The ultimate rock & roll survivor tells the story of the so-called Brill Building Pop era: "Carole, Barry, and Cynthia were high echelon. I was low echelon."
Wonderful piece, I've also heard the story many times and there were some great new details provided here. However, I can't help quibbling with this: "He does have the dubious distinction of discovering, and producing three albums on, Lynyrd Skynyrd" - why dubious? Lynyrd Skynyrd was a legit and musically accomplished band, paying dues in clubs and roadhouses for years before Al Kooper 'discovered' and produced them, and I submit that they transcended their political ambiguities by the time of the tragic plane crash. You don't have to love them, but give 'em their due in rock history, and acknowledge that songs like the anti-gun "Saturday Night Special" and their friendly back & forth with Neil Young over "Sweet Home Alabama" showed them to be more nuanced as artists than simply another 'redneck Southern rock band'.
Wonderful piece, I've also heard the story many times and there were some great new details provided here. However, I can't help quibbling with this: "He does have the dubious distinction of discovering, and producing three albums on, Lynyrd Skynyrd" - why dubious? Lynyrd Skynyrd was a legit and musically accomplished band, paying dues in clubs and roadhouses for years before Al Kooper 'discovered' and produced them, and I submit that they transcended their political ambiguities by the time of the tragic plane crash. You don't have to love them, but give 'em their due in rock history, and acknowledge that songs like the anti-gun "Saturday Night Special" and their friendly back & forth with Neil Young over "Sweet Home Alabama" showed them to be more nuanced as artists than simply another 'redneck Southern rock band'.
I've heard that Dylan session story so many times--mostly from Al Kooper in documentaries--and I still love hearing it.