KooperKast

Talking About Horns

We discuss the wonders of adding horns to rock, particularly in view of Al’s experience creating Blood Sweat and Tears. As often happens, Nilly the Dog adds a brief comme

Stream of Consciousness

We ponder an interesting stream-of-consciousness email from Steven, talk about our recent partner-in-podcast-crime, Jimmy Vivino, and we begin a longer conversation about

Back to Queens

We answer listener questions about Al the hoopster, his parents big time involvement in the temple in Queens, Al going to Paul Simon’s bar mitzvah, and the origin of titl

Go Ask Al: Rolling Again

In this episode we talk again – with a little different take  – on the infamous Rolling Stone session where Al uncorked his legendary organ sound on Dylan. Then we talk a

Go Ask Al: Flute Thing

In this episode Al answers questions about sheet music for Flute Thing, about Al’s old manger Sam Polley, from a nephew of Denny Cordell, a guy from Al’s old school, prod

Elvis and Nilly the Dog

The last Vivino episode starts with Elvis and ends with Nilly the Dog, with lots of stuff in between.

Simon & Dylan

We talk about the contrast between the singing styles of Paul Simon and Bob Dylan and how much Al loved playing for Dylan back in the day.

Everly Brothers

The guys talk about the huge influence of the Everly brothers and the conversations wanders on from there...

Calello to Sinatra

The guys talk about the great arranger Charles Calello, then move on to to about arranging in general, and about live recording vs today's multi-tracked.

The Influence of The Band

The guys talk about how pervasive influence of The Band on everyone from Eric Clapton to Elton John, then about how John Simon produced two great albums for The Band... a

More Producers

The guys talk about producers from Phil Spector to Brian Wilson to George Martin to Al Kooper.

Thom Bell

Al and Jimmy talk about their great admiration for the work of Thom Bell, the Philly sound legend.

Elton, Producers, and Al's French Horn

The guys start talking about Elton John, his great producer Gus Dudgeon, other great producers and that somehow leads to Al's legendary French horn opening to the St

Jimi and Chicago

The guys start out talking about Jimi Hendrix which leads to other great guitar players, which leads to Terry Kath of Chicago.

Al the Arranger... and more.

The episode starts with Al as arranger, which leads back to Blonde on Blonde and how Al was on two of the four landmark double-albums in rock history.

Big Chuck and Little Richard

This episode starts off with Jimmy stating that Chuck Berry was the most important song writer in rock and roll history. And they go from there and talk about Little Rich

Hall of Fame and Stomach Sounds

The guys talk about Al getting into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the question of how to sell Al’s box set, and on from there. And Al makes some outstanding stomach sou

Downloads and the Music Biz

The guys talk about the music biz today and the effect of streaming, how big time studio guys then started bands, and how amazing was Al’s Hammond organ playing with Dyla

Onward From Royal Teens

Jimmy traces Al’s career after the Royal Teens though songwriting and then becoming friends with Tom Wilson, which led to the day that changed Al’s life and the sound of

Al and Jimmy 5: Brits vs Americans

Jimmy talks about the big difference between the young American guys who played the blues versus the Brits. And that leads to talking about Al playing keyboard for the St