Man oh man, I really like sax music the way he played it.
Randolph was one of my favorite artists growing up. He had the talent for doing frenetic fast-paced sax solos such as “Yakkety Sax” but also sensual tunes like “Love Is Blue” and “Theme From ‘Love Story’”. His renditions of some tunes were more enjoyable than the actual pop versions. He was a regular at studio work in Nashville backing up other artists for many, many years.
When we moved to Colorado in the late 1960s, the house had an early home intercom system complete with a cassette player. Since we had no cassettes (we had stereo records for home and 8-tracks in the cars), Dad went out to buy some cassettes. The bag he came back with included “The Fantastic Boots Randolph” and I was hooked. What amazing versatility.
In the internet age, all sorts of information springs up you’ve never considered before. So I searched for Boots a few years ago and found a website where he was selling his albums. I sent him an e-mail and he kindly replied a few days later signed “Your Sax Friend, Boots Randolph”.
I’ve transfered some of my Boots albums to CD since so little of his work is available in that medium. My first project was (of course) “The Fantastic Boots Randolph” which instantly takes me back to junior high days in Colorado.
It was wonderful music and I am sad he’s gone. My prayers to him and his family.
My condolences to his friends and family, a great musician; I heard the news via the True Oldies Radio Station; and these things sometimes happen around holidays.
As a point of information; why am I confused about who did the obviously famous piano instrumental of “Last Dance.”