Today's playlist. The 45th installment features "Sam Taylor."
I bought it at Flash Disc Ranch, my regular record store in Shimokitazawa.
I've been going to this record store ever since I first started living in Setagaya. The store's popular and amazing system allows you to buy any number of records under 15,000 yen for half price once you've collected 50 stamps on their point card, which is valid as long as the store exists.
Sam Taylor: The Moody Tenor Saxophone Tone that Colored Showa Nights
Recall the good old Showa-era cabarets and adult social clubs. In the dimly lit interiors, filled with drifting cigarette smoke, the moody tone of a tenor saxophone resonated. The owner of that sound was Sam Taylor, an American jazz, rhythm and blues, and blues legendary saxophonist who colored the nights of Japan.
Born in Lexington, Tennessee, Taylor honed his musical talents at Alabama State University, after which he performed with notable musicians such as Scatman Crothers, Cootie Williams, Lucky Millinder, and Cab Calloway. In 1950s New York, he was a highly sought-after session saxophonist, creating numerous masterpieces.
The sound of his saxophone is sweet, poignant, and somehow melancholic. Anyone who listens to the solo parts of hit songs like Big Joe Turner's "Shake, Rattle and Roll," Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters' "Money Honey," and The Cords' "Sh-Boom" will surely be captivated by its charm.
In the 1960s, he led his own band, "The Blues Chasers," and in the 1970s, he actively performed in Japan. The sound of Sam Taylor's tenor saxophone was deeply etched into Japan's nocturnal landscape, and continues to mesmerize many music fans to this day.
Sam Taylor's music is a timeless sound for adults, transcending mere jazz or blues. Immersing oneself in the sound of his saxophone will transport you back in time to the Showa era, evoking a nostalgic mood.
At WAITER-U, we not only select camping gear but also music, books, and movies.
We also create playlists on Spotify, so please feel free to listen to them on your way to camping.
