photo from inside cover of Saint Christopher's Last Chance At Freedom

words by Michael Todd | photos by Kat Buchanan

Chris Webster directs with wide gestures, demonstrating the loud chorus to another Lincoln musician Josh Hoyer, who nods as he paces a bit, saxophone hung around his neck.

As they map out the recording of a sax solo, the two represent distinctly different parts of the Nebraska music scene: Webster, with his spit- and expletive-filled rock with heart, and Hoyer, with his keys- and wistful stare-filled R&B/funk with soul. But however far away they might be on that spectrum, they come together in one song, "The Path That We Take," which encourages Hoyer to step a bit closer toward Webster's hard-edged sound.

With blasts of notes something like an animal call, Hoyer recorded the solo between 17th and 18th streets on O Street, in the kind of friend's studio with a Slayer flag on the wall, instruments across the floor and empty bottles of liquor here and there. And it seems he nailed the performance, too, as Webster says they chose the first take to use as the sax solo.

Listen to the final result here, and see photos from the recording session below. Webster releases "The Path That We Take" as part of his Saint Christopher album, Last Chance At Freedom, on May 11 at The Bourbon in Lincoln. Hear more of the album and a live performance when Saint Christopher plays Hear Nebraska FM, April 25 from 6 to 7 p.m. on 89.3 KZUM.

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Michael Todd is Hear Nebraska's managing editor. He can't wait to hear Webster on HN's radio show, Hear Nebraska FM, next Thursday, April 25 from 6 to 7 p.m. Reach Michael at michaeltodd@hearnebraska.org.