Customer Reviews

Soul of a Man: Live

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4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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"Soul of a Man" is a wonderful 2 disc set that was recorded during a celebration of the career of Rock man behind the scene, Al Kooper. He's been there making great music, first as a session man with a talent for making classic songs stick to your brain, i.e. "Like a Rolling Stone" and "You Can't Always Get What You Want". He continued then as a bandleader (the Blues Project and the original Blood,Sweat and Tears),and made many fine recordings as a solo artist. For this live recording,he managed to assemble some of his many friends and former bandmates to appear with him at the Bottom Line in NYC for a couple of memorable nights. The recording itself is just plain wonderful. Whoever mixed it did an incredible job. The versions of old chestnuts like "I Can't Quit Her" and "Flute Thing" sound better than the originals, and the band(s) all play like they're having as much fun as the audience. There are a couple of mis-steps when Danny Kalb sings "2 Trains Runnin",and when Koop plays a loopy version of "Sleepwalk", but all in all, it is a magical performance. If you know Koop"s work, you will be pleased, and, if you don't, this is a great introduction. Man! I wish I had been there!

Quite aside from this 2 disk set surpassing the sound & production quality of any live offering I've heard, this is a superb effort by original Blues Project & BS&T members, plus the ReKooperators and guests.

There is only one way to listen to this album. Gather All Things Al aficionados, enjoy your favourite libation and enjoy.

It's all there; Super Session, You Can't Always Get...with a trombone instead of Al's french horn.

The only negative is that Steve Katz decided, apparently after the gig, that his guitar was not to be on the album. The negative is eliminated by Al's production artistry. Goodbye Katz and thanks to Jimmy Vivino & Oniviv Ymmij for helping make this offering a perfect overview of the best of the last 50 years of popular music.

I've been a huge fan of Al's since 1969, saw his first show in the UK at Aylesbury and have been waiting a long time for a record like this. I was apprehensive to say the least but it was an unbelievable moment hearing the first bars of Something Going On and from there on it was pure magic.There's a huge gap in the market for this type of music. The BS&T stuff sounds as fresh as ever but if I had to change anything I would have preferred to have heard MORE from the solo albums eg Easy Does It.

Al, if you read this thanks a lot. I realise that the video probably won't come out but is there any chance you could make it available to us! Lastly it's great to read other fans reviews on this and to find out yet again that there are Al Kooper fans out there. Al let's hear some more as soon as possible. With thanks Michael Zabaroff, London, England

This live CD represents the best compilation of Al Kooper hits in the market. The CD set list is organized so the listener can have a complete overview of this man's career in the music business through various groups as BST, Blues Proyects and other bands. The inner booklet is extensive and comprehensive describing the different stages and track information. As for the performance it captures the soul of each songs and many of the interpretations have more energy than the studio ones. The band is made of some of the best session and performing musicians in the market today and this makes this CD a joy to listen to.

This CD serves well as a tribute to an amazing musician and documental work for those interested in learning more about Kooper's music.

Every time I put this on, I find myself singing along with Al, conducting the band. This collection showcases Al playing with his favorite musicians over several nights at NYC's Bottom Line. Al's voice is strong, the horns are hot, the band is tight, and the audience appreciative. The songs cover a tremendous range from the first BST album with that band (referred to as Child is Father to the Man for legal reasons) to New York City and Memphis Blues. Al's Hammond organ sound is in fine form. I've played this CD for lots of friends without a lot of introduction and invariably they ask who it is and how they can buy one. Alas, like much of Al's best work, this CD is hard to find. If you can find it, buy an extra one and send it to me. You can't have enough!

This recording updates the last three decades (slightly more - Sorry Al) with an anthology of AL KOOPER. The music still has the same emphasis and appeal. Its like the "Best of the Best of..." Jimmy Vivino and the crew from the Blues Project and the original BS&T -(Child is Father to the Man all have made this a most enjoyable record.

My only regret : I wasn't there when this was recorded live.

I have loved Al Kooper for many, many years....since he played on Blood Sweat and Tears-Child is the Father to the Man. This collection of music is amazing and the quality is fantastic for a live recording. If you like AL KOOPER you will LOVE this CD.

What the hell are you waiting for? This is SO GOOD!!! Who could conceive of a better career retrospective than to get together with the bands you've played with over the course of your life on your 50th birthday and not only recreating the sound and the intensity, but actually IMPROVING on it! This one's a no-brainer. Al's in great voice, all the muscians kick butt, and the sound is crystal-clear in your face. The only complaint is it's too short and there's no accompanying DVD. But it's also out of print, so you better get it while you can still afford it.

I have followed Alan's music since the studio session days and Blues Project. This is no surprise but long overdue. Al Kooper is one of the most brilliant R&B, Soul/Jazz composer's and performers anywhere and this will just stand as a testament of this fact. His brilliance as an arranger has always been very focused and key as well. Thanks again Big Al for the pure treat and I can only say that your brilliant work has been missed over the past few years and I hope that you continue to keep kickin' out that smokin' R&B, Soul, R&R for years to come. From a true fan and long time admirer.

If you are an Al Kooper fan, this is a must for your collection. Surrounded by musicians only Kooper can put together--Harvey Brooks, some of the original BS&T brass section, John Sebastian to name only a few, the music is energized, beautifully crafted and uniquely recorded live and clear in NY.