Description
Like the first words of a book, the opening notes of an album can make you lean in. Sometimes itrsquos like meeting a stranger who later becomes a lifelong friend, or on rare occasions, a spouse. Please drop your stylus on this record and say hello to your new best friend. Hear the confidence, hear the tone, feel the vibe. ndashRobert Gordon from his liner notes As a founding member of Stax house band Booker T. amp The M.G.rsquos, Steve Cropper was involved in some of the most important music of the 1960s as a player, songwriter, and producer. The following decade introduced him to a new group of fans as guitarist for The Blues Brothers, appearing on both their records and film. A twotime Grammyreg winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Cropper has been an integral thread in the cloth of American music, writing, playing and producing into the 21st century to this very day. In 1969, Cropper released his first solo album, producing and arranging its eleven tracks himself. His backing band While there is no actual record of who played on the album itself, Grammyreg winner Robert Gordonrsquos liner notes point to his fellow M.G.rsquos, Buddy Miles, Jim Keltner, the BarKayrsquos James Alexander, and more as candidates. From original tracks to its wellknown covers including The Beatles classic the release shares its name with, it is a tour de force of pure Memphis rock and soul. The core eleven tracks now appear again on an allanalog cut, new pressing of the LP as With A Little Help From My Friends returns for a new generation to experience. The CD version contains a whopping eight bonus tracks, including four tracks not included on the original release and alternate versions of four that do. Add in Robert Gordonrsquos notes and this release is as much a history lesson as it is a timepiece of pure musical magic.
