Lenny Picket is in my opinion the best tenor saxophone player ever. I know he is in a particular genre of music, (funk, r & b, jazz) but his true music ability and knowledge are nothing short of genius. When he combines that with his technical skills on the actual horn, you get.....well.....This!!!!!!! I tear up sometimes when I hear him work.....
@jhf3512 "If It's Over" was taken from this song. She done a live recording with the SNL band, it use to be on here but I'm not sure if it still is or not..
I wish I could find the version I remember from years ago. I believe G.E. Smith was still the bandleader. I seem to remember a version with a very prominent bari sax line that gave me chills.
@Nilw0n The correct title of this song is "A Waltz In A". I play keyboards by ear, and it is definitely in the key of A. However there are minors in it.
@Nilw0n This is definately in A, and includes almost every blues cliche there is. An image of the lead sheet written in Howard Shore's own hand can be found on line, just google it.
7:13 till the end....close your eyes and listen, even if it's just 17 seconds long...could possibly be the most beautiful 17 seconds ever record in history.
A waltz is in 3/4 time. This isn't. If you listen, it has more of a gospel feel to it. Not Christian music, but "black" gospel, minus the sax. This part would have more chords with 1/4 and 1/2 notes and probably played by an organist. Overall it's more of a late 70's R&B feel. Saturday Night Live "outro" theme is song that's supposed to lead folks right into church the next morning. If you don't attend black churches you may not agree with me, and that's okay. I just love this theme. . .
My friend, 2005dave, founded a website dedicated to the SNL Band, and on that website is a page about Howard Shore's "A Waltz in A" (a.k.a, the SNL closing theme).
It's not a waltz. Waltzes are in 3. It's in 12/8 which is really 4 (4 beats, 3 sub-beats each, per bar). But it's gospel music, which is always in a triple-feel, and which is often, as in this case, played very slowly, emphasizing the three sub-beats. If you listen closely you'll hear the chord change every measure (1-and-a-2-and-a-3-and-a-four-and-a-1etc)
Reminds me of another waltz, Frank Zappa's "Sofa #1"..
The "Zappa in New York" album features SNL 70s band members so it is possible there was some influence as Zappa was, of course, the bandleader of all bandleaders at that time.
TO: LittleScheer...........there's another that is actually from this song, it's called "If It's Over" by Mariah Carry....the live version is on here somewhere, and it's actually performed with the SNL live band. The only difference...it has words..Thanks 4 all the comments, friend requests, and subscriptions everybody.
If only it was this type of music that pop artists were playing today. The world needs more of it. The only song that really comes to mind that matches this is Sweet Magnolias performed by Jeff Coffin's Mu'tet on his album Mutopia, which is one of my favorites. Been searchin for more music like it but it just really doesn't exist. At least not any that is quite this moving.
@LittleScheer Try Katie Webster, (her slow ones)....The one that comes to my mind that reminds me of the SNL ending theme is "Never Let Me Go" I am able to find it on here, but it's not by Katie.
Lenny Pickett is someone that us pro still look up to. He is amazing. I loved listening the the Waltz in A just to hear him hit those licks in the key changes. I wish they recorded this on CD.
every time SNL ended I would get goosebumps listening to this saxophonist... I still do, it borderline moves me to tears how he could make that tenor sax sing like that. I remember in grade school I played that instrument...this makes me wish I never stopped lol
If you like "Waltz in A," the closest I've found to a recorded version of a similar chord progression is BB King's "There's Always One More Time" in which the last 3 and a half minutes is an instrumental similar to the SNL closing theme. Equally moving.
even closer (and also from 1991) is mariah carey "if it's over"-- which is funny because the first time i ever heard it was when her group performed it on SNL back in the day, as their final song of the night. it started up and i thought "wtf, why are they playing the end credits song?!" of course it lacks the instrumental solos tho.
Howard Shore wrote the song and rumour has it, the song has never been recorded in entirety even though it has been performed just about every saturday night since the 70's
the bands whom have performed it over the years Include greats such as Donnald duck dunn, steve cropper, paul shaffer, frank zappa, t-bone wolk, g.e. smith, just to name very few.
does anybody know where I can get a clear recording of that closing theme so I can put it on my mp3 player. Thanks for posting this one though. I love it and have been looking for it for a long time
Absolutely amazing song...SNL band has always had superior musicians from the very beggining...the closest thing to this was when the ol' SNL horn section played on Mariah Carey's "When its Over"...my only fear is that they will eventually record this in a studio..I think the echo and distant miking is what really adds to it...just no audience noise...and I'd be happy...thanks for posting it!!!
Heard it might be written by howard shore, music writer of lord of the rings. cool - you can get just enough of the form out of this recording. is howard shore austalian
It's an amazing tune, I wish they'd record it. For all of you: something that comes close is Jaco Pastorius' Soul Intro/The Chicken. You find it on his The Birthday Concert album.
Respect to you bugsycline. The farewell to Daddy Madison is whoow deep. Although at 50 I'm no spring chicken, I thank you for pointing me to the original Chicken.
This song has never been recorded on cd that I know of, but whoever mixed it....I tip my hat to ya'. I always watch the last few minutes of "SNL" just to hear this. Now finally, a full version....I really like this. When will you upload more tunes?
Lenny Picket is in my opinion the best tenor saxophone player ever. I know he is in a particular genre of music, (funk, r & b, jazz) but his true music ability and knowledge are nothing short of genius. When he combines that with his technical skills on the actual horn, you get.....well.....This!!!!!!! I tear up sometimes when I hear him work.....
lacefieldromie 3 weeks ago
@lacefieldromie He is awesome and I tear up when I hear this on also....Thanks for the comment my friend. :)
MaleAngel1971 3 weeks ago
it almost sounds like Mariah Carey's, If It's Over, from her Emotions cd..
jhf3512 1 month ago
@jhf3512 "If It's Over" was taken from this song. She done a live recording with the SNL band, it use to be on here but I'm not sure if it still is or not..
MaleAngel1971 1 month ago
common 2 dislikes, u should'nt have....
gidengvids609 2 months ago
You have amazing taste in music I see!
rhondaJohnsonful 2 months ago
@rhondaJohnsonful Thanks
MaleAngel1971 2 months ago
This makes me sooooo HOT!!!!!!
rhondaJohnsonful 2 months ago in playlist Favorite videos
@rhondaJohnsonful Me too lol
MaleAngel1971 2 months ago
hi everyone:
do me a favor please; what kind of drumbeat are this song. i try to find a drum tutorial whit this pattern but i don´t know exactly the name.
blues, blues 6/8, slow blues, slow shuffle 3/4... Help me please
thanks a lot
sabadoadrianovich 3 months ago
@sabadoadrianovich Did you try "Waltz"?
MaleAngel1971 3 months ago
@MaleAngel1971 hahahahaha yeah shure... but waltz in drums videotutorials are from germany music, blue danube, andre rieu and all this classic stuff.
sabadoadrianovich 3 months ago
I wish I could find the version I remember from years ago. I believe G.E. Smith was still the bandleader. I seem to remember a version with a very prominent bari sax line that gave me chills.
ohiojayhawk 4 months ago
when I die this is the song that will be playing as they lower me into the ground =D
wolfkin71 4 months ago
anybody know where i can download this???\
peaceispimp 4 months ago
Lenny is an Amazing Sax player and this song was an inspiration for my new song
now posted to the Blues Hall of Fame website "OK,Just Aint Good Enough" on my Channel. Thank You Lenny.
RandyBluesmanHock 5 months ago
This song alone knocks me out, then to hear sax go on, gets in your soul...love it.
StephenMP2 6 months ago
I love this closing theme. It gets me every time. Tks 4 posting
jsngallery 7 months ago
Is this in A Minor? or am I totally off on the Key?
Nilw0n 7 months ago
@Nilw0n The correct title of this song is "A Waltz In A". I play keyboards by ear, and it is definitely in the key of A. However there are minors in it.
MaleAngel1971 7 months ago
@Nilw0n This is definately in A, and includes almost every blues cliche there is. An image of the lead sheet written in Howard Shore's own hand can be found on line, just google it.
Tzakuk59 4 months ago
I've been playing tenor sax for a while and I wish I could hit altissimo like that!
xbox360playa4life 7 months ago
This should be the national anthem.
elementz1986 7 months ago 13
@elementz1986 I couldn't agree more.
MaleAngel1971 7 months ago
@elementz1986 Yes National Anthem excellent...
lisadaveg 2 months ago
@elementz1986 Yes it should :)
MaleAngel1971 2 months ago
7:13 till the end....close your eyes and listen, even if it's just 17 seconds long...could possibly be the most beautiful 17 seconds ever record in history.
D1cilli 8 months ago 2
@D1cilli I couldn't agree more, it's the most beautiful music I've ever heard. ;)
MaleAngel1971 8 months ago
it's in 6, which is (almost) close enough (the score is in 12/8)
StopTouchingMyFood 8 months ago
A waltz is in 3/4 time. This isn't. If you listen, it has more of a gospel feel to it. Not Christian music, but "black" gospel, minus the sax. This part would have more chords with 1/4 and 1/2 notes and probably played by an organist. Overall it's more of a late 70's R&B feel. Saturday Night Live "outro" theme is song that's supposed to lead folks right into church the next morning. If you don't attend black churches you may not agree with me, and that's okay. I just love this theme. . .
astone69 8 months ago
@astone69 It's in 6, which is (almost) close enough (the score is in 12/8)
StopTouchingMyFood 8 months ago
My friend, 2005dave, founded a website dedicated to the SNL Band, and on that website is a page about Howard Shore's "A Waltz in A" (a.k.a, the SNL closing theme).
SailorCallie 8 months ago
This is beautiful. What style of music would you consider this? Instumental soul? Jazz?
elementz1986 10 months ago
@elementz1986 I would call it blues with a jazz sound mixed in.
MaleAngel1971 10 months ago
@MaleAngel1971 seems to have a gospel tone to it as well.
Nilw0n 7 months ago
It's not a waltz. Waltzes are in 3. It's in 12/8 which is really 4 (4 beats, 3 sub-beats each, per bar). But it's gospel music, which is always in a triple-feel, and which is often, as in this case, played very slowly, emphasizing the three sub-beats. If you listen closely you'll hear the chord change every measure (1-and-a-2-and-a-3-and-a-four-and-a-1etc)
TrueTwelfth 11 months ago
this is a ripoff of frank zappa's sofa n1 listen for yourself.
dratl1487 1 year ago
0:36-0:50 i just get endless chills throughout my entire body. it just makes me wanna cry.
bobbypeanut2 1 year ago 3
@bobbypeanut2 Yeah, me as well Bobby
MaleAngel1971 1 year ago
@Alex70451 Thanks Alex70451.. Yeah, awesome tune, too bad it was not released. I love it as well.
MaleAngel1971 1 year ago
LENNY!!!!! haha
miles53194 1 year ago
Reminds me of another waltz, Frank Zappa's "Sofa #1"..
The "Zappa in New York" album features SNL 70s band members so it is possible there was some influence as Zappa was, of course, the bandleader of all bandleaders at that time.
memalley 1 year ago
when i die,in my funeral,when everybody is going away,this will be the last song
super88cloud 1 year ago
@super88cloud Good idea
TehRayman1110 1 year ago
@super88cloud I had the same idea! I neeeeeed to find a clean version of this song! ...hah...before I die that is. :)
JacFlash 1 year ago
TO: LittleScheer...........there's another that is actually from this song, it's called "If It's Over" by Mariah Carry....the live version is on here somewhere, and it's actually performed with the SNL live band. The only difference...it has words..Thanks 4 all the comments, friend requests, and subscriptions everybody.
MaleAngel1971 1 year ago
these are the baddest horns ive heard in a while
sevebaby 1 year ago
If only it was this type of music that pop artists were playing today. The world needs more of it. The only song that really comes to mind that matches this is Sweet Magnolias performed by Jeff Coffin's Mu'tet on his album Mutopia, which is one of my favorites. Been searchin for more music like it but it just really doesn't exist. At least not any that is quite this moving.
LittleScheer 1 year ago
@LittleScheer Try Katie Webster, (her slow ones)....The one that comes to my mind that reminds me of the SNL ending theme is "Never Let Me Go" I am able to find it on here, but it's not by Katie.
MaleAngel1971 1 year ago
@MaleAngel1971 not entirely the same music
BUT...pink floyd utilizes saxophone in several songs...Beautifullly
"Get back to radio"-Roger Waters....
Another great song utilizing the sax....
ToolandMAIDEN14 1 year ago
I wish they'd leave the credits on so I could hear Pickett wail on that Sax.
ffgew22 1 year ago
I love using this as a backing track to my guitar
RobDZeppelin 1 year ago
Lenny Pickett is someone that us pro still look up to. He is amazing. I loved listening the the Waltz in A just to hear him hit those licks in the key changes. I wish they recorded this on CD.
saxmafia 1 year ago
Thanx' 4 all the comments, ratings, and friend request guys......
MaleAngel1971 1 year ago
Awsome. I love the saxaphone. This is a great job sure beats having to listen to small clips.
Json53 1 year ago
This is, indeed how God would play sax!
mimitolva 2 years ago 6
dude...you aint kiddin, this is f-ing awesome.
sinister619 2 years ago
@ffgew22 I agree with you on how his playing moves you. His range is out of this world I too wish I could make my sax sing like this.
musbraf357 2 years ago
every time SNL ended I would get goosebumps listening to this saxophonist... I still do, it borderline moves me to tears how he could make that tenor sax sing like that. I remember in grade school I played that instrument...this makes me wish I never stopped lol
ffgew22 2 years ago 8
This has been flagged as spam show
I agree with you on how his playing moves you. His range is out of this world I too wish I could make my sax sing like this.
musbraf357 2 years ago
Hey, same here! So glad to know i'm not the only one.
mimitolva 2 years ago
Everyone visit my page for SNL theme songs!!! This one is awesome and still blows me away everytime!!
SNLThemeAddict 2 years ago 2
If you like "Waltz in A," the closest I've found to a recorded version of a similar chord progression is BB King's "There's Always One More Time" in which the last 3 and a half minutes is an instrumental similar to the SNL closing theme. Equally moving.
LeadershipMatters 2 years ago
even closer (and also from 1991) is mariah carey "if it's over"-- which is funny because the first time i ever heard it was when her group performed it on SNL back in the day, as their final song of the night. it started up and i thought "wtf, why are they playing the end credits song?!" of course it lacks the instrumental solos tho.
turtlesoup7 2 years ago
looking for the ending theme to snl...
closest I've found so far on youtube is here...
Howard Shore wrote the song and rumour has it, the song has never been recorded in entirety even though it has been performed just about every saturday night since the 70's
the bands whom have performed it over the years Include greats such as Donnald duck dunn, steve cropper, paul shaffer, frank zappa, t-bone wolk, g.e. smith, just to name very few.
some one please let this song be heard!
bugsycline 2 years ago
I could go on and on and on about this song...
I have hunted this song down for years now. Message to the poster.
Bless you... for letting this exist.
bugsycline 2 years ago
Lenny Pickett is THE MAN ! This is how God would play sax!
arachnipope 2 years ago 4
anybody have the changes?
xXcRENzXx 2 years ago
paul schaffer composed this tune
67line9 3 years ago
does anybody know where I can get a clear recording of that closing theme so I can put it on my mp3 player. Thanks for posting this one though. I love it and have been looking for it for a long time
jgtube 3 years ago
Absolutely amazing song...SNL band has always had superior musicians from the very beggining...the closest thing to this was when the ol' SNL horn section played on Mariah Carey's "When its Over"...my only fear is that they will eventually record this in a studio..I think the echo and distant miking is what really adds to it...just no audience noise...and I'd be happy...thanks for posting it!!!
disisdonpardo 3 years ago 4
"If It's Over" and its one of the most underrated songs of hers.
tatufan 2 years ago
Heard it might be written by howard shore, music writer of lord of the rings. cool - you can get just enough of the form out of this recording. is howard shore austalian
MattcSowerby 3 years ago
no he's from canada
ericcollins81 3 years ago
It's an amazing tune, I wish they'd record it. For all of you: something that comes close is Jaco Pastorius' Soul Intro/The Chicken. You find it on his The Birthday Concert album.
Trapodactylus 3 years ago
young one it was James Brown whom gave us "The Chicken"
break out your blue king 45's and spin "The Chicken"
however if you want something close (or better) than this :
the video your young tender ears need to hear is titled :
"Madison New Life Bid Farewell to Bishop Daddy Madison"
God Bless you my brother in music and fare thee well.
bugsycline 2 years ago
Respect to you bugsycline. The farewell to Daddy Madison is whoow deep. Although at 50 I'm no spring chicken, I thank you for pointing me to the original Chicken.
Trapodactylus 2 years ago
This will be played at my funeral. Perfection.
EarlGood 3 years ago 8
Amen brother.
Lock11811 3 years ago
Whoever put this together is my hero. Seriously, this is beauty.
pianonotes1010 3 years ago 6
Thank you! Thank you so much for posting this song.
mofa34 3 years ago 8
I can die now. Thank you for posting.
racarranza 3 years ago 13
The saxophone player is amazing!
edgt52807 3 years ago 22
Awsome, that is Lenny Pickett.
MaleAngel1971 3 years ago
This song has never been recorded on cd that I know of, but whoever mixed it....I tip my hat to ya'. I always watch the last few minutes of "SNL" just to hear this. Now finally, a full version....I really like this. When will you upload more tunes?
gastonstud 3 years ago 22