Help Big Bird

Hilarious!

 

And speaking of Big Bird, here's a tune from Eddie Floyd with Steve Cropper on guitar.  Big Bird.

No Time To Lose

Here's a link to play this sweet oldie from Carla Thomas... contains some Steve Cropper guitar that is simply perfect, love it! 
Click the play button and a new window will open, you can hear the whole thing:


I've Got No Time To Lose (Single/LP Version)

 

Amazon link to better sounding mp3: 

New/Old U2 does William Bell

Those familiar with my U2 fascination, and my Steve Cropper fascination, and my FRINGE fascination will be amazed.  On FRINGE, William Bell, an overzealous scientist/businessman/space and time contortionist, is played by Leonard Nemoy.

In real life, William Bell was a singer for Stax Records, and Steve Cropper was the guitar player for Stax.  The real Bell is in the Carolina Beach Music Hall of Fame.


Sometime during the "Achtung, Baby" recording sessions, U2 played William Bell's "Everybody Loves a Winner", and it was just released on a new 6 CD, 4 DVD box set, along with some other goodies from the vault. 

One of the new CDs is a rawer, rougher version of each song from "Achtung, Baby", in order... like U2 pre-covering themselves.  It's like it's from an alternate universe.

Here's one from the b-sides disc, a reworked "Even Better Than the Real Thing".  Fascinating. 

5 Pack: The "5" Royales

My recent re-fascination with all things Steve Cropper led me to The "5" Royales from Winston-Salem.  What a gold mine of music these guys were!  Led by guitarist/songwriter Lowman Pauling, The "5" Royales started as a gospel harmony group in the 40's, had piano-based do-wop hits in the early 50's, and then revolutionized themselves with electric guitar on some of the greatest songs of the 50's.  They span the bridge from gospel to soul, releasing over 100 songs in a 30 year career.  I'm going to highlight a few of my favorites for ya from throughout their career: 

A 5 pack of the "5" Royales for you.

	The 5 Royales - Just As I Am.mp3
	The 5 Royales - Put Something in It (With All Your Heart).mp3
	The 5 Royales - Say It.mp3
	The 5 Royales - When I Get Like This.mp3
	The Royal Sons Quintet - So God Can Use Me.mp3

If you like what you hear, let me know.  "Say It" is the rocker, "When I Get Like This", the ballad.  "So God Can Use Me" is the oldest, from the 40's.  Many of their songs are available at Amazon.com...

Jingle Bells B Funky

Thanks to some dude in the Netherlands, some Booker T. for Christmas. Stick around for the Steve Cropper guitar solo starting at about 1:12, when the cat starts rockin'. Honestly, I am still overwhelmed by the video I posted below this one,

"Booker-Loo" from 1968.

I think it may be the greatest thing I have ever seen/heard.

My Booker T. & the MG's infatuation is reaching a fever pitch, and luckily, they have a Christmas album, only $5 for MP3 from Amazon!

Booker T. & the MG's Slay Me

This, my friends, is a band. Check out this time capsule. Boom!