I Stand Alone

This was the first pre-recorded tape I had for my Akai reel-to-reel tape deck 45 years ago (Jesus! Am I really THAT old???). I wore it out and couldn't find a reasonably priced LP/CD ever since. I have all of Al's later works but this is the Holy Grail indeed. Aside from the interesting concept album, the individual tracks stand alone (pun intended) and stand the test of time. Thank you iTunes!!!!

I bought the vinyl when it was first released and still have it. I managed a few years ago to get a digital copy but it was one 20 min pieces not individual songs. Now, finally this is available, has been for a couple of years and I'll once again Stand Alone as One. They best "One" ever. Sorry TDN, yours is good but not quite as good. Have I said anything about Camille yet? No...well buy it and listen.

Finding this album on iTunes is liking finding a long lost friend after searching for years. I once owned this album and would fall asleep listening to it every night. It was like my own personal lullabye. Discovering it on iTunes and I am transported back in time. Thank you Steve Jobs. God rest your soul for bringing Al Kooper's soulful melodies to me once again.

About 3 years ago I emailed Al Kooper and asked if "I Stand Alone" would ever be reissued on CD in the US. He wrote me back and said…. "not in my lifetime… but you can get it as a Japanese import for $45". Well, Al is still alive as am I and 44 years after I first heard this masterpiece it is now available in the US on iTunes. What a kick! This record has snippets of Sgt. Peppers in it (which I believe was purely on purpose) as well as "Child Is Father To The Man", the first BS&T LP. At the same time it is totally unique and creative. Granted, against today's standards the record is a bit self-indulgent and over the top with sound effects. But as the iTunes reviewer says, that was what the times were all about. We expected that when we put something on the turntable we would hear some pretty strange sound effects in 1968 and 1969… that is what made a lot of this music so much fun. Bottom line… this is one of the best LPs that Al Kooper has ever cut. If you like the sound of BS&T along with some blues and '60s funk thrown in then you will appreciate this record. It truly rivals Sgt. Peppers in many ways. For the full effect you have to buy the entire album.