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What makes Branford Marsalis sound so good is not only his Phrasing, but also his Tone. It's not shriking at all. Paul Winter also has a great soprano sax tone.
So true. I love Coltrane but when he played Soprano sax it definitely didn't have that smoothness. He went for the rawness instead. But man, Branford makes it sing.
Every time I hear Sting, I think of that Family Guy episode about not being able to understand a word he's saying, except for a word in the chorus lol. You can understand Roxanne, and it really does sound like he's just making mouth sounds the rest of the time haha
@@TheKeithbruce Sidney Bechet, Steve Lacy, Dave Liebman, John Coltrane, Sam Newsome, Roberto Ottaviano, Kayla Milmine, Joe Giardullo, Lol Coxhill, Evan Parker, Gianni Mimmo, Trevor Watts. I could go on. I can't thik of another soprano player, other than Kenny G, whose soprano sound I find less pleasing than Branford's. My tone is better than Branford's. He has a pinched tiny tone and plays the soprano like he is afraid of it. I'm not a fan of the Marsalis sound, except for Ellis.
@@TheKeithbruce Pick any recording by any of the player that I've listed. There are hundreds of them. I like all of them better than anything I've ever heard Branford play.
Yesterday, I heard a man say that songs are not supposed to be set in stone, forever unchanging. ‘Songs are meant to _live.’_ But hey, I’m sure _you_ know more about creating timeless songs than some funny old dude named Gordon… 🤷🏿♀️
@@miropribanic5581I watched Branford Marsalis last night and was hoping he’d play The Dream of the Blue Turtles. He didn’t but his encored was Thelonious Monk.
I woke up on July 13, 1985, turned on the TV and saw these two play this song during Live Aid. I was still half-asleep, so I remember the dreamy feeling.
I'm sorry for the poor video quality, but that was the only source I could find online. But the audio stays an amazing piece of art, Branford doesn't really know it's equal as it comes to playing such well fitting improvised lines over pop songs the whole song through! English Man In New York was already a pretty unique case of a saxophonist filling up the complete hit song, here he shows again how it's done on a old classic by Sting. The lines are incredibly compatible with Stings melodies, and he takes chances in his solo, while just hitting one non-diatonic note. Not many jazz musicians are able to do just that ;) Do you know similar appearances by instrumental soloist playing around the singer throughout a full song? Would love to know! Drop em in the comments below! /Jorre
Not the whole song, but a great pop solo by Bob Reynolds, nonetheless. Mostly diatonic. Video and sound are average, so maybe you could play the solo to support the transcription? th-cam.com/video/IruOI1YcsfA/w-d-xo.html
@Sharp Eleven Music: "Do you know similar appearances by instrumental soloist playing around the singer throughout a full song? Would love to know! Drop em in the comments below!" The Lemon Song, Since I've been Loving You and The Rain Song (both live) , by Led Zeppelin, just the first two that came to my mind
@@nezkeys79 Middle C is C3, 3 also starting on C. A4 is two notes lower than C5--two octaves above middle C. Also, my ear isn't perfect, but it sounds more like an A3 to me.
@@Ethan-tn4jc what's the lowest note on your piano? An 88 note stage piano has A1 as the lowest so I don't see how you're getting A4 as two notes lower than C5 (unless maybe your piano starts with C1)
I heard it, then I spent the rest of the song scrolling until I found two comments about it. After clicking your timestamp and seeing *”LICC”* appear in the center of the screen, I realized Jorre had already marked it. 🤣
Nice one Jorre. Branford and Sting had a great thing together. One has to admire Branford not just for his playing but for putting up with Sting's massive ego. On the other hand, I've also heard about B's massive ego. There you go. Genius gets a hallpass every time.
Branford was in Sting's band, so they know each other well. I've also heard interviews where Branford has talked about how Sting is nothing like his public persona in real life.
That’s a great story! But these two had absolutely no problem covering and in fact turned it into a unique opportunity which I absolutely love. Great musicians do great things, and Branford has such incredible listening skills to blend with what Sting is doing. Truly a characteristic of a great musician. And of course, Sting’s great song, chord changes, singing and bass could stand alone if necessary, but adding Branford makes it genius.
IMHO, it sounds like Brandford had his brilliant ideas worked out before this performance. I still have his picture with me on my lock screen from when he performed Villa Lobos Fantasia in Allentown, PA. Awesome guy. Awesome performance.
I still have this gem on VHS. Sad he never re-released this. Its an amazing concert with unforgettable behind the scenes moments. edit: oops... thought it was from the BRING ON THE NIGHT concert.
Kenny G decided he wanted to make lots of money and found he could do that with the kind of popular music he played. I can’t blame him since so many fine musicians starve. But I saw him play in person from 12 feet away in a bar in Eugene with Jeff Lorber before Kenny was famous, and he can do it all. Doesn’t make a bit of difference to any other musician what he chooses to do to afford his big house on Lake Washington and his private jet which he flies himself.
@@HQBergeron Actually, I don't have any problems with his chops, and neither with him making lots of cash. But that soprano sound curls my toe nails up.
Yes, English man in New York is more inventive and takes you to more unexpected places than this one. But I like the fact there is another duet between both and their combined sound is so great
Normally i can not listen to soprano sax. Terrible, except Branford Marsalis is playing. He sounds realy realy great. Wish i could play like him... but not in thousand years
I would argue that this elevator muzak version is worse than the original. Branford channeling Kenny G here. Absolute schlock. Then again i'd ban the soprano sax altogether if i was dictator.
You are deaf. First off, brandford is NOT channelling kenny G who also has one of the best tones in the business btw. Second, its a different interpretation of the song altogether .try and keep up.
They are artists, and artists create, even if it is to recast something familiar to the audience. Sting is not one to just crank out his past hits ad nauseam without change just to satisfy people who might as well listen to the radio.
![Sting - with Branford Marsalis - 'Englishman in New York' [HD] | North Sea Jazz (2013)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/keNCpzbBPNI/mqdefault.jpg)
![Sting - with Branford Marsalis - 'Englishman in New York' [HD] | North Sea Jazz (2013)](/img/tr.png)
➡If you want the Pdf for this solo, click this link to get access to that + our vault of over 350 saxophone & guitar solo transcriptions for free: www.sharpelevenmusic.com/transcriptions
Support us on Patreon (exclusive Pdf's and many extra's): patreon.com/sharpeleventranscriptions
What makes Branford Marsalis sound so good is not only his Phrasing, but also his Tone. It's not shriking at all. Paul Winter also has a great soprano sax tone.
Yes, so round and warm. Sounds great on vinyl.
The only guy who has a bad tone on the soprano sax is Kenny Gorelick.
So true. I love Coltrane but when he played Soprano sax it definitely didn't have that smoothness. He went for the rawness instead. But man, Branford makes it sing.
Plus he's not playing too much.
One of my favorite soprano sax sounds besides Branford is Steve Lacy @@kevinr.3542
Lots to learn from this performance. A master class in accompanying a vocalist
Every time I hear Sting, I think of that Family Guy episode about not being able to understand a word he's saying, except for a word in the chorus lol. You can understand Roxanne, and it really does sound like he's just making mouth sounds the rest of the time haha
Jeez... perfection from two masters
Amazing.
Simply amazing.
Sweet, great articulation.... smoothness
So nice
Bradford is the best sax player that has ever been recorded
I don't think that Branford, even if his ego was on level ten, would agree with you.
@@HeathWatts but who on record is better ?
@@TheKeithbruce Sidney Bechet, Steve Lacy, Dave Liebman, John Coltrane, Sam Newsome, Roberto Ottaviano, Kayla Milmine, Joe Giardullo, Lol Coxhill, Evan Parker, Gianni Mimmo, Trevor Watts. I could go on. I can't thik of another soprano player, other than Kenny G, whose soprano sound I find less pleasing than Branford's. My tone is better than Branford's. He has a pinched tiny tone and plays the soprano like he is afraid of it. I'm not a fan of the Marsalis sound, except for Ellis.
@@HeathWatts name a recording ?
@@TheKeithbruce Pick any recording by any of the player that I've listed. There are hundreds of them. I like all of them better than anything I've ever heard Branford play.
bacano
It then became Muzak. Lift music. Smooth, sure…better…no.
I love Sting, but NEVER liked this song. However, Branford's solo is perfect!
Fail. You can't improve on perfection. It was perfect in its original form and in its original time (1978).
Yesterday, I heard a man say that songs are not supposed to be set in stone, forever unchanging. ‘Songs are meant to _live.’_
But hey, I’m sure _you_ know more about creating timeless songs than some funny old dude named Gordon… 🤷🏿♀️
Agree. The guitar tone quality is poor, and the sax actually does not add that much. But the vocal performance is top draw.
Stings most under-rated eras, with Branford, Omar, Kenny and Daryl. Still play their two albums to this day
the Blue Turtles, Sting's first solo project. so many good songs, but on the radio you will only hear "Set them free"
@@miropribanic5581
That's true.
But...that's also what separates
"us" from "them".
Very important in my soprano sax development!
@@miropribanic5581I watched Branford Marsalis last night and was hoping he’d play The Dream of the Blue Turtles. He didn’t but his encored was Thelonious Monk.
I woke up on July 13, 1985, turned on the TV and saw these two play this song during Live Aid. I was still half-asleep, so I remember the dreamy feeling.
Sounds like "a moment".
Branford Marsalis is at a different level ... sensibilities both to the song, Stings singing, counter points, rhythm, silence/pauses is ... Godly
That must be very difficult to do, to keep from overwhelming Stings voice, instead of complementing it.
I'm sorry for the poor video quality, but that was the only source I could find online. But the audio stays an amazing piece of art, Branford doesn't really know it's equal as it comes to playing such well fitting improvised lines over pop songs the whole song through! English Man In New York was already a pretty unique case of a saxophonist filling up the complete hit song, here he shows again how it's done on a old classic by Sting.
The lines are incredibly compatible with Stings melodies, and he takes chances in his solo, while just hitting one non-diatonic note. Not many jazz musicians are able to do just that ;)
Do you know similar appearances by instrumental soloist playing around the singer throughout a full song? Would love to know! Drop em in the comments below!
/Jorre
Not the whole song, but a great pop solo by Bob Reynolds, nonetheless. Mostly diatonic. Video and sound are average, so maybe you could play the solo to support the transcription?
th-cam.com/video/IruOI1YcsfA/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for sharing.
The performance is what matters and we love it.
@Sharp Eleven Music: "Do you know similar appearances by instrumental soloist playing around the singer throughout a full song? Would love to know! Drop em in the comments below!"
The Lemon Song, Since I've been Loving You and The Rain Song (both live) , by Led Zeppelin, just the first two that came to my mind
Phil Woods on Just The Way You Are comes to my mind, although that was taped in the studio.
THE standard for pop soprano sax solos!! Branford is a true master of the craft!
This arrangement sounds like "Roxanne" met an "Englishman in New York"
English hooker in New York
"Now that you mention it..."
Sting's voice is so brilliant and high that makes the voice of the soprano almost sound like an alto if not a tenor 😄
What note is he actually singing at the end
@@nezkeys79 A4
@@wwsciffsww3748 A4 is underneath middle C though? Sounds like he is singing a note much higher than that
@@nezkeys79 Middle C is C3, 3 also starting on C. A4 is two notes lower than C5--two octaves above middle C. Also, my ear isn't perfect, but it sounds more like an A3 to me.
@@Ethan-tn4jc what's the lowest note on your piano? An 88 note stage piano has A1 as the lowest so I don't see how you're getting A4 as two notes lower than C5 (unless maybe your piano starts with C1)
He HAD to play most of the lick in the first few bars @0:24 .. .proper.
I heard it, then I spent the rest of the song scrolling until I found two comments about it.
After clicking your timestamp and seeing *”LICC”* appear in the center of the screen, I realized Jorre had already marked it. 🤣
A perfect performance - the sax just completes everything:-)
Sting could've shouted and screetched less. Then it'd be perfect.
Bob Reynolds has an awesome video, why this performance is pure gold! ♥️
Sting is such a great singer. There are many fabulous saxophone players, but Branford Marsalis is the absolute BEST! Together they are a treat.
Nice one Jorre. Branford and Sting had a great thing together. One has to admire Branford not just for his playing but for putting up with Sting's massive ego. On the other hand, I've also heard about B's massive ego. There you go. Genius gets a hallpass every time.
Branford was in Sting's band, so they know each other well. I've also heard interviews where Branford has talked about how Sting is nothing like his public persona in real life.
If I remember right the rest of the band was stuck in traffic and these two had to do the best they could with what they had
That’s a great story! But these two had absolutely no problem covering and in fact turned it into a unique opportunity which I absolutely love. Great musicians do great things, and Branford has such incredible listening skills to blend with what Sting is doing. Truly a characteristic of a great musician. And of course, Sting’s great song, chord changes, singing and bass could stand alone if necessary, but adding Branford makes it genius.
Sometimes necessity truly is, The Mother of Invention.
Sting should do an album with Steps Ahead . He should sing and play Telecaster .
Lead sheet may match the orginal key... but in this clip Sting is perfoming Roxanne a full step down.
I guess it's written for B-flat instruments like the soprano sax. It's supposed to sound a full step down.
that's real pop of the highest level possible.
What a beauty,incredible head to head between two monsters,thanks for that!!
Branford killed it with The Grateful Dead too!!
IMHO, it sounds like Brandford had his brilliant ideas worked out before this performance. I still have his picture with me on my lock screen from when he performed Villa Lobos Fantasia in Allentown, PA. Awesome guy. Awesome performance.
Wow
Yeah, the chorus, but not the rest
He's played this song a thousand times. Brandford is a player! He wouldn't have to work out a solo to Roxanne 🤷🏾
As a soloist, I don’t work out the ideas in advance, but when a spontaneous lick really works, it tends to get incorporated into future performances
I still have this gem on VHS. Sad he never re-released this. Its an amazing concert with unforgettable behind the scenes moments.
edit: oops... thought it was from the BRING ON THE NIGHT concert.
Cool!
On a related note the Bring on the Night movie actually was released on dvd
The first time I heard Branford on sop I started saving money to get one. What a sound! Pity Kenny G destroyed it soon after .....
Kenny G decided he wanted to make lots of money and found he could do that with the kind of popular music he played. I can’t blame him since so many fine musicians starve. But I saw him play in person from 12 feet away in a bar in Eugene with Jeff Lorber before Kenny was famous, and he can do it all. Doesn’t make a bit of difference to any other musician what he chooses to do to afford his big house on Lake Washington and his private jet which he flies himself.
I dread the holidays. That's when all the nasal Kenny G stuff gets into public shopping sound systems everywhere.
@@HQBergeron Actually, I don't have any problems with his chops, and neither with him making lots of cash. But that soprano sound curls my toe nails up.
Soprano is one of those instruments where, if you're a master, it can be celestial, whereas if you're merely good, it can drive you up the wall.
Saxanne?
Sting and Branford are just the best combination!
Jazz , Blues and a whole lot of soul from Branford !
Last note was the best note ever)))
Bob Reynolds does a detailed review of this solo, which I agree is masterful
To this day, I promise you, Wynton is STILL pissed at Branford for joining Sting.
bruh, not thirty seconds into the song the sax is already going variations on a licc
Brad is one of the greats then and now Louisiana raise
Two Pro's at work here, Master Class!
You guys should check out Geno Samuel against Sting. They are doing a similar thing in the high range. Branford plays very "clean."
Did I hear “the lick” at the start when the sax comes in??
o gustavo toca mais fixe
Branford you try the new Dickerson Resonator Ligature for soprano sax on Reverb & ebay - it's a game changer
The Lick 0:23
The sneaky little bastard...
Even if it's not complete???
Thank you really for this. I wish someday you could do something to explain what Branford & Tmac do on _Albert's Fat Sister_ always loved this tune
I guess he and his brother Wynton are not on the same page regarding pop music
Maybe it was just cheesy, cliched pop with "Jazzy" arrangements such as this he objected to.
Wynton didn’t like Miles Davis going fusion either. Wynton Marsalis can go suck eggs in his comfy office at Lincoln Center. 😼
Amazing
So damn good!
Brandford was undoubetly the real star of the Sting tour in 1985
Great singer, great song, super cool soprano, sometimes too much soprano
Wow, so beautiful. Two of my favourite musicians.
KO for Branford, as I expected🎷
He just keeps playing licc fragments.
Sting , no slouch on the guitar me laddies
Branford Marsalis, fenomenal!
That‘s why those two middleaged guys are legends.
English Man in New York + Roxanne
I felt that sometimes they were overplaying each other.
Of course there is The Lick at 0:21
I think I prefer “Englishman In New York” honestly but this is nice too.
Yes, English man in New York is more inventive and takes you to more unexpected places than this one. But I like the fact there is another duet between both and their combined sound is so great
Magic ! What else !
Thanks for sharing this!
I USE TO TRAIN BRANFORD BACK IN THE 80'S, AT JACK LALANE. BOY HAS DONE WELL.
Wat.
Wow !!!
Ins't it one tone down, or am I hearing it wrong?
coreect, this is written for Bb-transposition, which the soprano sax is :)
Normally i can not listen to soprano sax. Terrible, except Branford Marsalis is playing. He sounds realy realy great. Wish i could play like him... but not in thousand years
I saw a whole documentary of this sting with Blandford, I was disgusted by sting manager dirty attitude.
Blandford you could keep your dignity better
So diatonic it hurts my ears 🙉
This would be better if Sting wasn't rushing it with poor tempo 🙄
Sorry, nothing ever gets better with a soprano sax. Branford Marsalis or God behind it.
Ok, nice saxo but I still can hear Sting's voice. That's a dislike!
Oeh, that "Stings". I guess you're The (jazz) Police 👀
Lol ratio
“Better with a soprano sax” said no one ever
😂 until Branford came along
Kenny disapproves of that comment
Until Coltrane’s My Favorite Things
@@brianmessemer2973 Coltrane on soprano is one of the worst sounds on earth…. Literally painful to the ears. Like a high school kid honking away
I would argue that this elevator muzak version is worse than the original. Branford channeling Kenny G here. Absolute schlock.
Then again i'd ban the soprano sax altogether if i was dictator.
You are deaf. First off, brandford is NOT channelling kenny G who also has one of the best tones in the business btw. Second, its a different interpretation of the song altogether .try and keep up.
They are artists, and artists create, even if it is to recast something familiar to the audience. Sting is not one to just crank out his past hits ad nauseam without change just to satisfy people who might as well listen to the radio.
Get lost !!!! that is something for the Gods to savour !!
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