Baby Please Don't Go [Live] - Al Kooper, Williams, Big Joe
I Let Love Slip Through My Fingers
The Earthquake of Your Love [Demo Version]
Bulgarya
Nuthin' I Wouldn't Do (For a Woman Like You)
New York's My Home AKA the Street Song [Razz-A-Ma-Tazz AKA the Street - Al Kooper, Jenkins, Gordon [1]
Making Plans for Nigel - Al Kooper, Moulding, Colin
I Believe to My Soul - Al Kooper, Charles, Ray [1]
Went to See the Gypsy - Al Kooper, Dylan, Bob
Rachmaninoff's Birthday
Hey Jude - Al Kooper, Lennon, John
Living in My Own Religion
The Big Chase - Al Kooper, Calello, C.
They Just Don't Make 'Em Like That Anymore
A Drive Through the Old Neighborhood
Track Listings (14) - Disc #2
I Can't Keep from Cryin' Sometimes [Live]
I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know
This Diamond Ring - Al Kooper, Brass, B.
Albert's Shuffle - Al Kooper, Bloomfield, Michael
Bury My Body
Season of the Witch - Al Kooper, Donovan [1]
New York City (You're a Woman)
I Can't Quit Her [Live]
I Stand Alone
Flute Thing
You Never Know Who Your Friends Are
I Got a Woman - Al Kooper, Charles, Ray [1]
Brand New Day
Love Theme
Al Kooper's soulful stew of blues, gospel, rock, and jazz is as American as baseball--and every bit as ironic, allegorical, surprising, and downright fun. Though best known as a sideman (that's his trademark organ riff o... more »n Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone"), songwriter (Gary Lewis's "This Diamond Ring"), band founder (the Blues Project, Blood, Sweat & Tears), and producer (everyone from B.B. King to Joe Ely to Lynyrd Skynyrd), this revealing double-disc anthology explores Kooper's rich and diverse career as a performer. Rare offers up demos, outtakes, and other rarities that wind from his first '60s single through three decades and a madly eclectic array of projects that include a down-tempo revisitation of Ann Peebles's "I Can't Stand the Rain," XTC's "Making Plans for Nigel" done as a 1900's English music-hall number (and rejected for a tribute album as too obtuse!), a glorious, pioneering horn-band take on "Hey Jude," a soundtrack outtake from the Crime Story TV series, and a couple of decades' worth of songs rife with his always unpredictable blues and pop instincts. Well Done collects better-known solo tracks and recordings from Blood, Sweat & Tears, the bestselling Super Session ("Albert's Shuffle"), and the Blues Project. Veteran journalist Jaan Uhelszki's notes manage the not-inconsiderable feat of both concisely chronicling and underscoring the import of Kooper's largely unsung legacy. This is a multidisc anthology that not only lives up to the medium's usually unfulfilled potential, but may just leave you craving more. --Jerry McCulley« less
Al Kooper's soulful stew of blues, gospel, rock, and jazz is as American as baseball--and every bit as ironic, allegorical, surprising, and downright fun. Though best known as a sideman (that's his trademark organ riff on Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone"), songwriter (Gary Lewis's "This Diamond Ring"), band founder (the Blues Project, Blood, Sweat & Tears), and producer (everyone from B.B. King to Joe Ely to Lynyrd Skynyrd), this revealing double-disc anthology explores Kooper's rich and diverse career as a performer. Rare offers up demos, outtakes, and other rarities that wind from his first '60s single through three decades and a madly eclectic array of projects that include a down-tempo revisitation of Ann Peebles's "I Can't Stand the Rain," XTC's "Making Plans for Nigel" done as a 1900's English music-hall number (and rejected for a tribute album as too obtuse!), a glorious, pioneering horn-band take on "Hey Jude," a soundtrack outtake from the Crime Story TV series, and a couple of decades' worth of songs rife with his always unpredictable blues and pop instincts. Well Done collects better-known solo tracks and recordings from Blood, Sweat & Tears, the bestselling Super Session ("Albert's Shuffle"), and the Blues Project. Veteran journalist Jaan Uhelszki's notes manage the not-inconsiderable feat of both concisely chronicling and underscoring the import of Kooper's largely unsung legacy. This is a multidisc anthology that not only lives up to the medium's usually unfulfilled potential, but may just leave you craving more. --Jerry McCulley
Lewis Rose | North Potomac, MD United States | 09/25/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This CD is really 2 separate CDs marketed together. The first CD, "Rare" is a collection of previously unreleased tracks spanning all of Al Kooper's career. The second CD, "Well Done", is sort of a greatest hits collection. Hard core fans of Al Kooper are likely to already own much of the material covered in Well Done, although it is great to have them in one disc, and will focus on the "Rare" tracks. New Kooper fans will probably want to listen first to the "Well Done" tracks. The entire collection of 33 songs highlights the musical influences on Al's songwriting, including Brian Wilson, James Brown, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, XTC, Dylan and others. RareThis CD starts with a new studio version of I Can't Quit Her, with Al playing all of the instruments. I can understand how playing this song for 34 years may cause Al to want to record a new version. Still, I thought the BS&T version was pretty close to perfect and loved the version on Soul of a Man more than the 2001 version. I really enjoy listening to the 1964 demo of Somethin' Goin On, which Al writes was heavily influenced by James Brown At the Apollo. Other highlights for me on the Rare disc are an absolutely killer version of Ray Charles' "I Believe in My Soul" from 1970 with Mick Taylor, a bluesy "Nuthin' I Wouldn't Do (For A Woman Like You)" from 1994, and a big band Jazzy version of "Hey Jude" from 1969 with some fabulous jazz luminaries.Well DoneI won't review the selections from Soul of A Man (my favorite album by any artist) but will focus instead on Al's 1976 version of "This Diamond Ring" which Al writes is the way he originally conceived it in contrast to the Gary Lewis version. I love the version of "Bury My Body" from 1969 which showcases Al's gospel roots. Much has already been written about the Stephen Stills - Al Kooper version of "Season of the Witch." Note for note, it is just about perfect. Well Done also includes some of my other Kooper favorites such as "New York City (You're A Woman)", "I Stand Alone," and more. The disc is aptly named.I would be remiss in not mentioning the absolutely fabulous liner notes and insert that Al obviously spent a lot of time doing. It not only includes pithy insights from Al about each song but also includes impressions of Al from 30 top musicians including Stevie Winwood, Taj mahal, BB King, Brian Wilson, Tom Petty and others. The insert also havs terrific pictures of Al with many rock stars. Just great stuff to read."
Excellent sampler from a talented musician
John W. Butler, Jr. | Spring, Texas USA | 09/21/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Al Kooper's "Rare and Well Done" CD is a much welcomed compilation of works by this terrific performer/composer/arranger. The disc is loaded with best works, demos, and outtakes (most of which are better than songs many artists leave in on their albums). Filled with pop, soul, r&b, jazz, and bits of other musical influences, "Rare and Well Done" spans Al's multidecade career and reveals his skills at musical interpretations. This enjoyable sampler screams out for the re-release of his entire catalogue of music, much of which is currently unavailable. For now, though, buy this CD by all means. You will be well satisfied."
A welcome release...
Rob Damm | 10/09/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
""Rare and Well Done" is a well-thought out compendium of Al Kooper's work. Over the course of two discs, the listener is treated to the many facets of this gifted musician. Kooper is probably known to most rock fans as a producer and maybe "that guy who played organ on Dylan's 'Highway 61'", but this set will make a case for his legacy as a remarkable writer, arranger, vocalist, instrumentalist--- an all-around sonic auteur! "Rare" is a disc of true oddities--- covers, demos, Kooper's own versions of his songs which have come to be asociated with other performers--- the highlight is a bizzare version of XTC's "Making Plans for Nigel" that just defies decription--- you need to hear it! This disc makes the case for a Kooper as a true experimentalist."Well Done" is nominally a "greatest hits" disc, but even Kooper's most commerical work is probably not famlliar to most rock fans today. This disc will either be a great discovery or a wonderful-sounding, remixed, remastered collection of favorites.This is a 2-disc set with an agenda: to bring the work of Kooper into focus and into the public eye. I hope the release does garner some recognition for one of the unheralded visonaries of the rock era"
Why is Al Kooper not in the R & R Hall of Fame?
Michael Goldman | East Rockaway, NY United States | 06/18/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a totally dazzling collection of music from a man who is probably the most under-rated and least recognized musical geniuses working in popular music today. Not only that, he also works in blues and is a great player as well. He's up there with Brian Wislon and Lennon & McCartney, only no one knows it.
I nominate Al Kooper to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!"
Well done indeed!
R. Isherwood | Fort Collins, Colorado USA | 09/20/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Al Kooper has always been one of the most versatile and talented musicians in the world. Production, engineering, performing, arranging, songwriting, teaching, authoring .... he is a national treasure. Rock and Roll hall of fame are you listening?This compilation is a jem! "Well done" features Kooper Classics superbly remixed by the man himeself. The "Rare" disk is a wonderful treat for Kooper fans. I hope this gets the attention it truly deserves, so Sony will let Kooper remix his solo albums as well as encourage Al to release (even if it is independantly) some of his newer music.Long live Al Kooper - the world is a far better place with him in it! WELL DONE, AL."