Search - Al Kooper, Shuggie Otis :: Kooper Session

Enjoyable romp from an unlikely duo!

Candis P. Berens | Everywhere | 04/09/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Kooper Session: Al Kooper introduces Shuggie Otis

Dogbert | Seattle, WA | 06/13/2007

(5 out of 5 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."

No Second Fires

PHILIP S WOLF | SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA. USA | 05/29/2009

(2 out of 5 stars)

"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"