What is the Best Saxophone Song?

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Discussion Overview

This thread explores various songs featuring saxophone and guitar, with participants sharing their favorites and links to performances. The discussion includes a mix of personal opinions on the quality of songs, performances, and artists across different genres, including rock, blues, and progressive metal.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants highlight "Baker Street" by Gerry Rafferty as a top saxophone song.
  • Others mention Leo Kotke's "Vaseline Machine Gun," noting the quality of available recordings.
  • Bruce Springsteen's "Tunnel of Love" is also suggested as a notable song.
  • One participant expresses admiration for Dream Theater, particularly their song "Octavarium," citing its progressive nature.
  • Several participants discuss the guitar work of artists like Erik Mongrain and Tommy Emmanuel, with varying opinions on their styles and contributions to music.
  • There are mixed opinions on Guns N' Roses' "Sweet Child O' Mine," with some praising its guitar riff and others criticizing Axl Rose's vocals.
  • Participants share links to various songs, including works by Pink Floyd, Iron Maiden, and David Bowie, indicating a wide range of musical tastes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion features multiple competing views on what constitutes the best saxophone or guitar songs, with no clear consensus emerging among participants.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express difficulty in finding links to specific songs, and there are mentions of varying quality in recordings shared. Additionally, personal preferences and subjective opinions on artists and songs are prevalent throughout the discussion.

Who May Find This Useful

Music enthusiasts, particularly those interested in saxophone and guitar performances, as well as fans of rock, blues, and progressive metal genres.

Evo
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Ok, in this thread, you need to post a link to the entire song so we can hear it. This will be hard or impossible for some songs. :frown:

Let's see what we can find!

This is the best sax I've ever had. "Baker Street" by Gerry Rafferty

[MEDIA=youtube]EgbGaYTkkPU[/MEDIA][/URL]

Listen to it at least once, you won't regret it.
 
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Leo Kotke playing "vaseline Machine Gun" on a 12 sting with slide. This is the only true version of Kotke playing I could find, it's poor quality, but still better than the imitations.

[MEDIA=youtube]Sjtsgy5uBcs[/MEDIA][/URL]
 
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Moody Blues - Forever Autumn [MEDIA=youtube]VUcvXLzLPHE[/MEDIA][/URL]
 
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I would post a link but have to go to work soon, Guns N Roses, Sweet Child O' Mine. Best Guitar riff ever with the excellent vocals of Axl Rose.
 
Bruce Springsteen - "tunnel of love" [MEDIA=youtube]hWPsHoppUos[/MEDIA][/URL]
 
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The Battle of Evermore - Led Zeppelin

[MEDIA=youtube]w4oUJUCDX1s[/MEDIA][/URL]
 
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can't find the link, but note - "Sleeping Sun" by "Nightwish"
 
[MEDIA=youtube]A70riIDQ_r4[/MEDIA][/URL]

Honor thy Father by Dream Theater - I swear Portnoy is the best drummer ever.

Edit: Nightwish is awesome btw =p

Epic 20min + song by Dream Theater called Octavarium (this is progressive metal so the mood and tempo/beat and genre changes all the time, slow at the start, faster/heavier at the end in this one), [PLAIN][MEDIA=youtube]xK3qylwd-M0[/MEDIA][/URL]

I honestly believe Dream Theater has one of the best keyboardist/guitarist/bassist THE best drummer and the singing well that just depends on what you like :).

(lol lots of edits, but in that video Rudess the keyboarder had a bit of a solo session, so it's a bit longer then normal =p)

Yngwie Malmsteen with the Japanese Philharmonic Orchestra - this guy really does have the hands of a god.
[PLAIN][MEDIA=youtube]oBpOnZxfISg[/MEDIA][/URL]
[PLAIN][MEDIA=youtube]Zh0sraGZFFo[/MEDIA][/URL]
 
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Pink Floyd's "Echoes" set to the final scene of 2001, A Space Odyssey : watch full screen in a dark room!

part 1
part 2
part 3
 
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  • #10
Andy said:
I would post a link but have to go to work soon, Guns N Roses, Sweet Child O' Mine. Best Guitar riff ever with the excellent vocals of Axl Rose.
Excellent vocals? His voice is like a rusty hinge!

I can't find a link to the whole song, but perhaps the best blues guitar solo is by Boz Scaggs on the song I've Got Your Love, off the Come on Home CD. There's not a bad cut on that CD.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000000WDG/?tag=pfamazon01-20
 
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  • #11
Evo said:
Leo Kotke playing "vaseline Machine Gun" on a 12 sting with slide. This is the only true version of Kotke playing I could find, it's poor quality, but still better than the imitations.

[MEDIA=youtube]Sjtsgy5uBcs[/MEDIA][/URL][/QUOTE]
I saw a link to the tune "Ojo" (which I like better than VMG), and OUCH, it's some teenager from God-knows-where!

One should NOT be allowed to attempt this in public.
 
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  • #12
This was life-changing for me. I liked "Holiday in the Sun" most, but alas, no link.
[MEDIA=youtube]8ANi68o2dsI[/MEDIA][/URL]
 
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  • #14
Overture to The Zoobie Cantata, by Mr. Z. Shoe.

The Zoobie Cantata Online[/URL]
Performed by [I]The Academy of St. Goober in the Streams[/i], Shoezisa Zoobikawa, Music Director, in conjunction with the chorus of [I]The Church Of The Elder Brothers and Sisters of the Secondarily Generalized Ascendent Masters, Twice Removed[/I].

(The site may be down just now, try again at a later date.)
 
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  • #15
One of the coolest guitar pieces I've seen in a while is by Erik Mongraine:

[MEDIA=youtube]AbndgwfG22k[/MEDIA]&mode=related&search=[/URL]

His solo CD is coming out soon so hopefully it's as good as the samples on Youtube.

The best 80's band...well they're only the best because I've never seen an all female hair metal band like this before.

[PLAIN][MEDIA=youtube]rQm1_z0EsD4[/MEDIA][/URL]

And along the lines of a female fronted metal band (like Nightwish) I thought I'd post some Within Temptation.

[PLAIN][MEDIA=youtube]cGUo_qmvUts[/MEDIA][/URL]
[PLAIN][MEDIA=youtube]J3xBEjvggJc[/MEDIA][/URL] (Cover of Kate Bush's Running up that hill)

Best rock songs go to Steve Vai and Devin Townsend with 'In my dreams with you' and Devin Townsend's 'Life'..

[PLAIN][MEDIA=youtube]lIdEP590Rc0[/MEDIA][/URL] (In my dreams with you)
[PLAIN][MEDIA=youtube]PlE6PSp-qkM[/MEDIA][/URL] (Life)

Best metal song goes to Faith No More's 'As the worm turns'...and yes I am going to classify this as a metal song people!

[PLAIN][MEDIA=youtube]MvkQtT2VwVA[/MEDIA][/URL] (atrocious sound quality)

Sorry for the number of songs posted, but that does cover all the songs that I think (at the moment) should be classed as some of the best in their respective areas.

So I won't post anymore...but you may as well give all these a go 'cause you never know ;). I especially recommend Erik Mongraine for Astronuc.

I also highly recommend Devin Townsend to anyone who likes melodic rock. But I will warn you that he has another band called Strapping Young Lad and this won't be your thing unless you like heavy metal. If you're into heavy metal and haven't heard of SYL then I also highly recommend it. But if you only like rock then stick to The Devin Townsend Band songs.

That's the end of my rambling :)
 
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  • #16
Rocket Man - Elton John :cool:
 
  • #18
Yeah Tommy Emannuel is something else. He's one of three guitarists to be given the honourary degree of Certified Guitar Player (CGP) by Chet Atkins (a true legend).

Excellent videos to watch!
 
  • #20
big man said:
One of the coolest guitar pieces I've seen in a while is by Erik Mongraine:

[MEDIA=youtube]AbndgwfG22k[/MEDIA]&mode=related&search=[/URL][/quote]That's really good. I'm finding a lot of music I never knew about, this is great. :approve:

[quote]The best 80's band...well they're only the best because I've never seen an all female hair metal band like this before.

[PLAIN][MEDIA=youtube]rQm1_z0EsD4[/MEDIA][/URL][/quote]Ok, that's some scary trailer trash hair. :bugeye: They sound like Heart.
 
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  • #21
I fell in love with this brilliant David Bowie song (and his voice) when I was about 11. It's just about the best song he has ever made:
[MEDIA=youtube]ibS4w8U2hJ0[/MEDIA][/URL]
 
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  • #22
Schubert (and Fischer-Dieskau) rocks as well:
[MEDIA=youtube]2b_vCtkdM9I[/MEDIA][/URL]
 
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  • #23
That made me think of two of my all time favorites

Major Tom by Peter Schilling [MEDIA=youtube]mvHJ8OCfO9c[/MEDIA]&feature=fvw[/URL]
and Space Oddity by David Bowie [PLAIN][MEDIA=youtube]Kxoxqvg3lB0[/MEDIA][/URL]

I don't know what's scarier in that video, his hair or those platform shoes. :bugeye:
 
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  • #24
Evo said:
Link doesn't work.
Sorry. Direct linking to content is not allowed. Just highlight the link, choose "copy link location" and paste that into your browser's address bar. You won't be disappointed! The guy is incredible. I do a lot of boogie guitar and blues, and this guy's got some great tricks up his sleeve.

I have a student coming over this weekend (a young guy about 35 years old) who wants to learn some more blues licks, runs, and bending techniques. Since I can't play out anymore (asthma, migraines, and joint pain if I get around fragrances), I figure I've got to pass on some of this stuff. I'm not going to charge him, and if he is a quick study, I'll keep helping him. Other people helped me - pass it on.
 
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  • #25
I will do that.

I am loving all the links people are providing. I haven't been able to comment on every one of them, but this has really exposed me to some talent I was unaware of. Keep posting!
 
  • #26
big man said:
One of the coolest guitar pieces I've seen in a while is by Erik Mongraine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Abndg...elated&search=
Hey big man, thanks for that. That is definitely some fine guitar playing. :cool: :approve: I sent it on to a friend who plays guitar and who is a fellow Joe Satriani afficionado. Satriani has done something similar while playing his electric guitar standing up.

Satiani's concert at The Grove in LA is on DVD. I strongly recommend it! :-p Erik Mongrain sounds a lot like Michael Hedges. For example,
[MEDIA=youtube]8dXBZHehxAs[/MEDIA]&mode=related&search=[/URL]

boogie.wmv is 7.3 Mb - so use 'save target as' and save to one's HD.
 
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  • #27
Pancakes!
[MEDIA=youtube]PnCVZozHTG8[/MEDIA][/URL]
 
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  • #28
"[MEDIA=youtube[/URL]

EDIT: Oh, and [PLAIN]"[MEDIA=youtube[/URL]
 
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  • #29
Radiohead

[MEDIA=youtube]PM4JcnqsJ5U[/MEDIA][/URL]
 
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  • #30
And it would be wrong to not have this in there:

"[MEDIA=youtube[/URL]
 
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