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Editorial Reviews
Review
"4 Stars" -- Mojo Magazine
"Dedicated shines a light on an unjustly forgotten figure in R&B, and reminds us just how much class Steve Cropper has." Jeff Tamarkin, Mojo "Mr. Cropper has remade an album's worth of "5" Royales songs with various singers and guest players on "Dedicated" (429 Records), and it's a good platform for his playing, whether he's seizing Pauling's licks or, in "Help Me Somebody," replacing the vocal line with sighing lead guitar." -- Jon Pareles, NY Times
"Given what a mixed bag tribute albums usually are, Dedicated is not only a surprise for its consistency, but a shining example of what they can -- and should -- be. -- Thom Jurek, AMG
"In a collection of standouts, the Cropper/Winwood pairing in "Thirty Second Lover" is the song that stops you and makes you say, "Wow!" Stevie W. gets gritty in his vocals (as if he's singing for the Spencer Davis Group again), and Stevie C. lays down flowing, liquid guitar riffs and full, round notes that he bends on the guitar strings with the ease of Superman twisting iron bars.
"Dedicated shines a light on an unjustly forgotten figure in R&B, and reminds us just how much class Steve Cropper has." Jeff Tamarkin, Mojo "Mr. Cropper has remade an album's worth of "5" Royales songs with various singers and guest players on "Dedicated" (429 Records), and it's a good platform for his playing, whether he's seizing Pauling's licks or, in "Help Me Somebody," replacing the vocal line with sighing lead guitar." -- Jon Pareles, NY Times
"Given what a mixed bag tribute albums usually are, Dedicated is not only a surprise for its consistency, but a shining example of what they can -- and should -- be. -- Thom Jurek, AMG
"In a collection of standouts, the Cropper/Winwood pairing in "Thirty Second Lover" is the song that stops you and makes you say, "Wow!" Stevie W. gets gritty in his vocals (as if he's singing for the Spencer Davis Group again), and Stevie C. lays down flowing, liquid guitar riffs and full, round notes that he bends on the guitar strings with the ease of Superman twisting iron bars.
Also notable is Williams' bluesy take on the Royales' original "Dedicated to the One I Love." On "My Sugar Sugar," vocalist Sharon Jones is wonderful in capturing a '50s sound, and Blues Traveler harmonicat John Popper adds very nice blues harp accents." -- Dan Aquilante, NY Post
3 1/2 Stars (out of four)
The storied guitarist for Stax band Booker T. & The MG's has crafted a loving tribute to The "5" Royales, specifically his hero, songwriter/guitarist Lowman Pauling. Cropper and co-producer Jon Tiven honor the bygone '50s R&B group and a golden era with 14 feisty, soulful tracks sung by such guests as Delbert McClinton,Lucinda Williams, Bettye LaVette, B.B. King, Sharon Copeland and Steve Winwood. A fine Royale treatment. -- Edna Gundersen, USA Today
Product Description
2011 album from the veteran guitar slinger. As the original guitarist of Stax Records house band Booker T. & The M.G.'s., Steve Cropper has had a storied career. Voted #36 on Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Guitarists Of All Time, Cropper has worked with Blues legends such as Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, and the Blues Brothers Band. Dedicated is a tribute to R&B and Doo Wop act, The 5 Royales. The collection features reworked versions of the groups most enduring songs, and includes duets with Steve Winwood, Lucinda Williams, Bettye LaVette, John Popper, Sharon Jones, and others.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
60 of 64 people found the following review helpful
By Polar Bear
Format:Audio CD
"Dedicated" is Steve Cropper's debut project on 429 Records. For those of you unfamiliar with Cropper's track record, he has an impressive resume: a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the staff song writer and in-house guitarist on Stax Records staff, and a member of Booker T & the MGs. He also is credited with writing some true R&B classics: "Knock on Wood," "In the Midnight Hour" and "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay." "Dedicated" is a tribute to guitar player Pete Pauling and his band of the Five Royales, one of Cropper's biggest influences, and named after the 5 Royales's hit "Dedicated To The One I Love." Aside from Cropper's guitar playing, the album features an amazing set of musicians which includes bassist David Hood (Muscle Shoals sideman), keyboardist Spooner Oldham (Fame Studios sideman and top notch song writer who has also played with Neil Young), Dap-Kings saxman Neal Sugarman, drummer Steve Farone, and drummer Steve Jordan. There's also an all star line up of special guests: Steve Winwood, B.B. King, Shemekia Copeland, Delbert McClinton, Lucinda Williams, Queen guitarist Brian May, and singers Sharon Jones and Bettye LaVette. Cropper's playing on "Dedicated" is classic; his rhythms are tight, his fills original and unique, and it's easy to see why he's one of the best guitar players of all time. The best part of these songs is that they are straight from his heart, something you can easily feel from your first listen. If you want to hear some incredible re-makes of classic songs that feature a phenomenal list of musicians, look no farther. You've found it here!
35 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Dear Music Appreciator,
These are the kinds of songs that can add instant, classic atmosphere wherever they're played - partytime, workytime, or sexytime. These are soulful, rockin', rhythm and blues sounds coming at you straight out of the 1950's through the fabulous 21st century filter of the great Steve Cropper, a crack studio band, and a litany of guest stars including the incomparable Lucinda Williams.
If you're not familiar with the work of the highly influential group The 5 Royales or soul guitar god Steve Cropper, turn on the Amazon samples for a listen while you look these guys up on Wikipedia or AllMusic or something.
Lucinda Williams fans should take particular notice here for her lead vocals on the classic hit "Dedicated to the One I Love," and the highly emotional "When I Get Like This."
Buy this, and add a little more atmosphere to your life.
Sincerely,
Constant Listener
These are the kinds of songs that can add instant, classic atmosphere wherever they're played - partytime, workytime, or sexytime. These are soulful, rockin', rhythm and blues sounds coming at you straight out of the 1950's through the fabulous 21st century filter of the great Steve Cropper, a crack studio band, and a litany of guest stars including the incomparable Lucinda Williams.
If you're not familiar with the work of the highly influential group The 5 Royales or soul guitar god Steve Cropper, turn on the Amazon samples for a listen while you look these guys up on Wikipedia or AllMusic or something.
Lucinda Williams fans should take particular notice here for her lead vocals on the classic hit "Dedicated to the One I Love," and the highly emotional "When I Get Like This."
Buy this, and add a little more atmosphere to your life.
Sincerely,
Constant Listener
34 of 38 people found the following review helpful
By r.j. zurek
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
It was one of those seminal moments in music history. The 5 Royales had just finished a performance at the Tropicana in Memphis when guitarist Lowman Pauling was approached by a tall young white boy. This was unusual for the time; the only white people who met the band backstage were promoters or record executives. The young Steve Cropper wanted Lowman to show him how to "make that guitar stomp." In an impromptu peformance, the guitarist showed his stuff for Cropper and his best friend, Donald "Duck" Dunn.
Over fifty years later, things have definitely come full circle. In the liner notes to the Royales' "It's Hard But It's Fair", Steve credits Pauling for influencing his style of playing. With "Dedicated", Cropper not only pays tribute to the 5 Royales, but he's made it his mission to educate the public about his favorite band. In the booklet for "Dedicated", Cropper writes "If I can educate these young ears as to where the music started, because they're always asking, and if I can get them interested in the 5 Royales, then I've done something."
"Dedicated" is the brainchild of songwriter/producer Jon Tiven. A veteran producer, he shares tenor sax duties with Dap-King member Neal Sugarman. The guest vocalists are a who's who of roots musicians: Lucinda Williams and Dan Penn duet on "Dedicated to the One I Love" and Williams ACHES on "When I Get Like This". "Messin' Up" with Sharon Jones and "Say It" with Betty La Vette are back to back modern soul gems. As for the guys, Steve Winwood on "Thirty Second Lover" and Delbert McClinton on "Right Around The Corner" prove that some veteran singers do age like fine wine.
I'm a bit puzzled with the choice of Buddy Miller as the lead for "Slummer The Slum." The original had Johnny Tanner belting out each verse with indignation while the background singers shout "Slummer The Slum" like a rhythm instrument. Miller is a fine guitarist and singer, but just a bit too "laid back" for such a rousing number; the background almost whispers the refrain. A better choice would have been Shemekia Copeland or Bettye.
Cropper's guitar is, is course, superb throughout. On this album, he gets to let loose which he seldom does with Booker T. and the MGs. A highlight is "Think", done here as an instrumental. Both Cropper and Miller do Lowman proud, while Tiven plays engaging solo tenor sax. Cropper obviously loves to share the spotlight: B.B. King
adds guitar and duets with Shemekia on "Baby Don't Do It."
Upon the completion of "Dedicated", Cropper wrote "It's been the most fun I've had making an album in a long time". You'll have fun- and an appreciation listening to this album, too.
Over fifty years later, things have definitely come full circle. In the liner notes to the Royales' "It's Hard But It's Fair", Steve credits Pauling for influencing his style of playing. With "Dedicated", Cropper not only pays tribute to the 5 Royales, but he's made it his mission to educate the public about his favorite band. In the booklet for "Dedicated", Cropper writes "If I can educate these young ears as to where the music started, because they're always asking, and if I can get them interested in the 5 Royales, then I've done something."
"Dedicated" is the brainchild of songwriter/producer Jon Tiven. A veteran producer, he shares tenor sax duties with Dap-King member Neal Sugarman. The guest vocalists are a who's who of roots musicians: Lucinda Williams and Dan Penn duet on "Dedicated to the One I Love" and Williams ACHES on "When I Get Like This". "Messin' Up" with Sharon Jones and "Say It" with Betty La Vette are back to back modern soul gems. As for the guys, Steve Winwood on "Thirty Second Lover" and Delbert McClinton on "Right Around The Corner" prove that some veteran singers do age like fine wine.
I'm a bit puzzled with the choice of Buddy Miller as the lead for "Slummer The Slum." The original had Johnny Tanner belting out each verse with indignation while the background singers shout "Slummer The Slum" like a rhythm instrument. Miller is a fine guitarist and singer, but just a bit too "laid back" for such a rousing number; the background almost whispers the refrain. A better choice would have been Shemekia Copeland or Bettye.
Cropper's guitar is, is course, superb throughout. On this album, he gets to let loose which he seldom does with Booker T. and the MGs. A highlight is "Think", done here as an instrumental. Both Cropper and Miller do Lowman proud, while Tiven plays engaging solo tenor sax. Cropper obviously loves to share the spotlight: B.B. King
adds guitar and duets with Shemekia on "Baby Don't Do It."
Upon the completion of "Dedicated", Cropper wrote "It's been the most fun I've had making an album in a long time". You'll have fun- and an appreciation listening to this album, too.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Doo Wop tribute
Staxs meets the street corner. Doo Wop was a little before my time (not by much) but this helps me appreciate it a whole lot more.
Published 3 months ago by Ed Stofko
4.0 out of 5 stars
ROYALE FLUSH
STEVE CROPPER-DEDICATED/A SALUTE TO THE FIVE ROYALES: Memphis guitar hero STEVE "THE COLONEL" CROPPER's lengthy soul pedigree includes being a founding member of beloved... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Jukebox Dave
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellence
A definite must for any fan of good rock'nroll. Mr. Cropper is a master technician. His friends are superb. The arrangements of these hits are right on. I love the horns!!!
Published 12 months ago by Mark F
5.0 out of 5 stars
This Is How Tributes Album Should Be Done
Tribute albums tend to be knobbled by an excess of reverence, a little too much self-consciousness, or an insistence that it can't be done any way other than the subjects' way. Read more
Published 12 months ago by BluesDuke
5.0 out of 5 stars
had to buy it
'Don't be ashamed' sent me, I did'nt care what the rest of the album sounded like, Bettye had me, I bought it the same day. I have not been sorry. It's still my favorite cut.
Published 13 months ago by Rose M. Glenn
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Cast!
Some fun songs, a great cast of guest musicians and singers, and the legendary Steve Cropper on guitar. It's hard to go wrong with such a combination. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Donald E. Gilliland
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dedicated
My favourite album of the year. I was checking out some Huey Lewis and Ry Cooder on Amazon, and this popped up as a possible alternative. I gave it a try and I'm glad I did. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Wilfred J. Derbyshire
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dedicated
The legendary Steve Cropper in a legendary Studio situation with legendary artists, what more can you ask for? Awesome guitar playing here!
Published 17 months ago by Blues Fan 2000
5.0 out of 5 stars
Playing well with others
Steve Cropper, of course, has long been celebrated as one of the inventors of the Stax sound and the writer or co-writer of several R&B classics. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Steven Schwartz
5.0 out of 5 stars
The 5 Royales Would Be Proud!
I could listen to this CD all day long. Oh wait--I already have done that! A fun, beautiful piece of work with masterful guitar performances by the great Steve Cropper.
Published 19 months ago by Gigi'smom
Listmania!
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