Customer Reviews

Act Like Nothing's Wrong

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I always like Al's work with big bands the best, particularly the hard to find You Never Know Who Your Friends Are. If you like his work with Blood, Sweat and Tears, this album is a must.

Kooper's seventh solo album (I Stand Alone, You Never Know Who Your Friends Are, Easy Does It, New York City, A Possible Projection of the Future, Naked Songs ...not including duet, live albums, or albums as part of a group) continues his characteristic exquisite sound. The cover has his head on "her" body on the front, her head on his body on the back (remember to Act Like Nothing's Wrong) in the same vein as the cover of BS&T's Child is Father to the Man. The songs are often accompanied by little sound-bytes to keep the listening experience personable and enjoyable. This last aspect may be what seemingly prohibited radio stations from giving Kooper airplay. How does a disk-jockey play a track from an album, ending it before the sound-byte. or before the track blends into the next track?
1. The first track, Is We on the Downbeat? is one such sound-byte. It is a bit of chatter that helps make you feel like you are in the studio while the album is being recorded.
2. This Diamond Ring is Kooper's cover of a song that he co-wrote, that was ultimately thrust into the Top 10 by Gary Lewis and the Playboys in the sixties. Kooper never liked their cover of the song, so after over a decade, Kooper finally shows us how he wanted it done! Kooper plays clavinet, guitar and all keyboards on this track.
3. She Don't Ever Lose Her Groove is a wonderful soul/funk song that starts with a momentary sound-byte, presumably the engineer saying "Play that som-bitch" followed by a momentary chuckle by Kooper. The song also showcases some slide guitar work by Kooper, along with the piano. Note: He was originally a guitarist before he "accidentally" was thrust into famed-obscurity as the Hammond B3 organ player on Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone".
4. I Forgot to Be Your Lover is a ballad that shows another side of Kooper's guitar work, again with Kooper on piano.
5. Missing You includes Kooper doing some very enjoyable work on twin pianos, clavinet and synthesizer.
6. Out of Left Field has Kooper on acoustic guitar, piano, organ, mellotron, and synthesizer.
7. (Please Not) One More Time starts with the studio count-off. Kooper plays piano and clavinet, along with Leslie vocals. The credits include Nomis Nhoj on Noissucrep (John Simon on percussion - backwards). It also ends with a short studio sound-byte.
8. In My Own Sweet Way begins with a studio voice-over "funny intro with a balloon nose". Kooper plays acoustic guitar, piano, electric rhythm guitar, and synthesizer. It also features some fine slide guitar work by Steve Gibson.
9. Turn My Head Toward Home has Kooper on electric piano, electric guitar and sitar.
10. A Visit to the Rainbow Bar and Grill is a short sound collage akin to restaurant chatter with an amusing voice-over, as though the restaurant has a maitre d' who has difficulty maintaining his composure.
11. Hollywood Vampire is the biggest production number on the album. Kooper plays piano, pipe organ, orchestral bells, electric guitars (including solos), and synthesizers. The track also includes Joe Walsh on slide guitar.

I bought this recent reissue without the benefit of a review like this, so I'm doing this for all who come after me. I was so excited to see this release, as I don't have it on CD. However, this reissue is very disappointing, in terms of sound. I have the original LP and though it has some surface noise, the listening experience is MUCH better. This digital remaster lacks high end, definition and volume. It sounds washed out and pale. I am really disappointed, because I can imagine how great this would sound with a proper remaster, thanks to This Diamond Ring on Rare and Well Done. Anyway, hold your precious $$$ and wait for another reissue (I know, fat chance). If you're a real Al Kooper fan you'll be smart to pass on this, unless you don't already have it in any form.