Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul — Holiday Bowl A Go-Go!

January 6, 2018 by B.L. Howard

Lowell Leveinger and Steve Van Zandt-HBL photo

Lowell Leveinger and Steve Van Zandt / photo © B.L.Howard Productions

Steve Van Zandt / photo © B.L.Howard Productions

Steven Van Zandt and his Disciples of Soul staged the First Annual Holiday Bowl A Go-Go! at the Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg to a packed house, moving through a two- hour-plus, 25-song show with no rough edges. There was extra excitement, as this was the first of two homecoming concerts, after touring Europe and Scandinavia in November and this special Brooklyn performance was filmed for a planned live DVD release.

The night opened with “Even The Losers,” Van Zandt’s tribute to Tom Petty, and featured all 12 songs from the group’s Soulfire album, as well as “Groovin Is Easy,” an unreleased track. “Down and Out in New York City ” brought a few extra cheers from the crowd, as did “Love on the Wrong Side of Town” and “Ride the Night Away” and “I Don’t Want to Go Home,” which are staples on Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes set lists.

Marc Ribler _Little Steven_singers-HBL photo

Holiday Bowl A Go Go !/ photo © B.L.Howard Productions

Van Zandt’s masterful production skills were on full display, as were the considerable musical talents of the Disciples of Soul, which included the likes of sax masters Eddie Manion and Stan Harrison, legendary pianist Lowell Levinger of Youngbloods fame, as well as back up singers Jacquita (Jackie) Perkins, Sara Devine and Tania Jones, all under the musical direction of Brooklyn’s own Marc Ribler.

Stan Harrison at Brooklyn Bowl-HBL photo

Stan Harrison at Brooklyn Bowl / photo © B.L.Howard Productions

In his introduction to “The City Weeps Tonight,” a tribute to the doo-wop days of pop music, Steve Van Zandt spoke of the racial separation, stating that “back then, we had black radio and white radio” and “it would take the courage of the white DJs, like Alan Freed, to play black music for white kids.” He then said that, “When the white kids and black kids got together, the whole world changed and it created an industry that lasts to this day.” Van Zandt went on to say how it was “an innocent time and I miss that kind of innocence…and I do miss that kind of harmonizing with each other …and we could use a little bit more of that in our society at large these days.”

Little Steven also dipped into his past, bringing out new versions of “Salvation” (from 1999’s Born Again Savage album), “Princess of Little Italy,” “Forever” (from 1982’s Men Without Women album) and “Leonard Peltier” (from 1989’s Revolution album). The rousing encore featured a spirited cover of the Ramones’ “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight),” “I Don’t Want To Go Home” and “Out Of the Darkness,” which closed an evening that will be etched in the musical consciousness of those in attendance.

Artists on our Radar

Ricky Stein: Texas Roots in Brooklyn

Ricky Stein/ photo courtesy of the artist

If you’re looking for music inspired by New York City with a Texan flare, look no further than Ricky Stein, a Brooklyn-based artist originally from Austin, Texas. Stein is a singer-songwriter whose music is grounded by a combination of his upbringing in Texas and his present life in the bustling streets of New York City and Downtown Brooklyn. Stein has an impressive discography of singles and albums, and since moving to New York City in August 2016, he has released a full album, “Long Summer” and many singles. Stein’s music is best defined as Americana and roots, with folk-infused acoustic and electric guitars, and his lyrics paint vivid images of nature and life. The listener feels connected to Stein, as his musical stylings resemble talent from the likes of John Prine and Bonnie Raitt. His most recent single, “Passenger,” highlights Stein’s talents with a strong harmonica section. The song’s instrumentation and structure is built on one verse, which compliments the song’s message about the uncertainty and ominousness of being a passenger on a long journey. Another standout, “Street Lights,” is a lighthearted commentary on the comfort of hope, the street lights representing persistent light even in the dead of night. Stein’s live performances are carefully tailored, his sets performed at local venues in Brooklyn like Pete’s Candy Store and many other venues known to support live roots and country music. His talents are always showcased, whether performing a solo show with a guitar and harmonica or being supported by a full band. Stein’s upcoming months are packed with performances at many venues, including Saturday, January 11th at Skinny Dennis Bar in Williamsburg and Friday, March 7th at Sunny’s Bar in Red Hook. You won’t want to miss it!

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