6. bono_212
Total points: 33
Highest Placing: 3rd
(cobl04, Joey788, phanan)
Saxamaphone...Saxamaphone
When I was 11 or 12 years old, I made one of the most important decisions of my life. It was time to select which instrument I was going to play in concert band the following school year. I was ready. I wanted to play drums. My mother...she wasn't so ready...she crushed my dreams. The time came to decide, and I chose the alto saxophone, begrudgingly. Before my time in Middle School began, I was required to take a summer introductory course. That was where I met my future high school band director, and I had no idea at the time that this would be a significant event in my life. In the meanwhile, I began sixth grade band, and immediately rebelled against the sax when I was to play 2nd parts, meaning I never ever played the melody, ever. But, those flutes down there, they did. So, to the flute I went, and to the flute I stayed for the next three years. I hated it, and I was awful at it, but the option to change was no longer available and I was trapped.
Then, in 8th grade, that same high school band director came to recruit people for marching band, and I saw my in. He allowed me to switch back to saxophone for marching band only, and in concert band I soon found my way to the bassoon, and the flute became a dark, distant memory.
I could continue to go on about how much the saxophone changed my life (and marching band as well), but suffice it to say that if I had been forced to stay on that flute, I would, in all likelihood, have eventually given up on band, and my life would be an incredibly different thing. I say that knowing a lot more than you about that change, I realize, but trust me on this one.
Anyways, during college, I finally became a fan of Bruce Springsteen, and while my time playing the sax was nearing a close, my love for the instrument only grew and grew. It was just as I was becoming a great fan of Dave Matthews, and more specifically, LeRoi Moore, that he passed away. I was devastated, as I had passed on an opportunity to see the band just that year, and realized the opportunity to see one of the greatest around would never exist for me from then on. Now, as the recent passing of Clarence Clemons becomes a fact of life that I am beginning to be able to deal with, I find that the saxophone is suddenly making a come back in popular music, and I couldn't be more pleased. I just hope that its inevitable fall back to cliche isn't too painful.
In the meanwhile, I figured a list of some of my favorite saxophone pop music would be something fun for, at least me, to listen to. I hope you also enjoy. I know some of the transitions are a bit wonky, but I was working with limited time (I'm referring to the 80 minutes, not the month I've spent putting this list together), and a great many different genres.
I especially hope you enjoy the transition from "Soul Man" to "Shotgun".
Well, I think I've said enough, please do have a splendid time listening, and know that when I hear this list, my heart does indeed, near literally, soar.
Track Listing:
1.) Marc Shaiman - "Nuns to the Rescue" - Sister Act (4:48)
2.) The Blues Brothers - "Soul Man" - Briefcase Full of Blues (3:03)
3.) Jr. Walker & The All Stars - "Shotgun" - Now That's What I Call Motown (3:19)
4.) Fontella Bass - "Rescue Me" - The New Look
5.) Dave Matthews Band - "Grey Street" - Busted Stuff (5:08)
6.) Men At Work - "Overkill" - Cargo (3:45)
7.) Roxy Music - "Same Old Scene" - Flesh + Blood (3:59)
8.) The Cure - "A Night Like This" - The Head on the Door (4:16)
9.) Eddie Money - "Take Me Home Tonight" - Greatest Hits (3:32)
10.) Gerry Rafferty - "Baker Street" - City to City (6:01)
11.) Al Stewart - "Year of the Cat" - Year of the Cat (6:34)
12.) Peter Gabriel - "Start" - Peter Gabriel III (1:21)
13.) Cunninlynguists - "Stars Shine Brightest (In the Darkest of Night)" - Oneirology (4:03)
14.) Destroyer - "Suicide Demo For Kara Walker" - Kaputt (8:26)
15.) Tears for Fears - "The Working Hour" - Songs From the Big Chair (6:32)
16.) Bruce Springsteen - "Secret Garden" - Greatest Hits (4:28)
17.) Bon Iver - "Beth/Rest" - Bon Iver, Bon Iver (5:17)
Total Time: 1:17:17
everyone
