Episode 35: The Al Kooper Conversation

Compared To What Podcast

Al Kooper and Charlie Hunter get together and Al makes Charlie an amazing hotdog. They chomp on chips and talk about ………..well we don’t wanna get ahead of ourselves. Let’s welcome Al Kooper to The Compared To What Podcast. For those of you who know Al Kooper no real introduction is needed. For those of you who do not you are about to hear from one of the real legends of music. Period. Al has written massive hit songs, played on some of the most incredible records ever. Produced classic recordings. At 16 he wrote the massive hit “This Diamond Ring” and the story he tells about it is spectacular. What followed is a career that is unmatched. He played with Bob Dylan (That’s Al playing organ on the classic recording “Like A Rolling Stone” ). He was a founding member of Blood Sweat and Tears ( leaving the band after the first album was made ). He recorded with and played with the following artists The Rolling Stones , B.B King, Alice Cooper ( another “Al Kooper” ), The Who, Jimi Hendrix,George Harrison Cream …….basically slouches. (not slouches). He discovered the band Lynyrd Skynyrd. Produced their first 3 albums and performed on them which includes the classic recordings “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Free Bird”. He even was the musical force behind the 70’s kids TV classic “The Banana Splits” ……name another guy with a list of credits and experience like this?? You cannot. Charlie and Al sit down and talk about a wide variety or topics. A fascinating conversation. Al Kooper joins the CTWP family. ( and yes there are some jumps here and there because every once in a while……..things went off the record. Totally understandable ) also……Jimmy Miller is the drummer on “You Cant Always Get What You Want” (You’ll understand why I wrote this when you hear the episode)