KooperKast

Another look at Blonde on Blonde.  We look a little closer at the role that Al played in the making of the epic Bob Dylan album.

This 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, Ni...

We talk about Surround Sound, rock stories, songwriting, and just a bunch of things. Nilly the Dog comments after each segment.

We 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.

We 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.

We 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.

We answer a listener question about a girl group for whom Al produced a single in 1665.  Nilly the Dog comments after each segment.

Here we arrive in Boston and Berklee College of Music.

This 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.

This 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.

This 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.

This 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.

In 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.

In 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.

In 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.

In 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.

In 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.

In 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.

We 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.

We 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.

We 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.

We 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.

We 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.

We 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.

We 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.