Friendlytown
Mascot Label Group/Provogue, 2024
9/10
The revered guitarist and songwriter Steve Cropper brings plenty of grooves and licks to these 13 blues tracks that welcome luminaries like Tim Montana, Billy Gibbons, and Brian May.
The title track opens the listen with Cropper’s inimitable guitar alongside grit and melody in the rich climate, and “Too Much Stress” follows with a frisky energy, where May’s always impressive guitar and rugged vocals surround the rhythmic climate.
Further along, the cozy spirit of “I’ll Take Tomorrow” uses intimacy with soulfulness via Roger C. Reale’s comforting voice, while “Rain On My Parade” comes with a dreamy backdrop amid the well timed horns and Cropper’s expressive chops.
Deeper still, the bouncy bass lines and moody organ of “In God We Trust” is textured superbly, and “I Leave You In Peace” exits with meticulous guitar and a reflective mood you won’t soon forget.
Cropper has picked up a couple of Grammy Awards, and is largely considered one of the greatest guitar players of all time. He brings a tremendous amount of talent and experience, and it makes for some of the best modern blues you’ll hear anywhere.
Travels well with: Walter Trout- Broken; Joe Bonamassa- Blues Deluxe Vol. 2