Tag Archives: Al Kooper

Lynyrd Skynyrd: Second Helping

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Second Helping

On April 15, 1974, “Sounds of the South” label released “Second Helping”, the second Lynyrd Skynyrd album. It was recorded in January 1974, at “Record Plant Studios”, in Los Angeles, except track “Sweet Home Alabama”, recorded in June 1973, at “Studio One” in Doraville, Georgia, and was produced by Al Kooper. In 1987, the album was certified 2x Platinum by the “RIAA”.

Personnel:

  • Ronnie Van Zant– lead vocals
  • Gary Rossington– guitar
  • Allen Collins– guitar
  • Ed King– guitar, bass, backing vocals
  • Al Kooper– piano, backing vocals
  • Billy Powell– keyboards
  • Leon Wilkeson– bass, backing vocals
  • Bob Burns– drums
  • Mike Porter – drums
  • Bobby Keys, Trevor Lawrence and Steve Madaio – horns
  • Merry Clayton,Clydie King, Sherlie Matthews – backing vocals

Track listing:

  1. Sweet Home Alabama – Ed King, Gary Rossington, Ronnie Van Zant
  2. I Need You – Ed King, Gary Rossington, Ronnie Van Zant
  3. Don’t Ask Me No Questions – Gary Rossington, Ronnie Van Zant
  4. Workin’ for MCA – Ed King, Ronnie Van Zant
  5. The Ballad of Curtis Loew – Allen Collins, Ronnie Van Zant
  6. Swamp Music – Ed King, Ronnie Van Zant
  7. The Needle and the Spoon – Allen Collins, Ronnie Van Zant
  8. Call Me the Breeze – J. J. Cale

 

Lynyrd Skynyrd: Nuthin’ Fancy

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Nuthin'_Fancy_jpg

On March 24, 1975, “MCA” label released “Nuthin’ Fancy”, the third Lynyrd Skynyrd studio album. It was recorded at “WEBB IV Studios” in Atlanta, January 1975, except for track 1, recorded at “Studio One” in Doraville” in Georgia, August 1974, and was produced by Al Kooper. In July 1975, the album was certified platinum by the “RIAA”.

Personnel:

  • Ronnie Van Zant– lead vocals
  • Allen Collins– guitar
  • Ed King– guitar
  • Gary Rossington– guitar
  • Billy Powell– keyboards
  • Leon Wilkeson– bass guitar
  • Artimus Pyle– drums, percussion
  • Barry Harwood – dobro,mandolin
  • Jimmy Hall –harmonica
  • David Foster – piano
  • Bobbye Hall– percussion

Track listing:

  1. Saturday Night Special – Ed King andRonnie Van Zant
  2. Cheatin’ Woman – Al Kooper,Gary Rossington, amd Eonnie Van Zant
  3. Railroad Song – Ed King and Ronnie Van Zant
  4. I’m a Country Boy – Allen Collins and Ronnie Van Zant
  5. On the Hunt – Allen Collins and Ronnie Van Zant
  6. Am I Losin’ – Gary Rossington and Ronnie Van Zant
  7. Made in the Shade – Ronnie Van Zant
  8. Whiskey Rock-a-Roller – Ed King,Billy Powell and Ronnie Van Zant

 

Blood, Sweat & Tears: Child Is Father to the Man

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Child Is

On February 21, 1968, “Columbia” label released “Child Is Father to the Man”, the debut Blood, Sweat & Tears album. “Child Is Father to the Man” was recorded in November and December 1967, and was produced by John Simon. In 2003, the album was ranked number 264 on “Rolling Stone” magazine’s list of the “500 greatest albums of all time”.

Personnel:

  • Steve Katz– vocals, guitar, lute
  • Al Kooper– vocals, organ, piano, ondioline
  • John Simon– organ, piano, conductor, cowbell, arrangements
  • Al Gorgoni– vocals, organ, guitar, arrangements
  • Fred Lipsius– piano, alto saxophone, arrangements
  • Randy Brecker– trumpet, flugelhorn
  • Jerry Weiss– vocals, trumpet, flugelhorn
  • Dick Halligan– trombone
  • Jim Fielder– bass guitar, fretless bass guitar
  • Bobby Colomby– vocals, drums, percussion
  • Anahid Ajemian– violin
  • Paul Gershman – violin
  • Manny Green – violin
  • Julie Held – violin
  • Gene Orloff– violin
  • Harry Katzman – violin
  • Leo Kruczek – violin
  • Harry Lookofsky – violin
  • Harold Coletta – viola
  • Charles McCracken – cello
  • Alan Schulman – cello
  • Melba Moorman– choir, chorus
  • Valerie Simpson– choir, chorus
  • The Manny Vardi Strings
  • Doug James – shaker
  • Fred Catero – sound effects, arrangements
  • Alan Schulman – arrangements
  • Howard Fritzson – art direction
  • Bob Cato, Don Hunstein – photography
  • Michael Cimicata – packaging

Track Listing:

  1. Overture – Al Kooper
  2. I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know – Al Kooper
  3. Morning Glory – Larry Beckett, Tim Buckley
  4. My Days Are Numbered – Al Kooper
  5. Without Her – Harry Nilsson
  6. Just One Smile – Randy Newman
  7. I Can’t Quit Her –  Al Kooper, Irwin Levine
  8. Meagan’s Gypsy Eyes – Steve Katz
  9. Somethin’ Goin’ On – Al Kooper
  10. House in the Country – Al Kooper
  11. The Modern Adventures of Plato, Diogenes and Freud – Al Kooper
  12. So Much Love/Underture – Gerry Goffin, Carole King

The Bottom Line

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Bottom Line Club

On February 12, 1974, “The Bottom Line” club opened in New York City. Owned by Allan Pepper and Stanley Snadowsky, during the 70’s and 80’s, the club was a major space for small-scale music performances. The club stoped working in 2004. Some of the artists who performed in the club were Miles Davis, Gato Barbieri, Bill Evans, Charles Mingus, Mose Allison, Muddy Waters, Mike Bloomfield, Paul Butterfield, Ray Barretto, Peter Gabriel, Al Kooper, Tom Waits, Melvin Van Peebles, Neil Sedaka, Billy Joel, Suzi Quatro, Patti Smith, Flo & Eddie, Toots and the Maytals, Cheech & Chong, Tower of Power, Tim Hardin, Roger McGuinn, JJ Cale, The Meters, Greg Kihn Band, Ry Cooder,Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes, Sam & Dave, Asım Can Gündüz, The Ronettes, John Cale, Gong, Peter Bardens, The Violent Femmes, Eric Clapton, Carl Perkins, Linda Ronstadt,The Police, Richard Marx, Prince, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Van Morrison, The Stone Poneys, Chuck Mangione, Emmylou Harris, Clinn Rippy, Neil Young, Barry Manilow, Laura Nyro, Loudon Wainwright III, New York Dolls, Lyle Lovett, The Electric Flag, Pat Martino, Todd Rundgren, Graham Parker, Grayson Hugh, Stan Ridgway, Horslips, Dire Straits,Chris Hillman, Hawkwind, Dolly Parton, George Jones, Tracy Nelson, The Pointer Sisters, Betty Carter, Ravi Shankar, Ramones and Michael Hedges.

Roy Orbison: Mystery Girl

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Mystery_Girl

On January 31, 1989, “Virgin” label released posthumously “Mystery Girl”, the twenty – second Roy Orbison album. It was recorded July 1987 – November 1988, and was produced by Roy Orbison, Mike Campbell, Jeff Lynne, T Bone Burnett, Barbara Orbison and  Bono. On December 6, 1988, Orbison died from a heart attack aged 52.

Personnel:

  • Roy Orbison– lead and backing vocals, acoustic and electric guitar
  • Jeff Lynne– electric and acoustic guitar, keyboards, piano, bass, backing vocals
  • Tom Petty– acoustic guitar, backing vocals
  • Billy Burnette– acoustic guitar, backing vocals
  • Rick Vito– electric and slide guitar, backing vocals
  • George Harrison– acoustic guitar
  • Mike Campbell– acoustic and electric guitar, bass, mandolin
  • Bono– electric guitar
  • David Rhodes– electric guitar
  • T Bone Burnett– electric guitar
  • Steve Cropper– electric guitar
  • Mitchell Froom– piano
  • Benmont Tench– piano, organ, cheap strings
  • Al Kooper– organ
  • Howie Epstein– bass, backing vocals
  • Tom “T-Bone” Wolk– bass
  • Buell Neidlinger– arco bass
  • Jerry Scheff– string bass
  • David Miner– string bass
  • Mickey Curry– drums
  • Ray Cooper– drums
  • Jim Keltner– drums
  • Ian Wallace– drums, percussion
  • Phil Jones – drums, percussion
  • Gary Coleman – percussion
  • Louis Clark– strings arrangements
  • Michael Utley– string arrangements
  • Barbara Orbison– backing vocals

Track listing:

  1. You Got It – Roy Orbison, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty
  2. In the Real World – Richard Kerr, Will Jennings
  3. (All I Can Do Is) Dream You – Billy Burnette, David Malloy
  4. A Love So Beautiful – Roy Orbison, Jeff Lynne
  5. California Blue – Roy Orbison, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty
  6. She’s a Mystery to Me – Bono, The Edge
  7. The Comedians – Elvis Costello
  8. The Only One – Wesley Orbison, Craig Wiselman
  9. Windsurfer – Roy Orbison, Bill Dees
  10. Careless Heart – Roy Orbison, Diane Warren, Albert Hammond

Taj Mahal: The Natch’t Blues

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Natchl blues

On December 23, 1968, “Columbia” label released “The Natch’l Blues”, the second Taj Mahal studio album. It was recorded May – October 1968, and was produced by David Rubinson.

Personnel:

  • Taj Mahal – vocals, harmonica, Miss “National” steel bodied guitar
  • Jesse Ed Davis- guitar, piano, brass arrangements
  • Al Kooper- piano
  • Gary Gilmore – bass
  • Chuck Blackwell – drums
  • Earl Palmer- drums

Track listing:

All tracks by Taj Mahal, except where noted.

  1. Good Morning Miss Brown
  2. Corinna – Taj Mahal, Jesse Ed Davis
  3. Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Steal My Jellyroll
  4. Going Up to the Country, Paint My Mailbox Blue
  5. Done Changed My Way of Living
  6. She Caught the Katy and Left Me a Mule to Ride – Taj Mahal, Yank Rachell
  7. The Cuckoo – traditional
  8. You Don’t Miss Your Water(‘Til Your Well Runs Dry) – William Bell
  9. Ain’t That a Lot of Love – Homer Banks, Deanie Parker

The Who: The Who Sell Out

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The_who_sell_out

On December 15, 1967, “Track” label released “The Who Sell Out”, the third Who (The) studio album.  It was recorded May – November 1967, at the “Talentmasters Studios” in New York, “IBC Studios”, “Pye Studios”, “De Lane Lea Studios”, “CBS Studios”, and “Kingsway Studios” in London, and in “Gold Star Studios” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Kit Lambert.

Personnel:

  • Roger Daltrey – lead and backing vocals, percussion
  • Pete Townshend – lead and backing vocals, guitars, keyboards, pennywhistle, banjo, sonovox
  • John Entwistle – lead and backing vocals, bass guitar, horns, sound effects
  • Keith Moon – lead and backing vocals, drums, percussion, sound effects
  • Al Kooper– keyboards, organ
  • Speedy Keen – co-lead vocals
  • Kit Lambert– engineer
  • Damon Lyon Shaw – engineer
  • David King, Roger Law– design
  • Adrian George – psychedelic poster design
  • David Montgomery – cover photography

Track listing:

All tracks by by Pete Townshend, except where noted.

  1. Armenia City in the Sky – Speedy Keen
  2. Heinz Baked Beans – John Entwistle
  3. Mary Anne with the Shaky Hand
  4. Odorono
  5. Tattoo
  6. Our Love Was, Is
  7. I Can See for Miles
  8. Can’t Reach You
  9. Medac
  10. Relax
  11. Silas Stingy – John Entwistle
  12. Sunrise
  13. Rael (1 and 2)

 

Blood, Sweat & Tears: Same

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On December 11, 1968, “Columbia” label released self titled, second Blood, Sweet & Tears album. It was recorded October 1968, at “CBS Studios” in New York,  and was produced by James William Guercio. The album was certified 4 x Platinum in the US by the RIAA. The album received “Grammy Award” for “Album of the Year” in 1970.

Personnel:

  • David Clayton-Thomas– lead vocals
  • Steve Katz– lead and backing vocals, guitar, harmonica
  • Dick Halligan– organ, piano, flute, trombone, vocals
  • Jim Fielder– bass
  • Bobby Colomby– vocals, drums, percussion
  • Lew Soloff– trumpet, flugelhorn
  • Fred Lipsius– alto saxophone, piano
  • Chuck Winfield– trumpet, flugelhorn
  • Jerry Hyman– trombone, recorder
  • Dick Halligan, Fred Lipsius, Al Kooper – arrangements
  • Timothy Quay, Bob Cato – cover art
  • John Berg – design
  • Harrie George – photography

Track listing:

  1. Variations on a theme by Erik Satie (1st and 2nd Movements)
  2. Adapted from “Trois Gymnopédies”; arr. by Dick Halligan
  3. Smiling Phases –  Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, Chris Wood
  4. Sometimes in Winter – Steve Katz
  5. More and More – Vee Pee Smith, Don Juan
  6. And When I Die – Laura Nyro
  7. God Bless the Child – Billie Holiday, Arthur Herzog Jr.
  8. Spinning Wheel -David Clayton-Thomas
  9. You’ve Made Me So Very Happy – Berry Gordy Jr., Brenda Holloway, Patrice Holloway, Frank Wilson
  10. Blues – Part II – Blood, Sweat & Tears
  11. Interpolating Sunshine of Your Love (Jack Bruce, Pete Brown,  Eric Clapton), Spoonful – Willie Dixon, Somethin’ Goin’ On – Al Kooper
  12. Variations on a theme by Erik Satie” (1st Movement)

 

The Rolling Stones: Let It Bleed

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Let it bleed

On December 5, 1969, “Decca” label released “Let It Bleed”, the eighth Rolling Stone album. It was recorded in November 1968, and February – November 1969, at the “Olympic Studios” in London, and was produced by Jimmy Miller. It  was the last album to feature Brian Jones and the first one to feature Mick Taylor.

Personnel

  • Mick Jagger– lead vocals, harmonica
  • Keith Richards– lead and backing vocals, guitars, bass guitar
  • Brian Jones– congas, autoharp
  • Mick Taylor– slide guitar, guitars
  • Bill Wyman– bass guitar, autoharp, vibes
  • Charlie Watts– drums
  • Ian Stewart– piano
  • Nicky Hopkins– piano, organ
  • Byron Berline– fiddle
  • Ry Cooder– mandolin, slide guitar
  • Al Kooper– piano, French horn, organ
  • Bobby Keys– tenor saxophone
  • Jimmy Miller– percussion, drums,tambourine
  • Rocky Dijon– percussion
  • Leon Russell– piano, horn arrangement
  • Jack Nitzsche– choral arrangements
  • Merry Clayton– vocals
  • The London Bach Choir– vocals
  • Nanette Newman– backing vocals
  • Doris Troy– backing vocals
  • Madeline Bell– backing vocals

Track listing

All tracks by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, except where noted.

  1. Gimmie Shelter
  2. Love in Vain – Robert Johnson
  3. Country Honk
  4. Live With Me
  5. Let it Bleed
  6. Midnight Rambler
  7. You Got the Silver
  8. Monkey Man
  9. You Can’t Always Get What You Want

Ten Years After: Same

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Ten Years After

On November 27, 1967, “Deram” label released the self titled, debut Ten Years After album.  It was recorded in September 1967, at the “Decca Studios” in London, and was produced by Mike Vernon and Gus Dudgeon.

Personnel:

  1. Alvin Lee – vocals, guitar
  2. Chick Churchill– organ
  3. Leo Lyons– bass
  4. Ric Lee– drums

Track listing:

  1. I Want to Know – Sheila McLeod (pseudonym Paul Jones)
  2. I Can’t Keep from Crying Sometimes – Al Kooper
  3. Adventures of a Young Organ – Alvin Lee, Chick Churchill
  4. Spoonful – Willie Dixon
  5. Losing the Dogs – Alvin Lee, Gus Dudgeon
  6. Feel It for Me – Alvin Lee
  7. Love Until I Die – Alvin Lee
  8. Don’t Want You Woman – Alvin Lee
  9. Help Me – Ralph Bass, Willie Dixon, Sonny Boy Williamson