Steve Cropper Friendlytown (CD)

(Macot Music) 13 tracks, digipack

Not many people start new bands in their 80s, but legendary guitarist, producer and songwriter Steve Cropper is not one to let things get him down easily. The triple-talented musician was recently nominated for his first solo Grammy for the debut of his crunchy and melodic rock'n'soul quintet, Steve Cropper & The Midnight Hour.

Cropper has wasted no time in following up this success with his second album, Friendlytown. Always moving forward and never repeating himself, Cropper has enlisted Billy F Gibbons of ZZ Top as a guest musician for the album. Also guesting on Friendlytown are Queen guitarist extraordinaire Brian May and country rock singer/guitarist Tim Montana, who has combined a successful solo career with high profile collaborations with Gibbons and Kid Rock.

“If your butt isn't shaking in the first two bars of this album, you're already dead in your chair,” laughs Cropper. “I feel so good about this batch of songs. They're packed with radio-ready hooks, and we've got Billy Gibbons, Brian May and Tim Montana playing on the album - it's like guitar heaven.”

Listen to the album's first single, “Too Much Stress” featuring Brian May. This groovy mid-tempo number features gospel-like backing vocals and a trifecta of rock's finest guitarists. Brian May sings the duet vocals together with Roger C. Reale and the backing vocals, while May and Gibbons deliver one solo after the other. The Queen axe-wielder's growling tone and lyrical licks are the perfect complement to Gibbons' blistering blues style, while Cropper's unmistakable rhythm guitar keeps everything under control.