Steve Cropper from the album Friendlytown

Steve Cropper from the album Friendlytown

Steve Cropper (from the album Friendlytown available on Mascot Label Group/Provogue Records) (by Lee Zimmerman)
 
Steve Cropper’s imprint on modern music — soul and R&B in particular — has made him one of the most important and influential guitarists of all time. One of the inventors of the Stax sound, Steve Cropper played a key role in forwarding the careers of such iconic artists as Booker T & The MGs, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Rufus Thomas, Carla Thomas, Johnnie Taylor, The Blues Brothers, and many, many more. When Sam & Dave gave him that immortal shoutout on the classic “Soul Man” of ‘play it again, Steve!’ little did they know he’d do exactly that for the next 50 years. (playitsteve.com is Steve Cropper’s website – editor)
At this stage of his career, having reached the age of 82, he could be clearly content to rest on his laurels. Aside from being indelibly inscribed in the history books, he’s reaped two Grammys and songwriting and/or production credits for any number of contemporary classics. Beginning with his first solo effort, 1969’s With a Little Help From My Friends, Cropper can claim twelve individual albums, two recordings with Rascals’ frontman Felix Cavaliere, and credits on efforts by John Lennon, Rod Stewart, Ringo Starr, John Prine, Paul Simon, Buddy Guy, The Jeff Beck Group, Joe Feliciano, and Tower of Power.
His new offering, Friendlytown, is credited to a new namesake outfit, Steve Cropper & The Midnight Hour, featuring vocalist Roger C. Reale, keyboard player Eddie Gore, drummer and percussionist Nioshi Jackson, and, perhaps most notably, ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons. Cropper takes co-production credits along with friend, producer and bassist Jon Tiven, while Felix Cavaliere, Brian May, and Simon Kirk elevate the star strata courtesy of cameo appearances.
That said, the music comes across as one might expect, an assortment of sturdy, stomping R&B with a big beat and a riveting rhythm. The title track, “Hurry Up Sundown”, “Reality Check”, “There’s Always a Catch”, “Let’s Get Started”, and “Talkin’ Bout Politics” each take an authoritative stance, courtesy of a solid strut that matches the grit with the groove. So too, “In God We Trust” sounds like it was spun out of the Stax factory early on. On the other hand, “I’ll Take Tomorrow” provides a solid, soulful ballad that allows Reale to belt the Blues. For its part, “Lay It Down” comes across as a reliable Rocker, a propulsive combination of flash and frenzy.
All in all, Friendlytown adheres to the timeless template that Steve Cropper helped establish early on, and that in itself ought to be enough to ensure satisfaction. Those that want evidence and reassurance that the master is still firmly engaged and inspired will clearly find it here. (by Lee Zimmerman)
Listen and buy the music of Steve Cropper from AMAZON
 
For more information, please visit the Steve Cropper website