Blood Sweat & Tears – "I Can't Quit Her" (1968)

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I was proselytized

Al Kooper is rock music’s Renaissance man.  

When Kooper was 14, he was playing guitar for the band that recorded “Short Shorts,” and when he was 16, he co-wrote “This Diamond Ring” for Gary Lewis & the Playboys.  

Kooper has played on hundreds of records.  (He was the guy who played the organ on Bob Dylan’s "Like a Rolling Stone.”) 

He discovered Lynyrd Skynyrd, and produced their first three albums.  He produced the first Tubes album (which I’ve written about at length – it’s truly a work of genius).  

He was the musical director for the mid-1980s Michael Mann television series, “Crime Story” (which starred one of my favorite character actors, the late Dennis Farina).  

Al Kooper

But I think his greatest musical accomplishment was the first Blood, Sweat & Tears album, Child Is Father to the Man.  If you ask me, that album ranks right up there with Pet Sounds – which is high praise indeed.  

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I have an old friend who admires Al Kooper’s music as much as I do, and he has a brother who is also a big Kooper fan.

Earlier this year, my friend’s brother – who, like Kooper, is Jewish – sent this e-mail to the musician:

Dear Al:

I am a 69-year-old fan who lives in the Boston area.  You are my favorite musician.  I’ve seen you a number of times over the years and you were always nice enough to sign books and albums.  You even once wrote, “To a fellow member of the tribe” on an album.

Hope you are in good health.  Do you gig anymore? Would love to see you!  In any case, know that you have brought me countless hours of joy!!!

Kooper sent my friend’s brother this reply:

I’m 79 – waaaaay too old and slow to gig – and I haven’t left the house in a few years (except for doctor visits).

In terms of performing: “It’s All Over Now.” 

Old Man Jew

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“I Can’t Quit Her” was co-written by Kooper and Irwin Levine – who had been his writing partner on “This Diamond Ring.”  (Levine later wrote “Knock Three Times” and “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree.”)

Click here to listen to “I Can’t Quit Her.”  Mamma mia, check out the arrangement on that record – it’s purt near perfect . . . which is why it’s been chosen for inclusion in the 2 OR 3 LINES “GOLDEN DECADE” ALBUM TRACKS HALL OF FAME.  

Click here to buy the record from Amazon.