Now while a lot of people love machine-gun 8th notes ripping over a 300+bpm tune, there's something very personal about ballads. They expose the musician and really draw the listener in to hear what the performer is feeling. I also see a lot of comments on here saying how people nowadays just sound like they're playing technical exercises and not saying anything with their playing- now that might be true for some players, but I believe great players CAN DO BOTH WELL. I've played tons of gigs that required crazy tempos on both ends (over 320 and under 50bpm). I think some people are lumped into a category (either one) by others who have only heard a handful of recordings of them.
This thread is dedicated to the lower end of the tempo spectrum- BALLADS! Please post recordings/videos of you playing ballads. Can be any style, standard, original, etc. Hopefully we'll hear some beautiful sounds in here, and I'm looking forward to hearing everyone!
To start it off, here's a recording I did in the studio a few years back on one of my favorite ballads of all time- "Stars Fell on Alabama"
Didn't play for three weeks, but finally found some time to play this month (after lots of travel) and did record some quick and dirty takes for several TOTM/BOTM threads. Here is a ballad I did of the UK sax forum of Pete Thomas.
Back on my old Florida no USA 10* Otto Link with a soft (and dark sounding) Rico Royal 2 reed. Used a slightly faster backing from YouTube. Never played this song before but didn't have much time to practice, so it's just a one time hit and record take.
Cool. Eureka! (i found it). i like this sound even better than the "Moonlight" recording. Your low/mid register is the quintessential "lush" tenor sound. How fortunate to be able to play with such a nice piano player.
I recorded this week for a UK sax forum a very nice Ballad which I never played before called "This Is All I Ask (Beautiful Girls Walk a Little Slower)".
My timing is a bit straight just reading the sheet music without really knowing the tune, but I share my quick and dirty recording anyhow!
I also didn't know this song and was glad I found it last month as "Ballad Of The Month" on the UK sax forum of Pete Thomas. You can find a very nice (faster) version of Scott Hamilton and the backing and scores >here<.
I haven't been playing much lately but I put together a take of the Izzi version of 'Over The Rainbow' using the ukulele from a hawaiian real track in BIAB. Needs work, I'll keep at it:
Nice and open feel Alan and I like that ukulele backing. Can also here you didn't play much lately and for my taste a bit too much reverb on the sax track, but still an enjoyable take.
Hey guys, the 2nd song on this video is a ballad (part of the requirements for the Grammy Band audition) so take a listen and let me know what you think! "The Nearness of You" starts at 2:45.
Hey guys, the 2nd song on this video is a ballad (part of the requirements for the Grammy Band audition) so take a listen and let me know what you think! "The Nearness of You" starts at 2:45.
There's also another version I've done on this site without piano and you can go all all the way back up the thread to the original template. The first link I think is interesting as the pianist and I had both recorded this and the challenge was made and accepted to try and fit as co-soloists. We both step out occasionally, yet the effort is to share and support each other. It's something rarely heard here with the emphasis almost always on a sax solo.
A quick blow through an old favourite, for a cold and rainy January evening recovering from flu!
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