Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul @ De Oosterpoort – Groningen – 27.11.2017

Pls. click on the photo for my review in bluesmagazine.nl

Little Steven a.k.a. Steven Van Zandt has definitely released by “Soulfire” a musical highlight of 2017 by the electrifying mélange of soul, blues, rock’n roll & rock. Stunning that he did so 18 years after his last oeuvre “Born Again Savage”. But he was definitely busy being one of the congenial guitarists of “The Boss” Bruce Springsteen , being an actor in The Sopranos and creative songwriter. He teamed up by the last already with Southside Johnny, Springsteen and even Jon Bon Jovi. Marvelous that he reformed also his escort band The Disciples of Soul for touring live and it was on a cold, uncomfortable Monday Night on 27 of November that he was to illuminate by his music the Grote Zaal of De Oosterpoort in Groningen.

The big backdrop lightened by blueish spots presented the artist- & band-initials. When the stage spots were to blaze Steven & the whole big band was starting by “Even The Losers”. This was his grand obeisance to his friend Tom Petty – R.I.P. The man dressed in black, wearing one of his stylish head-bandanas and a colourful scarf was performing it the with great devotion and his warmhearted canto was absolutely great and strong. The top notch musically was the horn-section contributing some Mexican style blow-offs and Marc Ribler on lead-guitar was inspired by the blues by his solos. The visual highlight were the three afro-graces Jacquita (Jackie) Perkins; Sara Devine and Tania Jones. They were hotter than hell off course by their enchanting background-vocals, but for the eye-pleasure by their hair-style and dressed in hippie-pants and disco-glamour blue sequins top. Consecutively was the rockin’ title track of the cd “Soulfire” with a groovin’ rhythm sound by Jack Daley on bass and Rich Mercurio as wild drummer and B3-Hammond- by Andy Burton and piano-extravagance-sounds by Lowell “Banana” Levinger. Off course Mr. Van Zandt was dedicated also to the blues, which he manifested by the Etta James cover “The Blues Is My Business”. By drum-beats and guitar- & horn-section melodies the Tex-Mexicali style “Standing In The Line Of Fire” De Oosterport was turned melody-wise into a big western-saloon-tollhouse, like in a wild movie… “Salvation” was the rockin’ highlight and Steven was to evidence by his solo from hot to sensitive that he is also a master on the axe. Steve was not only acting as musician but also as proclaimer for love and harmony between all races, specially black and white. “The City Weeps Tonight” was his his meditative theme ballad by chant. By the medley of “Solidarity / Leonard Peltier / I Am a Patriot” all the dance freaks were in amore by the reggae groove-rhythms. Show-time went by so rapidly by so much diversity and passion like a ride in a roller-coaster. By so much fiery joy by Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul together with the fans who were agitating as loud background-choir the show could have gone on “Forever”. But this was the regular set-end. By a loud-blast of applause LS & DOS were hailing onto stage again for the first encore “I Don’t Want To Go Home” . Hell Yeah the freaks at De Oosterpoort did not want him to do so and so by their support he continued by “Out Of The Darkness” as enthusiasm climax title and grand final. Steven entered as show-start the stage from behind like “Out of Darkness” and he left and returned backstage the same style. In loving gratitude he was thanking before he did so the fans for their emotions and anticipations. He sent the pleased ones on their way home secured by “Peace & Love”!