The best reeds player in rock

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I was going to say "saxophonist," but I don't want to disinclude any rock bassoonists. So, who do you think it was/is?

― matthew m., Wednesday, 20 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

This question came to me when reading the "oboes" thread, because I would probably have to say Mackay, although Mel Collins comes in an extremely close second. Mackay is pretty uniquely amazing, though--his tone is incredibly rich, and adding vibrancy and being an lead instrument competitive with keyboards and guitar are the very traits which he's known for. Also, impressively, he plays the oboe, which is quite difficult and proficiency on which not really facilitated by prior single-reed experience.

― matthew m., Wednesday, 20 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Laura Logic.

― Dr. C, Wednesday, 20 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I must be really tired... I just read my opening post, and it sounds like I should be wearing a pince-nez and a cardigan or something.

― matthew m., Wednesday, 20 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Jim Sauter and Don Dietrich.

― Andrew L, Wednesday, 20 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Lindsay Cooper (bassoon)
Dick Parry (sax)

― Jeff W, Wednesday, 20 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

kenny G

― kiwi, Wednesday, 20 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Ian MacDonald. Shame about Foreigner, though.

― Colin Meeder, Wednesday, 20 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Arthur Doyle was in the first line up of Blue Humans. They put out a CD (Live New your 1980) which I can't get (though I think you can get it in America but not in the UK) so I don't know how good he is.

Blue Humans are not 'straight rock' but since Dietrich and Sauter of the Godlike Borbetomagus were mentioned I thought I'd add the above.

― Julio Desouza, Wednesday, 20 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

james chance!! honorary mention to masayoshi urabe and kousokuya's "dark spot" cd.

― your null fame, Wednesday, 20 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

The players I am thinking of are more rooted in jazz, but have made their names through playing rock : Ian Underwood, David Sanborn, Branford Marsalis, Tom Scott, Ian McDonald, Mel Collins, etc....I can't decide. Of course a truly typical "rock saxophonist" would be more like Clarence Clemons or a player more of his ilk who's deeply influenced by the sounds of the 1950's.

― brian, Wednesday, 20 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I've just realised that Matthew is prob. talking abt Andy Mackay from Roxy Music. So I've gotta add Steve Mackay who plays on 'Funhouse' by the Stooges - his contributions really make the diff on that rec.

― Andrew L, Wednesday, 20 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I nominate John Zorn for his work on various rock-oriented projects, including Painkiller and Naked City.

― o. nate, Wednesday, 20 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

ok, i started the "oboes" thread, and for pretty selfish reasons (i played oboe for many years and was pretty darn good at it). no sure if the "double reed" qualifies, though... anyway, allow me to repeat my choice: kate st. john from dream academy. damn fine oboe work.

― rob, Wednesday, 20 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Look, it's LORA LOGIC! I told you upthread. Forget these goin'bald but with a bit of long hair at the back and a beard egghead mates of R. Fripp - it's LORA LOGIC! Listen to X-Ray Spex live at the Roxy for the sound of teenage punk SaXOR unleashed! She could blow these wussy gits off the planet

― Dr. C, Wednesday, 20 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Worst: David Sanborn. He nearly ruined Young Americans. Why did Bowie let him go on like that? How coke-addled do you have to be to think Sanborn actually sounds good?

― Arthur, Wednesday, 20 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I'm hereby throwing out all nominations of John Zorn on principle.

― matthew m., Wednesday, 20 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

They all suck, but at least Clarence Clemons was on Diff'rent Strokes once.

― Kris, Wednesday, 20 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

David Bowie isn't particulaly as skillful as many others, but his style is awesome. Esp. on Black Tie/White Noise: "Wedding Song," "Looking for Lester", and the stuff at the end of Heroes

― A Nairn, Wednesday, 20 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Not mainline rock, but I'll take King Curtis's playing on Yakety Yak ahead of any rock sax. Ahead of any John Coltrane too, to be completely heretical (and I like Coltrane a lot).

― Martin Skidmore, Wednesday, 20 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

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