Has an oboe ever been used in rock or blues?

dangnewt · #1 01-12-2007, 09:07 PM

Are there any rock or blues songs that have an oboe part in them or parts that other instruments played but that an oboe would work? My wife played it in college and it would be fun if she would play a song or two with my band.

Can it do the flute parts from Jethro Tull or Marshall Tucker songs? That is about all I can come up with.

MichaelScott · #2 01-12-2007, 09:30 PM

Most Jethro tull flute parts are probably too high for an oboe. You might be able to transpose them down an octave.

Vandelay · #3 01-12-2007, 09:42 PM

Looks like Wikpedia has a short list, none of them particularly major hits or anything. But I do like the "Automatic for the People" album.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oboe#Rock

dangnewt · #4 01-12-2007, 09:49 PM

That's right - those Tull flute parts did get pretty high.

dangnewt · #5 01-12-2007, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vandelay

Looks like Wikpedia has a short list, none of them particularly major hits or anything. But I do like the "Automatic for the People" album.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oboe#Rock

Me, too. I have both of the REM albums mentioned in the Wiki article - I'll make sure to throw them in the car and play them as we drive out to my folks house. She is a big fan of REM as well.

**mr sprocket** · #6 01-12-2007, 10:20 PM

Roxy Music and Dream Academy come to mind. Some synth parts from the Buggles and A-Ha might work.

JimmyM · #7 01-12-2007, 10:29 PM

The Move (early band of Jeff Lynne and Bev Bevan of ELO) has a couple songs with oboe. "It Wasn't My Idea To Dance" springs to mind immediately. It wasn't a hit but it does have oboe.

bongomania · #8 01-12-2007, 10:39 PM

Synth parts are a good idea, probably easier to find, transcribe, and play than whatever is already "intended" for oboe in rock.

I can't resist repeating the old saw defining the oboe as "an ill woodwind that no-one blows good".

Peter McFerrin · #9 01-12-2007, 11:10 PM

A couple of '70s King Crimson albums have oboe on them--Islands and Red, IIRC.

I agree with Bongomania. It would be hilarious to play a version of a really cheesy synth lead on oboe--"The Final Countdown," say.

dangnewt · #10 01-12-2007, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter McFerrin

A couple of '70s King Crimson albums have oboe on them--Islands and Red, IIRC.

I agree with Bongomania. It would be hilarious to play a version of a really cheesy synth lead on oboe--"The Final Countdown," say.

Cheesy synth lead on oboe? She might go for that, she is from Wisconsin. Plus we met in 1981 - cheesy synth lines were all the rage during our courtship and newlywed years.

dangnewt · #11 01-12-2007, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

I can't resist repeating the old saw defining the oboe as "an ill woodwind that no-one blows good".

True enough - it is a very difficult instrument to even get a sound out of, let alone anything resembling music. And all the futzing with the reeds would drive me nuts. But played well, it is a gorgeous sound. She has only played it once in the 22 years we've been married and that was about 5 years ago. I thought she sounded great.

dangnewt · #12 01-12-2007, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

I can't resist repeating the old saw defining the oboe as "an ill woodwind that no-one blows good".

The other old saw is that oboists are all neurotic. She isn't, but then again, maybe she was when she was playing a lot.

bongomania · #13 01-13-2007, 12:36 AM

I can just imagine you sitting at the bar, haggard, with a row of empty glasses in front of you. The bartender asks "Buddy, what happened to you?" ...and you reply: "My wife was a secret oboist all those years... I tried to encourage and support her, and she completely lost control! She's not the woman I married. *sob* "

deaf pea · #14 01-13-2007, 12:43 AM

my old buddy Jon Clarke left the Don Ellis Orchestra in the mid 70's to join Loggins and Messina. His main intrument was/is oboe, although he plays MANY diferent woodwind instuments. You might check out their (L and M) stuff.

Munjibunga · #15 01-13-2007, 02:06 AM

Think Carpenters.

dave64o · #16 01-13-2007, 07:15 AM

The only thing ones I can think of are some early Genesis albums, around Foxtrot and Selling England By The Pound. Peter Gabriel played oboe on an album or two.

dangnewt · #17 01-13-2007, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

I can just imagine you sitting at the bar, haggard, with a row of empty glasses in front of you. The bartender asks "Buddy, what happened to you?" ...and you reply: "My wife was a secret oboist all those years... I tried to encourage and support her, and she completely lost control! She's not the woman I married. *sob* "

Oboists do seem to be just hanging on, by a slim reed; same is probably true of their spouses.

Of course, then I could write a Country + Western song with oboe in it.

dangnewt · #18 01-13-2007, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Think Carpenters.

Hmmm, maybe handling the "ooohs" and "aahhhs" that the backup singers do.

I'm not sure I could get the rest of the band on board for the Carpenters, though.

dangnewt · #19 01-13-2007, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave64o

The only thing ones I can think of are some early Genesis albums, around Foxtrot and Selling England By The Pound. Peter Gabriel played oboe on an album or two.

She may have those records on vinyl, I'll need to check in the attic.

dangnewt · #20 01-13-2007, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deaf pea

my old buddy Jon Clarke left the Don Ellis Orchestra in the mid 70's to join Loggins and Messina. His main intrument was/is oboe, although he plays MANY diferent woodwind instuments. You might check out their (L and M) stuff.

I think she has some Loggins and Messina on vinyl as well! You guys may be on to something.