This is different, but I'm not sure what you have here, the so called "Al Kooper version", has distinctive organ overdubs added to the original Jan. 1971 track, not piano. The bonus track of Name of the Game that you refer to, is on the 1993 CD release of Straight Up, while a different take yet shows up on the 2010 re-release of the "Straight Up CD.
@tripleJ1955 The source bootleg has both organ and piano, with Bill Collins talking and humming before the song starts. He apparently recorded the song off of stereo speakers. Perhaps the piano was added by Collins (a pianist) but his stylings were old fashioned and it doesn't sound like him. I assumed all the keys to be by Kooper. Do you have just the organ version to upload for comparison?
@billbadford According to Matovina's book, Kooper added "tinkling piano, organ fills and organ swoops" (page 133). This sounds like that version. It also mentions a later Harrison/Spector remix. Perhaps that mix removed the piano and spared the organ? This is probably best a question for Al Kooper.
@happygleason Al Kooper is a keyboardist who was affiliated with Badfinger through their mutual management. He was asked to spice this song up tso it could be released as a single. Apple didn't approve of it so this revamp was never released by them. The same recording minus Kooper was released on CD as a bonus track many years later.
Check out my version with Bob Jackson from Badfinger on piano;
Anthony Harty Name of the Game
AnthonyHartyBaggage 7 months ago
This is different, but I'm not sure what you have here, the so called "Al Kooper version", has distinctive organ overdubs added to the original Jan. 1971 track, not piano. The bonus track of Name of the Game that you refer to, is on the 1993 CD release of Straight Up, while a different take yet shows up on the 2010 re-release of the "Straight Up CD.
tripleJ1955 7 months ago
@tripleJ1955 The source bootleg has both organ and piano, with Bill Collins talking and humming before the song starts. He apparently recorded the song off of stereo speakers. Perhaps the piano was added by Collins (a pianist) but his stylings were old fashioned and it doesn't sound like him. I assumed all the keys to be by Kooper. Do you have just the organ version to upload for comparison?
billbadford 7 months ago
@billbadford According to Matovina's book, Kooper added "tinkling piano, organ fills and organ swoops" (page 133). This sounds like that version. It also mentions a later Harrison/Spector remix. Perhaps that mix removed the piano and spared the organ? This is probably best a question for Al Kooper.
billbadford 7 months ago
Did Al have Polley as a manager?
happygleason 10 months ago
@happygleason Yes, Polley managed Al Kooper along with Badfinger.
billbadford 10 months ago
I MEANT WHATS AN 'AL KOOPER' VERSION?
happygleason 11 months ago
@happygleason Al Kooper is a keyboardist who was affiliated with Badfinger through their mutual management. He was asked to spice this song up tso it could be released as a single. Apple didn't approve of it so this revamp was never released by them. The same recording minus Kooper was released on CD as a bonus track many years later.
billbadford 11 months ago
HWATS AN 'AL COOPER' VERSION?
happygleason 11 months ago
It's hard to believe that in '72 or '73, when Badfinger was hot...that some version of this song wasn't released as a single.
russtyler 1 year ago
@russtyler a crime!!!!
novocastrian50 6 months ago