Steve Cropper & The Midnight Hour Share New Single “Tandoori Chicken” Ahead of Watching The Tide

Steve Cropper & The Midnight Hour Share New Single “Tandoori Chicken” Ahead of Watching The Tide

Steve Cropper & The Midnight Hour have unveiled “Tandoori Chicken,” the latest preview of their forthcoming album Watching The Tide, arriving August 28 via Provogue / Artone Label Group.

Opening the album, the instrumental serves as a groove-filled introduction while tipping its hat to Booker T. & The M.G.’s timeless 1962 classic “Green Onions.” It follows the previously released singles “Ticket First” and “Until Now.”

Named after Cropper’s legendary co-write “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,” Watching The Tide finds the iconic guitarist teaming up with songwriter and producer Jon Tiven and Midnight Hour vocalist Roger C. Reale. The album was recorded at Nashville’s historic RCA Studio C and features a stellar cast including Ana Grosh (vocals), Nioshi Jackson (drums), and engineer Eddie Gore (keyboards and percussion), along with guest appearances from Eric Clapton, Billy Gibbons, Brian May, and Ronnie Wood.

Tiven revealed that the inspiration behind the title of “Tandoori Chicken” came from one of his final lunches with Cropper.
“About a month before Steve passed, we went out for an Indian lunch. Steve really loaded up on this tandoori chicken. We had this one kicking around as a song, but we never really thought the lyrics were very good. So then I started thinking, ‘Well, if I put a sitar on it, maybe it’ll hold together as an instrumental,’ because Steve is playing some amazing guitar on it. Then I said, ‘Steve, is it okay if we call it Tandoori Chicken?’ A big smile came to his face, and he goes, ‘That’s my favourite.’ He’s got a lot of history with food-oriented song titles, so it was a nice way to tie it all together.”

The new release follows “Until Now,” which features Ronnie Wood on slide guitar. According to Tiven, the Rolling Stones guitarist wasted no time accepting the invitation.
“Ronnie Wood got back to me about 10 minutes after I sent off my email: ‘Oh, this looks like a lot of fun. I’ll jump in.’”
​
The album’s first single, “Ticket First,” showcased another guitar legend, Eric Clapton. Tiven praised Clapton’s contribution, recalling:
“I told Eric, ‘Man, you just turned that song inside-out – I think we’re gonna have to give you a writer’s credit.’ And Eric said, ‘Well, anything to get my name next to Steve Cropper’s…’”
With its blend of soulful grooves, all-star collaborations, and Cropper’s unmistakable guitar work, Watching The Tide stands as a fitting celebration of one of music’s most influential players.
​

TRACK LISTING

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


​