AL KOOPER
Al Kooper, by rights, should be regarded as one of the giants of '60s rock, not far behind the likes of Bob Dylan and Paul Simon in importance. In addition to co-writing one classic mid-'60s pop-rock song, "This Diamond Ring" (though it was written as an R&B number), he was a very audible sessionman on some of the most important records of mid-decade, including Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone." Kooper also joined and led, and then lost two major groups, the Blues Project and Blood, Sweat & Tears. He played on two classic blues-rock albums in conjunction with his friend Mike Bloomfield.
As a producer at Columbia, he signed the British invasion act the Zombies just in time for them to complete the best LP in their entire history; and still later, Kooper discovered Lynyrd Skynyrd and produced their best work. Instead, in terms of public recognition, Kooper has been relegated to second-rank status, somewhere midway between John Mayall and Steve Winwood. Apart from the fact that he's made, and continues to make great music, it's the public's loss that he's not better respected outside the ranks of his fellow musicians.
(Editor's Note): Special thanks to Jason Feinberg, of On Target Media Group for his help in setting this interview up.
Jim: Your new album "Black Coffee", is your first solo release in 30 years. Why the long wait?
Al: Various reasons. I quit making solo albums 30 years ago because they weren't selling well. By 1995 I was ready but couldn't get a deal cause I was over 50. Steve Vai signed me to his label, Favored Nations, when I was 60. Ya gotta love THAT!
Jim: "My Hands Are Tied", is a great song. How did it come about?
Al: I started doing "You Can't Always Get What You Want" in 1994 live and really enjoyed singing it. Thought I should write something like that so I could enjoy singing my own song. It owes a lot to the Stones "Sticky Fingers" era and my band, The Funky Faculty, played it just right on the album.
Jim: Another one of my favorites is "Am I Wrong". Tell us a bit about it.
Al: That's a Keb Mo song from his very first album sometime in the early '90s. I went nuts over his recording and played it so much that people stopped coming over to the house! So I recorded it in my home studio back then and here it is now.
Jim: Your covers of the Temptation's "Get Ready", and Booker T & the MG's "Green Onions", are two more highlights on this album. What made you decide to do these two songs?
Al: "Green Onions" is just fun to play - period. This version was cut in Norway on a live gig and my guitarist Bob Doezema had himself quite a night. I put it on the album about 50% for Bob and about 51% for everyone else. "Get Ready" was a pretty bizarre arrangement I came up with and kept to myself for years. I cut it in my home studio about eight years ago and then added Anton Fig on drums when I decided to include it on Black Coffee.
Jim: On "Comin' Back In A Cadillac", (one of the two live tracks ), you talk to the audience about soul clapping. What is soul clapping?
Al: Better ask Mavis Staples. She's more qualified than I am to answer that question. Or take the course in the middle of that song - you'll probably get good grades.
Jim: You actually formed Blood, Sweat, & Tears in 1967, it was your band. Why did you leave after B,S,&T's debut album "Child Is Father To The Man"?
Al: Ahhhh - but it wasn't my band. I thought it was too, but Bobby Colomby & Steve Katz wrested it out of my hands and I decided it was too many against one, so I left as they desired. Then they put out music I never could have stood behind and made millions. I put out Super Session, was happy and made nothing.
Jim: Your resume as a legendary record producer and session musican is mind-boggling. What sessions have you done that you feel are true highlights of your career?
Al: Like A Rolling Stone, You Can't Always Get What You Want, All Those Years Ago, and Blonde On Blonde.
Jim: I heard you did a guest appearance on keyboards with John Kay and Steve Cropper a few years ago in Nashville and performed "Sookie Sookie", is that true? Are John and Steve friends of yours?
Al: Cropper is, I barely know John Kay.
 HOME |
| INTERVIEWS |
| CLASSIC VIDEOS |
| CLASSIC ROCK FORUMS |
| CD & RECORD STORE |
| LINKS |
Send E-Mail to: jim@classicrockrevival.cjb.netCopyright © 2008 Jim Davenport. All Rights Reserved