Customer Reviews

Black Coffee

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Al Kooper, along with Leon Russell, belong to that select group musician-composers whose mark in Rock ... in popular music, really, is indelible although they never reached star status.
His resume has been impressive, just think of his organ riff in Like A Rolling Stone, or Blood, Sweat & Tears' first album -a band he actually founded- or his legendary jams with Mike Bloomfield and Stephen Stills. The man is not just part of Rock's history, he helped writing it.
Yet, for many years his presence and influence has been limited, in part due to his frustration and disdain for the music business -to give you a picture of it, let's just say that his autobiography is called "Back Stage Passes & Backstabbing Bastards- as well as due to limited and less than stellar output.
This last statement, fortunately, must be read in past tense. Kooper new album, Black Coffee, has changed that with its set of self-penned beauties and strong covers. This is Mr. Kooper's glorious return to form.
Among the best songs here are the laid back R&B of opener "My Hands Are Tied," three killer ballads -"How My Ever Gonna Get Over You," "Imaginary Lover" and
and the Gospel-like " (I Want You To) Tell Me The Truth"- and the slow burner "Keep It To Yourself" which may remind you of Boz Scaggs. The great tunes don't end there yet, to avoid your attention, I will.
Last but not least mention must be made of the Funky Faculty, the band mainly counting on Al's fellow instructors at Berklee School of Music -where Kooper taught for a few years until 2001- and the extraordinary back-up singers. Their skill, soul and tight connection with this music made this music shine, particularly Bob Douzema on guitar and Daryl Lowery on some smoking alto sax.
This is a special album, equally capable to make you groove and move you deeply, in turn ready to get the party going or provide the sound of an intimate moment. For me, "Black Coffee" a shoe-in for the "best of 05" list.

Just saw Al Kooper & the Funky Faculty at B.B. Kings in NY. Al & the Funky Faculty performed a number of songs from this cd at the show and the crowd enjoyed them all.

I had to purchase this cd because the songs are excellent. On the cd you are treated to two live recordings, "Green Onions" and "Comin' Back In A Cadillac". He even does a cover of "Get Ready". (I'm sure that you will be singing along with this song and tapping your feet.)This cd has differnt styles on it and I really enjoy all the songs.

I have been a fan of Al's since the Super Sessions and I am sure that you will enjoy this cd.

I'm reminded of so many memories listening to this CD: The soulful sound. Perfectly-imperfect vocals. Air-tight band.

The difference through the years is that I used to wear out a new Koop record within two weeks of purchasing it. Come to think of it, I might well wear this sucker out in CD format as well. It's gonna be played that frequently.

With his staggering repertoire, Mr. Koop enjoyed a catalogue of 30 years from which to chose these songs. Doing so must have been like picking amongst your favorite children. The love and care are obvious, the impossibility of such an assignment notwithstanding.

Let's pray radio somehow figures out where to program this musical treasure. While we're at it, let's hope for a tour of small clubs in a city nearby. Moreover, I sure hope you can't wear out a CD from repeated listenings.

If you know Al Kooper and his music at all, you will expect lush arrangements, great production, an eclectic mix of great songs, those Kooper vocals and of course, the legendary keyboard hands. Kooper does not disappoint here. There are live cuts, great covers and great original tunes. This is one of those CD's that will wear out your player. At last, a summer CD you can be excited about!

Al Kooper has lived on the edge of greatness for years, with his legendary work for Dylan, with his collaborations with Mike Bloomfield, The Super Session with both Bloomfield and Stills, the first Blood Sweat and Tears album etc, but he has never really taken over center stage. he doesn't really dominate this album either, leaving plently of room for the Funky Faculty to shine. They are one hot little band, and more than cover up for any weakness in the lead vocals of Mr Kooper.
The album opens with the excellent "My Hands Are Tied" , featuring a powerful horn arrangement and a thunderous bass line. It is the highlight of the album ,with the reggae flavored Got My Ion Hue being my 2nd choice.
Am I Wrong is acoustic bluesy tune with some great slide guitar .In fact,lead guitarist Bob Doezema is excellent throughout the entire album.
Going, Going Gone is a whimsical tribute to "all the things we took for granted" in our youth but are gone now.
Green Onions is a blistering live version of the classic Booker T and The MG's instrumental, with great organ and guitar, This song and Comin Back In a Cadillac were recorded at a 2001 concert in Norway that sounds like everyone had a good time at.
Another Man's Prize is the sleeper of the Album - the more I hear it the more I like it. The same is true for the cover version of Smokey Robinson's Get Ready.
Al Kooper really is a professor of music, and there are more than a few worthwhile lessons in this varied collection of songs, rhythms and musical styles

I have been an Al Kooper fan for four decades. Al's music, his shows and, it seems, his very being is a celebration of soul music. Black Coffee is no exception...from the beautifully haunting "Another Man's Prize" to the soul classic, "Green Onions", which Kooper BURNS on the organ.
Al Kooper is not only a great musician, but he manages to surround himself with great musicians. I saw him last year with his Boston band, The Funky Faculty who are prominent on Black Coffee, and these guys are incredible. His New York band, the ReKooperators, are yet another group of amazing musicians. And don't forget.. in the late sixties Al teamed up with Mike Bloomfield, surely one of the greatest blues guitarists ever.
Black Coffee is a must have. Every track is a winner. After you've listened, start with the Blues Project and pick up any Kooper CD's you may have missed along the way.
And, by the way, forty years ago Al Kooper was the sexiest voice in rock and roll, and at the age of 61, Al Kooper is STILL the sexiest voice in rock and roll.

Years ago when just a lad, I thought Blood, Sweat and Tears was the hottest band around. Then I started listening mostly to big band jazz and since then, I knew Al Kooper was out there somewhere. I would hear about him from time to time but never pay much attention.
WHAT COULD I HAVE BEEN THINKING?
I read an article in the New York Times last week and it got me thinking about Al's contribution to music and I realized I should have been paying more attention to Al and his brilliant music all along. I went and picked up BLACK COFFEE and I now realize how much I have missed. The music, lyrics, styling is all great. This CD has been played in the car and at home now several times. All I can say is sorry Al.....I won't take you for granted any more!

Just 'cause Al hasn't released much during the last...what, 25 years, doesn't mean he's been retired. He has been writing songs and making demos; it's just that no record company was interested. I don't know the deals that resulted in the release of Rekooperation and Soul of a Man, but they must have been 'one-off' deals. Finally, a musician-owned company showed interest, and we have this wonderful album. If you like great soul/jazz/rock music, done with excellent musicianship and flair, you will love this album. I'm almost 52 years old, I've heard a lot of music over the years, and I know great music when I hear it. This is great music, well-played and really well-recorded. I'm pretty realistic as far as what I expect from a new CD these days, in fact it's rare that I buy recent releases. But this meets all expectations and then some. I got much more than my money's worth. Al Kooper has always been the consumate musician and artist. Personally, I've always liked his voice; for some it might be an acquired taste. I kind of think of it as the ideal White Jewish Man singing soul. Plus, his singing has acquired an authority that only years of experience could give it. I think he's doing the best singing of his long career.

This is a great album, among many great Al Kooper albums.

He has never been the best vocalist, keyboard player, guitarist or writer, but Al Kooper is a tasty musician and an excellent producer with an uncanny ability to make great music. One needs only to listen to the classic organ riffs of "Like a Rolling Stone" done by the then non-keyboard playing Al or the groundbreaking "Child is Father to the Man" album by Al's brainchild B,S & T to realize he's the real deal.
I had long ago given up hope that I'd ever hear another solo studio album by Al Kooper but this release was worth the wait.
His voice has weathered over the years but as usual Al uses it to
a musical advantage on his songs of lost loves and life's changes as we grow older. The music has hints of B,S and T, Ray Charles, the blues, reggae and includes a smokin' live version of "Green Onions" and a rockin' "Get Ready". The highlights are Al's own songs like "Going,Going Gone" and "My Hands Are Tied" but this Black Coffee is guaranteed to wake you up and not let you down.

I am nowhere near being a Calvinist, but if I bought into that idea, I would give my place in Heaven to Al Kooper. The man is one of the best R&B artists ever, and understands the most indinganous American music-blues, soul and gospel, better than anyone I can think of. I once listened to him as a guest with great New York DJ Vin Scelsa, and Kooper was able to play, explain and give deatails about old R&B 45s that not many know of. This stuff is like food for him. He never gets his due as a great American songsman.

All of this is in clear view on Black Coffee. Those days of Blood Sweat and Tears and Mike Bloomfield blues lab projects are long gone. But with age and grit, Koppers grasp of how to make this music has only increased. His voice is rough, tight and gritty, hanging back like that of an aging master, and in a way, this only gives the music more power.

The music on the album is not suprising: the same music talked about above that Kopper has always loved, permutated, worshiped and prostoltized. But this music never gets old, and Al as revisited it just beatifully on Black Coffee

Now, as a rule, I don't like slick, modern production, especially on music that is usually so rootsey and instinctual. But the playing here is amazing, and the songs so good, you forget about this element of the album very soon after turning it on.

You know why a lot of people don't make records like this anymore? They can't

But Al can. He may not have written the book, but he sure has read all of the words, and better then most.