Question about Papa Lou's Say It Loud . . .

[Aftab]

Hey guys,

does anyone know if he uses that dreadful electric sax thing on this cd? Thanks!

[Dan Gould]

I have an LP transfer and I'm almost 100% certain he does not.

[jazzbo]

I don't consider it dreadful, but he doesn't use it here.

[sheldonm]

Hey guys,

does anyone know if he uses that dreadful electric sax thing on this cd? Thanks!

I thought I read in the liner notes that he does. I'll check again; maybe I'm going blind !

Mark

[jazzbo]

I'm going from memory of a few weeks back. . . he may, but it isn't often and predominantly!

[Bill Fenohr]

Yes, he plays Varitone on Say It Loud!. I would not let that scare me away, IMO this is one of his better late Blue Note dates.

[jazzbo]

I agree, it's a gem!

[Aftab]

OK - went for it - also ordered Reuben Wilson and McDuff Water releases - gettin the summer groove on

[Shawn]

To be honest, I think Lou had more success "plugged in" than almost anyone else. Take a listen to some of his ballad performances from these electric dates...it adds another dimension...but it does not in the slightest mask his tone...you can tell it's Lou all the say.

Lou's later dates are unfortunately dismissed by many fans, but to be honest these later groove sessions I think are some of his best work. Lou's recordings are proof that whether he's playing straight bebop...standards & ballads...or kickin' out the funk...it's ALL soul baby...and he is one seriously REAL cat.

As for the thread...Say It Loud is one of my favorites from this era (especially the takes on Summertime & Caravan)...I also rank it up there with the unfortunately overlooked Pretty Things.

[Ragu]

He definitely uses the Varitone, it's easy to hear the lower octave if you listen for it. But the key is that it is mixed with his regular sound so as not to be obtrusive. As opposed to some of the Stitt sessions where his attitude seemed to be this is a different instrument, it's electric, get used to it.

[Soul Stream]

Lou used, but never abused the Varitone. It's really not an issue with him on these later sides as far as a taste thing. He never goes ala' Stitt where the varitone sounds like an electric violin.

[Brad]

I've got Say it Loud and I didn't know he used that dreadful thing but if he did I couldn't tell. I'll have to go back and listen.