Turrentine
Junior Walker
Lenny Pickett
Eddie Harris
Sonny Fortune
Wayne Shorter
Lester Young
Johnny Griffin
Andrew Woolfolk
Sonny Rollins
David "Fathead" Newman
Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
Clarence "Wobblehead" Johnson

By Soul Sister (65.43.144.46) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 11:44 am:

Oops forgot: Johnny Griffin!
also RRKirk (Hi Dorthann)!
S.S.

By MEL&THEN SOM (217.43.74.92) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 12:01 pm:

Loads to choose from
but one thats not mentioned a lot is King Curtis
great inst and sax on his cut of 'on broadway'.
saxy mel

By Tim D (152.163.253.70) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 12:05 pm:

The great Danny LeMelle played the sax on the Mary Jane Girls...

By Soul Sister (65.43.144.46) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 12:50 pm:

Hi Mel;
Hope your doing great! As far as K. Curtis goes I never liked the man, alot of people didn't care for his attitude. Probably what got him in trouble in the end,(?) don't know positively.(smile). Gotta run to an appointment now.
Still your SoulSis

By JoeR (170.148.92.52) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 01:10 pm:

Can't name the sax players but I'll name the tunes:

o Oh Little Girl Of Mine - Cleftones
o Come Go With Me - Del-Vikings
o Baby I'm For Real - Originals (not a killer run but enhances the mood)

David Sanborn has been my favorite sax player for the last two decades.

JoeR - http://mypages.netopia.com/channels

By manny (80.58.52.235) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 01:34 pm:

Hello again, soulful brothers and sisters!

If we can made mention of our favorite sax players (not only session players in some soul songs), these are some of my faves:

- David Sanborn (Hey JoeR, have you heard his album with Bob James, "Double Visions"?)
-Stanley Turrentine
-Grover Washington Jr.
-Bobby Malach (i have some collaborations by him in some MFSB and Dexter Wansel albums, but a friend of mine let me one time a Lp live by Bobby Malach and Bobby Mintzer (not sure about this secoond name). This is "bombastic"!
-Michael Pedicin
-James Carter (the most ultra-bass sax i never heard before!)

Peace & Soul Food!

By ~medusa~ (155.139.68.10) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 01:37 pm:

Anything by Jr. Walker

By Instrum (62.30.25.81) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 05:06 pm:

My favourite sax break is the appreciations "I cant hide it" on aware records,a beautiful mike terry break.

By steveat21 (20.137.30.50) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 05:12 pm:

Earl Bostic

By Laurence (195.93.34.12) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 05:18 pm:

Hi Medusa
Particularly by Jr Walker, "Roadrunner"
because Jr's sax plays over the top whilst Mike Terry's baritone sax grumbles away underneath.
Two of the greats on one recording.
best wishes........Laurence

By The Count (69.14.221.162) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 05:58 pm:

Honkers not mentioned:
Big Jay McNeely
Red Prysock
Hal Singer
Lee Allen(not DJ Lee)
Sam Butera
George Katsakis
Gil Bridges
Dave Kovarik
VIC OLSON (RIP)
Nick Palise
Chuck Higgins

Best sax breaks:
ABC's of love(F.Lymon&Teenagers)
Bing Bong (Silloettes)
Zoom(Cadillacs)
Betty & Dupree(Chuck Willis)
I want you to be my girl(F.Lymon& Teenagers)
Woo Woo Train(Valentines)
Leap Frog(Chuck Alimo)

It just dont stop.
"COUNT"

By MEL&THEN SOM (217.43.74.92) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 06:21 pm:

illinois jaquet

great list count........


mel

By Galactus (207.144.253.114) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 07:02 pm:

Off the top of my head:

Yakety Yak - The Coasters
Reasons (live) - Earth, Wind and Fire
Come Go With Me - The Del-Vikings

By Galactus (207.144.253.114) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 07:02 pm:

And if you like reggae, just about any sax break by the great Dean Fraser is worth a listen.....

By john dixon (64.12.96.102) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 07:35 pm:

Junior Walker's sax break on Foreigner's "Urgent" kicks serious ass. Whenever (as a rock and classic rock DJ) I would play that on the radio, I would backsell it with a cursory mention of the group just to rave about "the Legendary Junior Walker on sax!", as if he were the real star. Which I suppose he was, to my ears...

By Tony.C. (195.93.34.12) on Saturday, March 20, 2004 - 08:48 am:

Ooh Boy-The Adorables,Roadrunner-Junior Walker,both of which i know feature Mike(GOD)Terry,but i,ve always wondered about one of my all time fave,s---Marva Whitney,s -SAVING MY LOVE FOR YOU-on FEDERAL.I know that J.J.Barnes was co-writer so possibly a Detroit recording(surely some saxmaniac can enlighten me.

By Flynny (213.122.111.15) on Monday, March 22, 2004 - 02:17 pm:

Who blows the fog-horn sax on various Little Star records' 45's...Jimmy Norman, Dorothy Berry etc?


Flynny
raresoulforum.com
(My fave sax berak is within GladysK's 'Too late for love' hits top spot for me...every time.)

By Robb_K (204.108.65.10) on Monday, March 22, 2004 - 02:37 pm:

Tony C.: The two Marva Whitney cuts (on Federal and King) which had J.J. Barnes and other Detroit writers, don't sound to me as if they were recorded in Detroit. The horns and other instruments don't sound like the Detroit session players I'm used to. The arrangements also sound "foreign". However, I've been wrong about such cases before, so I would be curious to find out where they were recorded.

By DrewJ (195.93.34.12) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 07:45 am:

Heres a couple that come to mind for me - Needle in a haystack by the Velvelettes has a great sax on it, and also that moment when Martha's vocal melts into the sax on 'I can't dance to that music your playing'!

Drew

By drstrangefunk (68.101.3.224) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 11:56 am:

Jr. Walker does a great sax break on Foreigner's "Urgent".

the song also contains the great line "...and that's why you call me in the middle of the night/ you say it's urgent, urgent/emergency"

-doc

By 1Wicked (24.126.64.72) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 12:10 pm:

Eli Fountaine did some great work on a lot of Michael Henderson's early solo stuff....and many other artists as well.

By Fury13 (12.2.196.17) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 01:49 pm:

The Frankie Lymon, Valentines, and Cleftones sax breaks were by Jimmy Wright.

The Dell Vikings' "Come Go With Me" was Gene Upshaw.

Little Richard -- Lee Allen or Grady Gaines.

�Get A Job,� The Silhouettes � Rollie McGill.