The Big Horn – The History of the Honkin’ and Screamin’ Saxophone

I have always been a big fan of the 40’s & 50’s sax-oriented jazz, jump-blue & R’n’B that was the obvious precursors of R’n’R. This music had the wild abandon and energy that would later epitomize r’n’r and which drove its own audiences into the same type of frenzy. The honkin’ & screamin’ saxophone was just as vitally important to this music as the guitar later became and, in fact, did much to influence the sound and style of the guitar and the guitarists. (For those who don’t know, the original fuzz boxes were meant to imitate the sound of a sax, due to that instrument’s popularity and the sax players were probably wilder and had more stage presence that 98% of all rock players.)

I have never been well versed in this music, though, other than a couple of compilations and knowing who Big Jay McNeeley was (and having had the privilege of seeing him in the late 80’s/early 90’s). This 4-CD set of over 100 songs contains many, if not all, of the important players of this phenomenon and is a fantastic overview. Again, I found this at a very reasonable price and again the packaging and huge booklet are terrific and informative.

Anyone who wants to learn where their favorite guitarist picked up his sounds and moves should grab & study this amazing set! (Great pick of Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady tripping to the sounds on the cover, too!)