We're "Going Home" . . .
A fanpage for Grammy award winning saxophone legend Kenneth Bruce Gorelick! Long Live The King!
Email me: [email protected]
UPDATES
Music video premiere! Weston first emailed me in 2017 to share his album "Gloves Come Off" full of saxophone excitement and now here we are premiering "Flamingo!" their debut music video! They are a musician/director/video maker/and more! We chatted about Weston's music, Kenny, easy listening, and Silhouette (1988)! Click the photo above to see his video!
*Note: This is a long post so please bare with us! Some mature content, may not be for everyone!
KGW: How did you first get into Kenny G?
WA: Growing up I heard Kenny around. My uncle had a few CDs he'd put on during dinner or family things. I didn't think much of the music but I really liked the 80s looking cover of Gravity. Did some casual listening and cratedigging in college. Then in 2017 I went full fanboy.
Kenny's 1985 release 'Gravity' and its "vaporwave" cover
KGW: How can we get more young people like you excited about Kenny and his work?
WA: Well it's interesting I have a theory that Vaporwave was our Trojan horse to get easy listening and adult contemporary back into popular culture and kids ears. Basically the idea being Vaporwave is this "cool" chopping & screwing, repurposing of "uncool" music but at the heart of the vaporwave song is the melody, lyrics, and ethos of the original piece. So a natural progression for listeners, in theory, would be to look to the sources and challenge themselves to see the importance of the subject material in what they like about Vaporwave. I don't think that happened to anyone unfortunatly.
A "Vaporwave" representation of Kenny's 'Songbird'
KGW: Let's talk about the music video. How did it come to be here?
WA: I've been directing music videos for other people for a long time now including my good friend's Dorian Electra and Mood Killer. When I completed the EP I knew I wanted to make a quick video to promote my image and 'Flamingo' was a good reflection of everything I stood for. We shot the video as a tribute to Kenny G's 'Silhouette' video, you know with the slow-motion theater and whatnot. There's a little of the 'Songbird' video in there too just for good measure.
KGW: How did Rodeo drive influence the video?
WA: Well the song is kinda about fitting into new, very exclusive social circles; the pressure that comes with that to conform or to stand out. It's a song about being yourself. It's also about wearing what makes you feel good. So often Dorian Electra and I challenge ourselves to wear the most rediculous thing possible when we go out. It gets results. The easiest way to iconic is to dress like a clown.
Weston outside The Gap (Photo by Greg Reigh)
KGW: Why are Gap, Talbots, Chicos and similar stores featured in 'Flamingo'?
WA: The excessive brands in the video kind of play to the kind of clothes I pick up at the Goodwill and fashion into a look. These are the types of clothes you find in thrift stores across the Midwest. I wanted to stand outside these businesses at night and cellebrate them. I want to challenge them to accept a customer like me. I want them to acknoledge lots of people have sex and have kinks in these clothes. These are the types of stores I imagine most of Kenny's fans wear so I wanted to own that. The majority of what I'm wearing in the video is from these stores.
KGW: You mentioned to me you wanted to be the face of Gap. Why is this?
WA: Well, just A face. Maybe not THE face. Unfortunatly SZA and Metro already beat me to it.
KGW: What about Mickey Mouse in the video? I thought this part was very funny but also touching.
WA: Thanks! Yeah the Mickey headphones are a pretty toungue-in-cheak representation of how easy listening effects me in a very emo way. Like this Brazil-like pumping in of sad, sappy adult contemporary as a form of torture but also comfort.
KGW: Are those real tears in the video?
WA: Maybe!
Weston crying wearing Mickey Mouse headphones (Photo by Greg Reigh)
KGW: What's your favorite Kenny album(s)?
WA: Really hard to say, depends on my mood. Obviously Duotones is what made him a household name but I think conceptually and consistantly Silhouette is my fan favorite.
KGW: You'd requested we get really "stanny" about Kenny in this interview. For those who aren't "stans" what are three good introductury Kenny tracks?
WA: Really could talk about this all day so I'll keep it brief. I think the top 3 tracks anyone can get behind and think are cool are Gravity, Against Doctor's Orders, and, Champagne. They're easy introductions because of their killer production and relaxing tone. I think they give off enough of a electro vibe to keep the music snobs nodding their heads, whilst providing enough saxophone mastery and emotional punch for openhearted music listeners.
KGW: What about some of Kenny's early work like G Force and Gravity? Is this good introductary listening?
WA: All the early stuff is obviously very Kashif heavy. No offense to Kashif he's the Eno to Kenny's Bowie but I feel like the sax speaks for itself. Kashif has amazing solo material I actually prefer over his Kenny G collaborations like his album "Condition Of The Heart". Really amazing production. Shockingly honest lyrics. Like "Stay The Night" is so shockingly honest you kinda laugh but the music is so emotional you're just captivated. Then there's tracks like "Botha Botha" an anti-apartheid jam like right after that. Also check out the Kenny G extended remix at the end. The album's a hidden gem. Really beautiful. So sad he passed away recently. Really would have loved to have worked with him.
Kashif's seminal Condition Of The Heart (1985)
KGW: In contrast to this what are three tracks you enjoy but the average fan might overlook?
WA: Big stand outs are the gutwrenching I'll Be Alright, the haunting Esther where you can hear Kenny's spit (seriously, go listen to it), and honestly, Songbird. I know that's a shocker but I feel like that song is so famous we've been desensitized to it. I'm not joking when I say I put it up there with other hits in 1986 like 'Life's What You Make It' by Talk Talk and 'Borderline' by Madonna.
KGW: You mentioned to me when you emailed that you love Kenny's sense of humor. Why do you think this is?
WA: He's very self aware. I imagine he has a social media team but I chose to believe he does it all on his own. Sax puns aren't hard but I feel like he goes above and beyond. Seems like a fun guy. I found this GIF that I think is pretty amazing:
KGW: What can we expect next from Weston Allen?
WA: More videos, more music, and hopefully a Kenny collab someday. I'm crossing my fingers.
You can learn more about Weston Allen on their website WWW.WestonGAllen.COM
Early to bed, early to rise. Exciting news soon! Listened to some quick music today on my morning jog before heading over to Starbucks to meet an old friend from high school! So fun, Lively discussion and good food! Can't wait to stay in tonight though and relax. Long week ahead, lots of work.
Got my tickets for Seatle! Get them before it is too late!!!!! Going 4/13/18. See you there everyone:
Get your tickets at: https://www.kennyg.com/events/
Had a great time in Atlantic city seeing a few shows and going out to eat with Sam. We talked about catching Kenny at Blue Note later this year since he's doing a whole host of shows. Exciting stuff! I was hoping he'd be on the east coast before the end of the year but looks like we're not getting many dates. That makes a lot of sense given the proximity. Looking forward to making a trip out to California before long!
Happy new year! I have a lot of big ideas for this page this year and I look forward to sharing them with all of you. I appriciate all your emails! Please email me suggestions for Kenny/Saxophone/music content to share! My email is at the top of my page
Merry Christmas everyone! You better believe I'm listening to Kennys 'Classic Christmas' today! No snow but we're hoping for it. Should be cold
Eric, a friend of mine made this amazing list of saxophone pics and animated images I figured all you Kenny/sax fans might enjoy:
Baritone- Blue baritone pic
Neon Sanborn- Awesome pic
Beattles pic- Sgt. Pepper's sax ensemble
Sax man 4- Awesome pic
Zoot- Muppet plays the sax
Zoot in the rain- Muppet has a rainy gig
Clinton- Monica's man doin' his thing
Big Bell Sax- Cool pic
Bird Grave- Charlie Parkers grave site
Black & White Soprano- Great pic
Black & White Sax- Very nice pic
Blaring Sax- Animated pic
Blown Sax- Exploded sax
Blue Sax- Pretty cool pic
Brass Sax- Awesome pic
Big sax- Worlds largest sax
Lisa Sax 1- Animated pic
Lisa Sax 2- Lisa Simpson plays the sax
Lisa Sax 3- Lisa wails away
Lisa Sax 4- Lisa and her axe
Contra Bass- Very awesome sax
Blue Sax- Very nice neon sign type sax
Brass Sax- My tenor sax tie-tack
Cartoon Sax- Pretty wierd pic
Cbird- Charlie Parker pic
Cookie Monster- Cookie Monster plays the sax
Dancing sax- Animated pic
Electric sax- Cool pic
Fingers- Kenny G's fingers
Fingers Negative- Interesting effect on above pic
Jazz Man- Dude playin' the sax
Jazz Cat- A cat practicing the sax
Jazz trio- Animated pic
Keys- Wonderful pic of sax keys
L.A. Sax- Awesome saxophone.
Little spin sax- Animated pic
Live Jazz- Great pic
M&M- Greenie plays the blues
Music Frog- Drawing of a frog w/sax
Neon sax- Very cool sax effect
Playin sax- Animated pic
Psyche Sax- Peace and love dude
Bird Bust- Charlie Parker
Revolving Sax- Animated pic
Saksofon- Guy playing the tenor
Sanborn 1- Picture of the great one
Sanborn 2- Another pic
Sanborn 3- Another pic
Sanborn 4- Another pic
Sanborn 5- Another Sanborn pic
Sax pic 12- Very nice sax image
Wierd Alto- Wierd alto pic
Big Bad Wolf- Wolf plays the sax
Sax Icon- Nice little sax icon
Sax Icon 2- Animated pic
Sax Icon 3- Another sax icon
Sax Icon 4- Another icon
Belgium Frank- Adolfe Sax imortalized
Blue M&M- Blue M&M plays the sax
Coltrane- Painting of John Coltrane
Green Tenor- Great pic of a reallyl cool sax
Jammin Sax- Kool pic of guy playing the sax
Lucy Sax- Lucy plays the sax
Sax Bell- Nice close up of sax bell
Sax Charm- My saxophone charm
Sax Coloring- Cool little sax cartoon
Sax Drawing- Stencil drwing of sax
Sax Family- Pic of all eight saxes
Sax Girl Art- Drawing of girl playing the sax
Sax Keys- Nice close up pic
Sax Man 1- Pic at top of page
Sax Man 2- Another great pic
Sax Man 3- Another great pic
Sax Monkey- More fun then a barrel of monkeys
Sax Notes Black- Animated pic
Sax Notes- Kool pic
Sax Pic- Animated pic
Sax Roses- Saxophone covered in roses
Sax Stencil- Kool sax drawing
Crazy Bari- Awsome bari pic
Sax Sun Pic- Animated pic
Sax Tile- Good sax pic
Sax And Keyboard- Sax man playing behind keyboard
Sax Anim- Animated pic
Sax Blast- Lots of saxes
Sax Boy- Little boy interested in the sax
Sax Frog- Frog plays the sax
Sax Girl- Little girl plays the sax
Sax Junk- Strange sax
Sax Light- A light made from saxes
Sax Man Scribble- Animated pic
Sax O Net- Clarinet and sax players
Sax Photo- Kool sax effect
Sax Player- Kewl pic
Sax Rabbit- Rabbit plays the sax
Sax Winkel- Strange sax pic
Sax World- Pretty kewl pic
Selmer 4- Nice tenor pic
Shadow Sax man- very good little pic
Silver sax- Awesome pic
Soprano Pic- Blue soprano pic
Street Jazz- Street performer
Tenor Pic- Blue tenor pic
Toy Soldier- Toy soldier plays the sax
Evolution of Band- Very good pic
Gums 12- Bleeding Gums Murphy
Sax On The Beach- Bleeding Gums' Record
Radio Sax- Animated pic
Sax Cloud- Saxophone w/cloud of smoke coming out the bell
Sax Coins- Animated pic
Sax Notes 12- Interesting pic
Sax 21- Good tenor pic
Sax 12- Good pic
Sax Drawing 21- Nice drawing of a sax
Sax Wind- Kool pic
Small Sax- Very nice cartoon like sax
Soprano Ani- Animated pic
Tenor Sax 21- Nice tenor pic
Sax Player 1212- Nice pic
Lisa Sax 5- Lisa Simpson leaning on her sax
Lisa Sax 6- Lisa plays with her shades on
Lisa Sax 7- Lisa playing her sax
Lisa Sax 8- Lisa Rides her bike with her sax
Lisa Sax 9- Lisa Giving it her all
Lisa Sax 10- Nice pic of Lisa doing her thing
Lisa and Murphy- Lisa with Bleeding Gums Murphy
Bleeding Gums Murphy- Nice pic of Springfield's greatest
Bleeding Gums Standing- Another good pic
Murphy- Another Bleeding Gums pic
Sax Rotate- Animated pic
Blue Man Sax- A blue sax man doing his thing
Sax Pick- Very nice sax Clip Art pic
Sax Clip Art- Another nice Clip Art pic
Sax Clip Art 2- Very cool pic
Sax Clip 3- Very nice black & white pic
Sax Clip 4- Excellent clip art pic
Wire Sax- Very cool
Soprano Man- Animated pic
Cat Sax Icon- Nice little icon of a cat playing the sax
Teddy Bear Sax Icon- Animated pic
Enjoy!
Pretty funny list my friend Eric sent last night. The Top Ten reasons to play the saxophone. #1 and #6 are my favorites. Enjoy!
10. You can call yourself sax guy/girl/person.
9. That curvy shape.
8. Do you really want to stick your hand up a French Horn?
7. Reeds taste good (especially if you soak them in beer).
6. You too can have your very own sax page.
5. You don't see many Oboes in marching and jazz bands.
4. Lord knows you don't want to play Clarinet.
3. Its good enough for Clinton.
2. It exercises your kissing abilities.
1. All those sax/sex puns.
Left St. Louis yesterday from seeing my granddaughter's recital and got to stop in at the Saxophone Shop: Saxquest. Lots of interesting stuff in there and I recommend you check out their webpage here below:
