Go Ask Al: Rolling Again

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.

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.

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 Kooperkast page.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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 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.