Memphis guitar legend, STEVE CROPPER has just released a brand new album, ‘Friendlytown’ (yes there’s no gap in there). The LP is a 13 tracker and features guest input from rock guitar star Tim Montana, Billy Gibbons (ZZ top), Simon Kirke (Free/Bad Company) and Brian May (Queen). Right away that should tell you that this isn’t really a soul album; indeed it’s heavy on rock and blues a witnessed by the lead single, ‘You Can’t Refuse’. Maybe the most accessible track from the soul point is ‘Rain On My Parade’.
Interestingly for an album with the marquee name a guitar man, all the tracks are vocals – the lead voice is that of leather-lunged, Roger C. Reale.
STEVE CROPPER: , ‘Friendlytown’ out now via Mascot Label Group/Provogue
