You Never Know Who Your Friends Are


You Never Know Who Your Friends Are is the second solo album by American multi-instrumentalist Al Kooper, issued in 1969 on Columbia Records.

Background

Kooper wasted no time recording this album, coming just seven months after his debut release. It is a continuation of sorts of his debut; the album contains another eclectic mix of rock, rhythm and blues, jazz, pop, and blues, though without the psychedelics that had somewhat permeated through I Stand Alone. Utilizing a large group of musicians under the direction of Charlie Calello, known collectively as "The Al Kooper Big Band", Kooper also strayed away from the heavy string orchestrations of his debut.
Relying on more original compositions, with nine of twelve tracks by Kooper, and the remaining three by Harry Nilsson and Motown Records staff songwriters, the album further helped to cement Kooper's reputation. The album reached #125 on the Billboard 200 on October 25, 1969, and was on the charts for six weeks.

Track listing

All tracks composed by Al Kooper; except where indicated
  1. "Magic in My Socks" –
  2. "Lucille" –
  3. "Too Busy Thinkin' 'bout My Baby"
  4. "First Time Around" –
  5. "Loretta " –
  6. "Blues, Part IV" –
  7. "You Never Know Who Your Friends Are" –
  8. "The Great American Marriage / Nothing" –
  9. "I Don't Know Why I Love You"
  10. "Mourning Glory Story"
  11. "Anna Lee " –
  12. "I'm Never Gonna Let You Down" –

Personnel

Musicians

Technical