Friday, December 5, 2025

Steve Cropper/Soul Man

 


"Play it, Steve!"


That must be the cry in heaven this week, as Steve Cropper has passed away. I am very much saddened by this. I have written about him on my blog before...I wrote a post when his very good friend Donald "Duck" Dunn died in 2012.  You may read that post here.  I told you all those years ago to make sure that you watch the film "The Blues Brothers".  I was surprised at the number of people who left comments who had never seen it!  It is always sad to me to lose someone like Steve Cropper, not just a talented musician and songwriter but also, a very nice guy. 

I have two videos here for you. "Soul Man" by Sam & Dave, where Steve Cropper was the guitarist for the backing band and that is where the "Play it, Steve" is first heard.


 

The next video is of Steve Cropper playing his guitar on a late-night TV show. What a talent! 

"Ladies and gentlemen, let's hear it for Steve Cropper!"











Thinking of the music of today, I was reminded of the lyrics of the song by Bob Seger.  ("Old Time Rock and Roll" was a big hit for Bob Seger but it was written by George Jackson. It became even more well known when Tom Cruise danced to it in a film in the 1980's!George Jackson (songwriter) - Wikipedia

"Just take those old records off the shelf. I'll sit and listen to 'em by myself. Today's music ain't got the same SOUL, I want that old time rock and roll!"

There, I typed out those lyrics above and those are from my memory, so I might not have them exactly, but they are close enough, don't you think? 



Feeling a bit blue?  Nothing like a bluebird to cheer you up! Richard got this shot of the bird having a nice bath in our very expensive bird bath that we put out.  (Ha, it is a plastic dish, but we keep it very clean and the birds love it.)




All of our beautiful autumn leaves are now a thing of the past.  November was beautiful with color but now, December is with us, and it is rainy and grey. Oh well, all the more reason to break out the bright decorations for Christmas with the cheerful red colors and lights!

As I have been typing this post, I keep having to stop and go check on the clothes that I am washing and drying. It reminds me of something that someone sent me recently that made me giggle...."Do you know something that you can always rely on? Laundry. There is always laundry!"  There, that is very true, isn't it?  The next time you wash your clothes, you will think of me! Hope you giggle too.



I don't have my Christmas tree up yet but perhaps looking at these photos from last year will make me do so.



Take care everyone!