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Posthumous Steve Cropper album announced featuring Eric Clapton

Steve Cropper’s final studio album will be released later this year, featuring appearances from some of rock and blues’ biggest names, including Eric Clapton, Brian May, Billy Gibbons, and Ronnie Wood.

Steve Cropper & The Midnight Hour will release Watching The Tide on August 28 via Provogue/Artone Label Group. The album arrives following Cropper’s passing in December 2025.

The first single from the album, “Ticket First,” features Clapton on guitar. The song originated from a joke Cropper shared with songwriter and producer Jon Tiven.

“Steve had a joke about a woman who rubs a magic lamp. The genie comes out and says, ‘You’ve got one wish’. The woman says, ‘I want to win the lottery’. And the genie says, ‘Sorry, you’ve got to get a ticket first’. When Roger and I heard that, we said, ‘Oh, that’s a song title’. I sent out some emails to guitar players I knew who had a great affinity for Steve and two days later, I got an email back from Eric Clapton’s manager, saying he’d be in Nashville for a concert and could we do it then. He did, I believe, 11 takes on guitar. At the end, Steve and I looked at each other and said, ‘Man, you just turned the song inside out. I think we’re gonna have to give you a writer’s credit’. Eric looked pretty stunned by that. And he said: ‘Well, anything to get my name next to Steve Cropper’s…’”

Tiven said Cropper was eager to make another album following the success of 2024’s Grammy-nominated Friendlytown.

“Making music was Steve’s greatest joy,” explained Tiven. “Steve was so encouraged by Friendlytown. He was adamant he wanted to do another record.”

The album was recorded at Nashville’s RCA Studio C and features Midnight Hour vocalist Roger C. Reale, Ana Grosh on vocals, Nioshi Jackson on drums, and Eddie Gore on keys and percussion.

According to the press release, the album title references Cropper’s co-write of Otis Redding’s classic “(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay.”

Additional guest appearances include May and Gibbons on the song “My Angels Are Calling,” while Wood contributes slide guitar to “Until Now.” Tiven also performs lead guitar on “Blood From A Stone” and “Here & Gone.”

“Brian is singing from Steve’s point of view,” says Tiven of the Queen guitarist’s contribution to “My Angels Are Calling,” “looking back over his life and his road. It’s very powerful.”

Tiven also praised vocalist Ana Grosh, who appears on “Here & Gone” and “Stand Right Here.”

“We met Ana at the Grammys and I heard immediately that this 21-year-old had something,” recalls Tiven.

Tiven said Cropper was able to hear nearly the entire finished album before his death.

“I finished the mixes about a week-and-a-half before Steve passed and we brought a CD to him at the medical facility,” remembers Tiven. “He called me the night before he passed to tell me how much he loved it. He was playing it for everyone who came to visit him, telling them it was the best record he’d ever made.”

“I know this record provided great joy to Steve in the last year of his life,” says Tiven. “And I’m so glad he was able to have this great creative burst that was so strong…”

TRACK LIST

Tandoori Chicken
Ticket First (feat. Eric Clapton)
My Angels Are Calling (feat. Brian May & Billy F. Gibbons)
Until Now (feat. Ron Wood)
Blood From A Stone
Here & Gone (feat. Ana Grosh)
It’s Gonna Get Worse
Down & Out
Stand Right Here (feat. Billy F. Gibbons & Ana Grosh)
Tipoff To The Ripoff
House Of Cards
Tandoori Chicken Part 2

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Kenny Wayne Shepherd: Ledbetter Heights (30th Anniversary Sessions) Review

Along with fellow wonderkid Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd (KWS) was once branded the heir to heroic, blues revivalist Stevie Ray Vaughan (SRV). Even if you dismiss the triple-pronged, abbreviated initials that both guitarists are best known for, shrugging off the dogged critics and straight-up ‘SRV-clone’ accusations can’t have been easy in those early days for such a prodigious talent. 

Bringing in the entire Double Trouble band for his second LP Trouble Is… (1997) probably didn’t help matters either, but it’s not every day you’re a self-taught, Fender Strat-wielding teenager. But just like the gusty first few lines that buccaneer this record, Kenny defiantly surfaced ‘up from the ashes, out of the flames’ and now stands as one of the most respected and electrifying guitarists on the planet.

It’s hard to believe 30 years has passed since his breakout debut Ledbetter Heights (1995), which helped redefine modern blues rock. Going gold within months, pinching Platinum by early 1996, it’s a scorching listen of raw, youthful energy, and fulminating, guitar-driven blues, named in honor of a historic neighborhood in his hometown paying tribute to blues legend Huddie “Lead Belly” Ledbetter.

And yes, there’s more than a few rampant shades of SRV with the patented Strat tone down pat and emotive phrasing, but what blues players in recent times haven’t been influenced by the iconic Texas bluesman? It’s certainly nothing to be ashamed of. Given he was just 17 when he recorded the album, it’s fascinating to hear Shepherd’s seasoned maturity on this highly polished revisit, with all 12 tracks evolving into more richer and deliberate arrangements. 

Of course, the most noticeable difference is the presence of Noah Hunt — the long-time, unique voice of KWS’s band since 1997, replacing stellar blues vocalist Corey Sterling, who was the raspy lead singer during the original recording. 

While Kenny’s technical prowess is still on full display and the fiery fretwork still smokes, there’s plenty of subtle tweaks and tinkering to be discovered on Ledbetter Heights (30th Anniversary Sessions). The brakes are firmly applied to the tempo of sprawling opener “Born With A Broken Heart” with the keyboard taking its fair share of the limelight, while Kenny’s solo continues to pick up steam and inevitably burn the house down.

Hunt lends emotional depth and mellowness to the intoxicating, powerful potion of “Deja Voodoo.” It’s blues with a big punch, as Kenny’s spellbinding guitar wig-out makes every note talk. The tone, the licks. Wow. The same can be said for the pure emotion of “Shame, Shame, Shame,” where the keyboard is again off the charts and Hunt’s soulful touch taking Kenny’s wailing guitar to a place us mere mortals could only dream of landing.

Legendary drummer Chris “Whipper” Layton (a founding member of SRV & Double Trouble) is once again the rhythmic engine, keeping the wander crisp and tight on the greatly refined “One Foot On The Path.” Those fingers once more effortlessly dance across the strings on the melodic and meaningful “Everybody Gets The Blues,” before “Riverside” is trickled down in cadence and given a fresh identity.

The funky title track “Ledbetter Heights” brings the passage of time full circle, as Kenny lets rip on the 1995 guitar rig he used for the original recordings, only this time it’s entouraged by years of touring, recording, and collaboration.

I’m sure many other KWS fans always wondered what this album would sound like with Noah Hunt at the helm. While it’s impossible to recapture the fearlessness and groundbreaking nature of the original, there’s a deeper picture of nuance and intention on this rare second look, manifested by the coruscating chemistry that emanates between Shepherd’s undeniable six-string mastery and the hauntingly beautiful vocals of Hunt.

Both these men have been flying high for well over a couple of decades and like a fine wine, age is only staggering them to greater heights. And Ledbetter ones at that.

The Review: 8.5/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

– Deja Voodoo
– Shame, Shame, Shame
– Everybody Gets The Blues

The Big Hit

– Deja Voodoo

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Premiere: Eliza Neals – “Thunder in the House” video

Eliza Neals is back with new music, and Blues Rock Review is exclusively premiering the official video for “Thunder in the House,” the title track from her latest album, Thunder In The House.

Released earlier this year, the record marked Neals’ return with her 13th studio album and another bold statement from one of modern blues rock’s most distinctive voices. Rooted in her Detroit upbringing and shaped by a wide range of influences, the album blends blues, rock, soul, and spiritual themes into a nine-song collection packed with energy and emotion.

The title track showcases Neals at full strength. Driven by pounding rhythms, sharp guitar work, and her unmistakable vocals, “Thunder in the House” captures the fierce spirit that runs throughout the album. Neals handles vocals and piano on the track, joined by Michael Puwal on guitar, Doug Woern on bass, and Steve Lacross on drums.

The album also earned high praise from Blues Rock Review, receiving a 9/10 score from reviewer Moe Moore, who wrote, “The musicianship, vocals, and songwriting across this recording are consistently solid. Neals’ voice carries a gravelly, coarse texture that makes everything she sings sound bluesy, soulful, and powerful.”

Moore also noted, “Thunder In The House is a recording that listeners will likely enjoy revisiting time and again.”

Longtime collaborator Puwal co-produced the album alongside Neals, with mastering handled by Dave Feeny. The project also features contributions from several respected Detroit-area musicians and special guests, further adding to the album’s depth and character.

Watch the exclusive premiere of Eliza Neals’ “Thunder in the House” below.

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The Rolling Stones announce “Foreign Tongues”

The Rolling Stones have announced their new studio album, Foreign Tongues, which will be released July 10 through Polydor/Universal Music. The 14-track album follows 2023’s Grammy Award-winning Hackney Diamonds, which topped charts worldwide and achieved multi-platinum success.

The album will be previewed with the lead single “In the Stars,” which was released digitally on May 5 alongside the album opener “Rough and Twisted.” A physical release for “In the Stars” is scheduled for May 15. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Ronnie Wood are also set to attend a media launch for Foreign Tongues in Brooklyn, New York.

Ahead of the announcement, the band teased the project with a limited white label vinyl release of “Rough and Twisted” under the name The Cockroaches. The vinyl circulated among fans and collectors and fueled speculation about the direction of the new album.

Foreign Tongues was recorded at Metropolis Studios in West London during what the band described as an especially creative stretch. The project was completed in under a month and reunites the Stones with Grammy-winning producer Andrew Watt, who also produced Hackney Diamonds.

The album features performances from Jagger, Richards, and Wood alongside longtime collaborators Darryl Jones, Matt Clifford, and Steve Jordan. It also includes a special appearance from late drummer Charlie Watts from one of his final recording sessions before his death in 2021. Guest musicians on the album include Steve Winwood, Paul McCartney, Robert Smith, and Chad Smith.

Reflecting on the recording process, Mick Jagger said: “I love doing these recording sessions in London at Metropolis. It was a very intense few weeks recording Foreign Tongues. We had 14 great tracks and we went as fast as we could. I like the room there as it’s not too big so you can feel the passion in the room from everyone.”

Keith Richards added: “The Foreign Tongues album has a continuity from Hackney Diamonds and it was great to be working in London again, and to have that London vibe around us. It was a month of concentrated punch. To me, it’s all about the enjoyment of it. I’m blessed to be able to do this and long may it last.”

Ronnie Wood commented: “The atmosphere in the room was so creative, and the whole band was on top form throughout the whole process. Very often we nailed it on the first take. I hope everyone loves it.”

The album artwork was created by American artist Nathaniel Mary Quinn, who said: “Creating the album cover for the Rolling Stones is an artistic honour – a dialogue with one of the most enduring forces in cultural history”

Foreign Tongues will be released in multiple formats including CD, deluxe CD editions, cassette, standard and limited edition vinyl variants, retailer-exclusive editions, and special box sets. “In the Stars” will also be available on CD and vinyl.

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Rick Estrin and the Nightcats & Johnny Wheels and the Swamp Donkeys – Salem Oregon Gig Review

The spirit of community and the enduring power of blues rock came together on Sunday, April 19, 2026, as Rick Estrin & the Nightcats headlined a special benefit concert for Salem, Oregon’s Northwest Hub Bike Shop. With doors opening at 4:00 PM and music kicking off promptly at 5:00, the early evening show delivered three hours of high-energy performances, blending blues, rockabilly, and hard blues rock into a celebration that served both entertainment and a meaningful local cause.

Opening the night was local favorite Johnny Wheels & the Swamp Donkeys, who wasted no time igniting the crowd with “Light Me Up.” The band, featuring Johnny “Wheelchair” Wheels on vocals and harmonica, Garry Meziere on seated guitar, Brandon Logan on guitar, Taylor Frazier on bass, and a powerhouse dual-drum lineup of Shook and legendary drummer Tony Coleman, set an electrifying tone from the outset. Coleman’s presence alone carried weight, given his decades-long tenure backing B.B. King, but it was the chemistry between the two drummers that created a relentless rhythmic drive throughout the set.

Songs like “Not My Baby” and “Snake Farm” showcased the band’s tight interplay, while Wheels’ harmonica work added a gritty, expressive edge. Coleman stepped into the spotlight with a vocal turn of his own, delivering both humor and seasoned showmanship. The band’s take on “Hard to Handle,” popularized by The Black Crowes, turned into a full-blown guitar duel, with searing leads and explosive interplay pushing the performance into overdrive. Their hour-long set concluded with “Hush” by Deep Purple, a fittingly thunderous finale that left the audience primed for the headliner.

Around 6:30 PM, Rick Estrin & the Nightcats took the stage, immediately demonstrating why they remain one of the most celebrated acts in modern blues. Formed in 2008 following the retirement of Little Charlie Baty from Little Charlie & the Nightcats, the band features Rick Estrin on vocals and harmonica, Chris Andersen on guitar, Lorenzo Farrell on keys and bass, and Derrick “D’Mar” Martin, a former member of Little Richard’s band, on drums.

Estrin opened with “Living Hand to Mouth,” preceded by a humorous monologue about songwriting that immediately established his signature blend of wit and musical authority. The set leaned heavily on original material, including “Somewhere Else,” “I’ll Never Do That No More,” and “The Main Event,” each delivered with sharp musicianship and dynamic arrangement. Estrin’s storytelling between songs, often self-deprecating and laced with humor about aging, added a layer of personality that kept the audience fully engaged.

The lone cover of the evening, “Off the Wall” by Little Walter, served as both homage and master class. Estrin’s reverence for the blues tradition was evident as he spoke about learning his craft through studying the greats before launching into a harmonica performance that was both technically dazzling and emotionally authentic.

One of the night’s standout elements was the sheer physicality of drummer Derrick “D’Mar” Martin. His high-energy style saw him repeatedly leaping from his seat mid-performance, urging the crowd to respond as he drove the band forward. During extended jams like “House of Grease,” the band reached a fever pitch, culminating in a thunderous drum showcase that highlighted Martin’s athletic precision.

In one of the evening’s most memorable moments, Tony Coleman returned to the stage, joining Martin for a dual-drum spectacle that echoed the opening set’s rhythmic intensity. As Martin left his drum kit, brandishing his drumsticks and hitting them together to keep the rhythm, he walked to the foot of the stage and then out into the audience. Coleman came forward to the microphone at the foot of the stage and began keeping time with his drumsticks into the mic until Martin returned and they performed a drumstick interplay. Interacting directly with the crowd, they paused as Martin displayed The Hits Keep Coming before diving back into a percussive exchange with Coleman. The interplay between the two drummers created a layered, pulsating groove, while Andersen’s guitar work soared above with blistering precision and Estrin punctuated the jam with bursts of harmonica firepower.

Estrin, ever the consummate showman, balanced virtuosity with humor, often clutching his chest after particularly intense harmonica runs and joking about his age. Yet there was nothing diminished about his performance; if anything, it underscored the depth of his experience and enduring passion.

The band also took a moment to acknowledge their recent honor as the 2025 Blues Foundation “Band of the Year,” a testament to their continued relevance and excellence within the genre. But rather than resting on accolades, they pushed forward, delivering a performance that felt as urgent and vibrant as ever.

As the set appeared to wind down, Estrin teased the audience with the possibility of “one more song,” prompting an enthusiastic response. The encore became a full-circle celebration as members of Johnny Wheels & the Swamp Donkeys returned to the stage, effectively doubling the band’s size. What followed was an all-out jam session, complete with dueling guitars, twin drum assaults, and a collective energy that brought the night to a fiery, unforgettable close.

Beyond the music, the concert served a greater purpose, supporting the Northwest Hub Bike Shop, an organization dedicated to providing accessible transportation and community resources through bicycle programs. The event underscored how live music can not only entertain but also unite and uplift a community.

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Deep Purple announces “Splat!”

Deep Purple will release their new studio album SPLAT! on July 3 via earMUSIC. The album features the current lineup of Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Ian Paice, Don Airey, and Simon McBride, and marks another collaboration with producer Bob Ezrin, known for his work with Kiss, Pink Floyd, Lou Reed, and Alice Cooper.

According to the band, SPLAT! is their heaviest album in years, with the record being tracked live in the studio in the traditional style the band used throughout their classic era.

“I have to say, now we are very much back in with material that is compatible with ‘Highway Star,’ ‘Smoke on the Water,’ and ‘Lazy,’ the dynamics, the balance, and the fun of the music we made from ’69 to ’73,” says frontman Ian Gillan. He adds: “Where we are now with this incarnation of DEEP PURPLE feels very much like a very ‘now’ version of DEEP PURPLE as it was in the seventies.”

The concept behind SPLAT! was conceived by Gillan. Rather than focusing on destruction, the album explores transformation and the idea of humanity moving beyond physical existence.

Additional details surrounding the album concept are expected to be revealed ahead of the album’s release. New music from the record is also expected in the coming weeks.

To support the album, Deep Purple will continue their 2026 world tour schedule, which currently includes 86 shows across 28 countries on three continents.

Since forming in 1968, the band has sold more than 120 million albums worldwide and remains one of the most influential acts in hard rock history.

Ian Gillan says, “DEEP PURPLE is in a great place right now.”

SPLAT! Track Listing

Side A
“Arrogant Boy”
“Diablo”
“The Rider”
“The Lunatic”

Side B
“The Only Horse In Town”
“Sacred Land”
“The Beating Of Wings”

Side C
“Guilt Trippin’”
“Scriblin’ Gib’rish”
“Jessica’s Bra”

Side D
“Third Call”
“My New Movie”
“Splat!”

SPLAT! will be available in multiple formats including:

• Limited Box Set featuring:

  • 2LP Gatefold (180g)
  • 12-page vinyl-sized booklet
  • CD Digisleeve
  • Three exclusive 10-inch vinyl records featuring live recordings from the band’s 2024 tour
  • Exclusive 7-inch single featuring the bonus track “GUINNESIS”

• CD Digisleeve

• Black 2LP Gatefold (180g)

• Limited Purple 2LP Gatefold (180g)

• Limited Transparent Yellow 2LP (180g)

All vinyl editions will include a 12-page LP-sized booklet with illustrations and lyrics during the first pressing.

Additional exclusive items available through the band’s official store include a limited picture disc edition, cassette version, apparel, merchandise, and a canvas signed by all band members limited to 199 copies worldwide.

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