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Celebrating 50 Years

Omega Productions
Award Winning Production Services
for the Entertainment and Music Industry
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Omega Productions

8 hours ago

Here’s some unknown history on Al Kooper, another artist we recorded. He was not known for being out front as a solo performer, but had a profound impact on so many over the years. #musicicons #musichistory #omegaliveproductionsBehind The Music
Al Kooper (not Alice!) is the Zelig of the music business. From the days of the Brill Building to Blood, Sweat & Tears, to Lynyrd Skynyrd - Al Kooper was there!

During a career that’s lasted for 50 years, Al Kooper has participated in many of rock’s most glorious milestones. As well as playing the keyboard parts on Bob Dylan’s Like A Rolling Stone and the Rolling Stones’ You Can’t Always Get What You Want, the ubiquitous New Yorker also took part in Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Ladyland sessions.

Lynyrd Skynyrd were just a bar band until Kooper, the founding member of Blood Sweat & Tears, discovered them. Simon & Garfunkel, Alice Cooper, Tom Petty, Stephen Stills – Kooper has known more stars than Patrick Moore.
A professional musician since his early teens, Al Kooper enjoyed his first real taste of pop music success during the nascent days of rock and roll as popular music. He joined The Royal Teens, who had a Top 5 hit with the tune "Short Shorts" in 1958 and a Top 30 hit a year later with "Believe Me." Kooper was hooked. "I was hanging around the fringes of the music business," he says of the period after he did his time with the Royal Teens.

Bob Dylan

One of the friends he made during this time, producer Tom Wilson, invited Kooper to watch a Bob Dylan session. By the afternoon's end, Al had played the signature organ riff on Dylan's "Like A Rolling Stone," alongside blues guitarist Mike Bloomfield. His association and friendship with Bloomfield lasted until the guitarist's untimely death in 1981, spawning the million-selling Super Session album with Stephen Stills, as well as the highly regarded Live Adventures of Mike Bloomfield & Al Kooper. His relationship with Dylan has been ongoing for the last 30 years. Kooper has played with him on record and on stage, as well as having produced his "New Morning" album. The catchy organ part on Dylan's first chart-topping single led to many offers of session work. "I'd get tons of calls," Kooper muses. "Some of them, I didn't even want to do, but I didn't want to say no. So, I'd just charge them triple scale, thinking that would deter them. It didn't."

The Blues Project

One offer he couldn't refuse was to join the Blues Project. Along with guitarist Danny Kalb, bassist Andy Kulberg, guitarist Steve Katz, and drummer Roy Blumenfeld, the Blues Project helped spearhead the 60's urban blues sound with critically hailed records and widely acclaimed live performances. "Two Trains Running" on Kooper's fiery live album, SOUL OF A MAN (currently out of print), illustrates just how remarkable the Blues Project can still sound live. That album also contains live takes of the Project chestnuts - " I Can't Keep From Cryin'' Sometimes," "Flute Thing" and "Violets Of Dawn."

George Harrison

I worked on George’s Somewhere In England album, in 1981. Sense of humour-wise we really connected. I was living in Hollywood and my doorbell rang at 11 o’clock at night. And it was George, this Beatle, coming completely unannounced to a house that he’d never even visited before. That’s the kind of stuff he did.

John Lennon

I knew John during the time he spent with Harry Nilsson [in the mid-70s], when he was exiled in LA. He was witty and lovely, especially if you saw him in daylight hours. During the evening he tended to be tipsy. I knew him in both conditions. When I was doing Lynyrd Skynyrd’s second album, the Record Plant studio became our clubhouse. One day John walked into the control room. After he’d gone, Skynyrd asked: “Was that John Lennon?” When I replied that it was, they sighed deeply and said: “Uh, we’re gonna have to take a break.” And they did.

Blood, Sweat & Tears

After two and a half years and three records with the Blues Project, Kooper started hearing another sound in his head. It started with the blues, but added killer horn charts without losing the rock edge. That idea became the trend-setting Blood Sweat & Tears. The original horn section included Dick Halligan on trombone, Jerry Weiss and Randy Brecker on trumpets and Fred Lipsius on alto sax.

Kooper left Blood Sweat and Tears in 1968 after just one album, CHILD IS FATHER TO THE MAN, taking a job with the Columbia Records A&R department. Here he began recording albums; first with Mike Bloomfield (the top-ten SUPER SESSION), then Shuggie Otis, and his own solo debut, I STAND ALONE. He continued to do session work, adding his keyboards to records by The Rolling Stones (Al played on "You Can't Always Get What You Want"), Jimi Hendrix ("Long Hot Summer Nights"), The Who ("Rael"), and innumerable others. He also scored the Hal Ashby film The Landlord in 1970.

Jimi Hendrix

I saw him at the Café Wah on what was probably the night he was grabbed by Chas Chandler and taken to England. I was the stage manager at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967, and Jimi asked if I would sit in with him on Like A Rolling Stone. I had to turn him down because I was working. It was a mistake. But he lived a block from me when he moved to New York. We jammed together a lot and became very good friends indeed. Jimi was very shy and quiet, a sweetheart, the complete opposite of the ostentatious way he is perceived.

Lynyrd Skynyrd

I was producing an album in Atlanta, Georgia. In the evenings I’d frequent a club. This band with an unpronounceable name was playing there for six nights, two or three sets a night. By the third night, I sat in on guitar. By the fifth night I ended up at a party with a couple of the guys and discussed signing them to a production deal.

They were so good that I started my own label, Sounds Of The South, and we cut the first album in two weeks. Sure, Ronnie Van Zant was feisty, but he was one of the best bandleaders I ever met. He ruled Skynyrd with an iron hand. If anybody went up against him, they’d get punched out. They rehearsed harder than any band I’ve seen; all the guitar solos were written in advance.

The Who

I played on Mary Ann With The Shaky Hand and Rael, both from The Who Sell Out. [Keith] Moon was the lunatic that legend suggests. He once invited the writer Terry Southern and myself to his home in LA to watch the movie Night Of The Living Dead. It was the days before video, and a projector and screen were set up. In the middle of the film, Keith announced he was going out to buy cigarettes and beer. But he didn’t come back, leaving Terry and I sitting there with his girlfriend.

The Rolling Stones

After producing several albums in succession I came to England for a vacation in what I thought was secrecy. But the Stones tried to book me. I told them I wouldn’t do it; I just wanted to go shopping for records and clothes. Then I bumped into Brian Jones and he says: “Al, we’re so looking forward to the session with you.”

So I told myself I’d go, and if it wasn’t fun then I’d just get sick and leave. You Can’t Always Get What You Want was done on the first night. It was tremendous. But Jimmy Miller was busy rolling the joints and didn’t seem to do much in terms of producing. Mick Jagger was the real producer of that song.

The Tubes

Their self-titled debut from 1975 is probably the best-sounding record I ever made. I wanted a sound like a Broadway Original Cast album, with strings and horns but retaining a rock’n’roll feel. With seven members of the band all saying: “Make me louder!”I had to keep throwing them out of the studio as we mixed the record.

Parts of this feature were taken from www.loudersound.com and Al Kooper's website - www.alkooper.com

Kooper (on studio floor) talks riffs with guitarist Mike Bloomfield during the Super Session sessions in Los Angeles, 1968. Photo courtesy Al Kooper. ... See MoreSee Less

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Omega Productions

2 days ago

I was reminded today about this project we recorded with Bob Hope in Austin for a TV special with Morgan Fairchild, Dottie West and the Gatlin Brothers in the early 80s. Joe Cates, the same producer who handled the Johnny Cash special, headed this one. I remember Hope used art cards for his prompts. He had an assistant named Silvio Caranchini, who was his personal aide and handled all kinds of details. Silvio would stand or sit in the audience and palm through those gigantic cue cards. Truly old school. Bob Hope was amazing. He would come in with his wife looking quite unassuming and stand just off stage. But as soon as the announcer said his name, he transformed into another persona. He was so accommodating and a consummate professional. Thanks to Watt Casey for this great shot of Mr. Hope. #musicicons #musichistory #omegaliveproductions ... See MoreSee Less

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Omega Productions

5 days ago

We first recorded Hans Zimmer in the late 70s. Since then across a 40 year career, he has redefined the movie score and become one of the most celebrated composers in Hollywood. If you have Netflix, check this awesome BBC Doc, “Hollywood Rebel.” #MusicIcons #musichistory #omegaliveproductions
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Omega Productions

6 days ago

Ok, it’s here and funky. Little Feat have composed an album that’s their love letter to the blues entitled, ‘Sam’s Place.’ “Can’t Be Satisfied” plus many other blues classics are on this album. #MusicIcons #musichistory #omegaliveproductions Omega Productions
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Omega Productions

6 days ago

We lost another artist with whom we worked today, founding member of the Allman Brothers band, Dickey Betts. Lots of memories. #musicicons #musichistory #omegaliveproductions ... See MoreSee Less

Dickey Betts, Allman Brothers Band Singer-Guitarist, Dead at 80

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Dickey Betts, the singer, songwriter and guitarist who played a crucial role in the Allman Brothers Band, has died at age 80.

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Omega Productions

6 days ago

A little music history on the iconic Capitol Records story. #musicicons #musichistory #omegaliveproductions ... See MoreSee Less

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Omega Productions

1 week ago

If you are a Joe Jackson fan, on January 24, 1986, Michael Frondelli recorded Joe Jackson's album, "Big World" live to digital 2TK at The Roundabout Theater in NYC, with producer David Kershenbaum mixing in Le Mobile’s mobile unit. Play on to other versions of the tour. Enjoy this one. #MusicIcons #musichistory #omegaliveproductions Omega Productions ... See MoreSee Less

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Omega Productions

1 week ago

Here is one of life’s little secrets hiding in plain sight. Yep… attitude is everything. #MusicIcons #musichistory #omegaliveproductions”I was waiting in line for a ride at the airport. When a cab pulled up, the first thing I noticed was that the taxi was polished to a bright shine. Smartly dressed in a white shirt, black tie, and freshly pressed black slacks, the cab driver jumped out and rounded the car to open the back passenger door for me.
He handed me a laminated card and said: 'I'm Wasu, your driver. While I'm loading your bags in the trunk I'd like you to read my mission statement.'
Taken aback, I read the card. It said: Wasu's Mission Statement:
To get my customers to their destination in the quickest, safest, and cheapest way possible in a friendly environment.
This blew me away. Especially when I noticed that the inside of the cab matched the outside. Spotlessly clean!
As he slid behind the wheel, Wasu said, 'Would you like a cup of coffee? I have a thermos of regular and one of decaf.'
I said jokingly, 'No, I'd prefer a soft drink.'
Wasu smiled and said, 'No problem. I have a cooler up front with regular and Diet Coke, lassi, water, and orange juice.'
Almost stuttering, I said, 'I'll take a lassi since I’ve never had one before.'
Handing me my drink, Wasu said, 'If you'd like something to read, I have Good Housekeeping magazine, Reader’s Digest, The Bible, and a Travel + Leisure magazine.'
As they were pulling away, Wasu handed me another laminated card, 'These are the stations I get and the music they play, if you'd like to listen to the radio.'
And as if that weren't enough, Wasu told me that he had the heater on and asked if the temperature was comfortable for me.
Then he advised me of the best route to my destination for that time of day. He also let me know that he'd be happy to chat and tell me about some of the sights or, if I preferred, to leave me with my own thoughts.
'Tell me, Wasu,' I was amazed and asked him, 'have you always served customers like this?'
Wasu smiled into the rear view mirror. 'No, not always. In fact, it's only been in the last two years. My first five years driving, I spent most of my time complaining like all the rest of the cabbies do. Then I heard about power of choice one day.'
'Power of choice is that you can be a duck or an eagle.'
'If you get up in the morning expecting to have a bad day, you'll rarely disappoint yourself. Stop complaining!'
'Don't be a duck. Be an eagle. Ducks quack and complain. Eagles soar above the crowd.'
'That hit me right,' said Wasu. He continued and said, 'It is about me. I was always quacking and complaining, so I decided to change my attitude and become an eagle. I looked around at the other cabs and their drivers. The cabs were dirty, the drivers were unfriendly, and the customers were unhappy. So I decided to make some changes. I put in a few at a time. When my customers responded well, I did more.'
'I take it that has paid off for you,' I said.
'It sure has,' Wasu replied. 'My first year as an eagle, I doubled my income from the previous year. This year I'll probably quadruple it. My customers call me for appointments on my cell phone or leave a message on it.'
Wasu made a different choice. He decided to stop quacking like ducks and start soaring like eagles.
Have an eagle life ahead.....
—Adapted
I hope we all decide to soar like an Eagle and not quack like a duck 🦅🦅
thank you Patti Huckaba for the share 💕”
Credit: Summer Grace Vanni ... See MoreSee Less

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Omega Productions

2 weeks ago

Happy Birthday to music icon Carl Perkins, who we lost some years ago. Great memories of a project with him, B B King and Joe Ely in the early 80s. #musicicons #musichistory #omegaliveproductions Omega Productions
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Omega Productions

2 weeks ago

Check this development. A physicist uses X-rays to rescue old music recordings. #musicicons #musichistory #omegaliveproductions Omega Productions
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A physicist uses X-rays to rescue old music recordings

phys.org

Researchers are developing a technique that uses the special synchrotron X-ray light from the Swiss Light Source SLS to non-destructively digitize recordings from high-value historic audio tapes—inc...

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Omega Productions

We love to shoot and record live music and produce live events…

* Live entertainment event management and producer services

* Live concert television specials for broadcast or DVD/BD release

* Live recordings for CD release