KooperKast
194 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 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
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 #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 2
March 03, 2022 20:00 - 8 minutes - 5.92 MBWe talk about the amazing combination of alto sax with dobro, a side chat about Gary Burton’s Tennessee Firebird album, Al’s website, Duane Eddy, and Bill Dogget.
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.
Rekooperation 4
March 03, 2022 20:00 - 9 minutes - 6.71 MBWe hear a great review of the album, we wander into talking about CD vs Vinyl, Al selling his LPs, Als collection of 45s, and selling them on eBay.
Rekooperation 1
March 03, 2022 20:00 - 9 minutes - 6.75 MBWe talk about Hank Crawford playing the alto sax, a song that pay tribute to the Doors, a Ray Manzarek story, and glissandos on the black keys.
Rekooperation 5
March 03, 2022 20:00 - 8 minutes - 5.62 MBWe hear a few last thoughts on the album, and chat about the 6 decades of Al’s career, and we muse on singers versus songwriters.
Soul of a Man, Part 5
February 10, 2022 21:00 - 7 minutes - 5.13 MBAl talks about mandolin, and I read him a ton of rave reviews for Soul of a Man, by Dave Chavers, the Best Live Albums website, and many others...
Soul of a Man, Part 4
February 10, 2022 21:00 - 7 minutes - 5.44 MBAl talks about favored musical keys: that horns favor E flat and B flat… about Eric Andersons’s Violets of Dawn…. Jimmy Vivino as disciple of Bloomfield, You Can’t Always Get What You Want live on stage, with the chorus.
Soul of a Man, Part 3
February 10, 2022 21:00 - 6 minutes - 4.47 MBAl talks about “I Want A Little girl” from Ray Charles, John Simon’s scary great piano, backwards guitar solo by Oniviv Ymmij, (Jimmy Vivino spelled backwards) on My Days are Numbered, and stellar trumpet solos by Lew Soloff and Randy Brecker, plus the greats John Sebastian and Johnny Johnson.
Soul of a Man, Part 2
February 10, 2022 21:00 - 7 minutes - 4.88 MBAl talks about Danny Kalb playing great on Two Trains Runnings, the musical complexity of Adrian Belew, John Simon just having a great time, and doing Sleepwalk by Santo and Johnny.
Soul of a Man, Part 1
February 10, 2022 21:00 - 9 minutes - 6.33 MBAl talks about three nights at the Bottom Line in 1994 that were recorded to make the album, with members of Blood Sweat and Tears, members of The Blues Project, and Al’s current band at the time, the Rekooperators. Al talks about Jimmy Vivino on Piano, sax master Fred Lipsius, Jerry Douglas on Dobro, John Simon on Piano, about Andy Kulberg and Flute Thing.
You Never Know Who Your Friends Are
February 01, 2022 15:00 - 9 minutes - 6.52 MBWe talk about the songs on Al’s second solo album, including Magic in My Socks, Lucille, and The Great American Marriage / Nothing. And we read some reviews including a lovely one in German.
Championship Wrestling 3
January 28, 2022 23:00 - 7 minutes - 5.02 MBAl talks about P. Johnson, of the Chairmen of the Board, we explore the mystery of Connie Ducharme, the record company’s iffy reception of the album, and about Ricky Washington, the pool guy who sang Finders Keepers on the album.
Championship Wrestling 2
January 28, 2022 23:00 - 8 minutes - 5.83 MBAl talks about Tower of Power on the horns, there is another comment by Nilly the Dog, about singer Mickey Thomas, more on Valerie Carter and Prince, the clavinet, and pianist Jim Ehinger.
Championship Wrestling 1
January 28, 2022 22:00 - 7 minutes - 5.39 MBAl talks about how the album started out as a partnership with Jeff Baxter, about Al singing a lot less, the expectation of another Supersession, about producer Bill Szymczyk, a complaint from Nilly the Dog, and about singer Valerie Carter who sings two songs on the album.
Go Ask Al #16
January 13, 2022 01:00 - 10 minutes - 7.58 MBAl answers a question about east coast vs west coast musicians, the song, A Drive though the Old Neighborhood, Todd Rundgren, a question about questions, yet another thought on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and after each answer Nilly the dog adds her own comment.
Go Ask Al #18
January 13, 2022 01:00 - 8 minutes - 6.2 MBAl answers questions about what amps Skynard used, Randy Newman and his song Just One Smile, a brief segment where Nilly the dog goes crazy, what comes first writing a song, a chance meeting at the pancake house in 1966, and what happened to horn-rock like Blood Sweat and Tears and Chicago. And of course, after each of Al’s answers, Nilly the dog adds a brief comment.
Go Ask Al #17
January 13, 2022 01:00 - 11 minutes - 8.01 MBAl answers questions about the lack of live Blood Sweat and Tears recordings from the first tour, Al’s favorite drummers, what if Supersession had been all Bloomfield, and what kinds of music does Al like from around the world. Of course, after each of Al’s answers, Nilly the dog adds a brief comment.
Act Like Nothing’s Wrong, Part 1
January 08, 2022 17:00 - 8 minutes - 6.08 MBAl talks about going to United Artists after Columbia, the opening chatter on the album, his first official version of This Diamond Ring, the fabulous guitar work of Little Beaver, and working with the Ron Hickman singers. Visit www.alkooper.com for more good stuff.
Act Like Nothing’s Wrong, Part 3
January 08, 2022 17:00 - 6 minutes - 4.81 MBAl reacts to various online reviews, teases us about the upcoming box set, and how Joe Walsh was his Jeff Lynne on Hollywood Vampire. Visit www. alkooper.com for more good info.
Act Like Nothing’s Wrong, Part 2
January 08, 2022 17:00 - 10 minutes - 7.56 MBIn this episode Al talks about working with the great producer John Simon, and Simon’s infamous comment about an Al vocal take, The Rainbow Bar and Grill sound segment, and Joe Walsh playing on Hollywood Vampire. Visit www.alkooper.com for more good stuff.
New Morning Part 3
December 19, 2021 02:00 - 9 minutes - 6.56 MBAl talks about Dylan’s tendency to just play cover songs at recording sessions, we veer off about the recently passed B3 organ wizard Lonnie Smith, and one more take on Al’s B3 adventure on Like a Rolling Stone.
New Morning Part 2
December 19, 2021 01:00 - 8 minutes - 5.59 MBIn this episode we comment on people’s attempts to explain the meaning of Dylan songs, and Al’s arrangement of If Dog’s Run Free.
New Morning Part 1
December 19, 2021 01:00 - 8 minutes - 5.96 MBAl talks about Dylan’s piano playing, and bringing Mike Stoller’s wife, a top NY harp player, to play on Sign on a Window (which version is not the one one the 1970 album, but you can find it on YouTube, among other places).
Go Ask Al #14
December 09, 2021 21:00 - 8 minutes - 5.96 MBAl talks about an incredibly strange Tom Wilson album, Batman and Robin by The Sensational Guitars of Dan and Dale that involved the Blues Project, and Sun R. Also a question about Albert Grossman, and did Al play on Freebird. As always, after each of Al’s answers, Nilly the dog adds a brief comment.
Go Ask Al #10
December 09, 2021 21:00 - 7 minutes - 4.96 MBAl answers questions about playing in Norway and going to a Norwegian hospital, the 1967 benefit at Ccafe AU GO GO, playing at Shea stadium, and miraculous use of the word proselytize in a song. As always, after each of Al’s answers, Nilly the dog adds a brief comment
Go Ask Al #11
December 09, 2021 21:00 - 8 minutes - 6.14 MBAl answers questions about playing the Farfisa organ, arriving in a wheelchair at the Central Park Blues Project Reunion, and would he play live on Zoom. As always, after each of Al’s answers, Nilly the dog adds a brief comment.
Go Ask Al #12
December 09, 2021 21:00 - 8 minutes - 6.06 MBAl answers questions about producing Rick Nelson, about Leon Russel, what is Yahuptiz, and drugs of the 60s, As always, after each of Al’s answers, Nilly the dog adds a brief comment.
Go Ask Al #13
December 09, 2021 21:00 - 7 minutes - 5 MBAl talks about key moments in rock history, thoughts on the Loving Spoonful, . As always, after each of Al’s answers, Nilly the dog adds a brief comment.
Go Ask Al #15
December 09, 2021 21:00 - 10 minutes - 7.27 MBAl talks about what session musicians have most impressed him, the Miles Davis story, seeing Supersession selling in a store, and about recording live. As always, after each of Al’s answers, Nilly the dog adds a brief comment.
Go Ask Al #8
December 09, 2021 21:00 - 8 minutes - 5.6 MBAl answers questions including a story about hippies playing monopoly, Redbone, Jerry Ragavoy, and an update on the Box set. As always, after each of Al’s answers, Nilly the dog adds a brief comment.
Go Ask Al #9
December 09, 2021 21:00 - 10 minutes - 6.98 MBAl answers questions about which song is he most proud of, about live recordings, the great Jimmy Reed, that elusive box set, questions from a horse race fellow, the music of the 60S, and what is at the top of Al’s memory bank. As always, after each of Al’s answers, Nilly the dog adds a brief comment.
Go Ask Al #7
November 13, 2021 17:00 - 9 minutes - 6.68 MBAl talks about a tiny gig that listener Max loved, Al’s playing on Hendrix’ Long Hot Summer, Skynyrd and drugs, which was interrupted by Nilly the dog who could not wait till the end of Al’s answer to get involved.
Go Ask Al #6
November 13, 2021 17:00 - 8 minutes - 6.07 MBAl answers questions about the most talented people he ever encountered, about keeping lots of instruments… and then we wandered into a focusing on Al’s diabetes tests and how they ruin his fingers for guitar. And yes, after each of Al’s answers, Nilly the dog adds a brief comment.
Go Ask Al #5
November 13, 2021 17:00 - 9 minutes - 6.32 MBAl answers four questions: does Al listen to new music, following which we go off track on Joni Mitchell and Grace Slick, who singing along on Day of the Locusts, what about the Velvet Underground, and the 50th birthday 3-day bash. Of course, after each of Al’s answers, Nilly the dog adds a brief comment.
Go Ask Al #4
November 13, 2021 17:00 - 7 minutes - 4.93 MBAl answers a question from Roger about Bill Graham and the Fillmore East and West that turns into a whole episode of its own. After each of Al’s answers, Nilly the dog adds a brief comment.
Go Ask Al #2
November 03, 2021 23:00 - 9 minutes - 6.51 MBIn our 2nd episode of Go Ask Al, we have questions about mysterious etching on album vinyl, the Landlord soundtrack, Barry Goldberg on Supersession, the legendary Kapusta albums, the Sharon Mitchell story, and the mysterious Swallow the Roach Question.
Go Ask Al #1
November 03, 2021 23:00 - 9 minutes - 6.28 MBThis is the first Go Ask Al episode with some great questions about the song Touch the Hem of His Garment, Best Concerts he ever gave, Favorite Albums, Rock and Rock Hall of Fame, and Al’s Health and ability to go out and play.
Go Ask Al #3
November 03, 2021 23:00 - 10 minutes - 7.16 MBIn this episode of Go Ask Al we have questions about Al and Dylan as musical primitives, Dylan saying hi to Al’s parents, great session musicians, and a good story about I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know that snuck in on its own.
A Possible Projection of the Future, Part One
September 15, 2021 23:00 - 7 minutes - 5.17 MBAl talks about the arduous makeup effort for the album cover and the concept behind the album.
Naked Songs 1
September 15, 2021 23:00 - 10 minutes - 7.59 MBAl talks about such wide ranging topics as Jolie, the daughter of Quincy Jones to Richard Greene the bluegrass fiddler.
Naked Songs 2
September 15, 2021 23:00 - 11 minutes - 7.82 MBAl talks about doing a John Prine song, meeting Prine later in Nashville, Hammond organ jealousy, and even a nice little Linda Rondstadt tale.
Naked Songs 3
September 15, 2021 23:00 - 9 minutes - 6.53 MBAl talks about everything from his new box set to touring in Japan.
Charlie and Ringo
September 15, 2021 23:00 - 5 minutes - 3.56 MBAl talks about his appreciation for the recently passed Charlie Watts and also for Ringo, who is still out there banging away.
A Possible Projection of the Future, Part Two
September 15, 2021 23:00 - 7 minutes - 5.55 MBAl talks about the songs on the album and gives us a nice little story about running into Smokey Robinson, whose song Swept For You Baby Al covered on this album.
Chuck Berry
August 28, 2021 15:00 - 7 minutes - 4.98 MBAl talks about playing on shows with Chuck Berry in the 50s and then backing him up with the Blues Project in the 60s, and just how difficult it was to play for the great Chuck Berry.
Shuggie Otis
August 28, 2021 15:00 - 9 minutes - 6.51 MBAl talks about going to visit blues great Johnny Otis and his son Shuggie in California and getting them to agree for Shuggie to go to NY and record an album with Al. The album took just a weekend; it contains some great music and some great, great blues guitar by Shuggie Otis who was only 15.
New York City You're A Woman, Part 4
August 20, 2021 14:00 - 5 minutes - 3.83 MBAl talks about working with the great photographer Richard Avedon for the cover photos for this album.
New York City You're A Woman, Part 1
August 20, 2021 14:00 - 8 minutes - 5.83 MBAl talks about going to London to work with bass player Herbie Flowers, who he connected with through his friend Elton John, co-writing with Phyllis Major, bass playing legend Carol Kaye in LA, and about working with session players.