Music: Times gives Somerville's Al Kooper props

Calling him a rock'n'roll Zelig, Sunday's N.Y. Times made obeisances to Somerville resident Al Kooper with a nice profile by  Peter Applebome. The article noted Kooper's many visits to the spotlight, from  his '50s work with the Royal Teens when he was one, to his scamming his way onto Bob Dylan's "Like A Rolling Stone," to starting Blood, Sweat & Tears, to his more recent efforts with Berklee band The Funky Faculty. Kooper has a new album, "Black Coffee," due out July 12, which Applebome says includes "primal Blood, Sweat and Tears horns, unexpected mandolins, Ray Charles homages, a live version of 'Green Onions' with crazed Norwegians shouting along, and a funny, cranky soulful remembrance of things past called 'Going, Going, Gone' that's quintessential boomer blues." Kooper's site includes details on ordering the album - all copies ordered through his site come autographed - and a radio show you can hear him on this Thursday night. (Interesting tidbit - webmaster for Kooper's site is the great guitarist Elliott Randall, best known for "Reelin' in the Years.")