Soulfire

by Little Steven

Overview

Little Steven didn't precisely abandon his solo career, but he did stop recording his own albums after 1999's Born Again Savage. He had a few things to keep him busy, including newfound stardom as a television star thanks to The Sopranos and a reunited E Street Band, not to mention philanthropy and the development of his own record label (Wicked Cool) and radio station (Little Steven's Underground Garage). When he finally found the time to record 2017's Soulfire, he decided the best course of action was to ditch the big political statements that characterized his '80s work and instead craft a statement of personal purpose. Anybody who has followed his music, either on his own or with Bruce Springsteen, will find Soulfire comfortably bracing: it's big, brassy, and soulful, and the E Street shuffle is on full fire. Little Steven finds space for a few detours from this route -- "Blues Is My Business" is naturally a blues tune, "The City Weeps Tonight" is built on street corner doo wop, "Down and Out in New York City" glides along on a funky, sleazy '70s groove -- but these accentuate how his music is a synthesis of all the sounds he's kept alive since the '60s. He blends bold soul with the roar of a teenage rock & roll combo, happy to nod toward his influences ("Love on the Wrong Side of Town" opens with guitars ringing just like the Byrds) while keeping his eye on the present. If Soulfire often sounds like Springsteen circa the late '70s, that's because Little Steven served as the Boss' lieutenant and there are distinct differences between the two as writers. Little Steven may share the same sense of grandeur in his sonics, but he keeps his focus earthbound, and that provides a nice tension to Soulfire: it's big music about everyday things. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	05/19/2017
Label:	Universal
UPC:	0602557477498

Tracks

1. Soulfire
2. I'm Coming Back
3. Blues Is My Business
4. I Saw the Light
5. Some Things Just Don't Change
6. Love on the Wrong Side of Town
7. The City Weeps Tonight
8. Down and Out in New York City
9. Standing in the Line of Fire
10. Saint Valentine's Day
11. I Don't Want to Go Home
12. Ride the Night Away

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Little Steven   Primary Artist
Ian Gray   Soloist,Trombone
Steven Salcedo   Sax (Tenor)
Dan Nissenbaum   Soloist,Trumpet
Marc Ribler   Music Direction,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Pedals
Daniel Sadownick   Percussion
Steve Jankowski   Soloist,Trumpet
Steven Van Zandt   Vocals,Soloist,Guitar (Rhythm)
Andy Burton   Piano,Soloist,Strings,Wurlitzer
Rich Mercurio   Drums
Tawatha Agee   Vocals (Background)
Audrey Martells   Vocals (Background)
Cindy Mizelle   Vocals (Background)
Kent Smith   Soloist,Trumpet
Jack Daley   Bass
Elaine Caswell   Vocals (Background)
Clifford Carter   Piano
Martha Redbone   Vocals (Background)
Michael Davis   Soloist,Trombone
The Persuasions   Vocals (Background)
Jonathan Dinklage   Viola,Violin
Stan Harrison   Flute,Soloist,Sax (Tenor)
LaJuan Carter   Vocals (Background)
John Martin   Soloist,Trumpet
Ed Manion   Horn,Sax (Baritone)

Technical Credits

Jo Lopez   Cover Photo
Debra L. Rothenberg   Photography
Sergio Ruelas Jr.   Mixing Assistant
Tony Stanziano   Assistant Engineer
Paul Osmolskis   Photography,Production Coordination
Dennis Mortensen   General Assistance
Devanshi Kapadia   General Assistance
Evan Stark   Assistant Engineer
Laura Balducci   Photography
Joanne Jefferson   Photography
Jeremy Tufano   General Assistance
Marc Ribler   Producer,Photography
Gary Anderson   Composer
Steven Van Zandt   Arranger,Composer,Producer
Laurie Anderson   Composer
Anders Bruus   Composer
Laurie C. Anderson   Composer
Stephen Jordan   Composer
Bob Clearmountain   Mixing
Bodie Chandler   Composer
Bob Ludwig   Mastering
Kevin Bowe   Composer
Barry De Vorzon   Composer
Geoff Sanoff   Engineer,Producer
Jonathan Dinklage   Arranger,String Transcription
Todd Cerney   Composer
Bruce Springsteen   Composer
Louis Arzonico   Design,Artwork
Kathie Maniaci   Photography
Steve Jordan   Composer
Ed Manion   Arranger