Sax solo on AOWHAH

[JLWayman]

Does anyone know the story behind the sax solo on Dionne Warwick's version of "Anyone Who Had a Heart"? Who was the musician? Did BB write the part out ahead of time or was it improvised in the studio? Has BB ever commented on that solo? The most amazing 4 notes ever played!

[steveo_1965]

Mr. Waymann,
Although I sometimes think I have knowledge of Things Burt, I also admit, that a lot of the times they are only educated guesses and when they are, I try to say so.....This is the case here...It is my opinion or guess, that Burt wrote that solo out....of course only a great player can give it that edge, and bring life to it..putting in the "feel"...
I read long ago that before this record, the sax solo was kind of dead, and this recording kind of rejuvenated it!
By the way, The version heard on Burt at the Roundhouse(live) was a marvelous sound!

[An Enormous BB Fan]

I will never forget hearing that solo for the very first time I heard the song on the radio. And, most importantly, I will never forget the effect that it had on me. I nearly burst out crying!

My guess is that not only did Burt write out the part, but that he also told the player exactly how it should be played. There are videos of Burt in rehearsal. You can see how he will tell a player and direct a player as to how he wants it done. I believe did that with this great Sax player, whoever he may be. He was great either way, no doubt about it.

[steveo_1965]

I dont think there is a feature on this board like there is on Facebook, where you can post a thumbs up or "like"...but if there was...Id certainly hit that button.Good post!

[JLWayman]

Thanks for the most interesting replies. Now we need to figure out who the sax player was. I have a book, The Beach Boys: The definitive biography of America's greatest band on stand and in the studio by K. Badman (2004) that lists the sessions and the musicians of record at those sessions. (I think that either the studios or the unions maintain records). Is there a similar bit of research on BB recording sessions? The sax player might well be alive and willing to discuss the session.

[steveo_1965]

J.L.
There are certainly many unanswered questions, most of them lost to time, about who
played or sang what on Burt's records...I personally would like to know who the kid was that sang on Saturday Sunshine....and the gender of the kid...I do think that it is possible when doing some extended research over a long period of time to uncover some answers...One guy on here had a union list of who played on one of the cuts on the Reach Out Album...
But getting back to the saxman on AWHAH...I'll be on the lookout now webwise to see if
I can help "uncover" that players name : )

[steveo_1965]

After 2 hours of straight research on the web..6 am to 8 am..I came up with zip!
This is a hard one...
Steveo

[hellojohnbuck]

newbie suggestion
"Walk On By" by Dionne Warwick was recorded at the same December 1963 session that yielded "Anyone Who Had a Heart".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walk_On_By_(song)

Paul Winter played saxophone on WOB. Could he be the sax player on AOWAH?

[steveo_1965]

Great clue!