Customer Reviews

Al Kooper Introduces Shuggie Otis

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This japanese import sounds great, and as far as I know, there are no domestic releases. I still have the LP, but it's virtually unplayable. However, this CD, complete with japanese liner notes, sounds so good, you can even hear Shuggies pick on the strings. Al Koopers organ/electric piano also sounds wonderful. My two favorites are #'s 5 and 7, the lengthy "12:15 Goonbash Blues" and "Shuggies Shuffle", respectively, an absolute MUST for any blues or blues/rock lover.

as the liner notes state shuggie is only 15 at the time of thie recording. while i am just discovering that this is finally available on cd i am very familiar with this record. if you loved super session then this is for you. the "a" side or songs is a combination of gospel and blues, while the "b" is 3 long jams. shuggie is the star here while kooper and the others keep a great backbeat, the blues are what shuggie is meant to play. only 2 questions remain, why no usa cd release? and why isn't shuggie recording? someone should find him in california and sign him quick.

this is another of my all time favorites, i had this album when i was only 20 years old....this is a japanese import complete with japanese liner notes, the correct title is "kooper session", not "volume 2 kooper sessions", but it is one and the same. shuggie otis was fifteen years old at the time, but boy, does he rip on guitar. my two favorite tracks are #'s 5 and 7, "12:15 slow goonbash blues" and "shuggies shuffle", a definate MUST for all blues/rock lovers.

It's a shame this album isn't yet available on CD. I have the original LP where Al Kooper instinctively creates the setting to allow Shuggie Otis to perform at his most amazing best. Each track shows off Shuggie's comfort level with various types of blues and soul genres. Although the guitar playing is heartfelt and truely world class it seems that much more incredible when Al Kooper casually reveals in the last line of the liner notes, "Oh one more thing, Shuggie is only fifteeen years old."

Al kooper's previous album(supersession)set the standard for superstar jam albums so this record,released just one year later,was bound to be overlooked.However,since most of shuggie otis' discography has been reissued in recent years it only seemed natural that eventually they would dust off this little gem.The record is broken into two sides:side one consists of concise readings of more tradionally based blues material while side two is where shuggie and al decide to stretch out in the form of three lenghty jams.All and all this album is a nice little record that if you dig shuggie otis is well worth forking over the ten or twelve bucks for the experience.

I can't believe I just discovered this album. It's amazing from the first track. And each track just keeps you wanting more and more. I can listen to it over and over again. I bought Super Session when it was first released and haven't listened to it for years. Having listened to it again recently and finding this album, I prefer this one. This album really rocks.

In June 1968, Al Kooper teamed with Michael Bloomfield and Stephen Stills, and together they produced an amazing record entitled: "Super Session." This widely popular album, did much to introduce blues, to young rock fans.

When Al, was introduced to the guitar playing of 15 year old Shuggie Otis, in 1969. He wanted to perform with the gifted young guitarist, and produce a album, to showcase his playing skills. This record: "Kooper Session" is the result.

"Kooper Session" is broken into the: 'song' side of the record, and the: 'jamming' side. Side one of "Session" begins with a fast-paced gospel rave-up: "Bury My Body". Al, isn't a Southern Baptist lad from Alabama, and it shows here. Shuggie, plays well but, he doesn't provide the soul of an older player, he is a "flash" player. "Body" seems very out of place as an opening number, it is not convincing for what it is trying to be. The Brooker T & The MG's number: "Double or Nothing" is fine, but when you hear what Steve Cropper plays on the original, then you will know that this version falls short of that one.

"One Room Country Shack" is the rock song of the record, but it is almost a throwaway track. Shuggie, plays his parts fine, but the main melody is much too repetitive, and will wear you down fast. "Lookin' For A Home" is another gospel number, that I enjoy more than: "Bury My Body" Shuggie, doesn't rush his lead playing here, and in tone and style he sounds very much like Ron Wood, when he played with Rod Stewart in The Faces, this is the most successful example of the 'songs.'

Side two of: "Kooper Session" features three jams. "Shuggie's Old Time Slide Boogie" is proccessed to sound like an old scratchy 78 recording of dueling bootleneck guitar and piano. the final track is: "Shuggie's Shuffle" and it is the best selection on this record, but it is too little, too late.

"Kooper Session" failed to repeate the success of: "Super Session" and few people know that this record does exist. If you want every Al Kooper, recording, you will want this, if not...give: "Kooper Session" as pass. The Super Session LP is a must-own record, this one doesn't rekindle past glories.
Two Stars

That is what the original album was called and it was issued in the US in 1968 or 1969. Otis was born in 1953 and if he was fifteen (as stated on the case notes) that would make it 1968. I still have the original LP and would love to get it on CD. When I graduated from college I sold most of my albums but I kept this one and some others. It was/is a special album and if anything were to inspire the purchase of a USB phonograph, this would be it. Outstanding, exciting, creative and original, I can't think of anything else quite like it. Even my old copy, with all its wear and tear would only add to "Shuggie's Old Time...Slide Boogie" a tremendous cut! One side is labeled "The Songs" and has 4 cuts, the other side is labeled "The Blues" and has three cuts. I can't understand why it hasn't been issued as a CD in the US.

In spite of the previous review - Shuggie is not dead.

Bought this new waaaaay back and thought it was great. Lost it for 30 years and found it again on Amazon. Still a good listen. Al Kooper gets a little off on the keyboards now and then, but Shuggie Otis is very good. And, don't forget that he was just about sixteen years old at the time! It's worth the money.