[rating=8.00]
It’s not like Little Steven Van Zandt has been idle the past few years. Not by a long shot. His syndicated show on Sirius XM, “Little Steven’s Underground Garage: and his work scoring soundtracks (for TV’s “Lilyhammer” in particular), reputation as a producer, songwriter and studio contributor for others’ efforts, and — oh yeah — chief henchman for Bruce Springsteen at the helm of the E Street Band, all ensure his bank account remains well primed and that he doesn’t have more than a moment of down time.
Consequently, Van Zandt can be forgiven for putting his own albums on the back burner. Indeed, it’s been fifteen years since he’s offered up an outing under his own aegis. Happily then, he’s still doing what he does best, providing triumphant tunes with a full flush and the ecstatic expression naturally gleaned from his tenure with Bruce and his buddies. Not surprisingly then, there are several songs on Soulfire that made appearances elsewhere as well as offerings co-composed by colleagues past and present — Springsteen, Southside Johnny and Gary U.S. Bands. Happily, though, the music isn’t dependent on marquee names.
Over the top anthems “Soulfire” and “I Saw the Light,” the riveting R&B of “Blues is My Business” and “Down and Out in New York City,” and the full throttle fury of “I’m Coming Back (as good a descriptive title as this album might ever appropriate) finds him firmly still sticking with his stock in trade. The political overtones imbued in his work early on are noticeably absent here, making Soulfire the best representation of Steven’s edgier intents to date.
In other words, this is the best Little Steven solo album in 30 years or more, and one upon which he could clearly stake his birthright. Searing, soaring, tenacious and triumphant and packed with the full flourish of roots and resilience, Little Steven returns to the spotlight where he belongs. And that’s big news indeed.
