Clarence Clemons. The Big Man. A rock ’n’ roll legend so large that it’s gonna take two men to replace him. The revered sax player’s last recordings with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will be released on “Wrecking Ball” March 6, and The Boss tapped two sax men to play his parts on the upcoming tour.
After months of speculation following the saxophonist’s June death, Springsteen announced that Clemons’ nephew Jake Clemons and horn veteran Eddie “Kingfish” Manion will blow on new tracks such as “Land of Hope and Dreams” and classics such as “Born to Run.”
The two players had been slated to appear with Springsteen at last week’s Grammy Awards, but the bandleader instead laid down his latest single, “We Take Care of Our Own,” with a string section.
So the newest E Streeters remain a mystery to most Americans, even though Jake played a flawless rendition of “Amazing Grace” at Clarence’s funeral, and Manion is a veteran fixture on the Jersey Shore who’s already played on several Springsteen solo projects, including 2006’s “Seeger Sessions.”
We’ll get to know Manion and Jake Clemons, who both declined interview requests, after Bruce gives the Apollo Theater a shakedown on March 9, but until then, here’s what a few experts had to say about Clarence’s stand-ins.
Bobby Keys, saxophonist who’s played with everyone from Elvis Presley to the Rolling Stones: “Clarence Clemons had one of the most distinctive sounds in rock. He was a power player whose sound was really honest — he didn’t just blow notes to fill up time in a song. I think the biggest mistake Jake or Eddie could make is to try and imitate him note for note. If they do, they’ll lose the game.”
Chris Phillips, editor and publisher of Backstreets Magazine, which chronicles Springsteen: “I think Jake is an interesting choice because saxophone isn’t his primary instrument. Yet as important as his talent is, it’s almost as important that he’s in the family. I know Eddie’s work very well because he’s played with Bruce so often. He’s a presence and he’s experienced. Between the two of them, Bruce is getting the best of both worlds.”
Gary Appleton, Jersey Shore stalwart and founder of the Big Fat Pet Clams From Outer Space, who Manion has recorded with: “Eddie is one of the great rhythm and blues players. He isn’t the best sax player in the world, but he’s a total pro and has the ability to get along with anybody. On the Shore he’s really got seniority, since ’75 he’s been the second or third sax player in the Asbury mafia, so it’s not a surprise to hear he’s with Springsteen. As for Jake, I think Bruce wants him to keep the Clemons tradition going. E Street is a cast of characters and Bruce doesn’t want to lose the Clemons name.”
Kirk Whalum, best known for his sax solo on Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You”: “What made Clarence great was onstage personality and musical honesty. So both [Eddie and Jake] have a hard road ahead because they have to not only play the notes, but try and replace his character and chemistry. They can both play, but Jake will probably have more success with fans because of an emotional connection. Whatever the case, the notes are the notes. If they play them right, they won’t get booed off the stage.”
Sam McDonald, who covers the club scene for the Daily Press in Newport News, Va., Jake Clemons’ home town. “[Jake], showed us he’s capable of carrying on that family tradition. He doesn’t hit all the notes, but he has Clarence’s tone and some of his phrasing. Still, it’s surprising to me that he got the call.’’
Marketa Irglova, of folk-rock duo the Swell Season, who has played with Jake: “He knows when to play soft and when to step it up. When you hear him play, you know he has bigger things ahead of him and now he’s with the E Street Band. What people will hear is a man humbly paying tribute to his uncle and they’ll respond to that.”
Victor Goines, longtime saxophonist and clarinetist in Wynton Marsalis’ Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra: “ When you listen to Clarence, Jake and Eddie, the really big difference is how they use vibrato [the wavering quality of a note]. I hear experience in Eddie’s playing — he has maturity in his sound. Jake isn’t as good a player as Clarence or Eddie, but I like his youthfulness and exuberance. I’d tell him not to imitate Clarence as closely as he does and find his own emotional impact. Eddie is experience and Jake is blood.”
daquilante@nypost.com