Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul have announced the release of their eagerly awaited new album,’Summer Of Sorcery’, the legendary rock ‘n’ rollers first album of new material, arrives May 3 via Wicked Cool/UMe. The album will be released on CD, digitally and on vinyl as double LP on 180-gram black vinyl.
'Summer Of Sorcery' which arrives just two years after Little Steven’s acclaimed 2017’s solo return,'Soulfire', was written, arranged, and produced by Van Zandt at his own Renegade Studios in New York City; the album was co-produced and recorded by Grammy® Award-winner Geoff Sanoff and co-produced by Disciples of Soul musical director and guitarist Marc Ribler. 'Summer Of Sorcery' was mixed and mastered respectively by Van Zandt’s career-long collaborators and friends Bob Clearmountain(Rolling Stones, David Bowie, The Who, Bryan Adams), and Bob Ludwig (Led Zeppelin, Nirvana, The Band, Sly and the Family Stone). The album – which features an exclusive introduction written by Van Zandt – is adorned with Frank Frazetta-inspired cover art by Van Zandt’s longtime art director, Louis Arzonico.
Little Steven is joined on this thrilling musical journey with his all-star band the Disciples of Soul, a 14-strong ensemble made up of some of the best studio and live musicians in the business. Leading the charge alongside Van Zandt is musical director and guitarist Marc Ribler (Darlene Love, Roger McGuinn, Carole King) who conducts the band consisting of Lowell “Banana” Levinger of The Youngbloods on piano and Wurlitzer, bassist Jack Daley (Lenny Kravitz, Boz Scaggs, Darryl Hall), drummer Rich Mercurio (Ben E King, Sara Bareilles, Idina Menzel), percussionist Anthony Almonte (King Creole and The Coconuts), Andy Burton on B3 organ, piano, synthesizers (Cyndi Lauper, John Mayer, Ian Hunter), the dynamite horn section of horn director Eddie Manion on baritone saxophone (Diana Ross, Bruce Springsteen, Southside Johnny), Stan Harrison on tenor saxophone and flute (David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Duran Duran), Ron Tooley on trumpet (James Brown, John Lennon, Maceo Parker), Ravi Best on trumpet (Aretha Franklin, Stevie, Wonder, Kool and The Gang) and Clark Gayton on trombone (Sting, Bruce Springsteen, Joss Stone, Rhianna). The band is rounded out with the soulful, synchronized dancing backup singers Jessie Wagner (Kid Rock, Lenny Kravitz, Chic ), Sara Devine (Alicia Keys, Mary J Blige) and Tania Jones (Disciples of Soul).
About Steven Van Zandt
Musician, bandleader, producer, actor, arranger, activist, and so much more, Little Steven Van Zandt is known and beloved around the world for his utterly distinctive songwriting, artistic ambition, and unyielding belief in the power and glory of classic rock ‘n’ soul. In addition to his ongoing role as a touring and recording member of The E Street Band, the past two decades have seen the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer expand his personal parameters to include legendary work as an actor on The Sopranos andLilyhammer as well as host-creator of Sirius XM’s one-and-only “Little Steven’s Underground Garage”.Van Zandt’s myriad creative efforts in recent years include composing the score for all three seasons of Lilyhammer along with landmark work as producer and songwriter, lending his distinctive craft to records including Darlene Love’s acclaimed 2015 release, 'Introducing Darlene love'.
Van Zandt’s first solo album in close to two decades, 'Soulfire' drew rapturous applause from fans and critics alike upon its 2017 release, with Rolling Stone declaring, “Rock’s ultimate sideman reclaims the Jersey Shore sound he helped invent.” “Cynicism, irony and cultivated hip detachment have taken their toll on rock ‘n’ roll,” raved USA Today. “With 'Soulfire', Van Zandt aims to blow all that out and lead listeners back to its more passionate essence.” “It’s hard to imagine a more joyous and revelatory contemporary blue-eyed soul recording,” enthused American Songwriter. “The appropriately titled 'Soulfire' is a tough, tight and clearly inspired project as well as a most welcome return from the musical shadows for Steven Van Zandt.” “hearkens back to Van Zandt’s classic first solo album of gritty, greasy, horn-accented ‘60s-style rock and soul,” noted Billboard, while Paste proclaimed, “Rockier than Motown or the Sound of Philadelphia, this a joyous invitation to live and love.”
LIVE
- 07.06.2019 | Ancienne Belgique, Brussels