Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul Gig Review

GIG REVIEW – LITTLE STEVEN AND THE DISCIPLES OF SOUL

Fans of Steve Van Zandt got a rare treat as part of this year’s BluesFest in London – his first UK “solo” appearance for 27 years as “Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul”.

LITTLE STEVEN AND THE DISCIPLES OF SOUL

LITTLE STEVEN AND THE DISCIPLES OF SOUL

Brought over by promoter (and saxophone player) Leo Green to play at the “Bill Wyman 80th Birthday Bash” which formed part of the BluesFest events schedule, Van Zandt was persuaded to also play a late night Saturday evening full band set at the intimate “Indigo at the O2” venue.

Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul

LGA gig reviewer, Paul Wood, was there to catch the action and a pretty impressive night it was too.
GIG REVIEW – LITTLE STEVEN AND THE DISCIPLES OF SOUL

GIG REVIEW – LITTLE STEVEN AND THE DISCIPLES OF SOUL

The night’s introductions were kicked off by well known London radio presenter Robert Elms and then a surprise second introduction (specifically at Van Zandt’s request) came from ‘6os pop legend (and modern day music entrepreneur) Dave Clark (leader of the Dave Clark Five).
When the curtains opened you could see that Van Zandt, sporting his traditional long coat, scarves and bandana, had put together a 15 piece band of US and UK musicians – including a 5 piece horn section featuring promoter Leo Green (“it’s all his fault, laughs Van Zandt pointing at Green, “he persuaded me to play”) and original Disciple of Soul/former Asbury Juke, Ed Manion.

LITTLE STEVEN AND THE DISCIPLES OF SOUL GIG REVIEW 

With Marc Ribler (Musical M.D. for Darlene Love) acting as 2nd guitar and onstage choreographer, the band power packed their way through a set of over 2 hours to an ecstatic crowd of Van Zandt/Disciples of Soul/Asbury Jukes and Springsteen fans.

Here’s a link to Youtube footage from the gig of the band performing “Until The Good Is Gone” (from the “Men Without Women” album):

Little Steven & The Disciples of Soul 

The set list was (broadly) a one third each mix of songs from the “Van Zandt/Disciples of Soul” era (the “Men Without Women” album), songs that were recorded by Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes (but written and produced for the Jukes by Van Zandt) and a selection of covers nodding to the “BluesFest” origin of the gig.

GIG REVIEW – LITTLE STEVEN AND THE DISCIPLES OF SOUL

GIG REVIEW – LITTLE STEVEN AND THE DISCIPLES OF SOUL

Here’s a link to Youtube footage from the gig of the band performing “Forever” (also from the “Men Without Women” album):

At the same evening in the main O2 Arena the BluesFest show was a combination of Richie Sambora and Orianthi supporting Bad Company. Van Zandt joined Ritchie Sambora and Orianthi for a song on their set and the compliment was returned later in the evening with Hook Herrera (from Sambora’s band) joining Van Zandt to play the harmonica on the Jimmy Reed cover, Walking By Myself and then Sambora himself joining Van Zandt for a long encore blast through “Can I Get A Witness”.

Here’s a final Youtube link to footage of the band playing their version of the Southside Johnny classic, “I Don’t Want To Go Home” (“the first song I ever wrote” said Van Zandt) . The night finished to loud cheers as Van Zandt announced that they were recording a new Disciples of Soul album, re-releasing his earlier solo albums next year and that they would be back over here for a proper tour in the summer of 2017. Go catch them when they come over – if the band put together for the tour resembles anything like the band at the Indigo it’ll be a great show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5PHjfpTq30

 

SETLIST

  1. Soulfire
  2. Killing Floor
  3. Comin’ Back
  4. Forever
  5. Inside Of Me
  6. I Played The Fool
  7. The Blues Is My Business
  8. Until The Good Is Gone
  9. Ride The Night Away
  10. Groovin’ Is Easy
  11. All I Needed Was You
  12. Love Disease
  13. She Got Me Where She Wants me
  14. Some Things Just Don’t Change
  15. Trapped Again
  16. Down And Out I New York City
  17. Freedom
  18. Walking By Myself (with Hook Herrera)
  19. I Don’t Want To Go Home
  20. Bitter Fruit
  21. Goodbye

Encore

  1. Can I Get A Witness (with Richie Sambora)

BLAST FROM THE PAST

Here’s a Youtube link to the original promo video shot for the “Forever” single from the “Men Without Women” album. The single made the US Top 100.