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Greatest Sax Solo?

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So which is the greatest sax solo?

Please help me decide by voting for your own fave sax solo.  The vote keeps shifting.  Will You is immensely popular!.



Original artwork, "Sax for Sale", © 2009 by Kate Phizackerley, all rights reserved.

The Greatest Sax Solo

So which of these twelve featured sax solos is the greatest of all? Vote below to promote your favorite. You'll find videos of all the tracks listed in the body of the lens so that you can listen to them again. Just click on the name of the saxophonist in this list and it will jump you down the lens to the right section - they are all hyperlinked. To return to this voting list, click on your browser's back button.

Of course if there are any great sax solosI have missed, there is an opportunity at the bottom of the lens to add any of your own favourites.

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My readers' favourite. Download to your iPod now!

Track Artist Album  
Will You Hazel O'Connor Fighting Back

More Top Sax Solos

There were too many great sax solos for one page - so I added some more! Listen to ten of the best sax solos from the 1970s. And don't forget to leave your feedback!

Share the poll with your friends by clicking on the Share button ↗

And here's one of those I missed. Sting sings the classic Police song Roxanne with a stunning soprano sax solo/accompaniment by Branford Marsalis. Remember there are more like this on the main site so do visit! (I can't add Branford Marsalis to the main vote without zeroing the counters, sorry, but you can vote for it in the extras section towards the bottom of the page.)

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Alto Reed - Turn the Page

(Alto Sax)

Alto Reed has long been the saxophonist with Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band and the two acknowledged sax classics are Turn the Page and Old Time Rock and Roll. Turn the page is a slow, moody number. The famous sax part is the short intro. In contrast, Old Time Rock and Roll is a rocked-up rock and roll number with a classic alto sax riff in the middle.
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Candy Dulfer - Lily was Here

(Alto Sax)

No lyrics in this track, Lily was Here, performed with Dave Stewart of Eurythmics fame. The dialogue between alto sax and electric guitar is magical. The track could have been obscure, as the title track to a Dutch-language movie, De Kassière, but became a hit track in it's own right and effectively launched a career of Candy Dulfer as a recording artist in her own right, rather than as a session musician. They also collaborated on Cookie so remember to listen to that as well if you like Lily Was Here.

I am often asked about scores for the tracks I have featured, well the good news is that the alto sax score is available for free online. It is a PDF so you will need Adobe Acrobat to read it but most people already have it installed.
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Best of

Best of

Amazon Price: $15.98 (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now
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Since Lily was Here was originally on a soundtrack, a "best of" CD is probably the way to go and gets you more great sax tracks by Candy Dulfer.

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Chris White - Your Latest Trick

(Tenor Sax)

Chris White was the regular saxophonist with Dire Straits and performs the memorable intro to Your Latest Trick - here live on tour in 1986. (Michael Brecker played the track on the studio album.) Keep listening after the intro as there are more solos later in the track. Chris White should also get an honorable mention for two other Dire Straits tracks - Going Home and Romeo and Juliet.

In 1991 Chris also released a solo album called Shadowdance, which is much mellower as shown in this eponymous track from the album with some my soulful tracks like Mr Fats.
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Brothers in Arms (20th Anniversary Edition)

Brothers in Arms (20th Anniversary Edition)

Amazon Price: $12.31 (as of 05/31/2012)Buy Now
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Here is the 20th Anniversary edition of this classic album.

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Clarence Clemons - Jungleland

(Tenor Sax)

Anybody who has heard Springstein live will have been blown away by Clarence Clemons on tenor sax, so Clarence had to figure in this showcase. Here he is on Jungleland, a track from the Boss's acclaimed album, Born to Run (1975). Clarence Clemons' sax talents also feature on Thunder Road, perhaps the most famous track from Born to Run, in a duet with the piano to close the track out.
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There's a video of a live performance on the main Greatest Sax Solos site that's unbelievable. The contrast between Clarence Clemon's performance (and that of all of the E Street Band) really is worth listening to. You'll be blown away I'm sure - just as I was when I first heard that live version of Jungleland.

Born to Run

Born to Run

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For many people, Born to Run is the definitive Springstein studio album - although personally I think I prefer Born in the USA.

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The Big Man has an autogiography out in October. It's available now on pre-order.

Big Man: Real Life & Tall Tales

Big Man: Real Life & Tall Tales

by: Clarence Clemons, Don Reo

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Make sure you are one of the first to get this eagerly awaited book.

Lee Thompson - Night Boat to Cairo

(Tenor Sax)

Technically I have heard it said that Lee Thompson's playing isn't of the highest standard, but for a generation his growling tenor sax work on Madness's Night Boat to Cairo (One Step Beyond, 1977) is instantly reconginsable, especially the honking opening bars. For a more melodic, refined track, he also merits mention for One Better Day (Keep Moving, 1984).
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One Step Beyond

One Step Beyond

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There are loads of Madness compilations but some can be hard to find. Unless you are a hardened fan, this should be a good starter.

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Phil Woods - Just the Way You Are

(Alto Sax)

The final minute of Billy Joel's Just the Way you Are (The Stranger, 1977) features an alto sax solo by jazz musician Phil Woods who stood in for Joel's regular saxophonist Richie Cannata for this track (who is nominated for Scenes From an Italian Restaurant from the same album).

Phil Woods has also worked with Steely Dan, including a memorable sax solo on Dr Wu. (The other famous Steely Dan sax solo is Deacon Blues featured on my collection of the top sax solos from the 1970s.)
 
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If you are interested in learning more about Billy Joel and hearing some more tracks, then these lenses will help you.
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The Stranger: 30th Anniversary [Legacy Edition] - 2 CD Set

The Stranger: 30th Anniversary [Legacy Edition] - 2 CD Set

Amazon Price: $8.40 (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now
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When The Stranger is such a great album, why buy a compilation? Here is the special 30th anniversary edition.

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Raphael Ravenscroft - Baker Street

(Alto Sax)

The eight bar alto sax solo by Raphael Ravenscroft on Gerry Rafferty's Baker Street (City to City, 1978) is perhaps the most famous rock/pop sax solo, but does that make it the greatest? Reportedly Ravenscroft was paid a mere £27 for this solo, but then it so nearly was scored as a guitar solo rather than as a sax solo!

There are several sax solos on Pink Floyd tracks. I'm not a fan of Floyd, but Raphael Ravenscroft's sax solo on The Gunner's Dream (the Final Cut, 1983) is one of the better ones, and is clean of the electronic sounds I dislike on other Pink Floyd tracks.

Sadly, Gerry Rafferty himself passed on 4th January 2011.
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One More Dream: Very Best of

One More Dream: Very Best of

Amazon Price: $10.38 (as of 05/31/2012)Buy Now

Gerry Rafferty fans will probably want to track down a copy of City to City but they can be hard to find so maybe a collection is a better bet for everybody else?

Richie Cannata - Scenes from an Italian Restauarant

(Soprano Sax)

This is one of the greatest of all Billy Joel tracks (The Stranger, 1977) as well as being the longest of the studio tracks. As well as Joel's usual great piano, it features some great soprano sax work by Richie Cannata in several parts, although you have to wait until the final 40 seconds for the most famous solo. Richie Cannata's other great sax solo for Billy Joel is Until The Night, which you can hear on the main site.

There's also a great live version which I cannot embed due to YouTube restrictions. Listen here.

(I have trouble finding a version of this video which doesn't get removed from YouTube. I'm now trying other sites as well. If you find this one has been removed, could you please contact me so I know to update the link again. Thank you.)
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The Stranger

The Stranger

Amazon Price: $4.74 (as of 05/31/2012)Buy Now
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When The Stranger is such a great album, why buy a compilation?

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Richie Cannata - Some Additional Links

If you are interested in the background to Richie Cannata's sax solos, in this series of videos he talks about some of the solos and plays them in front of the children at Keith Valley Middle School.
Richie Cannata at Keith Valley - Part 1
The highlight in this part is the sax work from Billy Joel's New York State of Mind.
Richie Cannata at Keith Valley - Part 2
Richie answers questions including how he got into music & jams with his band and the students
Richie Cannata at Keith Valley - Part 3
Skip the first 4m 50s unless you are interested in sax as backing to schoolchildren singing Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer ...

Sonny Rollins - Who By Fire

(Tenor Sax)

One for the jazz fans, Sonny Rollins opens on this Leonard Cohen track, Who By Fire, with a totally moody sax solo - tenor sax I think. The piece closes with an even greater sax solo.
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Steve Gregory - Careless Whisper

(Alto Sax)

Steve Gregory's sax work is instantly recognisable as the opening to George Michael's first solo single, Careless Whisper - although the song actually appears on the Wham! album Make it Big (1984).
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Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael

Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael

Amazon Price: $12.57 (as of 05/31/2012)Buy Now
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This is the George Michael compilaton I own - it does me just fine!

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Stu Matthewman - Smooth Operator

(Tenor Sax)

Stu Matthewman was the saxonphonist on Sade's early albums, but his best known solo with the band was on Smooth Operator, the final single from Diamond Life (1984). There is some question whether this is alto or tenor sax, but I think it is a tenor sax piece. There is also a really great live version.

(I have trouble finding a version of this video which doesn't get removed from YouTube. I think this is now one which has official support.
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Diamond Life

Diamond Life

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If you would like to hear more from Diamond Life, here is the link.

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Wesley McGoogan - Will You

(Alto Sax)

The haunting alto sax by Wesley McGoogan on Hazel O'Connor's Will You (Breaking Glass, 1980) is especially poignant as Wesley later had an accident with a circular saw in which many of his fingers were severed. While they were sewn back on, he has been unable to play since the accident.
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More Great Sax Solo Resources

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Reader's Favourite Sax Solos

You can leave a comment below with your thoughts on the best sax solo. Here's what people are saying.

wrote...

ANTHONY wrote... CARELESS WHISPER WITH ANY DOUBT, IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND FAMOUS SAX LINE OF THE PLANET, EVERYBODY KNOWS THIS SAX LINE IN ENTIRE WORLD. I CHECK THE OTHER SONGS, A...

May 23, 2012 @ 9:32 pm rss

wrote...

WRB wrote... Don't leave out Al Stewart's Year of the Cat

Apr 14, 2012 @ 11:27 am rss

wrote...

KLA wrote... My vote is for Junior Walker's smokin' solo in Foreigner's 1981 song "Urgent". HOTTT!!!

Mar 6, 2012 @ 9:53 am rss

wrote...

Jonah wrote... John Coltrane in "Giant Steps"

Mar 4, 2012 @ 6:20 pm rss

wrote...

laces wrote... good gracious. Did anyone mention LeRoi Moore's soprano sax solos - Dave Matthews Ants go Marching is one of my favorites. But there are many, many Moore.

Feb 15, 2012 @ 11:33 am rss

wrote...

Marshall1969 wrote... where is the solo from Shine On You Crazy Diamond by Floyd?

Feb 1, 2012 @ 12:02 am rss

wrote...

Marshall1969 wrote... where is the solo from Shine On You Crazy Diamond by Floyd?

Feb 1, 2012 @ 12:02 am rss

wrote...

casquid wrote... Great lens, but where's David Sanborn? "Tin Tin Deo from The Closer" is not to be missed! I still can't be mad at you for this lens, it's Awesome!

Jan 30, 2012 @ 8:33 pm rss

wrote...

Edutopia wrote... Good list, good lens, a shame to see how the sax has fallen out of favor for mainstream music.

Jan 30, 2012 @ 7:19 pm rss

Greatest Sax Solo

On this page you can see what other people are saying about their favourite sax solos. Agree or disagree, why not have your say too?

If you are looking for the poll and the tracks then please visit the main page.

Small Change

For those that have made it to the second page, here is a bonus track and a sax solo which is totally overlooked in most lists. Indeed, I'm not sure who the saxophonist was. It is a smouldering jazz track and is an exceptionally rare song in which a voice is accompanied only by the saxophone.
Tom Waits - Small Change
by Jostoc | video info

241 ratings | 47,344 views
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Freeform Feedback

If there's more you want to say - for instance to rave about your favourite sax solo - here's your chance!

  • ANTHONY May 23, 2012 @ 9:32 pm | delete
    CARELESS WHISPER WITH ANY DOUBT, IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND FAMOUS SAX LINE OF THE PLANET, EVERYBODY KNOWS THIS SAX LINE IN ENTIRE WORLD. I CHECK THE OTHER SONGS, ANY ONE OF THEM CAN BE COMPARED WITH CARELESS WHISPER. JUST BEEING HONEST !
  • WRB Apr 14, 2012 @ 11:27 am | delete
    Don't leave out Al Stewart's Year of the Cat
  • KLA Mar 6, 2012 @ 9:53 am | delete
    My vote is for Junior Walker's smokin' solo in Foreigner's 1981 song "Urgent". HOTTT!!!
  • Jonah Mar 4, 2012 @ 6:20 pm | delete
    John Coltrane in "Giant Steps"
  • laces Feb 15, 2012 @ 11:33 am | delete
    good gracious. Did anyone mention LeRoi Moore's soprano sax solos - Dave Matthews Ants go Marching is one of my favorites. But there are many, many Moore.
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What Great Sax Solos have I Missed?

If I have missed your favourite sax solo, then you can add it to the list below and still vote on it!

1

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Tex Beneke - In the Mood

This Glen Miller track opens with a famous alto sa more...2 points

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Steve Norman - True

Steve Norman plays a melodic tenor sax solo on True more...0 points

3

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Branford Marsarlis - Roxanne

Great soprano sax on this Sting classic0 points

4

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5

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Branford Marsarlis - Englishman in New York by Sting

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Bobby Keyes - Can't You Hear Me Knocking

Killer sax on this Stones classic0 points

More Great Sax Solos

There are even more great sax solos on my main site showcasing the Greatest Sax Solos. You may like to visit.

My Personal Favourite Sax Solo

Kate Phizackerley My personal top two are Candy Dulfer (Lily was here) and Wesley McGoogan (Will You), but I'm really unable to choose between them! Lily was Here I love for the brilliant interplay between Dulfer and Stewart; Will You is top of my favourites because McCoogan brings more passion to that soloI think than any other saxophonist has managed.

Other sax solos have very strong personal memories. I had to include Night Boat to Cairo and Baker Street in this lens because of those memories, but that isn't (quite) enough for me to put those two in top place.

Whether you agree with my favourites, or have your own, I hope you have enjoyed my selection. Amd remember, my Greatest Sax Solos site has even more sax solos for your to enjoy.

Kate Phizackerley pseudo signature

Top Music

If you are interested in the greatest sax solos, then you probably are also interested in some of the greatest guitar music ever. I have been meaning to compile a list of mine own, but for now here is a large compilation by another lensmaster. And since the saxophone is nothing if not emotional, I have also added a link to a compilation of some of the greatest sad songs.
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Compilation of 10 Great Sax Solos

The main page has my personal hotlist of the greatest sax solos ever. This video by dangoist is a compilation of 10 of the best sax solos from the 1970s, featuring his choices:

  1. David Sanbourn on the 1975 David Bowie track, "Young Americans"

  2. Raphael Ravenscroft on "Baker Street", the 1978 Gerry Rafferty classic

  3. Pete Christlieb playing on the 1977 "Deacon Blues" by Steel Dan

  4. Michael Brecker on "Still Crazy after all these Years" by the great Paul Simon (1975)

  5. Phil Woods playing the 1977 "Just the Way You Are" by Billy Joel

  6. Dick Parry plays the sax solo on the Pink Floyd track, "Money", from 1973

  7. Bobby Keys on the 1971 Rolling Stones track, "Brown Sugar"

  8. Andrew Mackay of Mott 'the Hopple' playing "All the Way from Memphis" in 1973

  9. Big Man Clarence Clemons playing on Sprinstein's "Jungeland" from 1975

  10. Ronnie Ross on Lou Reed's 1972 track "Walk on the Wild Side"


    11. All of these are presented on my top rock sax solos of the 1970s lens where you can listen to all of these tracks.

    Dangoist has found some great stills to accompany the video so if your favourite saxophonist is featured, then it's well worth viewing the video.
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Mott the Hoople are the only band which had the legendary Queen as support

Listen to the Full Tracks

If you would like to hear these tracks in full then please visit my lens dedicated to the greatest rock sax solos of the 1970s.
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Cheesiest ... Funkiest ... Nuttiest Sax Solos/

So these are my choices for the greatest, but what about some fun sax solos that didn't make it to the hall of fame for the best sax solo?
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Kate-Phizackerley

Off Squidoo I am a middle-aged woman with a wide range of interests from Ancient Egypt, backgammon, cookery ... to ... Zimbabwe which I visited 20 years... more »

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