Legendary Guitarist Steve Cropper Announces New Album w/ Billy Gibbons, Brian May, and Tim Montana
Legendary Guitarist Steve Cropper Announces New Album ‘Friendlytown,' Out August 23rd Via Mascot Label Group
Featuring Billy F Gibbons, Brian May and Tim Montana
First Single “Too Much Stress feat. Brian May” Available Now
Pre-order Friendlytown HERE
Standout tracks on ‘Friendlytown’ include the muscular, blues rock title track, anchored by one of Cropper’s signature loping riffs, adorned with low-down Texas blues style guitar leads from Gibbons, and featuring Reale’s throaty growl. Another highlight is “You Can’t Refuse,” the ultra-catchy, Bo Diddley-styled romp featuring slithery blues licks from Tim Montana. “He attended 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 recalls laughing.
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 says: “When I think about my legacy, I want it to be said that I was a nice guy,” Cropper says. The perfect sentiment from the man bringing us ‘Friendlytown.’
‘Friendlytown’ by Steve Cropper
1. Friendlytown
2. Too Much Stress (feat. Brian May)
3. Hurry Up Sundown
4. Let's Get Started
5. Talkin’ Bout Politics
6. I'll Take Tomorrow
7. Lay It On Down
8. You Can't Refuse (feat. Tim Montana)
9. Rain On My Parade
10. There's Always A Catch
11. In God We Trust
12. Reality Check
13. I Leave You In Peace