Will You? Hazel O'Connor (full version) sung (nearly!) and played by Darren Stephens

[@kennethpaultargett5483]

Saxophone has absolutely nailed it ..... Honestly...... Absolutely Brilliant Beautiful.... As Good As Original.....

[@saxstephens]

Thanks a lot for your comment, it's much appreciated. Its the sax solo that made me want to play in the first place so I'm glad I've done it justice.👍

[@lexicrane]

Very well done indeed and you have put your own take on it. Just a couple of pointers, sometimes vibrato can begin later in a note and the bends could be more relaxed. Once again nice one. Wesley.

[@saxstephens]

Thank you so much Wesley for you positive and constructive comment. After 30 years of admiring this song and the way in which you play it, it is a massive compliment for me that you enjoyed my attempt at playing the solo and I will definitely take your advice on board. The most emotional part of the song for me is where it reaches a climax at around 4.01. On the original you play a hell of a bend in the note that was impossible for me to replicate. An insight into how you produced that sound would be invaluable! Anyway the fact that you've taken the time to listen will stay with me for a long time and give me encouragement to keep putting in the hours even though the prospect of gigging this year isn't looking good. Wishing you all the best Wesley and thank you once again!:)

[@briantack2058]

How great of you to reply Wesley. I play yours nearly every day.

[@asteroideb54]

Ceci dit votre prestation est élégante et fidèle à son original

[@ronaldpatterson3656]

The sax playing is an absolute credit to you sir . Well done . Vocals are a tiny bit weak , but everything in the right place . I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed your version , and that you must love the song asch as I do , for thick end of 40 years now . And to Wesley McGoogan, thank you for creating this song

[@saxstephens]

Many thanks for your comment. I was hoping to get together with a vocalist to record Hazel's vocals but Covid got in the way so I thought sod it I'll have to sing it myself as a guide for the sax and I'm definitely not a singer! It is one of those songs that always stops me in my tracks and takes me on an emotional journey so all credit to Wesley and the fact that he commented on it is just the icing on the cake for me. Glad you enjoyed!

[@asteroideb54]

J'aime la musique d'Hazel O'CONNOR depuis les années 80 autrement dit cela fait un BAIL.......jusqu'en 2022

[@asteroideb54]

Le Saxophone est toujours aussi agréable à écouter

[@wisher21uk]

Brilliant Darren bravo 👏

[@saxstephens]

Thank you, much appreciated.👍

[@ianboswell4773]

256 views your joking. Absolutely brilliant. Great job

[@saxstephens]

Thanks for your positive comment. Much appreciated, glad you enjoyed!👍

[@3107197000]

The best cover version I've heard.. Excellent playing.. Bravo 👍👍👍

[@saxstephens]

Thank you for taking the time to listen, much appreciated, glad you enjoyed!👍

[@tonyrutherford9772]

Well done Sir. Loved the saxaphone part

[@saxstephens]

Much appreciated, glad you enjoyed.👍

[@briantack2058]

Really enjoyed it thank you. I have your other version without the voice

[@lizmushens1735]

Tears

[@saxstephens]

Yes very emotional solo to play as well. Wesley put so much feeling in to the original and that's what makes it such a beautiful piece of music and is why the sax is such a wonderful instrument.👍

[@sb.8769]

Superb 👍

[@saxstephens]

Many thanks, glad you enjoyed!🎷😎👍

[@brianmellett2513]

Absolutely Fantastic & Thank-you

[@saxstephens]

Cheers mate, much appreciated!

[@dekwill]

Brilliantly done how long you been playing I’ve just started

[@saxstephens]

Been playing over 30 years and gigging harder than ever at the mo. Great to hear you've just started, the world needs more sax players. Be patient, practice 30 mins a day if possible and enjoy! It won't happen over night but you will get there and it will be worth the wait! Good luck!

[@FirebladeJimmy]

Absolutely Brilliant Darren ... Cheers For Sharing And A Happy New Year To You 👍

[@saxstephens]

A Happy New Year to you as well mate. Glad you enjoyed!👍

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Well done buddy

[@saxstephens]

Many thanks mate.👍

[@stumusic]

Just discovered this, well done sir, great job :)

[@saxstephens]

Much appreciated, glad you enjoyed!:)

[@briantack2058]

I've got your version too Stuart

[@stumusic]

@@briantack2058 Cheers Brian!

[@davidmenary6909]

Your solo is played with the same spirit and emotion as Wesley Magoogan. Brilliant tone and articulation, best sax cover version on KZbin. I am interested to know about your sax, reed, and mouthpiece set up. Also do you play with your bottom lip rolled over your teeth or rolled out. In any case regardless of set up, I am sure the sound you have developed in your playing is what your ears have taught you. Just like listening to the original sax recording. Perfect!!

[@saxstephens]

Hi David, many thanks for your comment, positivity is very welcome at the mo whilst all gigs are on hold!! I use a yamaha custom 875 which I've played for almost 30 years with an Aaron Drake Contemporary mouthpiece and ligature with a Legere signature 2.25 synthetic reed. My embouchre is made by folding my lip over my bottom teeth. This solo by Wesley inspired me to play sax and I love the way in which he has a beautiful control of his vibrato, growling and bending of the notes which I think makes the solo so emotional. Because I was so much inspired by his playing, my own sound has seemed to have developed in his style where I love to use the same techniques to get the most out of every note. To have written and performed such an epic song shows just what a great musician he is.:) Good luck with the playing!

[@davidmenary6909]

Many sax pros have said bottom lip pushed forward and therefore not rolled over bottom teeth, gives the best sound improvement as less pressure allows the reed to vibrate freely. I have tried to change to this method but find there is less control. You have a great tone so maybe you have a loose bottom lip to allow the reed to vibrate without getting a muffled sound. If you watch KZbin videos of Michael Lington playing on a similar top end Yamaha, he creates his sound with bottom lip out.

[@briantack2058]

How long were you playing before you had your first attempt at playing this?

[@saxstephens]

As I was learning to play the sax, I used this solo to try different techniques as I was taught them. Ie I'd play a few lines from it to practice vibrato, growling etc so it's always been a big part of my development as a player. The feeling Wesley puts into it has influenced the way I approach most songs that I play at my solo gigs. It was only a matter of time before I got round to attempting to record it about 12 years ago, 18 years after starting learning the sax.

[@briantack2058]

@@saxstephens thank you. Amazing. I bought a sax at age 76. Learnt a bit but needed a target. If someone had only showed me the first few notes of this it would have kept my interest.

[@saxstephens]

I hope you're still playing, you're never too old to start learning to play music so get on it.👍

[@briantack2058]

@@saxstephens well covid price increases got me. I was forced to sell it. May win the lottery this week and nip out and get another!

[@asteroideb54]

J'aime bien l'hommage rendu à HAZEL O'CONNOR toutefois je préfére l'entendre ELLE..........désolée

[@saxstephens]

Merci beaucoup! J'adore Hazel O'connor aussi!:)