I am a lifelong music guy of Rock, Country and Gospel music. I still play my music on CD and Vinyl. I never listen to rhythm and blues or jazz until I watched the Bosch TV series and found about King Curtis. King Curtis opened up a whole new world to me in music. Can’t wait to purchase some more of his music. Enjoy your video. I found out about you looking up videos on King Curtis. I believe a A Whiter Shade of Pale on the Live at Fillmore West album is absolutely the most amazing music I have ever heard played with a Sax!
I worked quite a lot on “Yakety Yak” last year. I found it harder than I first thought. I had been experimenting with some extremely soft reeds for bending and other reed tricks, but had to go back to harder reeds for this articulation. Because I switched from sax to flute in my college years (70s), I was familiar with the “tuk-a-ta” tonguing. Flute players call it double tonguing. Maybe sax players do too. It’s harder for me to do it with a sax mouthpiece in my mouth. Unfortunately, I never got to play it in public because none of my recent bands had the vocalists to cover the song. I also liked “Whiter Shade of Pale” from the Fillmore Live album.
Nice work, Dean. I revisited King Curtis a few years ago and one of my favourite recordings, rough around the edges as it is; Is Blues at Montreux with Champion Jack Dupree. The track , “Everything is Gonna be Alright “ is definitively KC.
One thing you didn’t mention is that the original version of Soul Serenade and other early recordings of his were on saxello, later he switched to a Mark Vl soprano. Also I’m a professional saxophonist and you have no button for me to access your locker.
I've been playing for a lot of years, and am currently playing with a Selmer Mark 80 Series II horn with both a Vandoren hard rubber mouthpiece and a Dave Guardala Super King mouthpiece. The Vandoren is used for lounge work because of itts smooth and silky sound. It looses a lot in the altissimo range, but it's really good in the lower octives. I use the Super King Dave Guardala mouthpiece for rock because it produces crisp, edgy sound and is great in altissimo. Yet, I still don't have the sound I'm looking for. What combination of mouthpiece and ligature might you suggest to get the kind of sound of a player like Sam Butera, the greaat sax player in Louis Prima's band? I'm also really fond of the Fibercell reeds #2 1/2. Thanks and keep up the good work in Sax School!
Dean- Great video. As you know, there is SO much more to learn about King Curtis. Check out my definitive biography published at the end of 2022: "Soul Serenade: King Curtis and His Immortal Saxophone."
Hi. Sorry to hear that. Everything seems to be working on our end. Here’s a direct link to get you started : www.saxschool.online/offers/2pFZ57gR/checkout
Honestly (and I fully expect I'm gonna get flamed for this), I like King Curtis' version of Whole Lotta Love better than Led Zeppelin's . . . I wish they got to do it together.
I am a lifelong music guy of Rock, Country and Gospel music. I still play my music on CD and Vinyl.
I never listen to rhythm and blues or jazz until I watched the Bosch TV series and found about King Curtis.
King Curtis opened up a whole new world to me in music.
Can’t wait to purchase some more of his music.
Enjoy your video. I found out about you looking up videos on King Curtis.
I believe a A Whiter Shade of Pale on the Live at Fillmore West album is absolutely the most amazing music I have ever heard played with a Sax!
King Curtis playing "MISTY".........on repeat for hours
Love it!
soil serenade is my favourite
I've always loved King Curtis, one of my favourite tracks of his is his version of GREEN ONIONS
I love 'Heard it through the Grapevine' and 'I was Made to Love Her' especially
I was this guy in my life before this one. 🖤 #KingCurtis
Speaking of King Curtis, I think three of his best songs were "I was made to love her", "Soul Stew", and "Foot Pattin"/
Thank You. Yes, Sir is one of my favourites, definitely Rock 'n' Roll
Great Solo and video. Thanks Dean. SaxSchool is really a great resource for Sax-learners!
I worked quite a lot on “Yakety Yak” last year. I found it harder than I first thought. I had been experimenting with some extremely soft reeds for bending and other reed tricks, but had to go back to harder reeds for this articulation. Because I switched from sax to flute in my college years (70s), I was familiar with the “tuk-a-ta” tonguing. Flute players call it double tonguing. Maybe sax players do too. It’s harder for me to do it with a sax mouthpiece in my mouth. Unfortunately, I never got to play it in public because none of my recent bands had the vocalists to cover the song.
I also liked “Whiter Shade of Pale” from the Fillmore Live album.
Nice work, Dean. I revisited King Curtis a few years ago and one of my favourite recordings, rough around the edges as it is; Is Blues at Montreux with Champion Jack Dupree. The track , “Everything is Gonna be Alright “ is definitively KC.
King Curtis & Junior Walker... & Maceo Parker.. MUST knows for aspiring sax players...
You didn't mention the album "Everybody's Talking". I think his best. His best solo as a side man was with Freddie King on the song Stumble.
Oh great point, cheers!
King Curtis playing Dem Changes from live and the Filmore west.
One thing you didn’t mention is that the original version of Soul Serenade and other early recordings of his were on saxello, later he switched to a Mark Vl soprano. Also I’m a professional saxophonist and you have no button for me to access your locker.
Hi, thanks that is really interesting. Here’s a link where you can get access to the Locker: www.saxschool.online/locker
Oh, how I do do do adore ❤️ the ALL of it!
Can't wait for Sam "The Man" Taylor's, Red Prysock's, Sil Austin's, Sam Butteran (sp.) etc.
Really enjoyed this! ❤️🎷
Thank you Dean, So much there, I'll have to listen again. I'll go for A Change Is Gonna Come on his soprano.
So helpful. Thank you!
Great session Dean.
Thanks Dean ,that was great,my favorite is Memphis soul stew.
Mine too!
Soul stew is favourite solo
That’s a good one!
I've been playing for a lot of years, and am currently playing with a Selmer Mark 80 Series II horn with both a Vandoren hard rubber mouthpiece and a Dave Guardala Super King mouthpiece. The Vandoren is used for lounge work because of itts smooth and silky sound. It looses a lot in the altissimo range, but it's really good in the lower octives. I use the Super King Dave Guardala mouthpiece for rock because it produces crisp, edgy sound and is great in altissimo.
Yet, I still don't have the sound I'm looking for. What combination of mouthpiece and ligature might you suggest to get the kind of sound of a player like Sam Butera, the greaat sax player in Louis Prima's band?
I'm also really fond of the Fibercell reeds #2 1/2.
Thanks and keep up the good work in Sax School!
Hey Billy. I love Sam Butera’s sound good question. I’d think your Guardala would be a good choice for his style.
Dean- Great video. As you know, there is SO much more to learn about King Curtis. Check out my definitive biography published at the end of 2022: "Soul Serenade: King Curtis and His Immortal Saxophone."
Nigel, the "Start my free trial" button doesn't work on your website. FYI (Update: there's some serious lag)
Hi. Sorry to hear that. Everything seems to be working on our end. Here’s a direct link to get you started : www.saxschool.online/offers/2pFZ57gR/checkout
Fabulous
Honestly (and I fully expect I'm gonna get flamed for this), I like King Curtis' version of Whole Lotta Love better than Led Zeppelin's . . . I wish they got to do it together.
What an idea!