Happy birthday to Al Kooper, born as Alan Kuperschmidt in New York City on this day in 1944.
Once upon a time he dressed so fine.
Live at Newport -Bob Dylan - "Like A Rolling Stone"(1965)
Route
Happy 81st birthday to Al Kooper!
Al Kooper has been a legendary songwriter, record producer and musician for over six decades. Highlights include his work with Blood, Sweat & Tears, playing organ on Bob Dylan’s ‘Like a Rolling Stone’ and collaborating with countless artists.
" If it doesn't reach my heart or my groin, I'm not interested and really I can't listen to it. That's why I love Gospel music, because it's so real. Those people are not trying to have a hit. They're singing what's in their hearts and souls. They sing better than people who are trying to get a hit. That's why I love that music so much. It's such incredible singing.
I don't play that good. In terms of organ players, there's like millions of people that can play better than me. I'm not technically all that good compared to people that play. For instance, Joey De Francisco is like the most amazing organ player I've ever heard of in my life. If I lived three lifetimes, I couldn't play as good as he plays. There's a lot of really great organ players. What I'm good at is studio stuff. You play me a song and somebody's singing and I can play nicely behind them. I'm a good sideman. My skill is more of an arranger than as a player. I have to say I think I'm a really good arranger. I think I'm a much better arranger than I am a player. The other thing is, I like so many different kinds of music and I play a lot of different instruments. If you just like one kind of music and you just play one instrument, it's pretty fuckin' boring. That's why I do it...just to keep myself entertained. Otherwise, forget about it! I couldn't believe, I figured it out the other day. I've been playing the organ for forty-three years. That's pretty amazing. I didn't know that. I just figured it out the other day. "
Gary James Interview
No comments:
Post a Comment