You Never Know Who Your Friends Are

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Allmusic
Robert Christgau	D

You Never Know Who Your Friends Are was the second album by New York City-based multi-instrumentalist Al Kooper, issued in 1969 on Columbia Records.

A continuation of sorts of his début, the album displays 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 début.

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.

Track listing

All tracks composed by Al Kooper; except where indicated

1. "Magic in My Socks" (3:55)
2. "Lucille" (3:24)
3. "Too Busy Thinkin' 'bout My Baby" (Norman Whitfield, Janie Bradford, 3:20)
4. "First Time Around" (2:48)
5. "Loretta (Union Turnpike Eulogy)" (3:48)
6. "Blues, Part IV" (5:04)
7. "You Never Know Who Your Friends Are" (2:53)
8. "The Great American Marriage / Nothing" (3:19)
9. "I Don't Know Why I Love You" (Lula Mae Hardaway, Don Hunter, Paul Riser, Stevie Wonder, 3:22)
10. "Mourning Glory Story" (Harry Nilsson, 2:16)
11. "Anna Lee (What Can I Do For You)" (3:18)
12. "I'm Never Gonna Let You Down" (4:37)
13. "Bloodtrocuted" (3:36) CD remastered bonus track

Performers

• Al Kooper: piano, organ, guitar, ondioline, vocals and arrangements
• With The Al Kooper Big Band under the direction of Charlie Calello
• Guitars: Ralph Casale, Stu Scharf and Eric Gale
• Piano and Organ: Ernie Hayes, Paul Griffin and Frank Owens
• Moog Synthesizer: Walter Sears
• Electric Bass: Chuck Rainey, Jerry Jemmott and John Miller
• Drums: "Pretty" Purdie and Al Rodgers
• Trumpets: Bernie Glow, Ernie Royal and Marvin Stamm
• Trombones: Ray Desio, Jimmy Knepper, Bill Watrous and Tony Studd
• Saxophones: George Young, Sol Schlinger, Seldon Powell and Joe Farrell
• Voices: Hilda Harris, Connie Zimet, Albertine Harris, Lois Winter, Mike Gately, Lou Christie, Robert John and Charlie Calello
• Record Cover Art Direction and Design: Ron Coro