Mark Maxwell, Saxophonist

Here’s a review of my most recent CD, Saxual Healing, done by Betsy Graziani Fasbinder, a writer here in the Nevada City, CA area:

I’m a relative newcomer to the Foothills, so maybe natives are familiar with Mark Maxwell, but this local musician is a new discovery for me. When asked to review Maxwell’s new CD release, “Saxual Healing” (clearly a Marvin Gaye allusion) I’ll admit that the title initially made me scratch my head–just a little. I’ve now enjoyed the collection several dozen times. Like a good merlot, these songs get better with each sip.

Maxwell’s music cannot be described without using the word smooth. His sax is sultry and as easy on the spirit. The sound quality is clear and uncluttered. Nothing jarring, no dissonant, anti-melodic jazz riffs, no frantic, over-played melodies—just a silky sax melody that seems as if it’s conjured with human voice rather than by an instrument. While the musicianship is abundant, it doesn’t intrude with any musical muscle flexing. As a novelist, I found it easy to write with the CD playing around me. As the title would imply, this is also great background for, eh-hem, other activities besides writing.

Don’t let the word “background” make you nervous. “Saxual Healing” is no elevator music, with flavorless, instrumentals that plant subliminal ear-worms of annoyance. Nobody wants Muzak intruding on their romance, only to find the mood broken with the question, “Hey, isn’t that ‘Like a Virgin’?” From start-to-finish “Saxual Healing” sets a mood, with not a single note that breaks it.

As I listened to Maxwell’s music for the first time, I thought about how much it appealed to a woman’s sensual sensibilities. No pounding bass line. No abrupt changes of tone. The cover liner and website (www.saxualhealing.com) validated my hunch, noting that this music is co-produced by Mark Maxwell and his wife, Roberta Maxwell. The musical story is intended as a woman’s expression of sensual essence. I love when I’m right.

Seven of ten of the pieces are Mark Maxwell originals, among which is the especially gentle and playful “By Her Side”. One of my surprising favorites (given how much I loved the original) is “Falling”, an Alicia Keyes cover that is simply so sexy that it makes you want to put the kids to bed early.

Now that I know Mark Maxwell’s music, I’ll be checking into his other recordings and hoping that I find him playing around the community. Until then, I think I’ll tuck the kids in and put the CD on—as background.

Betsy Graziani Fasbinder is a local writer, and psychotherapist–currently without a couch. She lives for characters, songs and stories that take her out of her own noisy head and transport her using her heart, mind or funny bone as vehicles.

Thanks, Betsy!

This photo, from 1951, captures the essence of the ecstasy of a true saxual healing. Check out those dudes in the front row. What a scream! I’ve got to try that - laying on my back and playing.

That’s one of my missions in life: the inspire that kind of feeling.

Photo by Bob Willoughby.

In response to my article “7 Reasons Why The Saxophone Rocks“:

We need more of these in the world don’t you think? Check out those sexy suits.  And how often do you see a saxophone that huge (that’s a rare bass saxophone)?  Wow!

Thanks, Jay Taska, for the pic!

It seems that everyone loves the sax. People tell me constantly how much they love the sax. (You probably do, too, or you wouldn’t be reading this.)

But why? What is it about the sax that’s so wonderfully cool? And why does it effect so many people so strongly? Here are my thoughts on the subject:

1. Sax makes you feel good. The very sound of the sax does something to you. It touches you. It tickles your nervous system. In a good way.
2. Sax sounds great anytime, in just about any kind of music, and makes almost any band more fun to listen to, even lousy ones. Even country music. Even polkas!
3. Sax creates great ambiance. The sax sounds hip, sophisticated, relaxed, sensuous and romantic, and always creates great atmosphere.
4. The sax looks cool. Even just the look of the instrument itself is artistic and fun. Even just having a sax laying around the room creates a hip ambiance.
5. Sax music takes you… A good sax player can really take you places like no other instrument. Sure, guitar players would argue with that, but its true!
6. Sax players are cool people. Almost universally. And I know a lot of them.
7. Sax & Sex. And I think you know what I mean. Need I say more?