I think different mouthpieces allow more or less air to get the "overblown" sound. It is a cool sound.

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Last edited: Sep 23, 2009 17:50:23

Ok, now for my 2 cents:

Saxophone--if used tastefully--can really add a lot to a song--I'm thinking
along the lines of "Bombora!" by The Original Surfaris. Also, the stuff
the Fathoms have done has been pretty good, too.

But what I REALLY hate is when the sax is used as a rhythm instrument,
_a la_ "Miserlou" by Dick Dale (a great song in its own right, it goes
without saying, but the sax playing along with the drum and bass is,
well, cheesey; the sax solo, on the other hand, is wonderful).

Finally, although it is definitely NOT surf, "Rebel Rouser" by Duane Eddy
is a CLASSIC example of how guitar and saxophone can merge
beautifully.

Vince

Is this something you can share with the rest of us, Amazing Larry?!?

zak
My vote goes to these two - it's a tie!

This one...

And the one of us out of suits that you posted already. We should have worn suits to that thing, it was a radio thing.

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Last edited: Sep 23, 2009 17:50:32

). Correct me if I'm wrong but I get the impression that the sax was recorded at fairly moderate volume. I think that the best sax tones are coaxed out of the instrument with maximum volume - that wild screechy tone you get when the sax player is competing with amplified instruments (think Original Surfaris).
.

Good ear Zak. We did record that in my home office so the volume was fairly low, on top of that the sax was in need of repair and was very difficult to play. Gary went out and bought a new sax shortly after and it is a big improvement. I'm trying to stay away from the typical surf sax, the wailing and screechy stuff, but maybe I should post our slowed down Pipeline which has some down and dirty lamentations.

zak
As for fusion - I always thought that it's a musical style with absolutely no redeeming value.

You really think that Jeff Beck's 'Blow by Blow' album, 70's Herbie Hancock, Bitches Brew era Miles, anything by the Mahavishnu Orchestra, and Billy Cobham 'Spectrum' has "no redeeming value"?

I mean, for the most part I think hip-hop sucks ass but to write off an entire genre completely seems extreme. (I think I could even find some microscopic redeeming value in hip-hop if I dug deep)

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Charlie Christian, Wes Montgomery, Django-- those are cool players who did jazz and make it interesting and exciting. I can't stand "fusion" and the more modern jazz thing. Early stuff still had some raw emotion-- the later stuff is too "noodly" and pointless for my liking.

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mournblade
Saxophone--if used tastefully--can really add a lot to a song--I'm thinking along the lines of "Bombora!" by The Original Surfaris. Also, the stuff the Fathoms have done has been pretty good, too.

Good calls. And, I've always liked the Eliminators' sax work, too. Not sure if it's always the same guy.

I'm also not sure if tastefulness is the key to all good sax work. Sometimes complete lack of taste works best. The one thing you can't do without is good tone, if that's the word. If you need to rasp or honk, do it thoroughly and beautifully.

But what I REALLY hate is when the sax is used as a rhythm instrument, a la "Miserlou" by Dick Dale ...

Er, isn't that a trumpet? We may not be thinking of the same recording, because the case I'm thinking of is a lead. Not my favorite, either, though I've had to back down on my claim that trumpets are always a negative factor in surf music. It turned out there was more exception than rule. For one thing, I think Dick Dale himself has gotten better on the trumpet - or more sensible about what he does and when he does it. Something.

Anyway, I'm not that bothered by the sax as a rhythm instrument, though I agree that it's not likely to be to current taste. It's more of a strategy for not wasting your sax player's time when there's no sax lead. Playing several different instruments is the obvious alternative. Sax and guitar or keyboards. This is probably why so many people who are primarily vocalists have this love-hate relationship with the tambourine or the harmonica. Actually, I think any surf band can use a good incidental percussionist. If you listen closely you can hear all kinds of odd stuff in the corners of old surf recordings. I love claves and cowbells or wood rasps. The Centurians throw in a slide whistle every once in a while.

And having mentioned that, what do you think about the sax work with the Centurians or, further afield, the Rumblers?

Anyone can pretty easily name two or three fairly dreadful cases of sax in early surf music, but it would be really unfair. Some of these were very early recordings under bad conditions. Others were cases of ambitious but inexperienced players going beyond their abilities at the time. There are plenty of the same for guitar and drums, too, of course. Amazing how many times the actual song that holds these false steps is something really special or important that has been lovingly preserved and improved upon ever since. Like Misirlou!

I like The Eliminators' Bone Cruncher video. I Also like Eddie And The Showmen's "We Are The Young" I'm very pro-sax.I love the rhythm sax of The Sonics.(I know not surf)