VIA PRESS RELEASE | A spectacular new live collection recorded last year in North America and Europe during the legendary rock ‘n’ roller’s first world tour in nearly two decades, Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul’s SOULFIRE LIVE! is available now via Little Steven Van Zandt’s Wicked Cool Records and UMe. The 3CD collection includes 24-tracks released digitally in April alongside an exclusive third disc highlighted by superstar guest performances recorded throughout the trek, including Bruce Springsteen, Richie Sambora, Peter Wolf, and Jerry Miller (of Moby Grape). Pre-order SOULFIRE LIVE! here.
Rolling Stone is premiering the live video of Little Steven’s performance of “Can I Get A Witness,” featuring Richie Sambora. Recorded last year at the famed Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles, the video captures Little Steven and his 15-piece band, the Disciple of Soul’s, spirited and sweat-soaked shows which will be on full display on the Blu-Ray coming later this year. Fans can now pre-order ahead of their release later this year, SOULFIRE LIVE! as a unique 7LP vinyl box set and on Blu-Ray video exclusively at Little Steven’s just-launched new webstore. The vinyl box set will incorporate an exclusive bonus LP capturing Little Steven’s extraordinary surprise set at Liverpool’s legendary Cavern Club recorded November 2017 during his band’s sold out European tour.
The intimate lunchtime gig saw Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul paying tribute to The Beatles with rocking renditions of “Magical Mystery Tour,” “Good Morning, Good Morning,” “Got To Get You Into My Life,” and “All You Need Is Love,” alongside iconic songs famously performed by the nascent Fab Four, including “Boys” (originally by The Shirelles), “Slow Down” (by Larry Williams) and “Soldier Of Love” (first recorded by Arthur Alexander).
“Playing in the same venue where The Beatles started their careers was a childhood dream of mine come true,” says Little Steven. “This was a band that set me on course for a life of music. For my rock ‘n’ roll religion, The Cavern is the first sacred site. It was an honor – no, make that an epiphany – to perform there.”
The SOULFIRE LIVE! Blu-ray video edition will include Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul’s complete Cavern Club concert alongside video performances of each song on the 3CD/vinyl set, exclusive interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage. In addition, the Blu-ray edition will feature a special documentary about the Cavern Club performance that sees Little Steven honored with a brick in the club’s hallowed Wall of Fame before leading his band through swift rehearsals of Beatles songs mere minutes ahead of their performance. The Blu-ray and vinyl box are available to pre-order now on Little Steven’s just-launched new web store.
SOULFIRE LIVE! is an epic and electrifying journey through rock ‘n’ roll history led by one of its most passionate practitioners, showcasing Stevie Van Zandt’s limitless knowledge, talent, and sheer love for the genre in all its many shapes and guises. Among the album’s many highlights are original songs from throughout Little Steven’s illustrious career – including classics like “Standing In The Line Of Fire” and “I Don’t Want To Go Home” – alongside a number of favorite cover versions like The Electric Flag’s “Groovin’ Is Easy,” Etta James’ “Blues Is My Business,” and James Brown’s “Down And Out In New York City,” the latter two songs also featured on last year’s critically acclaimed SOULFIRE. In addition, SOULFIRE LIVE! includes Van Zandt’s inimitable introductions, detailing each song’s unique history and singular spot in his life and illustrious career.
The exclusive SOULFIRE LIVE! third disc showcases special guest appearances from some of Little Steven’s closest friends, collaborators, and favorite artists. Among the highlights are versions of Moby Grape’s “Can’t Be So Bad” performed with the legendary San Francisco band’s founding member, Jerry Miller; the Motown classic, “Can I Get A Witness,” performed with New Jersey’s own Richie Sambora; The J. Geils Band’s “Freeze Frame” with vocals from the one and only Peter Wolf; and “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out” and Little Steven’s own “I Don’t Want To Go Home,” both joined by Bruce Springsteen.
As if that weren’t enough, Disc 3 also includes the Disciples of Soul’s electrifying takes on a number of Little Steven’s all-time favorite rock ‘n’ roll songs, including Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ “Even The Losers,” AC/DC’s “You Shook Me All Night Long,” John Lennon’s “Working Class Hero,” The Allman Brothers Band’s “It’s Not My Cross To Bear,” The Animals’ “We Gotta Get Out Of This Place,” and The Ramones’ “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want To Fight Tonight).”
SOULFIRE LIVE! was produced and arranged by Stevie Van Zandt; the album was mixed by Bob Clearmountain and mastered by Bob Ludwig.
LITTLE STEVEN AND THE DISCIPLES OF SOUL
SOULFIRE LIVE! TRACKLISTING
DISC 1
Mike Stoller Intro
Soulfire
I’m Coming Back
Blues Is My Business Intro
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 Intro
Saint Valentine’s Day
Standing In The Line Of Fire Intro
Standing In The Line Of Fire
I Saw The Light
Salvation
The City Weeps Tonight Intro
The City Weeps Tonight
DISC 2
Down And Out In New York City
Princess Of Little Italy Intro
Princess Of Little Italy
Solidarity
Leonard Peltier
I Am A Patriot
Groovin’ Is Easy
Ride The Night Away Intro
Ride The Night Away
Bitter Fruit
Forever
Checkpoint Charlie Intro
Checkpoint Charlie
I Don’t Want To Go Home
Out Of The Darkness Intro
Out Of The Darkness
DISC 3
Even The Losers
Can’t Be So Bad (Feat. Jerry Miller)
You Shook Me All Night Long
Working Class Hero
We Gotta Get Out Of This Place
Can I Get A Witness (Feat. Richie Sambora)
It’s Not My Cross To Bear Intro
It’s Not My Cross To Bear
Freeze Frame (Feat. Peter Wolf)
The Time Of Your Life
Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out (Feat. Bruce Springsteen)
I Don’t Want To Go Home (Feat. Bruce Springsteen)
Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want To Fight Tonight)
