Customer Reviews

Little Steven & The Disciples of Soul - Greatest Hits

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a nice mix ~ and certainly a good place for one to become acquainted with Little Steven's music. Yet, I would recommend the individual albums which comprise this collection (MEN WITHOUT WOMEN, VOICE OF AMERICA, FREEDOM NO COMPROMISE). One thing that I cannot understand about this collection is the absence of the song "I Am a Patriot" (which can be found on VOICE OF AMERICA). It is a song that has been covered by Jackson Browne and Pearl Jam ~ and would certainly qualify as a "greatest hit" over the majority of what is on this compilation. It should be noted that this compilation was put together without Little Steven's consent/blessing. In other words, he really had little to do with the final track-listing. Had he been consulted, I'm sure it would have been a completely different CD. Still, keep this in mind ~ a mediocre collection from one of the best still makes for a darn good listen. My only grip is that it is just "okay" ~ if done properly (as in having Steven compile the material for this disc) ~ it could have been GREAT.

Billy Innes

As a long time fan of Bruce Springsteen's E-Street Band, and having recently seen Springsteen in concert, I was excited to discover this import-only greatest hits package by Bruce's back-up guitarist/Jersey-shore buddy "Little" Steven van Zandt. Some sixteen years ago, van Zandt left the E Street Band to pursue his own career. This disc collects the best songs from his 3 80's solo albums. Each album has its own distinctive sound, which is reflected in the songs on this disc. First up are 5 tracks from 1982's Men Without Women, including Steven's plaintive wail to lost love, "Forever". If this song doesn't bring tears to your eyes, nothing will. Each of these first numbers also feature a horn section, ala The Asbury Jukes. Next up are 5 songs from Steven's 1984 effort, Voice of America. All are excellent, the 2 standouts being "Out of the Darkness" and "Undefeated". Unfortunately, the version of "Darkness" is the single version, which leaves out some the album track's powerful opening. These 5 song are much heavier on keyboards than the previous 5, Steven having shelved the "Disiciples of Soul" for this album. Next on the disc is the single "Vote", which is my leat favorite track on the disc. Steven was getting more in to his political commentary at this time, and I find "Vote" a little heavy handed. The final 5 songs are from Freedom No Compromise, Steven's work from 1987. These numbers have a more "danceable" feel to them, as they are influenced by van Zandt's interest in African Music. The standout here is "Trail of Broken Treaties", although once again the track is the single version, not the on from the album. I highly recommend this disc to any fan of Springsteen, van Zandt, or of Jersey Shore music in general. Also, check out Steven's 1999 effort, Born Again Savage. Featuring Adam Clayton and Jason Bonham, it rocks hard.

Who had the Brain Fart when they were choosing the tracks that went on this "Greatest Hits"? How can this be a greatest hits package when one of the all time greatest relationship songs was left off of it.? How could they have omitted the heart grabbing "Inside of Me" from "Men Without Women"?

Even if it's all over, don't ever say it was all in vain
And don't tell me everything we believe in has been washed away
Because something still remains
I know it still remains, because I'm still the same
And there ain't nothing gonna change my mind
Because I've spent my whole life just trying to find
Something I know I need but can't define
Everything I ever wanted is here baby
It's still alive inside of me
It never died inside of me

Everybody tells me, open up your eyes, it can never be like it used to be
I say to them, open up your heart, you see just what you want to see
Is it too much for you to see the truth
Every time you look in my face
Ain't it a little late in the game to throw your hand in
And ain't it a little late in the game to forget everything we've been
Trapped by the locked doors you never could get in
It's still alive inside of me
It never died inside of me

There was a moment in time, we could almost taste the adventure every day
Now I know that we're a little bit older
but that don't mean there's nothing new left to say
Now we spend the days walking away instead of trying to do something about it
You oughta be right by my side
Instead of trying to find a place to hide
Fighting to keep everything that we had baby
It's still alive inside of me
It never died inside of me

This is some really great music from someone who's usually behind Bruce Springsteen and Southside Johnny.

Honestly, Little Steven has never really had a hit. And that's not really fair. There's some really good tunes here.
The multi-talented Mr. Van Zandt is best known as Springsteen's right hand man; he steals every scene he's in while playing 'Silvio' on "The Sopranos" and is responsible for a nationwide garage band radio program. He wrote and produced what I feel is the best "protest" song of OUR generation, "Sun City."
First off, his voice takes a little getting used to. It's a real voice, meaning he sounds authentic, but it's not what I would call "soothing". It's not meant to be. Nasal and whining, but services the songs very well (for the most part). When he's wailing "I will gather no more of your bitter fruit", it sounds just right.
Second, the production aspects on his earlier "singles" sound less dated than the later songs, due to their heavy dance-rock 80's style synths and drums.
Third...the funny thing is that I like THOSE later songs more. His songwriting clearly improves, as does his singing.
He's a phenomenal lyricist...plain and straightforward, an old-fashioned story teller.

And he's angry...hoo boy. He laments the plight of the Indians ("Native American" with a killer vocal by Bruce), the immigrant worker ("Bitter Fruit"...an irresistible beat with the great Ruben Blades on co-vocals), apartheid (the butt-shaking "Pretoria").

He rails against Reagan in "Vote!".
Not only does he wear his opinion on his sleeve, it's in neon lights. With the volume turned up to 11.
His earlier songs, like "Princess of Little Italy", don't leave as much of a lasting impression, but you'll still enjoy listening to his crack supporting band, The Disciples of Soul.
It'd be nice if someone would release this here in America. This is a great sampler for those of us wanting to get to know this particular musician.

I agree with the other reviews about the miscues regarding these choices, but I gave it 5 stars anyway, because I didn't want to create the illusion that the songs are not that good. They are. This man has rarely, if ever, recorded a bad song. Track down as much of his work as you can find, and definitely get his early stuff, as recorded by Southside Johnny--the records through Hearts of Stone, plus Southside's comeback record in the 90's.

Having known Steve van Zandt (Little Steven) as member of Bruce Springsteen's E-Street Band and through his anti-apartheid song, "Ain't Gonna Play At Sun City", his sound is rather unexpectedly alternative. However some songs still stand out, "Under The Gun", "I've Been Waiting", "Checkpoint Charlie", "Undefeated", "Pretoria" and my favourite track & hence the title of my review, "Native American". This one is for real fans on the alternative side!

Steve van Zandt (Silvio Dante from the Sopranos)
proves that social consciousness and straight forward rock
mix very well. Start with the Carribean rhythms in
"Bitter Fruit" and crank it.
"Pretoria" starts weakly for about 15 seconds then becomes a haunting mix
of African tribal chants and rock & roll.

The only flaw: is the exclusion of the longer version of "Out Of The Darkness"
for the truncated top 40 version.