Download Instrumental    Whitney Houston – not my favorite singer. In fact, when I hear one of her songs on the radio, it’s a scramble to turn it OFF!  Beautiful voice, sure… but it’s the incessant screeching and screaming she insisted on inserting into every song that I can’t take.  And don’t even talk to me about “I Will Always Love You”.  The only thing worse than Houston is Dolly Parton warbling that irritating melody.  I know, there are those of you out there who absolutely adored Whitney and I humbly apologize.

However, “Savin’ All My Love for You” is one of my favorite songs ever and it was Whitney’s first hit – even won her a Grammy in 1985.  I remember the first time I heard it.  “Who is THAT?” was my first thought.  The vocals were so velvety and crystal clear – the music tight and professional – the arrangement just perfect.  I was an instant fan but, unfortunately, it went downhill from there…. at least for me.  She never did another song I liked… and some I hated.  But I still cling to this one and every singer I’ve worked with since ’85 has agreed to perform it – and it didn’t take much persuading.  So, all you new singers without a band, put this one in your repertoire.  The backing tracks are on the Pop/Rock list.

What was most fun about putting this one together was the tenor sax toward the end.  There’s not a sweeter sound in the whole world than a tenor saxophone played by someone who understands the complexity of the instrument.  My keyboard sax voice doesn’t even come close to the real thing.  Wait, I take that back – it does come close – especially when it reaches that high “A” at the end along with the lead. But I really miss playing along with a real sax player.  Maybe I need to put the band back together.