KooperKast
191 episodes - English - Latest episode: 8 days ago - ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsTales from the life of Al Kooper, from songwriter to playing organ for Bob Dylan to producing Lynyrd Skynyrd. Al tells about crossing paths with an amazing cast of characters in rock and beyond. Short podcasts, perfect for those 5-10 minutes time slots.
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Episodes
Odds and Ends
January 15, 2023 04:00 - 7 minutes - 5.34 MBThis episode is three segments that were too short to go out on their own. First Al talks about how one of his favorite musical ideas didn’t make it to New Morning, but will be included on his box set. Then we goof on the idea of a mashup of remaining Beatles and Stones. And then Al talks about how he is back in contact with Judy Collins, a dear friend of his for many years. After each segment, Nilly the Dog adds a brief thought of her own.
Surround Sound
December 08, 2022 05:00 - 12 minutes - 8.49 MBWe talk about Surround Sound, rock stories, songwriting, and just a bunch of things. Nilly the Dog comments after each segment.
The Keyboard Episode
December 01, 2022 05:00 - 12 minutes - 8.97 MBWe take a little different look at the life-changing Like A Rolling Stone recording session which leads back to Al’s first encounter with a piano. Nilly the Dog adds a brief comment after each segment.
Jerry Lee Lewis - Elton John
November 24, 2022 05:00 - 6 minutes - 4.81 MBWe talk about Jerry Lee Lewis which leads sideways to Al’s friendship with Elton John and Bernie Taupin. After each question, Nilly the Dog adds a final comment.
The Wrecking Crew
November 17, 2022 05:00 - 9 minutes - 6.3 MBWe talk about the famous LA studio musicians, the Wrecking Crew, the Nashville cats from Blonde on Blonde, and a bit about artistic success versus commercial success. After each question, Nilly the Dog adds a final comment.
Eight Feet
November 10, 2022 21:00 - 5 minutes - 3.85 MBWe answer a listener question about a girl group for whom Al produced a single in 1665. Nilly the Dog comments after each segment.
Berklee and Boston
November 08, 2022 15:00 - 12 minutes - 8.74 MBHere we arrive in Boston and Berklee College of Music.
Walsh and Cheech
November 01, 2022 14:00 - 8 minutes - 6.24 MBThis two part episode concerns Al’s tour with Joe Walsh and his connection with Cheech Marin. The Joe Walsh story is not to be missed.
Al Kooper in Nashville
October 26, 2022 00:00 - 13 minutes - 9.5 MBThis is the Nashville Episode, where Al moves to the country music capital to get out of LA, until Nashville starts to be too much like LA.
Black 'n' White 'n' Rock 'n' Roll - Two
September 07, 2022 16:00 - 9 minutes - 6.75 MBThis is the second of a series called Black 'n' White 'n' Rock 'n' Roll. Here we jump into the Elvis thing, with a terrific story about young Al and a mythic quest for an Elvis album.
Black 'n' White 'n' Rock 'n' Roll - Three
September 07, 2022 16:00 - 9 minutes - 6.7 MBIn this third episode of Black 'n' White 'n' Rock 'n' Roll we talk about Al learning first hand about race at an Alan Freed show, the strange origin of Hound Dog and many other hits done by Black groups, and Little Richard vs Pat Boone.
Black 'n' White 'n' Rock 'n' Roll - Six
September 07, 2022 16:00 - 10 minutes - 7.18 MBIn this sixth episode of Black 'n' White 'n' Rock 'n' Roll we actually talk about Al’s early and ongoing fascination with Jazz, going to see Horace Silver, Al's father’s jazz 78s, and PeeWee Marquette the little person that was MC at Birdland for years.
Black 'n' White 'n' Rock 'n' Roll - Seven
September 07, 2022 16:00 - 8 minutes - 5.7 MBIn this seventh episode of Black 'n' White 'n' Rock 'n' Roll we start back at the DooWop days and wander up through the Tokens, Al’s 1650 Broadway days and then wind up at Motown.
Black 'n' White 'n' Rock 'n' Roll - One
September 07, 2022 16:00 - 10 minutes - 7.05 MBThis is the first of a series of rambling conversations about race and music that we’re calling Black 'n' White 'n' Rock 'n' Roll. We start with DooWop, pioneered by Black groups and then emulated by many Italian groups.
Black 'n' White 'n' Rock 'n' Roll - Four
September 07, 2022 16:00 - 7 minutes - 5.26 MBIn this fourth episode of Black 'n' White 'n' Rock 'n' Roll we talk about topics from Bo Diddley’s square guitar to the Black music influences on the Beatles and Stones.
Black 'n' White 'n' Rock 'n' Roll - Five
September 07, 2022 16:00 - 7 minutes - 5.17 MBIn this fifth episode of Black 'n' White 'n' Rock 'n' Roll we talk about the strange rock odyssey from Chuck Berry to The Beach Boys to Jimi Hendrix.
Black 'n' White 'n' Rock 'n' Roll - Eight
September 07, 2022 16:00 - 9 minutes - 6.42 MBIn this eighth episode of Black 'n' White 'n' Rock 'n' Roll we look again at the Blues Project and ponder upon Jews in blues, plus Jimmy Reed, John Lee Hooker and then Danny Kalb.
Go Ask Al #36
August 11, 2022 15:00 - 9 minutes - 6.64 MBWe talk about Wake Me Shake Me at Monterrey Pop, and the best version by the Blues Project, and a nice tribute to Danny Kalb. After each question, Nilly the Dog chimes in.
Go Ask Al #38
August 11, 2022 15:00 - 11 minutes - 8.07 MBWe talk about Amy Winehouse, playing the ondioline, and Al’s powerful lack of interest in today’s music. After Al gives his answer, Nilly the Dog adds some canine pondering.
Go Ask Al #37
August 11, 2022 15:00 - 9 minutes - 6.35 MBWe talk about Al’s splendid weirdness, insomnia, getting music from Japan, tuning guitars, and the Amazon review guy. After Al gives his input, Nilly the Dog comments on Al’s comments.
Go Ask Al #32
July 26, 2022 13:00 - 9 minutes - 6.3 MBWe talk about other Brass-Levine-Kooper hits besides This Diamond Ring, the upcoming box set and why Al won’t include in it the Chipmunks version of this diamond ring. Also a comment on Al’s writing vs his playing, and how to get sheet music of songs. After each question, Nilly the Dog adds a brief canine comment.
Go Ask Al #33
July 26, 2022 13:00 - 9 minutes - 6.42 MBWe review Al’s departure from Blood Sweat and tears for a listen in Austria, talk about what keyboard Al used before the Hammond, and a gig where the Funky Faculty couldn’t make it and Al played solo . After Al gives his input, Nilly the Dog comments on Al’s comments.
Go Ask Al #35
July 26, 2022 13:00 - 10 minutes - 7.19 MBWe hear a compliment about Al’s version of a Temptations song and about that infamous Rolling Stone session from a different direction. After Al complete his answers we get further input from Nilly the Dog.
Go Ask Al #34
July 26, 2022 13:00 - 7 minutes - 5.41 MBWe get some feedback about the Kapusta albums, a request for more of Als’ podcast New Music for Old People, and about smoking weed and listening to Al with headphones. After Al gives his answer, Nilly the Dog add a bit of her own wisdom.
Kapusta Number One, Part One
June 09, 2022 19:00 - 7 minutes - 5.06 MBIn this episode Al introduces the very concept of the Kapusta album, then we hear Al calling his folks, back in the 90s. It is a whole different kind of KooperKast.
Kapusta Number One, Part Two
June 09, 2022 19:00 - 6 minutes - 4.92 MBNormally we only get to hear the perfect outcome of studio sessions, but in this series of clips we hear some studio banter and some incredibly fine background singers at work, plus a few moments from live shows. These clips will put you behind the curtain, inside the biz, for a few moments. The group doing the rock-n-roll Silent Night is The Tubes; the guy who is annoyed that his microphone was not on was Ronnie Van Zant of Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Go Ask Al #29
June 02, 2022 14:00 - 14 minutes - 10.1 MBWe answer questions about the infamous Kapusta Christmas albums, who did the laughing on the overture to Child is Father to the Man, how to buy Kooper music from Japan, and Al’s teaching days at Berklee. After each answer Nilly the Dog adds a brief canine rejoinder.
Go Ask Al #30
June 02, 2022 14:00 - 9 minutes - 6.89 MBWe go on for a while… starting from a listener’s question about writing music for and fitting into a band. At the end, Nilly the Dog adds a brief canine retort.
Go Ask Al #31
June 02, 2022 14:00 - 13 minutes - 9.09 MBWe ramble from remembering Bobby Neuwirth to hanging with Dylan at Woodstock, to the great cow encounter on the road with the Blues Project. At the end, Nilly the Dog adds a brief canine summation.
Go Ask Al #28
June 02, 2022 14:00 - 11 minutes - 8.05 MBWe talk at length about David Bromberg and Al’s participation in Dylan’s Self Portrait Album. At the end, Nilly the Dog adds a brief canine observation.
Go Ask Al #26
May 27, 2022 15:00 - 9 minutes - 6.9 MBWe answer a listener question about the phases of Al’s career and him playing at the 64 World’s Fair with Harvey Brooks. And on this episode the neighborhood cats sat in as commentators for Nilly the Dog who was recording a solo album.
Go Ask Al #24
May 27, 2022 15:00 - 7 minutes - 5.16 MBWe answer listener questions about whether Al still plays live, his favorite person ever to work with: Mike Bloomfield, and what Al feels was his greatest musical achievement. (can you guess?) Nilly the Dog was not available because Nilly was off working on a new sitcom for and by dogs, so the comments after each of Al’s answers were done by the neighbor cats.
Go Ask Al #25
May 27, 2022 15:00 - 8 minutes - 5.78 MBWe answer listener questions about Fred Lipsius vs John Simon on keyboards doing Child is Father to the Man, and about Skynyrd before Kooper, at Muscle Shoals, and a bit about Al’s high school days. On this episode the neighborhood cats sat in for Nilly the Dog who was away on tour.
Go Ask Al #27
May 27, 2022 15:00 - 9 minutes - 6.77 MBWe answer a listener question about Gateley’s Cafe and the friendship between Michael Gateley, Robert John, Lou Christie, and Al. And about a 24 hour recording session by that group of singers on Al’s 2nd album, doing Nillson’s Morning Glory Story. Of course, on this episode, Nilly the Dog’s comments after Al’s answers are dubbed into cat by the neighborhood cats.
White Chocolate #1
May 10, 2022 21:00 - 9 minutes - 6.41 MBWe talk about the various Vivino brothers, including Uncle Floyd, and Stax musicians Duck Dunn and Steve Cropper. Submit questions for Al at alkooper.com on the Kooperkast page.
White Chocolate #2
May 10, 2022 21:00 - 11 minutes - 7.84 MBWe talk about writing songs with Gerry Goffin, a tricky song title, and about the legendary Fred Neil. Submit questions for Al at alkooper.com on the Kooperkast page.
White Chocolate #3
May 10, 2022 21:00 - 9 minutes - 6.31 MBWe talk about how Stoller and Lieber bought a great Italian song and recreated it as an English language hit. Submit questions for Al at alkooper.com on the Kooperkast page.
Black Coffee #7
April 23, 2022 17:00 - 7 minutes - 5.34 MBWe talk about how Black Coffee and White Chocolate became obscure albums, a cool Amazon review, and strong All Music review, how Steve Vai moved the project along and about liner notes by Rolling Stone legend Andrew Loog Oldham.
Black Coffee #1
April 23, 2022 17:00 - 7 minutes - 5.12 MBWe talk about The Funky Faculty: Tom Stein, Larry Finn, Bob Dozema, Daryll Lowry, and Jeff Stout; about playing guitar via synth keyboard; and about Keb Mo, the blues wizard.
Black Coffee #2
April 23, 2022 17:00 - 9 minutes - 6.41 MBWe talk about the backup singers, Kathryn Russell, Curtis King, Cheryll Marshall, and… Jimmy Vivino! And about Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham and going to the Apollo with Bobby Hatfield of the Righteous Brothers as guests of Smokey Robinson.
Black Coffee #3
April 23, 2022 17:00 - 8 minutes - 6.07 MBWe talk about a co-writer Sandi Stewart, about Al’s walls of CD that impressed his Aussie friend. And about delivery methods of vinyl, CD, mp3, streaming and …. playing live.
Black Coffee #4
April 23, 2022 17:00 - 8 minutes - 5.71 MBWe talk about the song ION HUE, by Hal Lindis of Dire Straights, and about getting permission to record a song.
Black Coffee #5
April 23, 2022 17:00 - 8 minutes - 5.78 MBWe talk about the Lil Armstrong and her band, working with Ray Charles, and meeting alto sax virtuoso Hank Crawford.
Black Coffee #6
April 23, 2022 17:00 - 8 minutes - 5.96 MBWe talk about getting the audience soul clapping at the Notodden Blues festival to a ten minute version of Comin' Back In A Cadillac. And going on the road with a 14 piece group of hot players, who open the show with their version of Hey Jude.
Go Ask Al #19
March 25, 2022 15:00 - 8 minutes - 6.15 MBWe answer listener questions about songs that close out albums, the book about the blues project call The Sound, an offer from Schnitzel Records, and did Al dig the Bossa nova? After each answer from Al, Nilly the Dog adds a brief comment of her own.
Go Ask Al #23
March 25, 2022 15:00 - 7 minutes - 5.16 MBWe hear listener questions and appreciations about Nils Lofgren and Al’s 60th birthday event at his original Bar Mitzvah synagogue, a Skynard tattoo, a call for more photos. After each answer from Al, Nilly the Dog adds a brief comment of her own.
Go Ask Al #22
March 25, 2022 15:00 - 8 minutes - 6.11 MBWe hear listener question and appreciations about getting Al’s CDs, an Al documentary, the Blues Project at Town Hall, and Child is Father to the Man. After each answer from Al, Nilly the Dog adds a brief comment of her own.
Go Ask Al #21
March 25, 2022 15:00 - 10 minutes - 7.58 MBWe hear listener question and appreciations about Camille, Sharon Mitchell, being kind to a younger music dude, the important of being yourself, lost performance tapes, Max’s Kansas City and about Jews and Blacks in music. After each answer from Al, Nilly the Dog adds a brief comment of her own.
Go Ask Al #20
March 25, 2022 15:00 - 8 minutes - 5.76 MBWe answer a listener question about Al’s favorite band Free and how Free guitarist Paul Kossoff played an Al Kooper song on an album called Gately’s Cafe. After each answer from Al, Nilly the Dog adds a brief comment of her own.
Rekooperation 3
March 03, 2022 20:00 - 9 minutes - 6.54 MBWe talk about Clean Up Woman and his discovery of the great guitarist Little Beaver, more dobro plus alto sax, Johnny Johnson the piano legend, and the track with Dick Hyman, another piano legend.