I Stand Alone & You Never Know Who Your Friends

Al Kooper | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 13, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Raven [Australia]
• ASIN: B0016GLZLK
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #104,999 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Raven presents, on a double cd, two landmark albums by legendary multi-instrumentalist, producer and solo artist al kooper. Few american musicians have pursued a more diverse or more fascinating career than kooper. As well as playing organ on bob dylan's timeless 'like a rolling stone', having formed blood sweat & tears and produced lynyrd skynyrd, kooper has issued a dozen solo albums. 'i stand alone' (his debut lp, 1968) incorporates soul and pop, jazz and classical elements, making for a seamless and enjoyable whole. As well as covers of 'hey, western union man', 'coloured rain' and 'blue moon of kentucky', kooper excels with classy originals 'i can love a woman' and 'right now for you'. 'you never know who your friends' are (1969) ups the ante with the brassy 'magic in my socks', the swooping, soulful 'loretta (union turnpike eulogy)', the joyous pop-rock of the title track and extraordinary covers of motown tunes 'too busy thinking about my baby' and 'i don't know why i love you'. This top-value package comes complete with seven bonus tracks, including 'brand new day' from kooper's original soundtrack for the film "the landlord" (1970). Kooper maintains a busy touring and recording schedule to this day (black coffee, 2005) and, as all music guide states, he "remains a formidable performing talent, and one of the most inspired and intelligent people in rock music".

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Klassic kooper..., May 13, 2008

By 

Dominic Scott Conway (London u.k.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I Stand Alone & You Never Know Who Your Friends (Audio CD)

great to see two of Al Koopers masterpiece Albums offered in one package.

"I Stand alone" is a timeless classic,theres not many Albums that fall into that category,but "I Stand alone" is up there.

"you never know who your Friends are"..one of my favourites!..been listening to Al since 1970...the guy is a master musician.I couldn't in words do these Albums justice!!...so buy them,only you listening will do them the justice they deserve...have fun!.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful. so very happy, December 8, 2009

By 

Richard Turner "keebler" (S,Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: I Stand Alone & You Never Know Who Your Friends (Audio CD)

thanks so very much---i have wanted this item for several years---glad you had what i wanted,

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great value, even at the price, July 5, 2008

By 

Gordon Pfannenstiel (Russell, KS United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I Stand Alone & You Never Know Who Your Friends (Audio CD)

I love both of these albums. I have both my old LP of I Stand Alone, and the import CD (which is sonically much better than the LP). I only have my old LP of You Never Know Who Your Friends are, and I'd love to hear how this CD is remastered. If anyone who reads this has this release, PLEASE review it and let us know how the sound is! Meanwhile, if you know anything about Al Kooper and wonder about the quality of the music on these two LPs, don't hesitate. While not as strong or groundbreaking as the first BS&T LP, these are both great listens. Al comes up with (mostl)great originals and his choice and performance of the covers are top-notch. Definate thumbs up.