Customer Reviews

With a Little Help from My Friends

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

One thing overlooked many reviews of Steve Cropper's work is the fact that the whole sound was what interests Steve, he is an arranger first, and on this album it shows. Although the album lacks credits, the 1971 original release date would indicate that the late, and great, Al Jackson, Jr was on drums and if you like to hear a super rock drummer work out with a great guitarist, this is an album for you. As always, Steve Cropper is strong, but doesn't wear you down. This is album about good songs, not a show-off piece. Cropper is a fan, and enjoys hearing good side men as much as we do. There are some fine horns on here, and if you like "Hang 'em high" or "Time is tight", you will certainly enjoy this timeless album. One song I was sorry was not included here is "Slim Jenkin's Place", a Jones-Cropper-Dunn-Jackson classic that is currently only available on the STAX 3-CD set "Booker T. & the MGs" that comprises (I think) all the sides that were ever released as singles and some amazing live stuff, including 5 and 10 minute sets of "Time is tight" and "Hang 'Em High". If you get either, you will be glad and have music you can listen to over and over. If you only know Boooker T and Steve Cropper from their covers of the Beatles and others, you are missing some fine music and you should fix that. (Don't let the release date fool you, there is no expiration date on this album).

Are you kidding? Where has this album been all my life? And I thought the song first/musician second idea only existed in prog rock. I guess you could use that statement as a barometer for understanding the vast appeal of this album. I have heard a lot of music, granted it is mostly progressive rock and thrash metal, but those are two pretty wide universes, and with limited exposure to truly different types of music, I must say this is simply one of the best albums I have ever heard. I am no stranger to sit-down-and-listen, and this album deserves full attention. Layer upon layer of intensely fun music at your fingertips. And the grooves...those precious, precious grooves. I thought all bass playing was white and angular. Great to hear fantastic, team-oriented bass playing that catches you in a groove yet doesn't obnoxiously take center stage in a pretentious showcase. I know this album has been around for some time, but it's new to me. Hearing soulful playing like this is almost like hearing Chapman stick-based music for the first time: fresh and rejuvenating. So for all you progressive rock and thrash metal fans out there looking for something just as intense but in a different vein, try this one out.

This album holds many enjoyable moments for anyone who will
take the time to really listen to it. The arrangements are great. I only regret that none of the musicians are given
credit. What Steve does with a simple tune like Land of a Thousand Dances is incredible. I wish he had done more solo
albums during this period.

A 2009 Japan mini-sleeve edition of this fabulous album has been released with a new remaster that supercedes this version.

The 'sleeve edition is definitely more expensive than the various jewel-case older editions, but absolutely worth the purchase, if you're looking for the best sound.

It's worth mentioning that the Japan disc also utilizes the SHM "super quality enhanced transparency polycarbonate material", but I've never been able to discern any audible improvement in quality from that implementation, so to me, it's just the green marker for the new millennia:).

WHAT IS A JAPAN "MINI-LP-SLEEVE" CD?

Have you ever lamented the loss of one of the 20th Century's great art forms, the 12" vinyl LP jacket? Then "mini-LP-sleeve" CD's may be for you.

Mini-sleeve CDs are manufactured in Japan under license. The disc is packaged inside a 135MM X 135MM cardboard precision-miniature replica of the original classic vinyl-LP album. Also, anything contained in the original LP, such as gatefolds, booklets, lyric sheets, posters, printed LP sleeves, stickers, embosses, special LP cover paper/inks/textures and/or die cuts, are precisely replicated and included. An English-language lyric sheet is always included, even if the original LP did not have printed lyrics.

Then, there's the sonic quality: Often (but not always), mini-sleeves have dedicated remastering (20-Bit, 24-Bit, DSD, K2/K2HD, and/or HDCD), and can often (but not always) be superior to the audio on the same title anywhere else in the world. There also may be bonus tracks unavailable elsewhere.

Each Japan mini-sleeve has an "obi" ("oh-bee"), a removable Japan-language promotional strip. The obi lists the Japan street date of that particular release, the catalog number, the mastering info, and often the original album's release date. Bonus tracks are only listed on the obi, maintaining the integrity of the original LP artwork. The obi's are collectable, and should not be discarded.

All mini-sleeve releases are limited edition, but re-pressings/re-issues are becoming more common (again, not always). The enthusiasm of mini-sleeve collecting must be tempered, however, with avoiding fake mini-sleeves manufactured in Russia and distributed throughout the world, primarily on eBay. They are inferior in quality, worthless in collectable value, a total waste of money, and should be avoided at all costs.

No, no, no.... One of the biggest disappointments I've ever owned. Not the Steve Cropper you know and love. No soul, or skill for that matter. Horrible, high-schoolish horn arrangements. The titles look tasty but beware. Lotta Help, not Little Help is needed.

Spend your money on the Booker T Box Set. Or if you're looking for Cropper satisfaction, get Steve Cropper, Pop Staples and Albert King - Jammed Together... A very great CD. Everything Little Help ain't.

Speaking of spending your money - Go out and SEE and HEAR Booker T. The here and now, live and luscious.

He might of had a beard an that, an been in that rubbish film The 'Blues' Brothers, but he was well good. This album isn't the best thing what he done, but it's worth getting. I got it for my birthday recently, and have been dancing with my elbows sticking out and my thumbs tucked in the belt loops of my jeans since then.

Go and buy it - it's only cheap.