Noelle Toland is back with the collaboration of the year with Grammy-nominated songwriter Steve Cropper

 

Nashville based singer-songwriter Noelle Toland has star-quality written all over her. Teaming up with legendary guitarist, songwriter & Blues Brother Steve Cropper (who plays guitar on the new single) for the delicate yet powerful single ‘I Want To See You Again’, you may recognise Steve’s fascinating songwriting and guitar playing from tracks such as ‘(Sittin) On the Dock of the Bay’, ‘In The Midnight Hour’, ‘Knock on Wood’ and many others.

A collaboration fans didn’t know they needed until now, the track was produced and co-written with Chris Condon (Billy Ray Cyrus’ musical director and guitarist) and recorded at the famed RCA Studios on Music Row in Nashville. Taken from a four-track EP titled ‘The Sun Will Rise’, Noelle mentions, “Hopefully this record, which I’ve long envisioned, inspires people to take chances, be bold and place bets on themselves, because that is the only thing that has gotten me through the ups and downs.”
Working alongside vocal producer Eddie Gore, who has worked with Steve Cropper, Aaron Goodvin, Joanne Janzen, Keb Mo, Jonathan Singleton and Sara Petite, the star-studded line up is best described as legendary. Featuring Maureen Murphy as the backing vocalist, Maureen has worked with Zac Brown Band, Phish, Drake White, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Nettles, Jake Wesley Rogers, Allison Russell, Gregg Allman, Dave Cobb, Brandi Carlisle, Ruby Amanfu, Keb Mo, Mickey Guyton, Breland, Beth Neilsen Champman and Jason Isbell.

Blending 90s country sensibilities with a seductive soul-pop persona, ‘I Want To See You Again” is performed effortlessly. Not only a force to be reckoned with in the music industry, Noelle also volunteers at JHPIEGO, a Johns Hopkins non-profit affiliate that focuses on maternal health in developing countries. Currently the Auction Chair for their annual gala and member of their Changemakers committee, a program aims to empower young students, Noelle is an artist you’d be proud to support.

Rock-Blues Review: Steve Cropper-Fire It Up

Release Date: April 23, 2021

Label: Provogue

Website

 

If you have any familiarity with Booker T. and the MG’s or all the music coming out of the legendary Stax label, then you know the name, Steve Cropper. All that music I have always appreciated and the craft of Cropper on the six-string leading the way. You won’t hear his name mentioned amongst the greats such as Clapton, Beck, and of course Hendrix. My thought is that he was recognized in his genre and all his contributions to countless recordings including his solo recordings. He played at a very high level and continues to do so as the new release Fire It Up will attest. He is right up there on the list with the big boys as far as I am concerned.

Fire It Up features Cropper at his level best with Nioshi Jackson (drums), Roger C. Reale (vocals), and Jon Tiven (bass, sax, keys, harmonica, background vocals, with shared production duties with Cropper). Some other names contributed that you will recognize as well are Felix Cavaliere, Anton Fig, Simon Kirke, the list is extensive. All of that fine talent coming together to lend a hand gives Fire It Up some flow and cohesiveness that adds to the spark of that amazing guitar playing on display from start to finish.

There are thirteen cuts on the album. After listening to all of them I felt as though there was nothing that seemed out of sync or so different that it stood out as the one track that would be left in the can for future consideration. This is quality rock and blues with a strong underpinning of soul that comes through the vocals nicely.

I think the versatility that Cropper offers on this release is exceptional. “Bush Hog, Pt. 1” is a snappy instrumental to kick things off. The title track is a funky bluesy burner with Reale on vocals to complete the song. As things move along you hear will so many of those sweet crisp licks from Cropper. My favorite amongst many was “Heartbreak Street” and “She’s So Fine,” which sounded like a good choice for a single release to create a buzz about the album.

Cropper is 79 years young and he still has that fire burning in his belly. He floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee (thanks for that line Muhammad Ali) on this recording. The band he pulled together to support him certainly does Fire It Up at every turn making this a classic offering that stands as one of the best releases I have heard this year.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-MuzikMan.net Founder
March 22, 2021
 

Tracks:

01. Bush Hog, Pt. 1    
02. Fire It Up        
03. One Good Turn        
04. I'm Not Havin' It        
05. Out of Love        
06. Far Away     
07. Say You Don't Know Me        
08. She's So Fine        
09. Two Wrongs        
10. Heartbreak Street        
11. The Go-Getter Is Gone        
12. Bush Hog, Pt. 2        
13. Bush Hog