Most people don’t know that the song Spooky, made famous by the Classics IV, was actually originally recorded as an instrumental by saxophonist Mike Shapiro in the mid 60s. It was later rerecorded by the Classics IV in 1967 after guitarist James Cobb and producer Buddy Buie added the lyrics.

Apparently, Mike Shapiro had the same publishing company as Cobb and Buie, who heard the tune, liked it, and put lyrics to it.

The classic element of this story is that Shapiro ended up playing the great sax solo on the Classics IV version. I’ve always loved the tone and style of that solo, kind of jazzy and slightly edgy.

Here’s a version of the original recording of Spooky featuring Mike Shapiro on the tenor saxophone:

You’ve got to love this guy’s tie, and his serene demeanor. I especially like the reflection of the ceiling fan on the bell of this beautiful big-ass sax. Oh, yes – the song is Sophisticated Lady. 9 octaves down.

As a saxophonist and recording artist who’s out and about quite a bit, I constantly hear from people who tell me how the sound of the saxophone effects them in their hearts, their souls, and their lives. There is something about the sound of the saxophone that has a clear and profound effect on many, many people.

Here are a few typical comments I hear on a very regular basis:

“It puts me in the mood, and helps me to remember how lucky I am to have someone to love.”

“…it put me into a trance. In my mind I was transported to a Paris street side café looking into the eyes of my wife; it was a magical daydream – the air was filled with love.”

Now I’ve been playing the saxophone for 45 years and I do have some modest talent on the instrument. However, the point I’m making in this article has nothing to do with me. It has to do with the saxophone itself, and how the very sound of the saxophone effects the human nervous system. (more…)