AL KOOPER

Welcome to Al Kooper's Website where we hope you find your way to all things Al. We are constantly upgrading and tweaking, so visit often and you'll always find a little surprise here or there. Feel free to sign our guest book and help create a cyber-mailing-list.

Among some of the goodies onboard are Al's personal Top 100, diaries from various road trips, Al's guide through his various solo albums, rare photos, up-to-date live concert info, a biography, and lots more stuff on the way.

Al's autobiography, "Backstage Passes and Backstabbing Bastards" (Billboard Books-USA) was published in November, 1998. For more info on the book and some rave reviews, click here.

With the exception of the "Landlord" soundtrack album, all of Al's albums are in print on CD! There aren't many in print in the USA, mind you, but with a little cyber-sleuthing import shops and online vendors can usually turn up a fresh laser copy of your favorite dog-eared Kooper LP.

Al would also like to take this opportunity to thank his ole buddy Elliott Randall, guitarist extraordinaire, for being the webmaster/codewarrior on this site. See? And you thought he only played guitar!

So, sit back and hopefully, everything you ever wanted to know about Al Kooper but were afraid to ask, will come leaping at you from your monitor in due time. Thanks for visiting and please return on a regular basis for updates and new goodies!

UPDATE - MARCH 5, 2008

Well I'm back again after a long wait. Hope everyone had a great Xmas Holiday and Spring Break ! The website is now being taken charge of by nimbit, a company that helps artists work directly with their fans. The store will no longer be using PayPal - but you must use a Visa, Mastercard, Amex, or Discover Card. We are attempting to put up digital sales as well with hopefully some bonuses with them. We are negotiating with the record companies as I write this.
The updated, republished “BACKSTAGE PASSES & BACKSTABBING BASTARDS" is now officially released. It should be for sale in the webstore by the time you read this. All copies will be signed and the book is updated from 1998 - 2007 with an extra chapter. It will be $24.95 + S&H.

"WHITE CHOCOLATE" is finally completely finished ! Here is the final track layout and sequencing:

1. STAXABILITY (Kooper)
2. YOU NEVER KNOW TIL YA GET THERE (Kooper)
3. YOU MAKE ME FEEL SO GOOD ALL OVER (Goffin-Kooper)
4. I LOVE YOU MORE THAN WORDS CAN SAY (Jones-Bell)
5. CALLING YOU (Telson)
6. LOVETIME (Kooper)
7.IT TAKES A LOT TO LAUGH IT TAKES A TRAIN TO CRY (Dylan)
8. I CRIED SO HARD (Kooper)
9. NO 1 2 CALL ME BABY (Goffin-Kooper)
10. CAST THE FIRST STONE (Kooper)
11. HOLD ON (Jones-Ingram)
12. SUSAN (Bliffert)
13. CANDY MAN (Neil-Ross)
14. I (WHO HAVE NOTHING) (Leiber-Stoller)
15. (I DON'T KNOW WHEN BUT) I KNOW THAT I'LL BE THERE SOON (Kooper)

The cover tunes are : I LOVE YOU MORE THAN WORDS CAN SAY - originally recorded as a ballad by Otis Redding buried in an album. Written by Booker T & William Bell, I rearranged it as a Stax mid-tempo groove, the way Otis might've done it if he hadn't chosen the ballad format.
CALLING YOU - First recorded by Jevetta Steele and featured magnificently in the film “Baghdad Cafe". There have been many, many covers of this, most prominently by Jeff Buckley. I found a new way to do it - sort of an Al Green arrangement of a great song.
IT TAKES A LOT TO LAUGH, IT TAKES A TRAIN TO CRY - This would be the third recording of this song I hae been involved with - Dylan's version on Highway 61 Revisited, The Super Session up-tempo version, and now this slower one. I tried to blend in the musical progression guitarist Bruce Langhorne played behind Dylan on “Corrina, Corrina"and mix it into this song. The instrumental goes to another key and tries to conjure up a 1940's blues feel with six horns blaring out an FDR groove. I think you'll like it.
HOLD ON - A gospel song with music by the great Quincy Jones. It features a verse sung by my dear friend and constant backup vocalist Catherine Russell. How could I resist ???
SUSAN - This was a song I heard over thirty years ago when I was producing the great singer-songwriter Freddie Henry's (real name Fred Bliffert) album “Get It Out In The Open" - a collecters item today. Fred had recorded it when he was in the group Jelly on Elektra Records. I Motown-ized it and wrote a Jackson 5 arrangement just for fun.
CANDY MAN - What a pleasure to finally cover a Fred Neil song. This is best known as the Roy Orbisin cover back in the 60's. I figured I'm in MY 60's, so here's my cover; not THAT much like the Orbison or Neil versions.
I WHO HAVBE NOTHING - I have always loved the Ben E King version of this great song and actually own the orginal Italian recording by Joe Sentieri. This is like the original version but with a techno feel rumbling underneath it.

     In addition to the cover tunes, there are plenty of new Al songs to hear including two co-written by the great lyricist Gerry Goffin. STAXABILITY is a tribute song to the great Stax-Volt sound, born in Memphis. Backing me up on that one are Steve Cropper on guitar, Duck Dunn on bass, Anton Fig on drums and the Uptown Horns sitting in for the Memphis Horns. Also guesting on two other tracks are the rhythm section from the group Ollabelle: Tony Leone on drums and Byron Isaacs on bass. Most tracks I am backed up by my live band, The Funky Faculty.
     I am closing in on figuring out how to release White Chocolate and it should be onsite in the nexty thirty days or so.
     Had a great birthday party this year at BB Kings in NYC. My rockabilly trio, as well as The Rekooperators, The Funky Faculty and special guests Paul Shaffer and Dave Coffin all kicked in for a rockin one hundred and fifty minutes of great music for the new 64 year old. In the audience was former Rolling Stone honcho Andrew Loog Oldham, producer Russ Titelman, actor Peter Riegert, and everyone's hero producer/songwriter/arranger Jerry Ragavoy who wrote “Time Is On My Side" and “Piece of My Heart" just to name a few. It was a night I shant forget for quite a few lifetimes.
     My UK tour was cancelled quite early on by the promoter much to the chagrin of the band and I and my English fans who had bought tix in anticipation of seeing me play over there for the first time in 35 years. A noticeable lack of promotion and advertising (most fans found out about it from this website) caused low ticket sales in the first two weeks. In order to not pay us our deposit and to cancel upcoming advertising, they cancelled as soon as we inquired about our deposit. This is a first for me in my 50th year of doing this. As I get older, it becomes more difficult to deal with the various amounts of pre-show shenanigans by promoters nowadays. I am trying to hang in there, but at the moment I'm on the downside.
     Our Spanish tour is looking good for May 23rd to June 1st. Details on the website as soon as everything is finalized. We really wanna play EVERWHERE. If we dont get to where you are, it's not because we don't wanna be there. It's because nobody invited us there financially. I would LOVE to play Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, etc. but there are no invitations. So just know, we wanna be there as much as you want us there.
     Ironically, I am off to the UK today to host the Zombies Reunion shows in Shepherds Bush March 7 - 9. Hope I can see some of you there at least.

Bye for now,

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These songs are in no order based on merit or quality but rather as if being played intelligently on a radio show or podcast. They are all easily downloadable preferably paid for. These are great artists giving you the best music IMHO of 2007. For $50 you can give yourself an amazing Xmas present if your taste resembles mine in any way shape or form. Otherwise check ‘em out and take the ones that YOU really like. There should be quite a few!!

AL’S 2007 TOP 50

1. CHICAGO, CITY OF SHOULDERS/Andy Davis 3:22
A very fresh composition & sound from this newcomer. Doesn’t really get old very quickly either.

2. BLACK DOG/ Pugwash 3:11
Not the Zep tune, in fact, more Beatle-esque, actually. These Irish lads, led by Thomas Walsh, have a few albums under their beltsand are revered by many musicians cross the pond.

3. GET YOUR THINGS/Brandi Shearer 2:33
Produced by Larry Klein (Joni Mitchell, Madeleine Peyroux), this singular Oregonian, now living in SF, immediately catches your ear with all around originality.

4. I FOUND OUT/ Nathaniel Mayer 4:04
John Lennon is smiling down on this primitive r&b cover that somehow still contains all his sentiment. Unexpected vocal performance and musical camradarie.....

5. I’LL REMEMBER YOU/Soweto Gospel Choir 5:10
Slow soothing African gospel music sung in English. A Sunday
morning stunner!

6. I’M A CRIMINAL/Paul Reddick & The Sidemen 5:56
This almost-twenty year-old Canadian aggregation spits out nasty, rootsy, modern blues played just as I like it. Something tells me it will be just like YOU like it as well.

7. GAME FOR FOOLS/Jamie Lidell 4:13
This twenty-something UK lad has his hand on a soul/electronica live show that has been slaying audiences all over Europe and South America. Here, he settles into a minimalist ballad that convincingly wins you over with THAT VOICE.

8. HOLDING ON/The Beauty Room 4:42
Sort of a foil to Gnarls Barkley, with a whiter thread that smacks of Steely Dan/Beach Boy influences. This is a well-made track that works it’s way into your heart and won’t leave.

9. HOME/Great Northern 3:48
A great foil to the above track, these two bands understand each other and should tour together. THAT would get me outta the house.

10. UPSIDE DOWN/Borne 4:16
Together four years, these Aussies fronted by lead singer Cameron Tapp take a top 40 sound and bring more musical depth to it than US groups usually do currently. I think of this for now as a guilty pleasure, but a pleasure nonetheless.

11. THAT’S NOT WHAT SHE SAID TO ME /Jeb Loy Nichols 2:40
In less than three minutes, Jeb spins out a yarn that everyone can understand. That, my friends, is classic songwriting.

12. DARKEST HOUR/Arlo Guthrie 4:16
I thought Arlo’s best years were behind him at some gal’s restaurant. I was soooo wrong. His latest live album contains many spellbinders such as this one. And while none of them are comedic, some may bring a warm smile.

13. I’M A RAM/Government Mule 7:43
The last thing we all expected in time for the holiday season was a reggae album from the Mule. Toots of the Maytals sings at least one and Warren Haynes is no slouch on the above Al Greeen chestnut trenchtowned up the wazoo for almost eight minutes.

14. I KNOW WHAT LOVE’S ABOUT/Anthony Hamilton 4:32
I would say Hamilton is the current contender in the Al Green Replacement Race. Ahead by two furlongs, at the moment....here’s why.

15, DO I/Alice Smith 4:05
The debut album that surrounds this 70’s style oldsoul track made a lot of noise this year. This Washington DC/Augusta GA native sounds like she’s still deciding what direction to go in. I hope it’s this one...

16. SIMPLE THINGS/Elisabeth Withers 3:51
This woman’s experience pours right out of her mouth instantly. From Joliet, IL to starring in the B’way musical THE COLOR PURPLE, to signing with Blue Note Records, her career seems assured for now. This is a great track ane and the rest of her album is no slouch either

17. TWILIGHT/Tenbi 4:42
I have a weakness for japanese music especially as played on the traditional shamisen instrument. I have added Tenbi’s name to a list of favorites including Agatsuma & The Yoshida Brothers. This is a well produced track taking the shamisen into modern times.

18. RUNNING ON SUNSHINE/Jesus Jackson 4:54
I guess being played on “Grey’s Anatomy” is one of the best kick-off’s a tune can get nowadays. This is a well produced track that tightropes
the black/white balancing act.

19. IN MY SONGS/Gerald Levert 5:06
Child was father to the man but alas, father Eddie has out-lived son Gerald. One of G's last trax here with his dad's OJay sound all over it. A tragic loss.....

20. MACHINE’S NIGHT OUT/One Trick Pony - 4:19
A trio of two lassies & a lad from LA screams of musicianship on this track. Part of a califonia collective of various musicians, they stick right out and I suspect they have more than one trick up their hoof.

21. OUT OF THE RAIN/Jessi Colter feat. Tony Joe White
A complete surprise for me. I have always enjoyed the original version by Tony Joe, so I’m pleased this duet has his heavy influence and signature guitar playing. Kudos to the widow Jennings.

22. SUMMERTIME/Jesca Hoop 3:21
Not the standard but a multi-sectioned pop original, that has some great hooks in it. A blast of fresh, humid air from a former Mormon who worked for Tom Waits as a nanny. Got it ? Get it.....

23. STRUGGLE/Ringside 3:55
Modern sounding but owes a lot to The Doors. Two guys from California - one, the actor Balthazar Getty. The video will attract closet pyromaniacs.

24. WHITHER THE INVISIBLE BIRDS/Deerhoof 2:11
Who’da thought one of my fave bands would go into Bjork territory ?
Not that there’s anything wrong with that and of course, they do it so well. A stunner.

25. RAGAMUFFIN GIRLFRIEND/Chapter 11 4:23
A reggae-rap masterpiece. This will have you up & dancing in no time and you’ll be unconsciously singing it at work the next day. Looks like Latin guys from Long Beach/Redondo in the video.

26. THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND/Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings 4:31
This Brooklyn based soul band tackles an r&b version of Woody Guthrie for what I believe is the first time. A great arrangement and the irony of the lyric in their hands makes this track a standout of 2007.

27. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO/Perry Philips 3:42
Born in the Bahamas, discovered in Toronto, and currently living in Germany this multi-national knows how to do the ballad. A refreshing honest performance by a natural man.

28. MY BABY’S GONE/Joan Armatrading 3:36
This classic folkster drops her fragile guard and takes on the r&b world fearlessly and shamelessly. The result is down to earth wall-shakin’ good !!

29. THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN/Nick Lowe 2:47
This 70’s popster, formely known as the Jesus of Cool, steps into a self-written number that would do Johnny Mathis proud if he had the nerve nowadays. A wonderfully relaxed composition and performance.

30. BABY IS A BUTTERFLY/Joan Osborne 3:55
From Joan’s recent album of mostly soul covers. She slipped a few originals in and to her credit, one can’t tell the newbies from the oldies. We recently dined in NYC, and I was very impressed with her personality and professionalism. Keep on keepin’ on.....

31. SWAMP THANG/The Soul of John Black 2:47
One of those groove records that gets inside your body & mind and will NOT let go. John Black under various monikers, played and composed for MILES DAVIS, did session work for Eminem instrumentally, and came up through the ranks the way one should.

32. SPAM MAN/MRP 3:36
This track ain’t for everyone. Guitarists, drummers and dancers should download ASAP. The rest can take a curious listen before they dare drop their 99 cents. Al’s buyin’ it first time around. An instrumental that goes deep into the basics.

33. HE SAID, SHE SAID/Terry Cummings 4:44
What hasn’t this guy done ? A major record-holder for his 18 years of play in the NBA, an ordained minister since age 16, and a great musician, singer & writer. This is a class A soul ballad - Throw me the ball, Terry !!!

34. COULD IT BE I’M FALLING IN LOVE/Vesta 4:46
Borrowing heavily from The Spinners original, Vesta does a fine vocal
but I’m afraid the bassplayer steals the show. iTunes, as usual, provides no credits. Email me if ya know who it is. I need 2 know !!!

35. LOVE’S GOT A LOT 2 ANSWER 4/Nick Lowe 3:02
Making his second appearance in this years list, Nick just does what he does best. Great writing, singing & production. You GO, guy !!

36. GET RIGHT CHURCH Martha Scanlan 4:24
Usually one of this generation’s bluegrass staples, she drops the grass here and sounds more like the Staples Singers. A great genre-widening blues track for Martha. Hats off to the group Ollabelle for tasty sidemaning.

37. IN MY FATHER’S HOUSE (live)/Eric Bibb 5:18
This bluesman has integrated his backing group seamlessly into the inner groove of his live performances. So he’s just showing that off for all of us here and what a pleasure ! Great track, great groove !

38. STILL IN LOVE/Kirk Franklin 5:19
Blasting through the gospel ranks in the last few years, fueled in the backbone by the spirit and style of Andrae Crouch, it now seems Kirk has soundly stepped into Andrae’s place in the pantheon. “Put on your rollerskates!” he instructs at the start of this self-penned track.
I don’t need ‘em, Kirk. I can roll with ya just like this....

39. TIME/Keite Young 4:28
Shoved in between Prince & Sly, this lad is pushing his way into his own thing. Give him some room & some time and then watch out.

40. THE MESSENGER/Kiku Collins 4:44
Trumpeters of the female variety in jazz are few & far between. This woman throws gender down the drain with performances like dis.
Soothing on the soul on Sunday mornin,’ this ain’t no Fed Ex; it is hand delivered right to your heart

41. BLUE HARVEST/Pinback 3:33
It infuriates me that this band continually buries the lead vocals in guitar infested groove tracks. But I put up with it ‘cause I have no choice. Hey Rob Crow!! Toin it up (the vocal, that is!)

42. CIRCLE IN THE SAND/Rickie Lee Jones 3:29
This jumped out of her latest album. I dont think she’s approached this groove before, but it suits her just fine. Play this for your friends

43. JUICEBOX/The Section Quartet 3:14
Yeah, it’s a cover and it’s an instrumental but it really has a life of it’s own. These four are the string section of note for session work and they are tight as an.....oil drum ???( is that OK, Mr. President ??)

44. BOATING ACCIDENT/Wooden Stars 6:18
This is probably the weirdest one this year and it gets excessively so occasionally in its over six minute journey, but it certainly has it's moments and they make it worth your while.

45. COLD HEARTED WIND/Ron Sexsmith 3:40
He’s been around for over ten years now and sits on the cusp of large recognition and continually narrowly avoids it. Hang in there, Ron. They’ll come back eventually and rediscover gems like this one.

46. NEVER BE LONELY/The Feeling 3:32
For my taste, the tastiest Top 40 track of the year and therefore a guilty pleasure. This is a great band and I’m sticking with them. Can’t wait for the next album.

47. TIME FOR ME TO FLY/The Jonas Bros. 3:05
Yeah, I know. They’re a kid band. It’s a top 40 record aimed at pre teens. But what the hell ? It’s a great record anyway. Jackson 5 meets Green Day ????

48. YOUR DOG’S ABOUT TO KILL MY CAT/Ms. Jody 4:52
Every once in awhile along comes a lyric like this. Probably more prevalent in the 1920’s but just as humorous now. Blues with a peeling.

49. WOULD YOU STAY/Dave Coffin 2:20
There’s been a plethora of acoustic guitar-singer-songwriter trios lately with good songs and great tight arrangements. Here is yet another. Easy on the ears. Hope he doesn’t dive down to his last name.

50. AINT NOTHIN’ WRONG WITH THAT/Robert Randolph 3:20
Certainly lives up to the title. This guy gets better each album and his live following seems to increase geometrically. Aint nothin’ wrong with that or this.

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