Description
*This is a Vinyl LP*
Release Date: 2021
Label: Provogue
Track List
Side A
1. Bush Hog, Pt. 1
2. Fire It Up
3. One Good Turn
4. I’m Not Havin’ It
5. Out of Love
6. Far Away
Side B
1. Say You Don’t Know Me
2. She’s So Fine
3. Two Wrongs
4. Heartbreak Street
5. The Go-Getter Is Gone
6. Bush Hog, Pt. 2
7. Bush Hog
Personnel
- Steve Cropper – guitars
- Roger C. Reale – lead vocals
- Jon Tiven – bass, saxophone, keys, harmonica, background vocals
- Nioshi Jackson – drums
Notes
It’s hard to have surprises when you’re seven decades into a career of soul, blues and rock and roll stardom, but consider this: in a way, Grammy-winner Steve Cropper’s new album, Fire It Up, is the first album since 1967 to have Cropper’s solo name on it.
Fire It Up is a return to form for Cropper. “This album is different from everything out there now,” he says. “It’s made from old grooves, because during a lockdown, I worked on stuff that’s been in my head for years.” Cropper doesn’t keep a file of song lyrics and doesn’t file guitar riff ideas to find a home later, “but all that stuff is floating in my head all the time,” he says. “I can reach in there and get it out.” ‘
Fire It Up has its roots in sessions with Felix Cavaliere. They did some basic tracks that wound up not fitting on their two releases, but captured good grooves, which were salvaged by album producer Jon Tiven. “Jon would pull out those tracks and he’d call me and say, ‘You know, this stuff is pretty good,'” adds Cropper. “From there, Jon and I reworked the tracks and came up with some song ideas. I try to come up with a title that tells a story even if you don’t read the lyrics. Lots of people write poetry about their own stories. For me, songwriting isn’t about the writer as much as the audience, and the artist who will deliver it.”If all he had done were the records with Otis Redding that would be enough, but shortly thereafter he was leaving his fingerprints on records by Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Johnny Taylor, Albert King, and virtually anybody worthy who came within earshot of Memphis. He was a Guitarist’s Guitarist, and a Songwriter’s Songwriter. But even after all these years he remains modest about his musical abilities. Cropper’s accomplishments make him careful and selective about what he’ll put his name on, so you won’t be surprised if this new album echoes sounds of yesterday combined with eternally infectious grooves. Steve Cropper’s Fire It Up, an instant classic.
