On December 3, 2025, Steven Lee Cropper died aged 84. He was musician, songwriter, record producer and actor, known as “The Colonel”. He was the guitarist of the “Stax Records” house band, Booker T. & the M.G.’s, which backed artists such as Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Carla Thomas, Rufus Thomas, and Johnnie Taylor. He was also member of the Blues Brothers Band, and recorded and performed with many other artists including Alabama, Jimmy Barnes, William Bell, Barbi Benton, Big Star, Stephen Bishop, Frank Black, Bobby and the Midnites, Booker T. & MG.’s, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Jimmy Buffett, Billy Burnette, Brian Cadd, Cate Brothers, Chicago, David Clayton Thomas, A. J. Croce, Patti Dahlstrom, Delaney & Bonnie, Ned Doheny, Yvonne Elliman, Jose Feliziano, Eddie Floyd, Peter Frampton, Richie Furay, Art Garfunkel, Cyndi Grecco, Levon Helm, Chris Hillman, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Etta James, Wynonna Judd, Albert King, B.B. King, Al Kooper, John Lennon, Ann Margret, Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis Jr., Craig Morgan, Aaron Neville, Wayne Newton, Harry Nilsson, John Oates, Nigel Olsson, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Wilson Pickett, Michel Polnareff, John Prine, Otis Redding, Bruce Roberts, Leon Russell, Sanford & Townsend, Leo Sayer, Poncho Sanchez, Guy Sebastian, Neil Sedaka, Paul Shaffer, Paul Simon, Percy Sledge, Broderick Smith, The Soul Children, The Staple Singers, Mavis Staple, Ringo Starr, Rod Stewart, Livingston Taylor, Carla Thomas, Mickey Thomas, Wendy Waldman, Tower of Power, The Manhattan Transfer, Dale Watson and Jerry Lynn Williams. Magazine “Rolling Stone” ranked him 36th on its list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists”. Cropper won two “Grammy Awards”, and as leader or co-leader Cropper released 13 albums.
Tag Archives: Al Kooper
Bo Diddley: Another Dimension
In May 1971, “Chess” label released “Another Dimension”, the 15th Bo Diddley album. It was recorded in 1971, at “Soundview Environmental Studios” in Kings Park, New York, and was produced by Bob Gallo.
Personnel:
- Bo Diddley – vocals, guitar, percussion
- Eddie Covi – saxophone
- Mike Mattia – trumpet, keyboards
- Carl Schickler – trombone, guitar
- Al Kooper – keyboards, guitar
- Bob Gallo – guitar, percussion
- Sonny Hahn – guitar
- Don Olsen – bass
- John Birganti – drums
- Bob Dorsa, Vince Traina – percussion
- Cookie Vee – vocals, percussion
- Kathy Alson, Leslie Zimei – vocals
Track listing:
- The Shape I’m in – Robbie Robertson
- I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know – Al Kooper
- Pollution – Kay McDaniel
- Bad Moon Rising – John Fogerty
- Down on the Corner – John Fogerty
- I Said Shutup Woman – Kay McDaniel
- Bad Side of the Moon – Elton John, Bernie Taupin
- Lodi – John Fogerty
- Go for Broke – John Berganti, Mike Mattia, Don Olsen, Carl Schickler
The Blues Project: Live at the Cafe Au Go Go
In March 1966, “Verve / Folkways” labels, released “Live at the Cafe Au Go Go”, the debut Blues Project (The) album. It was recorded in November 1965, at the “Cafe Au Go Go” in New York City, during the Blues Bag four-day concert, and January 1966, at the same venue, and was produced by Jerry Schoenbaum.
Personnel:
- Tommy Flanders – vocals
- Danny Kalb – vocals, lead guitar
- Steve Katz – vocals, rhythm guitar
- Al Kooper – vocals, organ
- Andy Kulberg – bass
- Roy Blumenfeld – drums
- Val Valentin – engineer
- Charles Stewart – cover photo
- Jerry Schoenbaum – liner notes
Track listing:
- Goin’ Down Louisiana – Muddy Waters
- You Go, I’ll Go with You – Willie Dixon
- Catch the Wind – Donovan
- I Want to Be Your Driver – Chuck Berry
- Alberta – traditional
- The Way My Baby Walks – Andy Kulberg
- Violets of Dawn – Eric Andersen
- Back Door Man – Willie Dixon
- Jelly Jelly Blues – Billy Eckstine, Earl Hines
- Spoonful – Willie Dixon
- Who Do You Love? – Ellas McDaniel
Mike Bloomfield & Al Kooper: The Live Adventures Of Mike Bloomfield And Al Kooper
In January 1969, “Columbia” label released “The Live Adventures of Mike Bloomfield and Al Kooper”, album by Mike Bloomfield and Al Kooper. It was recorded in September 1968, at “Fillmore West” in San Francisco, and was produced by Al Kooper.
Personnel:
- Mike Bloomfield – vocals, guitar
- Al Kooper – lead vocals, organ, ondioline, piano
- Carlos Santana – guitar
- Elvin Bishop – lead vocals, guitar
- John Kahn – bass
- Skip Prokop – drums
- Norman Rockwell – cover artwork
Track listing:
- Opening Speech – Mike Bloomfield
- The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy) – Paul Simon
- I Wonder Who – Ray Charles
- Her Holy Modal Highness – Al Kooper, Mike Bloomfield
- The Weight – Robbie Robertson
- Mary Ann – Ray Charles
- Together ‘Til the End of Time – Frank Wilson
- That’s All Right – Arthur Crudup
- Green Onions – Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper, Al Jackson Jr., Lewie Steinberg
- Opening Speech – Al Kooper
- Sonny Boy Williamson – Jack Bruce, Paul Jones
- No More Lonely Nights – Sonny Boy Williamson
- Dear Mr. Fantasy – Jim Capaldi, Stevie Winwood, Chris Wood
- Don’t Throw Your Love on Me So Strong – Albert King
- Finale-Refugee – Al Kooper, Mike Bloomfield
Gordon Lightfoot: Did She Mentioned My Name?
In January 1969, “United Artists” label released “Did She Mention My Name?”, the third Gordon Lightfoot studio album. It was recorded in September 1968, and was produced by Al Kooper.
Personnel:
- Gordon Lightfoot — vocals, 6 & 12 string acoustic guitars
- Hugh McCracken — electric guitar
- Red Shea — lead acoustic guitar
- John Stockfish — bass
- Herbie Lovelle — drums, percussion
- John Simon — string arrangements
- Tim Lewis — design
- Charles Steiner, Daniel Kramer — photography
Track listing:
All tracks by Gordon Lightfoot.
- Wherefore and Why
- The Last Time I Saw Her
- Black Day in July
- May I
- Magnificent Outpouring
- Does Your Mother Know
- The Mountain and Maryann
- Pussywillows, Cat-Tails
- I Want to Hear It from You
- Something Very Special
- Boss Man
- Did She Mention My Name?
Joe Bonamassa: A New day Yesterday
On October 24, 2000, “Okeh” label released “A New Day Yesterday”, the debut Joe Bonamassa studio album. It was recorded in 2000, at “Pyramid Recording Studios” in in Ithaca, New York, and was produced by Tom Dowd.
Personnel:
- Joe Bonamassa – vocals, guitar, liner notes
- Len Bonamassa – guitar
- Leslie West – vocals, guitar
- Rick Derringer – vocals, guitar
- David Borden – keyboards
- Gregg Allman – vocals, organ
- Creamo Liss – bass
- Tony Cintron – drums
- Annie and Jeannie Burns – vocals
- Alex Perialas – engineer, mixing, production assistant
- Jason Arnold – additional engineering
- Kevin Shirley – additional recording, mixing, liner notes
- Brent Spear – tape transfer
- Bob Held – mixing
- Vlado Meller – mastering
- Scott Hull – mastering
- Stephen Byram – artwork, design
- Kate Moss – design
- Julia Kuskin – photography
- Mark Avers – photography
Track listing:
- Cradle Rock – Rory Gallagher
- Walk in My Shadows – Paul Rodgers, Paul Kossoff, Simon Kirke, Andy Fraser
- A New Day Yesterday – Ian Anderson
- I Know Where I Belong – Joe Bonamassa
- Miss You, Hate You – Joe Bonamassa, Richard Feldman
- Nuthin’ I Wouldn’t Do (For a Woman Like You) – Al Kooper
- Colour and Shape – Joe Bonamassa
- Headaches to Heartbreaks – Joe Bonamassa
- Trouble Waiting – Joe Bonamassa, Steve Tyrell, Stephanie Tyrell
- If Heartaches Were Nickels – Warren Hayes
- Current Situation – Joe Bonamassa
- Don’t Burn Down That Bridge – Allen Jones, Carl Wells
Al Kooper: You Never Know Who Your Friends Are
In September 1969, “Columbia” label released “You Never Know Who Your Friends Are”, the second Al Kooper studio album. It was recorded in 1969, and was produced by Al Kooper.
Personnel:
- Al Kooper – vocals, piano, organ, guitar, ondioline, arrangements
- The Al Kooper Big Band under the direction of Charlie Calello
- Ralph Casale, Stu Scharf, Eric Gale – guitar
- Ernie Hayes, Paul Griffin, Frank Owens – piano, organ
- Walter Sears – Moog synthesizer
- Chuck Rainey, Jerry Jemmott, John Miller – electric bass
- Bernard Purdie, Al Rogers – drums
- George Young, Sol Schlinger, Seldon Powell, Joe Farrell – saxophone
- Bernie Glow, Ernie Royal, Marvin Stamm – trumpet
- Ray Desio, Jimmy Knepper, Bill Watrous, Tony Studd – trombone
- Hilda Harris, Connie Zimet, Albertine Robinson, Lois Winter, Michael Gately, Lou Christie, Robert John, Charlie Calello – backing vocals
- Glen Kolotkin, Roy Segal, Stan Tonkel – engineer
- Ron Coro – cover art direction, design
Track listing:
All tracks by Al Kooper, except where noted.
- Magic in My Socks
- Lucille
- Too Busy Thinkin’ ’bout My Baby – Norman Whitfield, Janie Bradford
- First Time Around
- Loretta (Union Turnpike Eulogy)
- Blues, Part IV
- You Never Know Who Your Friends Are
- The Great American Marriage / Nothing
- I Don’t Know Why I Love You – Lula Mae Hardaway, Don Hunter, Paul Riser, Stevie Wonder
- Mourning Glory Story – Harry Nilsson
- Anna Lee (What Can I Do for You)
- I’m Never Gonna Let You Down
Herbie Flowers
On September 5, 2024, Brian Keith “Herbie” Flowers died aged 86. He was musician (bass, double bass, tuba), member of bands Blue Mink, T. Rex and Sky. He played on more than 500 hit recordings, including ones for Elton John, Camel, David Bowie, Lou Reed, Roy Harper, David Essex, Al Kooper, Bryan Ferry, Harry Nilsson, Cat Stevens, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Chanter Sisters, Allan Clarke, Jeff Wayne, Roger Daltrey, Steve Harley, Tim Rose, Cliff Richard, Sally Oldfield, Olivia Newton – John, Melanie, Hazel O’Connor and Jane Wiedlin. As leader, Flowers released four albums.
Johnny Van Zant: No More Dirty Deals
On August 18, 1980, “Polydor” label released “No More Dirty Deals”, the debut Johnny Van Zant album. It was recorded in 1980, and was produced by Al Kooper.
Personnel:
- Johnny Van Zant – vocals
- Robbie Gay – lead guitar
- Erik Lundgren – lead guitar
- Al Kooper – keyboards
- Danny Clausman – bass guitar
- Robbie Morris – drums
Track listing:
- No More Dirty Deals – Johnny Van Zant, Erik Lundgren, Donnie Van Zant
- Coming Home – Johnny Van Zant, Robert Gay
- 634-5789 – Eddie Floyd, Steve Cropper
- Put My Trust in You – Johnny Van Zant, Robert Gay, Robert Morris
- Only the Strong Survive – Johnny Van Zant, Marvin Jarret, Robert Gay, Robert Morris
- Hard Luck Story – Johnny Van Zant, Erik Lundgren
- Stand Your Ground – Donnie Van Zant, Johnny Van Zant, Robert Gay
- Never Too Late – Johnny Van Zant, Erik Lundgren
- Keep On Rollin’ – Johnny Van Zant, Al Kooper, Danny Clausman, Robert Gay
- Standing in the Darkness – Johnny Van Zant, Robert Gay
Donny Hathaway: Extension Of A Man
On June 18, 1973, “Atco” label released “Extension of a Man”, the fourth and final Donny Hathaway studio album. It was recorded October – November 1972, at “A&R”, “Bell Sound”, “Regent Sound” and “Atlantic” in New York City, “Universal” in Chicago, and was produced by Arif Mardin.
Personnel:
- Donny Hathaway – lead vocals, Fender Rhodes electric piano, all pianos, Hammond organ, keyboards, bass, arrangements
- Cornell Dupree – acoustic and electric guitar
- Hugh McCracken – banjo, guitar
- Willie Weeks, Russ Savakus, Stanley Clarke, Gordon Edwards – bass
- Grady Tate, Fred White, Rick Marotta, Ray Lucas – drums
- Ralph MacDonald – percussion
- Emanuel Green, Harry Lookofsky, Julien Barber, Noel DaCosta, Sanford Allen, Theodore Israel – violin
- Charles McCracken, George Ricci, Kermit Moore – cello
- Gloria Agostini – harp
- David Newman – saxophone
- Marvin Stamm, Joe Newman, Ernie Royal – trumpet
- Dominick Gravine, Garnett Brown, Paul Faulise, Wayne Andre, Tony Studd, Garnett Brown – trombone
- Hubert Laws – flute
- Don Butterfield – tuba
- Phil Bodner – clarinet, alto saxophone
- Seldon Powell – clarinet, reeds, tenor saxophone
- Vincent Abato – clarinet
- Romeo Penque, William Slapin – reeds
- Jim Buffington, Julius Watkins, Tony Miranda – French horn
- Henry Schuman – oboe
- Myrna Summers & The Interdenominational Singers – choir
- Cissy Houston, Myrna Smith, Sylvia Shemwell, Jimmy Douglass, Mario “Big M” Medious, Richard Wells, William “Mac” McCollum – backing vocals
Track listing:
All tracks by Donny Hathaway, except where noted.
- I Love the Lord; He Heard My Cry (Parts I & II)
- Someday We’ll All Be Free – Donny Hathaway, Edward Howard
- Flying Easy
- Valdez in the Country
- I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know – Al Kooper
- Come Little Children
- Love, Love, Love – J.R. Bailey, Ken Williams
- The Slums
- Magdalena – Danny O’Keefe
- I Know It’s You – Leon Ware
- Lord Help Me – Joe Greene, Billy Preston
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