Spooky....... Classics IV

[paullanfermeijer]

Hi,

Spooky is a 1968 hit of the Classic IV and also known in a version of the Alabama Rhytm Section in the mid '70.
When you hear the number you'll say..... AHA

I'm searching for the notes of the saxsolo in it or the changes/chords of this piece!

Come on.........."old" guys!!!!!!! help me!

Paul

[kingperkoff]

You'll probably have to transcribe it yourself or go to www.saxsolos.com
and get Curtis Swift to do it for you.

[paullanfermeijer]

King!!

What a hint!!!
I've lying around here the list of Curtis and..........number 296 is..........Spooky!

Thanks for the simple hint!!
Paul

[1saxman]

The solo was by Mike Sharp on tenor. Every band I've been in, including when the song was hot, played it in F (G on tenor). I've never seen a transcription of any solo, even a simple rock and roll one like Spooky, that was correct. The reason is, some things can't be written. You can play the notes, but that don't make it happen. It will, however, give you a starting point. It's like that sax player Richard Elliot; a good sax player, but he tries to play a Jr. Walker song - heck, THE Jr. Walker song - Shotgun, in that wimpy-ast smooth jazz style. The guy doesn't even flutter-tongue where it should be. Reminds me of Kenny G playing What Does It Take - another Jr. Walker song in case you just fell off the turnip truck - at least he has a sound on tenor and did okay on it, albeit with not much energy. BTW, I like Kenny's playing and his soprano sound. I like Richard Elliot, too, but sometimes these guys get desperate for something to record, and somebody says 'How about that Jr. Walker tune - everybody likes that'. Next thing you know, there's a new album-stuffer in the can. Anyway, good luck on finding the Spooky solo, but I wish you would just listen to it and work it out while digging and emulating the nuances. That solo was a big reason the record made it to the top, and Mike put out an album afterwards called 'The Spooky Sound of Mike Sharp'. The Classics IV made sure to have a good sax ride on their next records, using Mike and others on alto and tenor. They eventually became the Atlanta Rhythm Section.

[Bill Mecca]

In the scheme of things that solo isn't a difficult one to pick out by ear. Heck if I can do it......:-)