Best Al Kooper Podcasts (2025)

1
Episode 242: A Musical Book Revue, "Backstage Passes..." by Al Kooper 1:59:58

1d ago1:59:58

1:59:58

The book covers the life of Al Kooper, born February 5, 1944, he began his musical journey at 14 playing guitar with the Royal Teens. At 16, he wrote “This Diamond Ring” for Gary Lewis. He founded Blood Sweat and Tears, and left after their first album, created the first “jam” album, with “Super Session." His solo career began with “I Stand Alone."…

1
Episode 241: Counting Down Peppermint Harris 37:36

4d ago37:36

37:36

This weekend we count down Peppermint, who we celebrated on his birthday this week. Nelson D. Harrison, Jr., was born on July 17, 1925, in Texarkana, Texas. He moved to Houston and began his career playing local clubs. Nelson invented his stage name "Peppermint" in response to the success of other local friends and performers with nicknames like Cl…

1
Episode 240: Face - The Music 1:28:14

9d ago1:28:14

1:28:14

Face - The Music... Doll Face - Todd Snider, All Kinds of Faces: Circus Face - The Youngbloods, New Faces - The Rolling Stones, Long Face - Bobby Charles, Funny Face - Dave Davies, Face In The Crowd - The Kinks, Ono, It's A Beatle Break Back 2 Back!: I've Just Seen A Face by Charles River Boys and Jim Sturgess, Psychedelic Phlashback: A Face That D…

1
Episode 239: Remembering Byron Berline 1:33:28

15d ago1:33:28

1:33:28

Byron Douglas Berline, born July 6, 1944, in Caldwell, Kansas was multi-instrumentalist focusing on fiddle and mandolin. He played ragtime, bluegrass, Cajun, rock and country , and is best remembered for his work in country flavored work with the Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and Gram Parsons. Berline began learning fiddle at the age of five,…

1
Episode 238: July is Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie and Ice Cream, too! 1:07:52

20d ago1:07:52

1:07:52

Just in time for the 4th of July holiday! Dang, It's July, and the year is half way over... but we have reasons to celebrate as this weekend is our Independence Day holiday. Happy 249th! July - Cryan' Shames, July Morning - String Driven Thing, It's The Fourth of July - Big Jack Johnson, 4Th Of July, Asbury Park (Bruce Springteen cover) Back 2 Back…

1
Episode 237: Re-upped: Closing Out June Accordion Awareness Month 1:28:38

23d ago1:28:38

1:28:38

It happened again, only 2/3s of the podcast uploaded... this is the whole enchilada! What do the Rolling Stones, Beach Boys, Byrds, Band, Bob Dylan, Young Rascals, Bruce Springsteen, Jesse Winchester, Jethro Tull and The Who all have in common, besides creating memorable music? All of these artist have turned to the accordion when then want to add …

1
Episode 236: That Real All American, Average Joe! 1:29:41

27d ago1:29:41

1:29:41

The Average Joe according to GROK A.I. is: Name: Joe Thompson Age: 38 Occupation: Warehouse Supervisor Location: Springfield, Ohio Family: Married to Sarah, two kids (Emma, 12; Liam, 9) Education: High school diploma, some community college credits Income: ~$55,000/year Hobbies: Watching football (big Browns fan), fishing, backyard BBQs, playing vi…

1
Episode 235: Counting Down Ben Keith 44:41

30d ago44:41

44:41

Bennett Keith Schaeufele, known professionally as Ben Keith, was an musician and record producer. He was born on March 6, 1937, in Fort Riley, Kansas, moving to Bowling Green, Kentucky, and eventually to Nashville, where he gained work as a session pedal steel player. Ben's big break came when he played on Patsy Cline's "I Fall to Pieces" in 1961. …

1
Episode 234: Covered By The Blues (Revised with missing tunes...hopefully) 1:27:17

1M ago1:27:17

1:27:17

This episode inaugurates a new series of podcasts based on books in my music library collection. Music history is an interest of mine and over the years the library has grown to range to cover a wide selection of blues and informational and biographical editions. This week's inspiration is William Stout's book "Legends of the Blues." In his book St…

1
Episode 232: On The Road 1:30:02

1M ago1:30:02

1:30:02

On The Road On The Road - Ray Wily Hubbard, Big Road Back 2 Back with Bonnie Raitt and David Bromberg, On The Road - Priscilla Cooledge, On The Road Again - Don Nix, Down The road I'm Going - The Mofo Party Band, Hey, Ride with Me, Awhile: Farther On Down The Road - Billy Gray, Going Down The Road Feeling Bad Back 2 Back with Dale Hawkins and Danny…

1
Episode 231: For # 900, It's A Baker's Dozen of Jimmy Vivino! 1:03:03

2M ago1:03:03

1:03:03

Counting Down Jimmy Vivino 900th Podcast He has been described as "A bluesman with a job!" It is Jimmy Vivino, born in Paterson, New Jersey in January 10, 1955. Jimmy is multi-instrumentalist, singer, producer,and music director for television and movies, but he is most recognizable long time band member and leader of Conan O'brien's house band. Ji…

1
Episode 230: You Gotta Have Friends... 1:29:27

2M ago1:29:27

1:29:27

... without them life would be almost unbearable, with them it can be frustrating or it can be loads of fun. It all depends on who you pick to be your friend. Let us explain with this all "Friends" podcast. The "Friends" Podcast is: Friends - The Living End, Waiting On A Friend (Rolling Stones Cover) - Over The Rhine, Special Friends - Glass Harp, …

1
Episode 229: Counting Down Don Preston 48:37

2M ago48:37

48:37

Donald Jack Preston was born September 16, 1942, in Denver, Colorado, a guitarist, singer and songwriter who began performing in the 1950s, and earned the nickname, "The Gentle Giant." He was a regular with Leon Russell , playing on several of the Shelter label releases of Leon's, J.J. Cale, Freddie King, Dave Mason, and others. He also played on M…

1
Episode 228: The Chicago Line 1:34:09

2M ago1:34:09

1:34:09

We just returned from a trip to Chicago, and the music just really gets me going. To celebrate and, maybe get you interested in visiting the "2nd City," here's my tribute to Chicago. The Chicago Line Podcast: Chicago Line (John Mayall cover) - Debbie Davis, I'm Calling Chicago - Neutral Spirits, New Sweet Home Chicago - Leon Russell, Chicago - Tom …

1
Episode 227: Counting Down Mickey, Mickey Raphael 40:59

2M ago40:59

40:59

He's been Willie Nelson's go to harp player since the 1973, after playing in B.W. Stevenson's band. But more than that (if that wasn't enough) Michael Siegfried "Mickey" Raphael, who is from Dallas, has played and recorded with Jason Isbell, Townes Van Zandt, Chris Stapleton, Jerry Jeff Walker, Tom Morello, Paul Simon, Snoop Dogg, Engelbert Humperd…

1
Episode 226: Going Chicken Crazy! 1:29:29

3M ago1:29:29

1:29:29

This week we go 100% "Chicken Crazy" with a podcast completely dedicated to the national bird of the southern home, "The" Sunday dinner favorite for decades, the humble yard bird... a.k.a. Chicken, with the Chicken Crazy Podcast: Chicken Crazy - Joe Tex, Chicken Shack Back2 Back with McKenna Mendelson Mainline and Honeyboy Edwards , Robert Lockwood…

1
Episode 225: Counting Down Chris Ethridge 41:47

3M ago41:47

41:47

Counting Down Chris Ethridge celebrates the career of a man who's career as a bassist crossed over to several genres of popular music. He was best known as a member of one of the original country rock bands, The Flying Burrito Brothers, but he was also played for Judy Collins, Johnny Winter, Ry Cooder, Leon Russell, Randy Newman, Linda Ronstadt, Th…

1
Talking About Horns 6:13

7M ago6:13

6:13

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 comment of her own. You can submit questions for Al at alkooper.com on the Kooperkast page.By Al Kooper

1
Stream of Consciousness 6:46

8M ago6:46

6:46

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 working with horns. After each answer from Al, Nilly the Dog adds a brief comment of her own. You can submit questions for Al at alkooper.com on the Kooperkast page.…

1
Back to Queens 7:24

8M ago7:24

7:24

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 title of the Kapusta Albums is revealed… via Ernie Kovacs. After each answer from Al, Nilly the Dog adds a brief comment of her own. Ask Al questions at www.alkooper.com on the Kooperk…

1
Go Ask Al: Rolling Again 6:35

8M ago6:35

6:35

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 bit about the upcoming Dylan movie.By Al Kooper

1
Go Ask Al: Flute Thing 8:36

8M ago8:36

8:36

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, producer money from the Dylan days, and Al’s at Birdland as a kid. And Nilly the Dog is back in the swing of things, added a canine comment after each answer by Al.…

1
Elvis and Nilly the Dog 9:02

9M ago9:02

9:02

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

1
Simon & Dylan 7:13

9M ago7:13

7:13

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.By Al Kooper

1
Everly Brothers 9:29

9M ago9:29

9:29

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

1
Calello to Sinatra 5:36

9M ago5:36

5:36

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.By Al Kooper

1
The Influence of The Band 7:04

10M ago7:04

7:04

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... and one for Blood, Sweat & Tears.By Al Kooper

1
More Producers 6:55

10M ago6:55

6:55

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

1
Thom Bell 5:56

10M ago5:56

5:56

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

1
Elton, Producers, and Al's French Horn 6:34

10M ago6:34

6:34

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 Stone's "You Can't Always Get What You Want".By Al Kooper

1
Jimi and Chicago 9:05

10M ago9:05

9:05

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

1
Al the Arranger... and more. 7:29

11M ago7:29

7:29

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.By Al Kooper

1
Big Chuck and Little Richard 7:05

11M ago7:05

7:05

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 Richard and on to how Nashville sessions guys are just different than New York session guys.By Al Kooper

1
Hall of Fame and Stomach Sounds 5:50

11M ago5:50

5:50

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 sounds.By Al Kooper

1
Downloads and the Music Biz 6:01

11M ago6:01

6:01

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 Dylan.By Al Kooper

1
Ep. 53 - Pete Best (The Beatles) 1:11:08

12M ago1:11:08

1:11:08

On this episode of The It's Only Rock And Roll Podcast, we speak with drummer Pete Best, one of only 3 living men who can rightfully claim the designation “former-Beatle”. We discuss his two year role in the band's development, which took them from teenaged amateur rockers, to road-hardened seasoned musicians – culminating with the band' signing wi…

1
Onward From Royal Teens 6:09

12M ago6:09

6:09

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 Dylan and rock forever.By Al Kooper

1
Al and Jimmy 5: Brits vs Americans 6:36

12M ago6:36

6:36

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 Stones, where Mick and Keith picked up Al, while playing a Taj Mahal album in the limo.By Al Kooper

1
Al and Jimmy 4: Jimmy Reed 7:10

12M ago7:10

7:10

They talk about their love for the great blues players and Jimmy Reed in particular. (Your host specially dug this conversation since he first saw Al with the The Blues Project in Central Park where Jimmy Reed also played around 1968 or so.)By Al Kooper

1
Al and Jimmy 3: 1650 Broadway 6:49

1y ago6:49

6:49

Jimmy talks to Al about the old days writing songs at 1650 Broadway, and Al accuses Jimmy of romanticizing those days, which Jimmy admits he totally trying to do.By Al Kooper

1
Al and Jimmy 2: Icing on the Cake 6:19

1y ago6:19

6:19

Jimmy talks about how in many songs a certain instrument plays the role of the icing on the cake; it adds a certain extra beauty and how Al did that for Dylan and for so many others.By Al Kooper

1
Al Kooper Meets Jimmy Vivino 6:00

1y ago6:00

6:00

This is first of 19 episodes where these two music buddies invited us to listen in on their music biz talk. This one starts with how they met, but like all of these, goes off into all sorts of other stuff.By Al Kooper

1
380,000 Songs 8:38

1y ago8:38

8:38

We answer listener questions about am radio in the old days, Skynyrd after Al, did Al play keyboard with the Tubes, playing with Taj Mahal, Al’s collection of 380,00 songs, and a drunk Hubert Sumlin fan who Al was really nice to. After each question Nilly the Dog adds a canine comment. You can always submit questions for Al at alkooper.com on the K…

1
Music of Bulgaria 10:34

1y ago10:34

10:34

Al has mentioned the Nonesuch album Music of Bulgaria many times in the podcast so we thought we’d devote a whole podcast to it and play some very short bits of the music in order to give listeners a glimpse of the remarkable sound and hopefully prompt many to buy the album.By Al Kooper

1
AM vs FM Radio 7:45

1y ago7:45

7:45

We answer questions starting with one about Steven King, the shift from AM to FM for rock and its effect on song length, about the mystery of mastering songs, and about the Funky Faculty at Berklee. As always, Nilly the Dog ends each segment with her dogged thoughts.By Al Kooper

1
Song Writing Teams 7:58

1+ y ago7:58

7:58

We answer questions about the influence of the artist versus the producer in recording sessions, and about the whole process of writing songs as a words - music team, starting with This Diamond Ring. Nilly the Dog concludes each segment with some brief pooch dog thoughts.By Al Kooper

1
Paul Griffin the Piano Player 8:28

1+ y ago8:28

8:28

We answer a question about Paul Griffin from renowned rock writer Tony Scherman, about writing charts for other musicians, a mystery question about Al’s junior high 109, and the genesis of brass in rock with Blood Sweat and Tears and Chicago. After each segment Nilly the Dog adds some brief thoughts.…

1
Queens Redux 8:08

1+ y ago8:08

8:08

We cover questions including the old days in Queens with Simon, Garfunkel, and Harvey Brooks, to what if Like a Rolling Stone was a waltz. Of course, Nilly the Dog follows each segment with canine input of her own.By Al Kooper

1
First Diamond Ring 7:39

1+ y ago7:39

7:39

We cover an assortment of questions from the first time Al heard This Diamond Ring on the radio to quadraphonic sound. Of course, Nilly the Dog follows each segment with canine input of her own..By Al Kooper

1
Silvertones Redux 7:41

1+ y ago7:41

7:41

We cover a bunch of questions including Al’s favorite Gospel group, the Swan Silvertones, also about Felix Caviliere, and about modern music. Of course, Nilly the Dog follows each segment with canine input of her own..By Al Kooper

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