Music review: Little Steven – 鈥楽oulfire鈥�
Steven Van Zandt is a man who wears many hats, or maybe I should say handkerchiefs instead.
Known as an accomplished musician, songwriter, performer, producer, actor and activist, Van Zandt is better known to his legion of fans as simply Little Steven, the right-hand man to Bruce Springsteen and the catalyst of the E Street Band.
After launching his 鈥淟ittle Steven鈥檚 Underground Garage鈥� radio show and own record label, aptly named Wicked Cool Records, Van Zandt returns to the studio to deliver his first solo effort since 1999鈥檚 鈥淏orn Again Savage.鈥�
With 鈥淪oulfire,鈥� the Jersey Shore sound is alive and well with a seasoned assortment of new material and fresh versions of earlier material.
Accompanied by the Disciples of Soul, Van Zandt offers up a spirited blending of rock and soul with a 15-piece lineup that includes a blazing horn section and several backing vocalists to carry the messages written and performed with plenty of blood, sweat and tears.
The title track opens the album with a Springsteen-esque charisma as Van Zandt sings, 鈥淲hen there鈥檚 nobody left to depend on, I鈥檒l be here.鈥�
Van Zandt returns to his early days with Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes with vibrant versions of 鈥淚鈥檓 Coming Back鈥� and 鈥淪ome Things Just Don鈥檛 Change.鈥� Van Zandt鈥檚 remake of 鈥淚 Don鈥檛 Want to Go Home鈥� from Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes鈥� 1976 debut release is one of the album鈥檚 many highlights.
Additionally, Van Zandt covers Etta James with 鈥淏lues Is My Business鈥� and cuts a slow burn of coolness on James Brown鈥檚 鈥淒own and Out In New York City.鈥�
Sleek flavorings of doo-wop style are witnessed on 鈥淭he City Weeps Tonight,鈥� a track that Van Zandt recently finished after starting several years ago.
Van Zandt once again channels Springsteen on the steady-and-sure toughness of 鈥淪aint Valentine鈥檚 Day.鈥�
Van Zandt is touring in support of the new album. I have my fingers crossed that Pittsburgh will become a selected destination.