"Inspirational": Steve Cropper is a sublimely understated presence with The Midnight Hour on Friendlytown

Stax legend Steve Cropper fires up the protest soul

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Steve Cropper & The Midnight Hours: Friendlytown cover art
(Image: © Mascot)

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In the 1960s, Steve Cropper was held in awe by top UK guitarists for his producing and playing with Otis Redding and Stax house band Booker T & The MG’s. Six decades on, he continues forging forward after 2021’s Grammy-nominated Fire It Up. 

Using the same squad named after one of his most famous compositions, including co-producer Jon Tiven and singer/lyricist Roger C Reale, Cropper welcomes Billy Gibbons on stinging form and Brian May on Jailhouse Rock-referencing single Too Much Stress. 

Steve Cropper &The Midnight Hour (feat. Brian May) - "Too Much Stress" - YouTube Steve Cropper &The Midnight Hour (feat. Brian May) -
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Cropper is a sublimely understated presence as his blues and soulrock blueprints get amplified and elevated by stellar accomplices, rising to Reale’s roughshod reboot of society-lambasting 60s soul on Talkin’ ‘Bout Politics (‘liars, crooks and clowns’), There’s Always A Catch and Reality Check. His illustrious Stax 60s further bathe optimistic Rain On My Parade and gorgeous closing ballad I Leave You In Peace.

Inspirational.

Kris Needs
Kris Needs

Kris Needs is a British journalist and author, known for writings on music from the 1970s onwards. Previously secretary of the Mott The Hoople fan club, he became editor of ZigZag in 1977 and has written biographies of stars including Primal Scream, Joe Strummer and Keith Richards. He's also written for MOJO, Record Collector, Classic Rock, Prog, Electronic Sound, Vive Le Rock and Shindig!