The Moon Tower

Little Steven and The Disciples of Soul

O2 Academy, Birmingham 10/11/2017

As one of the main figures of the early 1970s (New) Jersey Shore scene, Steve Van Zandt has probably become better known over the years as a member of the E Street Band, radio host and for several high profile acting roles, despite being a prolific songwriter and producer over the years of both his own material and for other artists. Only last year he reassembled his solo band, The Disciples of Soul, which last performed together in 1990, for a one off show in London. Thankfully this reunion has continued into 2017 to include a more extensive tour and a new album.

Making our way into Birmingham's O2 Academy tonight, the pre-gig selection of British Invasion and Mototown classics being played through the PA gives us an idea of what to expect. Throughout the two and a quarter hour set, Little Steven rarely strays from the formula which typified the Jersey Shore sound he was so instrumental in creating. There's plenty of classic rock 'n' roll and blues, but also a healthy dose of soul and funk. This range of influences is proudly represented on the band's excellent new album Soulfire, which tonight's set is largely based on.

As The Disciples of Soul appear at around 8:30pm, it strikes me just how many of them there actually are - 13 in total. It's a good job the Academy stage is a big one.

Alongside Steve Van Zandt himself on guitar and vocals, we have Marc Ribler on guitar, Jacquita Perkins, Sara Devine and Tania Jones on backing vocals, Andy Burton on organ, Lowell Levinger on piano, Jack Daley on bass, Rich Mercurio on drums, Eddie Manion on saxophone, Stan Harrison on saxophone and flute, Clark Gayton on trombone, Ravi Best and Ron Tooley on trumpet, and Anthony Almonte on percussion. Phew.

The band opens with a heartfelt tribute to the recently departed Tom Petty with Even The Losers. It's as good a cover as you're likely to hear - faithful enough to the original with its distinct 12 string guitar melodies, but enhanced with soulful backing vocals and keyboards. From there it's straight into Soulfire's eponymous opening track, originally performed by The Breakers.

The Soulfire theme continues after this, with another three songs performed from the album. After this, Van Zandt takes time out to speak to the audience, promising that the next two hours will be entirely about music. There will apparently be no mention of politics at all, unlike the themes of his early solo albums Voice of America and Freedom - No Compromise. "It's different now from how it was in the 80s", he explains. "Back then, I felt obliged to expose some things politically that a lot of people weren't aware of. I don't have to do that any more, I can stick to the music."

And stick to the music he does, performing a number of songs that he wrote for other artists, not least Southside Johnny. One of Van Zandt's contempories from the Jersey Shore, he takes time out before Love on the Wrong Side of Town to thank Southside for "keeping my music alive for the last 20 years while I was fuckin' around being a gangster", referring to his long-term acting stints in both The Sopranos and Lilyhammer.

A personal highlight of the Soulfire album is Down and Out in New York City, originally performed by James Brown for the soundtrack to the 1970s blaxploitation film Black Caesar. The live version of this song tonight doesn't disappoint, stretching out to almost 10 minutes, with extended solo spots by the four members of the horn section. It's a funky jam which shows just how versatile the Disciples are. After this, several band members leave the stage, and those remaining reconfigure slightly to play Princess of Little Italy, a song as far removed from the dirty 70s funk of the previous number as you could imagine.

The set continues with a trio of reggae inspired songs, again showcasing the band's versatility, before getting back to the heartland rock of another song recorded by Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes - I Don't Want to Go Home - and ending with Out of the Darkness from Little Steven's 1987 Voice of America album.

It's been a rollercoaster ride for the last two hours, running the gamut of genres, all expertly performed with a passion for the music by each and every one of the 14 people on stage.

Setlist: Even the Losers / Soulfire / I'm Coming Back / The Blues Is My Business / Love on the Wrong Side of Town / Until the Good Is Gone / Angel Eyes / Some Things Just Don't Change / Saint Valentine's Day / Standing in the Line of Fire / I Saw the Light / Salvation / The City Weeps Tonight / Down and Out in New York City / Princess of Little Italy / Solidarity / Leonard Peltier / I Am a Patriot / Groovin' Is Easy / Ride the Night Away / Bitter Fruit / Forever

Encore: I Don't Want to Go Home / Out of the Darkness

You can find Little Steven's official website here.

He is also active on Twitter and Instagram.

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Established July 2017

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