Steve Cropper & the Midnight Hour — “Watching the Tide” — Provogue
This just a brief post to alert Steve Cropper fans (everyone should be one!) about the posthumous release of his final album, “Watching the Tide,” completed just before his death in December of 2025.
It’s a splendid album, a tribute to his musical skills, his massive influence, and the longevity of his great music.
The band’s name, and of course, the album title both reflect songs written by Cropper and Wilson Pickett — “In the Midnight Hour” and “Dock of the Bay” — both giant hits for Pickett.
Here’s a Wikipedia entry about the recording of “Midnight Hour”:
Wilson Pickett recorded “In the Midnight Hour” at Stax Studios, Memphis, May 12, 1965. The song’s co-writer Steve Cropper recalls: “[Atlantic Records president] Jerry Wexler said he was going to bring down this great singer Wilson Pickett to record at Stax Studio (where Cropper was a session guitarist) and I didn’t know what groups he’d been in or whatever. But I used to work in [a] record shop, and I found some gospel songs that Wilson Pickett had sung on. On a couple [at] the end, he goes: ‘I’ll see my Jesus in the midnight hour! Oh, in the midnight hour. I’ll see my Jesus in the midnight hour.'”, and Cropper got the idea of using the phrase “in the midnight hour” as the basis for an R&B song.[3] More likely, Cropper was remembering The Falcons’ 1962 song “I Found a Love,” on which Pickett sings lead and says “And sometimes I call in the midnight hour!” The only gospel record Pickett had appeared on before this was the Violinaires’ “Sign of the Judgement,” which includes no such phrase.
But Cropper is remembered for much more. Cropper and his now legendary band, Booker T. and the MG’s, built the foundation of Southern soul as the house band at Stax Records. Cropper was its heart and soul.
Packed with quality songs, superb musicianship and memorable guest appearances, Watching The Tide is a fitting celebration of one of music’s true greats.
Don’t just listen to this exceptional album; find more of Cropper’s legacy and enjoy. It’s American music history — and music — at its finest.
Here’s a track from the album:
Tracklist:
01 – Tandoori Chicken
02 – Ticket First
03 – My Angels Are Calling
04 – Until Now
05 – Blood From A Stone
06 – Here & Gone
07 – It’s Gonna Get Worse
08 – Down & Out
09 – Stand Right Here
10 – Tip Off To The Rip Off
11 – House Of Cards