Customer Reviews

Saxophone Soctette

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Beau Hunks are crazy musicians who have recreated the equally crazy soundtracks of American cartoons and comedy records. Not content with that,they have also revived the saxophone novelty records of the Twenties and played marvellous transcriptions of the works of some of our more eccentric composers.

I have just obtained this record and THE CHESTERFIELD ARRANGEMENTS of the Raymond Scott compositions from the Basta Records site in the Netherlands, and wonder why the entire group of recordings by this group is not readily available. It is quite an experience hearing these compositions played by a full orchestra! I would particularly recommend the work of Ronald Jansen Heijtmajer in his earlier recording, devoted to saxophone novelty pieces. All of the Beau Hunks' records are extremely entertaining and it is completely impossible to be depressed while listening to them! They are worth searching out.

The correct tracklisting:

1. What`ll do 2.58 2. Tell me, little Gipsy 2.53 3. baby, oh where can you be 2.49 4. Candlelights 3.47 5. After you`ve gone 3.10 6. The Toy Trumpet 3.12 7. Anchors Aweigh 2.49 8. Always In All Ways 3.03 9. My Melacholy Baby 3.18 10. Down Home Rag 2.46 11. Crinoline Days 2.35 12. Do Something 2.43 13. In A Mist 3.43 14. Blue Skies 3.07 15. Soliloquy: A Musical Thought 3.33 16. In Dreams, I Kiss Your Hand Madame 2.52

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If there were ever any doubt that the Saxophone as a musical instrument came into its own during the 1920's and 30's, this record of transcritptions and original source materiel should dispell it. The players on this record are absolutely first rate and some reach virtuostic levels of performance. The meticulous level of detail that obviously went into every aspect of this project is makes my brain hurt. I think anyone might feel the same after hearing this but particularly a serious musician and even more particularly a serious Saxophone player. The woodwind doubles and use of the Oboe in particular as a "popular" solo voice is also a very new sound to me and is here rendered beautifully. Also, from the perspective of arranging, these have to be some of the best I've ever heard in this genre. 5 stars and hats off again to the Beau Hunks!

This recording was a labor of love and it shows. All the players are in top form. If you love saxophone music of the 1930s, then do not hesitate. The recording is somewhat lifeless however. The mics used are directly over the heads of the ensemble. As a result there is no hall ambience and, for me, that was a little off-putting. Think of a group of saxes playing in a closet. Many of the Beau Hunk small ensemble recordings come off this way and it may be an artistic choice. Other than this observation (which is my sole reason for not giving a five star rating) you have a well played group of original transcriptions.