Welcome to this week's round-up where we have some upbeat blues rock and a little something heavier from Canadian metal legends.
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 for the debut album from his tight and tuneful rock n’ soul quintet, Steve Cropper & The Midnight Hour, has announced details of his highly anticipated new album, ‘Friendlytown,’ due out August 23rd via Mascot Label Group/Provogue.
Always pushing ahead and never repeating himself, Cropper has brought in the talents of Billy F Gibbons from ZZ Top to play on the record. The album also features guest appearances from Queen guitarist extraordinaire Brian May and country-rock singer-songwriter and guitarist Tim Montana, who has balanced a successful solo career with high-profile collaborations with Gibbons and Kid Rock.
“If your booty is not shaking in the first two bars of this album you’re already dead in a chair,” laughs 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.”
In conjunction with the album announcement, Cropper has released the album's first single, “Too Much Stress feat. Brian May,” giving fans a tantalizing taste of the new music. 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 recalls.
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.’
US legendary southern rock n’ rollers Preacher Stone are excited to release their good time summer vibed new single and video ‘Rain or Shine’. The track is lifted from their highly acclaimed, full-tilt rock, emotive and inspiring new album ‘V’ of which Powerplay Magazine proclaimed, “It’s edgy, it's raw, it’s high emotion. 9/10.”
Frontman Ronnie Riddle warmly enthuses, “As a band we live in this world where if we’re OK with you and you’re OK with us, then we should all get along and the more folk that do that, the better and to not pay attention to the garbage out there. Sure, ‘Rain or Shine’ points a stern finger at the mixed messages the media gives us about events but is definitely one to play loud traveling down the freeway to have fun with your family and friends at a BBQ of which the video shows!”
This first half of 2024 has seen the band of brothers face adversity in the sad passing of keyboard player Johnny Webb and most recently founding member and lead guitarist Marty Hill who are both sorely missed. Ronnie opens up, “It was a shock losing Johnny, but Marty knew what he was up against and made preparations. We had our orders that we were to carry on so there was no question or intention of giving up. We owe it to all who our music means something to and we honour them every day as the outpouring of love and support from folk around the world was incredible and not lost on us.”
Kicking boots out of North Carolina USA, the bands high-octane, 200 proof, rock-n-roll guitar-driven songs about the common man with heart-wrenching smoky bar frequenting tales, and the swagger of their live performances have earned them a legion of faithful fans known as “The Congregation”. Alongside Ronnie, the band is steeped in musical heritage with Ben Robinson (guitar), Jim Bolt (bass), Wyatt (drums) and now joined by Nick Nguyen (guitar) who has played regularly with the band and whom Marty hand-picked to help carry the Preacher Stone torch forward. Previously their song ‘Not Today’ was featured on two seasons of the hit Fox TV series Sons of Anarchy and 2023 saw them embark on debut UK shows to rapturous acclaim from fans and critics alike. Previous tours include across the United States and Europe having shared the stage with legendary acts Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top, Deep Purple and more.
The new collection of 10 songs was recorded at the legendary Gat3 Studios in Charlotte North Carolina, produced and engineered by the multiple Grammy winning Glenn Tabor (Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Kid Rock). Receiving stellar reviews across the board including Maximum Volume Music confirming “Authentic to their very core. 8.5/10”, Metal Talk stating it’s “An album that demands attention” and Emerging Rock Bands imploring listeners to “Enjoy a proper rock and roll party. 9/10.”
July sees the band make a warmly welcomed return to UK shores for an exclusive run of shows with Tom Killner and Sons of Liberty that culminates in a main stage appearance at the much loved Maid of Stone Festival Mote Park, Kent. Whilst Preacher Stone are rooted in southern rock history, authenticity and well travelled they assure that they’re never a band to rest on laurels. “We write for our friends and fans first and foremost. We’re super proud of ‘V’, it’s our best work yet in an epic collection of music that we’re sure all can relate to from any walk of life…and we’ll be going again with the next one, we promise it won't be another 8 year wait!”
Canadian metal legends ANVIL release their new studio album, ‘One And Only’ via powerhouse label AFM Records. When it comes to the most influential bands in the history of heavy metal, authorities on the subject regularly vote ANVIL among the top positions. The group from Toronto, Canada, with its two masterminds, Steve ‘Lips’ Kudlow and Robb Reiner, and bassist Chris Robertson, not only looks back at an impressive career with countless highlights – as well as a number of well-documented difficulties – but has also had a lasting influence on lots of internationally renowned musicians, from Metallica to Slayer and beyond.
Their 20th album is aptly entitled ‘One And Only’: ANVIL are and will always be one of a kind and are continuing to shape the contemporary metal scene just as impressively as they did at the beginning of their career. How they achieve this? Thanks to their straightforward metal fuelled by cutting riffs and catchy hooks, which the musicians continue to celebrate with admirable effortlessness and great passion.
“We’re more like our old selves than we’ve been in years,” comments frontman Lips Kudlow on the new album, adding: “We’ve dropped all our more modern aspects, particularly the 90s version of Anvil. No sexual topics and no thrash speed songs like they featured on past albums.”
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