On December 3, 2025, Steven Lee Cropper died aged 84. He was musician, songwriter, record producer and actor, known as “The Colonel”. He was the guitarist of the “Stax Records” house band, Booker T. & the M.G.’s, which backed artists such as Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Carla Thomas, Rufus Thomas, and Johnnie Taylor. He was also member of the Blues Brothers Band, and recorded and performed with many other artists including Alabama, Jimmy Barnes, William Bell, Barbi Benton, Big Star, Stephen Bishop, Frank Black, Bobby and the Midnites, Booker T. & MG.’s, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Jimmy Buffett, Billy Burnette, Brian Cadd, Cate Brothers, Chicago, David Clayton Thomas, A. J. Croce, Patti Dahlstrom, Delaney & Bonnie, Ned Doheny, Yvonne Elliman, Jose Feliziano, Eddie Floyd, Peter Frampton, Richie Furay, Art Garfunkel, Cyndi Grecco, Levon Helm, Chris Hillman, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Etta James, Wynonna Judd, Albert King, B.B. King, Al Kooper, John Lennon, Ann Margret, Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis Jr., Craig Morgan, Aaron Neville, Wayne Newton, Harry Nilsson, John Oates, Nigel Olsson, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Wilson Pickett, Michel Polnareff, John Prine, Otis Redding, Bruce Roberts, Leon Russell, Sanford & Townsend, Leo Sayer, Poncho Sanchez, Guy Sebastian, Neil Sedaka, Paul Shaffer, Paul Simon, Percy Sledge, Broderick Smith, The Soul Children, The Staple Singers, Mavis Staple, Ringo Starr, Rod Stewart, Livingston Taylor, Carla Thomas, Mickey Thomas, Wendy Waldman, Tower of Power, The Manhattan Transfer, Dale Watson and Jerry Lynn Williams. Magazine “Rolling Stone” ranked him 36th on its list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists”. Cropper won two “Grammy Awards”, and as leader or co-leader Cropper released 13 albums.
Tag Archives: William Bell
Booker T. & The M.G.’s: Soul Limbo
In September 1968, “Stax” label released “Soul Limbo”, the seventh Booker T. & the M.G.’s studio album. It was recorded in 1968, at “Stax Recording Studio” in Memphis, and was produced by Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper, Donald Dunn and Al Jackson Jr.
Personnel:
- Booker T. Jones – Hammond organ, clavinet, piano, guitar
- Steve Cropper – guitar
- Donald Dunn – bass guitar
- Al Jackson Jr. – drums, percussion
- Terry Manning – marimba
- Isaac Hayes – cowbell
Track listing:
- Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy – J.R. Cobb, Ray Whitley
- La-La (Means I Love You) – Thom Bell, William Hart
- Hang ‘Em High – Dominic Frontiere
- Willow Weep for Me – Ann Ronell
- Over Easy – Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper, Donald Dunn, Al JacksonJr.
- Soul Limbo – Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper, Donald Dunn and Al Jackson Jr.
- Eleanor Rigby – John Lennon, Paul McCartney
- Heads or Tails = Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper, Donald Dunn, Al Jackson Jr.
- (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You’ve Been Gone – Aretha Franklin, Teddy White
- Born Under a Bad Sign – William Bell, Booker T. Jones
- Foxy Lady – Jimi Hendrix
Bruce Springsteen: Only The Strong Survive
On November 11, 2022, “Columbia” label released “Only the Strong Survive”, the twenty-first Bruce Springsteen studio album. It was recorded 2021 – 2022, at “Thrill Hill Recording” New jersey, and was produced by Ron Aniello and Bruce Springsteen.
Personnel:
- Bruce Springsteen – lead and backing vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards
- Ron Aniello – guitar, bass, drums, percussion, piano, keyboards, organ, vibraphone, glockenspiel, chimes, timpani, backing vocals, engineer, mixing
- Rob Lebret – guitar
- Bill Holloman – tenor saxophone
- Ed Manion – baritone saxophone
- Tom Timko – baritone saxophone
- Barry Danielian – trumpet
- Curt Ramm – trumpet
- Clark Gayton – trombone
- Lisa Kim – violin, concertmaster
- Annaliesa Place – violin
- Dasol Jeong – violin
- Joanna Maurer – violin
- Kristi Helberg – violin
- Kuan Cheng Lu – violin
- Sein Ryu – violin
- Sharon Yamada – violin
- Su Hyun Park – violin
- Suzanne Ornstein – violin
- Danielle Farina – viola
- Devin Moore – viola
- Re Clarice Jensen – cello
- Patrick Jee – cello
- Sophie Shao – cello
- Rebecca Young – viola
- Soozie Tyrell – backing vocals
- Lisa Lowell – backing vocals
- Sam Moore – backing vocals
- Curtis King Jr. – backing vocals
- Dennis Collins – backing vocals
- Fonzi Thornton – backing vocals
- Michelle Moore – backing vocals
- Rob Mathes – conductor
- Andres Bermudez – engineer
- Rob Lebret – engineer, mixing
- Bob Ludwig – mastering
- Jon Landau – executive production
Track listing:
- Only the Strong Survive – Jerry Butler, Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff
- Soul Days – Jonnie Barnett
- Nightshift – Walter Orange, Dennis Lambert, Franne Golde
- Do I Love You (Indeed I Do) – Frank Wilson
- The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore – Bob Crewe, Bob Gaudio
- Turn Back the Hands of Time – Jack Daniels, Bonnie Thompson
- When She Was My Girl – Larry Gottlieb, Marc Blatte
- Hey, Western Union Man – Jerry Butler, Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff
- I Wish It Would Rain – Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong, Rodger Penzabene
- Don’t Play That Song – Ahmet Ertegun, Betty Nelson
- Any Other Way – William Bell
- I Forgot to Be Your Lover – William Bell, Booker T. Jones
- 7 Rooms of Gloom – Holland-Dozier-Holland
- What Becomes of the Brokenhearted – William Weatherspoon, Paul Riser, James Dean
- Someday We’ll Be Together – Johnny Bristol, Jackey Beavers, Harvey Fuqua
Etta James: Life, Love & Blues
On June 30, 1998, “Private Music” label released “Life, Love & the Blues”, the twenty-first Etta James studio album. It was recorded in 1998, at “Forth Athens Studios” in Riverside, California, “Conway Studios” in Hollywood, and was produced by Etta James.
Personnel:
- Etta James – vocals
- Leo Nocentelli – guitar
- Bobby Murray – guitar
- Josh Sklair – guitar, dobro
- David K. Mathews – keyboards
- Mike Finnigan – Hammond B-3 organ
- Sametto James – bass
- Donto Mento James – drums, percussion
- Jimmy Z – saxophone, harmonica
- Lee Thornburg – trumpet, valve trombone
- Tom Poole – trumpet
Track listing:
- Born Under a Bad Sign – William Bell, Booker T. Jones
- I Want To Ta Ta You Baby – Johnny Guitar Watson
- Here I Am (Come and Take Me) – Al Green, Mabon “Teenie” Hodges
- Running Out of Lies – Paul Jordan
- Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) – Marvin Gaye, James Nyx, Jr., James Nyx
- Spoonful – Willie Dixon
- Life, Love & the Blues – Etta James, Josh Sklair
- Hoochie Coochie Gal – Willie Dixon
- Cheating in the Next Room – George Jackson
- If You Want Me to Stay – Sylvester Stewart
- The Love You Save Maby Your Own – Joe Tex
- I’ll take Care of You – Brook Benton
Potliquor: Louisiana Rock & Roll
In January 1973, “Janus” label released “Louisiana Rock & Roll”, the third Potliquor album. It was recorded in 1972, at “Deep South Recording Studio” in New Orleans, and was produced by Jim Brown.
Personnel:
- Les Wallace – vocals, guitars
- George Ratzlaff – vocals, keyboards
- Guy Schaeffer – vocals, bass guitar
- Leon Medica – vocals, bass guitar
- Jerry Amoroso – vocals, drums, percussion
- Cy Frost – piano, clavinet, Moog synthesizer, horn and string arrangements
- Glenn Spreen – horn and string arrangements
- Lee Fortier – horns
- Art DeCesare – horns
- Bud Brasher – horns
- Pete Verbois – horns
- Bill Ludwig – horns
- Nick Rousse – horns
- Charlie Depuy – horns
- Uncle Buck Wood – fiddle
- Gail and David Amoroso – handclaps
- Strings on “For You” – a combined section of the New Orleans Symphony and Baton Rouge Symphony
- Cy Frost – recording, production consultant
- Peter Granet – remix
- F. Alessandrini – artwork
- Dawn Studios – album cover design
- Mia Krinsky – album coordination
- J. W. deBuys – photography
- Bob Scerbo – production coordinator
Track listing:
- You Can’t Get There from Here – Casey Kelly
- Waitin’ for Me at the River – George Ratzlaff
- Taj and Jimmy’s Blues – Taj Mahal, Al Smith, Jimmy Reed
- Rip It Up – Marascalco Blackwell
- H – Lee Wallace, Lauretta Wallace
- Louisiana Rock ’n’ Roll – George Ratzlaff
- St. Jude’s Blues – Jerry Amoroso
- Born Under a Bad Sign – Booker T. Jones, William Bell
- Guitar Boogie – George Ratzlaff
- For You – Les Wallace
Delaney & Bonnie: Home
In May 1969, “Stax” label released “Home”, the debut Delaney & Bonnie album. It was recorded 1968 – 1969, at “Stax Studios” in Memphis, Tennessee, and was produced by Don Nix and Donald “Duck” Dunn.
Personnel:
- Delaney Bramlett – vocals, guitar
- Bonnie Bramlett – vocals
- Steve Cropper – guitar
- Leon Russell – keyboards
- Booker T. Jones – keyboards
- Isaac Hayes – vocals, keyboards
- Donald Dunn – bass
- Carl Radle – bass
- Al Jackson Jr. – drums
- Jimmy Karstein – percussion
- The Memphis Horns :
- Andrew Love – tenor saxophone
- Ed Logan – tenor saxophone
- Jim Terry – saxophone
- Joe Arnold – saxophone
- Dick Steff – trumpet
- Wayne Jackson – trumpet
- Jay Pruitt – trumpet
- John Davis – trumpet
- Ben Cauley – trumpet
- William Bell – vocals
- Phil Forrest – vocals
- Ron Capone – engineer
- Jamie Putman – art direction
- Tom Wilkes – design
- Barry Feinstein – photography
- Michael Point – liner notes
Track listing:
- It’s Been a Long Time Coming – Delaney Bramlett, Bonnie Bramlett
- A Right Now Love – Bonnie Bramlett, Homer Banks
- We Can Love – Steve Cropper, Eddie Floyd
- My Baby Specializes – Isaac Hayes, David Porter
- Everybody Loves a Winner – Booker T. Jones, William Bell
- Things Get Better – Steve Cropper, Eddie Floyd, Wayne Jackson
- Just Plain Beautiful – Steve Cropper, Bettye Crutcher
- Hard to Say Goodbye – Bonnie Bramlett, Carl Radle
- Pour Your Love on Me – Homer Banks, Bonnie Bramlett
- Piece of My Heart – Bert Berns, Jerry Ragovoy
Rita Coolidge: The Lady’s Not for Sale
In October 1972, “A&M” label released “The Lady’s Not for Sale”, the third Rita Coolidge studio album. It was recorded in 1972, at “Wally Heider Studios” and “Sunset Sound “ in Los Angeles and was produced by David Anderle.
Personnel:
- Rita Coolidge – vocals
- Marc Benno – guitar
- Al Kooper – lead guitar
- John Sebastian – harmonica
- Jerry McGee – acoustic guitar
- Bernie Leadon – guitar
- Al Perkins Jr. – pedal steel and National slide guitar
- Mike Utley – keyboards
- Booker T. Jones – flute, backing vocals
- Carl Radle – bass
- Lee Sklar – bass
- Russ Kunkel – drums, percussion
The Dixie Flyers
- Charlie Freeman – guitar
- Marc Benno – guitar
- Sneaky Pete Kleinow – pedal steel guitar
- Al Perkins Jr. – pedal steel guitar
- Mike Utley – keyboards
- Tommy McClure – bass
- Sammy Creason – drums
- Marc Benno – arrangements
- Kris Kristofferson – backing vocals, arrangement
- Priscilla Jones, Donna Weiss, Venetta Fields, Sherlie Matthews, Maxine Willard – backing vocals
- Glyn Johns, John Haeny, Richie Moore – recording engineer
- David Anderle – mixing
- Roland Young – art direction
- Chuck Beeson – design
- Bob Jenkins – photography
Track listing:
- My Crew – Priscilla Jones, Booker T. Jones
- Fever – Johnny Davenport, Eddie Cooley
- Bird on a Wire – Leonard Cohen
- I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight – Bob Dylan
- A Woman Left Lonely – Spooner Oldham, Dan Penn
- Whiskey Whiskey – Tom Ghent
- Everybody Loves a Winner – William Bell, Booker T. Jones
- Donut Man – Marc Benno, Irvin Benno
- Inside of Me – Marc Benno, Irvin Benno, Mike Utley
- The Lady’s Not for Sale – Kris Kristofferson, Carol Pugh
Robert Cray: Twenty
On May 24, 2005, “Sanctuary” label released “Twenty”, the 15th Robert Cray album. It was recorded in 2005, at “Sound City Recording Studios” in Van Nuys, CA, and was produced by Robert Cray and James Pugh.
Personnel:
- Robert Cray – vocals, guitar
- Karl Sevareid – acoustic and electric bass
- James Pugh – keyboards
- Kevin Hayes – drums
Track listing:
All tracks by Robert Cray; except where noted.
- Poor Johnny
- That Ain’t Love
- Does It Really Matter – Scott Mathews, James Pugh
- Fadin’ Away
- My Last Regret – James Pugh
- It Doesn’t Show
- I’m Walkin’ – Chris Hayes, Kevin Hayes
- Twenty
- I Know You Will – John Hanes, James Pugh
- I Forgot to Be Your Lover – William Bell, Booker T. Jones
- Two Steps from the End – James Pugh
Al Kooper: Act Like Nothing’s Wrong
On November 18, 1976, “United Artists” label released “Act Like Nothing’s Wrong”, the seventh Al Kooper studio album. It was recorded in 1976, at “Record Plant” in Los Angeles, “Record Plant” in Sausalito, CA, “TK Studios” in Hialeah, FL, “Quadraphonic Sound Studios” in Nashville, TN, “Sound Ideas Studios” in New York City, “Studio One” in Doraville, GA, and was produced by Al Kooper, and John Simon.
Personnel:
- Al Kooper – vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, keyboards, clavinet, arranger, horn arrangements, engineer
- Steve Gibson – guitar, rhythm guitar
- Willie “Little Beaver” Hale – guitar
- Joe Walsh – slide guitar
- Reggie Young – vocals, guitar
- Bobby Wood – organ, piano, electric piano
- Ron Bogdon – bass
- J. R. Cobb – bass
- George “Chocolate” Perry – bass
- Mike Leech – bass
- Robert Ferguson – vocals, drums
- Tubby Zeigler – drums
- Larrie Londin – drums
- Gary Coleman – percussion, bongos, conga
- Dominic Frontiere – horn arrangements
- Marvin Stamm – trumpet
- Tower of Power – horns
- Harry Lookofsky – violin
- Wendy Waldman – backing vocals
- Ron Hicklin Singers – backing vocals
- Hilda Harris – backing vocals
- John Simon – arranger
- Steve Alaimo – engineer
- Bob Edwards – engineer
- Gene Eichelberger – engineer
- John Henning – engineer
- Bruce Hensal – engineer
- Linda Hoxit – engineer
- Denis King – engineer
- Kelly Kotera – engineer
- Bobby Langford – engineer
- Tim Sadler – engineer
- Rick Sanchez – engineer
- Rick Smith – engineer
- Steve Smith – engineer
- Alan Robinson – liner notes
Track listing:
All tracks by Al Kooper, except where noted.
- Is We on the Downbeat
- This Diamond Ring – Al Kooper, Bob Brass, Irwin Levine
- She Don’t Ever Lose Her Groove – Willie Hale
- I Forgot to Be Your Lover – Booker T. Jones, William Bell
- Missing You
- Out of Left Field – Dan Penn, Spooner Oldham
- (Please Not) One More Time
- In My Own Sweet Way
- Turn My Head Towards Home – Al Kooper, John Simon
- A Visit to the Rainbow Bar and Grill
- Hollywood Vampire
Richard Hawley: Lowedges
On February 10, 2003, “Setanta Records” label released “Lowedges”, the third Richard Hawley studio album. It was recorded in 2002, and was produced by Richard Hawley and Colin Elliot.
Personnel:
- Richard Hawley– lead vocals, guitars, bass, drums, keyboards, glockenspiel, Fender Rhodes, Omnichord, Hawaiian lap steel guitar, lyre, vibraphone, percussion
- Colin Elliot – electric bass, upright bass, piano, Mellotron, glockenspiel, vibraphone, percussion, backing vocals
- Ali Heath Cook – backing vocals
- Andy Cook – drums
- Shez Sheridan – guitars, drones, backing vocals
- Simon Stafford – keyboards
- Alice Coulam – backing vocals
- Simon Graham – violin
- Elizabeth Ball – violin
- John Visanji – violin
- Liz Hanks – viola
- Rachel Jones – viola
- Naomi Koop – viola
Track listing:
All tracks by Richard Hawley, except where noted.
- Run for Me
- Darlin’
- Oh My Love
- The Only Road
- On the Ledge
- You Don’t Miss Your Water (Till Your River Runs Dry) – William Bell, Richard Hawley
- The Motorcycle Song
- It’s Over Love
- I’m on Nights
- Danny
- The Nights Are Made for Us
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