"Imagine" - Saxman Randy Sherwood - Tribute to John Lennon

Here is my take on the song "Imagine", written by English rock musician John Lennon. It is among Lennon's best known and most influential songs. The opening track on his album Imagine released in 1971, "Imagine" was released as a single in the United States where it reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100. When asked about the song in one of his last interviews, Lennon declared "Imagine" to be as good as anything he had written with the Beatles. The song is one of three Lennon solo songs.
The inspiration for this recording came from a very good musician and friend who also plays a Tyros arranger keyboard. My friend Pascal recorded the song and I was so impressed with his version that I decided to do my own. Pascal was gracious enough to collaborate with me on getting my Tyros settings right for the backing track. As you can see in the video I played the accompaniment on my Yamaha Tyros keyboard and then recorded the solo part on my tenor sax. Hope you enjoy listening to Mr. Lennon's stellar composition. Also, if you'd like to hear the song done wonderfully on the arranger (solo), check out Pascal's version at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TKOKpjdTNo&feature=channel_page. If you'd like to see my "official" web page, click here: http://www.saxyguy.com.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Imagine
• John Lennon
• Randy Sherwood
• sax ballad
• Beatles
• Tyros
• destin
• wedding sax music
• love song
• romantic sax
• tenor sax solo
• smooth jazz
• Destin
• Musicians
• mccartney
• piano
• reggae
• sax
• player

[jreno78]

Awesome rendition! I dig the R&B-ish feel you gave it. Makes it REALLY groovy! What kinda tenor you playin on? Sounds great. Almost sounds Conn-ish but with those RH bell keys, I know its not. hehe. Sounds really good though. And whats your mouthpiece setup, if you dont mind me asking these things. :)

[SaxyGuyDestin]

@jreno78 Thanks very much for the kind words! This is such a great song to work with. On this song I am playing a Kessler Custom Deluxe tenor and I am using an old Couf J*8S mouthpiece (has a baffle in it). I like the response I get w/the Couf mouthpiece. Reeds I use are usually 2 1/2's but I end up sanding them just a bit to make them a tad more limber. Please subscribe and keep listening! Thanks again for your kind comments!

[supercooled]

Wow, Randy Sherwood is a name that needs to be signed to a label. I love your take on this because it isn't just a linear reproduction. To be honest, I'd say it could be an entirely new tune if I didn't know any better. I heard a hint of Gato Barbieri in your styel --- very well played sir; a lot of soul.

Can you possibly upload a HQ version? Youtube neutered the quality.

[SaxyGuyDestin]

Wow! Thank you so much! I dearly love music and my biggest desire is that my love for music is conveyed in my playing. Thanks so very much for listening and for your words of encouragement! I will try to see if I can get a better quality upload to YouTube. I have a green screen and will be putting up some more videos in the near future. Thanks again for your kind comments!

[betgilson]

my favorite Randy´s performance.

[SaxyGuyDestin]

Gilson - thanks so much my friend! I love the song and I'm so glad you do too! I'm very glad that you appreciate my efforts - thanks again for the very kind words!

[betgilson]

@jreno78 Hi,

hey I think Randy is playing here a underrated Kessler Custom Deluxe. Randy roooocks.

[paulina1330]

You have such a beautiful sound! :D I wish i could sound pretty like that! i have a selmer prelude. What kind is yours?! Is there a way you can post a video or send me a message with notes? Youre awesome

[SaxyGuyDestin]

Thanks! Please keep listening!

[SaxyGuyDestin]

Pascal! Thanks my friend for your assistance with the style! You are an amazing keyboard player and I hope we can collaborate much more in the future! Happy 2010 my friend!