2021 promises to be a busy year for Steven Van Zandt. He has already released ‘Macca to Mecca’; a pulsating tribute to the Fab Four, the autobiography 'Unrequited Infatuations' due for publication in September, and now a collection of his live shows promoting the fantastic 'Summer Of Sorcery' record - this one recorded in the beautiful Beacon Theatre in New York, NY.
The full two and a half hour show is released on Blu-Ray, CD, and vinyl. Having seen the tour first hand in Dublin, the Blu-Ray release is the best way of re-capturing the kaleidoscope of colour, movement, and sound that is Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul.
With perhaps one exceptional significant other, Little Steven and his abundant band of troubadours are one of the most exciting live acts in the world. This set gives lasting documentary evidence to that claim.
From the soft beat of the drums to that insistent horn section to the Van Zandt wall of sound, This is Little Steven setting out his dance manifesto from the get-go. What follows is another thirty-one supreme slices of rock, soul, blues, funk, Motown, and many other genres connected by an excellence of delivery and a vibrancy that you can sense.
Of course, being Steven Van Zandt, he can surround himself with the finest musicians around as part of his band, never mind his guest stars. Marc Ribler on guitar and slide is also the band’s musical director, Eddie “Kingfish” Manion is director of the mighty horn section, that gives the band their signature sound, and Jesse Wagner is one of the incredibly energetic and soulful backing singers. All three are due to release solo material this year.
The complete ‘Summer Of Sorcery’ album is played along with some deep cuts and songs written for other artists including ‘Trapped Again’, ‘Little Girl So Fine’, and the classic ‘Love On The Wrong Side Of Town’.
Despite his avowal to stay clear of politics, there are some concessions; ‘Education’ is played for all the teachers in the audience. Rousing versions of ‘I Am A Patriot’, and ‘Los Desaparecidos’, and two versions of the hugely symbolic and affecting ‘Sun City’ are superbly rendered as one might expect.
Given the sheer energy on show here and his powerful delivery on the rock and blues numbers, Van Zandt’s vocals can be surprisingly tender as in the wonderful ballad ‘Suddenly You’.
The game of compare and contrast comes into play again when he performs a magnificent version of Springsteen’s ‘Tucson Train’ from The Boss’ ‘Western Stars’ record.
Guest stars abound; Peter Wolf from The J. Geils Band performs a loose and rocking ‘Freeze Frame’, Nils Lofgren appears to huge applause for a stirring ‘Moon Tears’, and Aussie rocker Jimmy Barnes takes to the stage for ‘Ride The Night Away’, co-written by Van Zandt.
The album concludes with a roof-raising ‘Sun City’ featuring a star-studded choir including Peter Wolf, Jimmy Barnes, Garland Jeffries, Jake Clemons, Bruce Springsteen, and the crowd singing in complete harmony.
The scope of the genres and the expertise in how they are played is remarkable, but there is a real overriding joy in the music that transcends and puts a smile on your face and a beat in your feet!
This is an album that doesn’t ask to be played loud, it commands it.