Out now is Friendlytown the new album from Steve Cropper & The Midnight Hour on the Mascot Label Group/Provogue, and along with it their latest single, ‘You Can’t Refuse’.
Available digitally, you can check out the video here at RAMzine – A slithery, Bo Diddley-styled romp featuring the dynamic guitar work of country-rock sensation Tim Montana and powerhouse rhythm courtesy of Simon Kirke (Free, Bad Company).
The track showcases Cropper’s hallmark grooves while Montana’s bluesy licks add a fresh energy. The song captivates listeners with its dynamic rhythm and lyrics that speak of unwavering devotion, delivering a powerful promise: “I’m making you an offer you can’t refuse.”
“Tim came to a party I had some time back, and it turns out he was a big fan of my work. When he played on the album, he said ‘Just make sure you spell my name right!’” Cropper laughed, recalling the recording session that led to this collaboration.
“If your booty is not shaking in the first two bars of this album, you’re already dead in a chair,” laughed Cropper. “I feel so good about this batch of songs. They’re packed with radio hooks, and we have Billy Gibbons, Brian May, and Tim Montana playing on the album – It’s like guitar heaven,” Cropper said of the album.
Not many people start new bands in their 80s, but legendary guitarist, producer, and songwriter Steve Cropper isn’t slowing down any time soon. The triple-threat musician, recently nominated for his first solo Grammy award for the debut album from his tight and tuneful rock n’ soul quintet, has released a number of single’s prior to the Friendlytown album release.
The title track itself was the previous single. It highlighted Cropper’s signature loping riff, that was enhanced by the low-down Texas blues guitar leads of ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons. The track’s muscular, blues rock sound is further distinguished by Roger C. Reale’s powerful vocals, that effortlessly blends bluesy mojo with a radio-ready catchiness, ensuring it resonates with both loyal fans and new listeners.
Cropper’s excitement is palpable. He wrote ‘Friendlytown’, with fellow bandmates Roger C. Reale, Jon Tiven, as well as his longtime friend Billy F. Gibbons. Gibbons’ instantly identifiable guitar style features prominently in the track, leaning against Cropper’s more angular approach. You can watch the official lyric video for ‘Friendlytown’, featuring exclusive in-studio footage here at RAMzine.
The album’s first single, ‘Too Much Stress’, featured Brian May. This groovy mid-tempo number features gospel-style backing vocals and a trifecta of the baddest rock guitar players. Brian May sings the duet vocal together with Roger C. Reale and the backing vocals while May and Gibbons trade back-to-back solos. The Queen’s axeman’s trademark snarling tone and lyrical licks perfectly complement Gibbons’ searing blues-based style, with Cropper holding it all down with some signature slinky rhythm guitar work. “It was heaven playing with those two,” Cropper recalled.
Cropper produced Friendlytown with producer, bassist, multi-instrumentalist, and longtime friend Jon Tiven (Wilson Pickett, Don Covay, and Frank Black). Steve Cropper & The Midnight Hour is rounded out by lead vocalist Roger C. Reale, Nashville first-call drummer and percussionist Nioshi Jackson, and, of course, the Reverend Billy Gibbons. Producer, artist developer, and studio co-owner Eddie Gore (Aaron Goodvin, Keb Mo, Jonathan Singleton) engineered the album and contributed organ.
Cropper has won two Grammy awards from his seven nominations. He’s been ranked the number two greatest guitarist of all-time—behind Jimi Hendrix—by England’s Mojo Magazine, and number 36 in Rolling Stone magazine’s 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. Cropper’s name is synonymous with the world-famous soul label Stax Records, and he is featured in HBO’s new documentary, Stax: Soulsville U.S.A.
While at Stax, Cropper co-wrote hits, played guitar behind, and produced such legends as Otis Redding, Eddie Floyd, Wilson Pickett, Bill Withers, Sam & Dave, Albert King, Carla Thomas, Rufus Thomas, and Johnnie Taylor. Post-Stax, Cropper produced and/or played on sessions for Jeff Beck, Jose Feliciano, Yvonne Elliman, John Prine, Tower Of Power, John Cougar, Paul Simon, Ringo Starr, Buddy Guy, Johnny Lang, Elton John, and Steppenwolf, among many, many others.
Reflecting back on his journey, the iconic musician said: “When I think about my legacy, I want it to be said that I was a nice guy,” The perfect sentiment from a man bringing us a record called Friendlytown.
Friendlytown features the tracks ‘Too Much Stress’, ‘Hurry Up Sundown’, ‘Let’s Get Started’, ‘Talkin’ Bout Politics’, ‘I’ll Take Tomorrow’, ‘Lay It On Down’, ‘You Can’t Refuse’, ‘Rain On My Parade’, ‘There’s Always A Catch’, ‘In God We Trust’, ‘Reality Check’ and ‘I’ll Leave You In Peace’ – You can order it by clicking here.
