Saxophone R & B Honkers - Discussion Thread

I have always enjoyed the great era of Saxophone Honkers, which to me means mostly the great sax players in the post WWII era who played primarily jumpin' R & B, not purely improvised jazz, and on many early Rock n Roll records as well. Most of those that are now called "Honkers" played uptempo numbers, but a few also played soulful ballads in a big R&B style sound (not the same way a jazz tenor might play the tune). Some of these sax players, like Sil Austin, were very well known for their big romantic sound, even with strings.

The reissue history on CD is still fairly thin on the honkers, and most of their records still exist only on 78 or 45 RPM, not even on LP. But some European labels have done nice LP or CD reissues, though many of those are now out of print.

I welcome comments from any fans of the big sax sound, now matter how "pop" or even syrupy (those great tenor with strings sessions). For too many years jazz elitists looked down on the whole era of R&B sax, which is why USA companies ignored the material in the heyday of LP & CD reissues.

Comment on favorite sax players, great records or CDs, tips to newcomers, etc. I'll add some posts as well.

 

Yesterday at a yard sale I got Musical Pearls By Earl Bostic, King LP 662 and it's tons of honkin' fun!

 

Like so...?

 

You might dig this.....

 

Not sure if this counts by the OP's definition because it's not obscure by any means, but David "Fathead" Newman sure imparted some down-home soulful sax honking on many Ray Charles numbers beginning in the mid-50's.

 

Fathead definitely qualifies. His recording of Hard Times (1958) on Atlantic is legendary

 

Earl Bostic was a category just by himself! His early material was great R&B alto sax, but his later "pop" sax stuff was unique!

 

Also, get the three CD volumes of Big Jay McNeely currently available at budget prices

 

This is a terrific set:


1. Soul Twist
2. Twisting Time
3. What'd I Say (Part 1)
4. What'd I Say (Part 2)
5. I Know (You Don't Love Me No More)
6. Sack O' Woe (Twist)
7. Camp Meetin' (aka Harmonica Twist)
8. Wobble Twist
9. Irresistible You
10. Big Dipper (aka Mr. Crow)
11. Twisting With The King
12. Midnight Blue
13. Hot Potato (Piping Hot)
14. The Monkey Shout
15. Get With It (By Bobby Davis and The Rhythm Rockers)
16. Air Raid (By Curley Hamner)
17. Soul Twist (Alternate Take "Take 7")

 

And this one is mastered by Steve Hoffman and I highly recommend it.

 

To save people clicking on the link above for the Hoffman-mastered disk:

King Curtis ‎– Instant Soul: The Legendary King Curtis
Razor & Tie ‎– RE2054

 

Roy Montrell - "(Everytime I hear) That Mellow Saxophone".

The saxophone never sounds mellow to me in this song, but that's allright, I like it the way it is...

 

The first name I thought of was King Curtis - I have the LIVE AT THE FILLMORE WEST cd, which shows what can be done with a saxophone, using a number of different moods. It'd be great background music for a party.

 

King Curtis was great, but try going back in time to some other great honkers on the sax. You will be amazed

 

Lynn Hope!

 

Sil Austin!

 

Mike Love

 

Most honkers don't need a mike.

 

All sax players need a mic at Anaheim Stadium.

 

The jazz legend Sun Ra once planned, back in the 1980's, to completely fill the Philadelphia Phillies baseball stadium, every seat (what, maybe 40,000?) with saxophone players and their horns. and every player would be playing at once - to send a message to Space and the Universe. He did not plan for microphones. I had spoken to a number of tenor sax players who had been contacted by Sun Ra to spread the word

 

From a bit later, and still going strong - my fav is Maceo Parker

 

Bullmoose Jackson

 

Paul Williams (Baritone)

 

All R & B sax players do, which is the subject of this thread.

 

The great Lee Allen - Allen was the soloist on most of Little Richard's epic hits from 1955 and '56. He also played on Fats Domino and Lloyd Price biggest records. In the 80's he was called out of retirement, and recorded & toured with The Blasters and Stray Cats.