John Mayall OBE is one of the Premier British Bluesmen (although he's actually lived in the States since the end of the Sixties). He's been up and at 'em since 1956 and at aged 85 and counting he's just released another fantastic album called 'Nobody Told Me'. He's gathered around himself for this album some notable exponents of the Electric Guitar and peforms seven covers and three songs of his own.
Age has not slowed him down at all as he is due to kick off a tour in Europe in two days time starting in Finland right through to April when he finishes up in the Netherlands. Inbetween there are dates in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, Austria, Italy and back to Germany again. No doubt after a much needed rest there will also be dates in the USA.
A little something thrown together spotlighting the various members of The E Street Band and others who have played and sung with them over the years. Oh and at the end there's a few featuring Bruce as well! Hope you enjoy The Playlist.
The Music of E Street Sax in the City - Clarence Clemons Charlene - Garry Tallent Wipeout! - Max Weinberg's Jukebox Matter of Time - David Sancious and Tone (also features Ernest Boom Carter on Drums) Riders in the Night - Roy Bittan A Doorman's Life - Danny Federici Soulfire! (Live) - Little Steven and The Disciples of Soul I Came to Dance - Nils Lofgren As Long as I Can Be Wityh You - Patti Scialfa Wild Ones - Soozie Tyrell Sick Broke and Broken - Jake Clemons Way To Know - Downtown Mystic (featuring Garry Tallent and Max Weinberg) Amazing Grace - Eddie Manion Zydeco Boogie - The Gotham Playboys The Ballad of Jesse James - Vini Lopez Tetris Title Theme (Solo Accordion Cover) - Charlie Girordano Smile - Cindi Mizelle Little Bit Curt Ramm (with Dan Moretti and Bill Cunliffe) Shine - Curtis King Jnr Rocky Ground - Michelle Moore (with the Alliance Singers) The Road I Must Travel - The Nightwatchman (Tom Morello) Long Walk Home - Bruce Springsteen Tenth Avenue Freezeout - Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band The E Street Shuffle - Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band
🌟🌟🌟🌟½ Dedication - Gary U.S. Bonds EMI America Records Produced by Gary U.S. Bonds, Bruce Springsteen and Steven Van Zandt Released April 1981 U.S. Chart #27
Listen to Dedication Here:
Tracklist and Songwriters
Side A
A1 Jole Blon 3:25 (feat. Bruce Springsteen on Vocals) A2 This Little Girl 3:42 (feat. Bruce Springsteen on Vocals, the song was also written by Springsteen) A3 Your Love 3:26 (feat. Ben E. King and Chuck Jackson on Vocals, the song was written by Bruce Springsteen) A4 Dedication 3:11 (written by Bruce Springsteen) A5 Daddy's Come Home 6:22 (written by Steven Van Zandt)
Side B B1 It's Only Love 3:03 (written by John Lennon) B2 The Pretender 6:12 (written by Jackson Browne) B3 Way Back When 4:03 (written by Bonds and George Bruno) B4 From A Buick 6 4:24 (written by Bob Dylan B5 Just Like A Child 3:40 (written by John Clemente. Laurie C. Anderson, Louis Conte)
Personnel Gary U.S. Bonds - lead vocals Bruce Springsteen - guitars, background vocals (solo "Jole Blon") Steven Van Zandt - bass, fuzz bass, guitar, bongos, background vocals Roy Bittan - keyboards Clarence Clemons - saxophone, background vocals Danny Federici - accordion, keyboards Garry W. Tallent - bass Max Weinberg - drums
Additional musicians: Chuck Jackson - vocals Ben E. King - vocals Ellie Greenwich - background vocals Carol Williams - background vocals John Clemente - bass Rusty Cloud - keyboards Luis Conte - guitar Rick Gazda - trumpet, background vocals Ula Hedwig - background vocals Brenda Hilliard - background vocals La Bamba - trombone Eddie Manion - tenor saxophone Mike Micara - drums Rob Parissi - guitar Michael Spengler - trumpet Joey Stann - baritone saxophone, background vocals Carole Sylvan - background vocals Brenda Joyce Hillard - background vocals Mikie Harris - background vocals
Jolé Blon / Just Like A Child U.S. and UK Release July 1981
U.S. Chart #65
UK Chart #51
(UK Picture Sleeve) It's Only Love / This Little Girl (Live)* Released September 1981
UK Chart #43
*In other European Territories Your Love was the B-Side
Your Love / Just Like A Child U.S. and Canada Release Released October 1981
Did Not Chart
Capitol Theater NJ 16/12/81
Your Love Daddy's Come Home Dedication This Little Girl Quarter To Three
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When mention is made of the great Soul singers of the Sixties there's a couple of names that are usually absent from the list, James Carr (I did a post about him awhile back) and Gary U.S. Bonds.
Today the spotlight shines on Gary U.S. Bonds. I first heard of him back in the late Seventies when I heard a Bruce Springsteen bootleg and he was playing Quarter To Three. In the UK he had a couple of hit singles (New Orleans - #16 in 1960 and Quarter To Three - #7 in 1961) and even in his homeland he had a few hit singles between 1960-62 and a load of singles afterwards (up until 1975) that didn't chart at all.
He only released two albums in the Sixties, Dance 'til Quarter to Three with U.S. Bonds (1961) and Twist Up Calypso (1962) and it wouldn't be until 1981 that his third studio album gave a resurgence to his career thanks to Steven Van Zandt, Bruce Springsteen and the rest of The E Street Band. Bruce Springsteen not only provided Production on it but also a few of the songs that would make up the Dedication album (This Little Girl, Your Love, and Dedication) but he added his vocals and guitar to both This Little Girl and Jolé Blon. Steven Van Zandt wrote the excellent Daddy's Come Home (and showed just what a talented writer he is) as well as offering his Production skills and his instrumental abilities. The E Street Band alongside many members of The Asbury Jukes are also in force giving their backing to the project. It's a really great album with a bit of a Sixties feel to it yet doesn't feel dated at all. The choice of covers is pretty much on point, especially Bonds' reading of the classic Jackson Browne song The Pretender (which is one of my favourite songs on the album).
A bit of stuff for the Musical Anoraks! 😀
Dedication would not be the last time that Gary U.S. Bonds would work along Springsteen, Van Zandt and The E Street Band as year later the On the Line album (Listen here to the album, two tracks are missing (Springsteen's All I Need and Van Zandt's Last Time) as I couldn't find them on You Tube) would be produced again by Springsteen and Van Zandt and seven of the tracks are written by Bruce, one by Little Steven. Word is that there were actually another three songs written by Springsteen that were recorded but not released (Action in the Street - still unreleased on any album by Springsteen to date - though a live version from 1977 is on an Archive release; Lion's Den - appeared on the Tracks Box set by Springsteen in 1998; and Savin' Up - was released on Clarence Clemons debut album Rescue in 1983). In the liner notes on the Razor Edge Reissue in 1991 it was mentioned that Bruce's vocals were removed from the album by order of Columbia Records and apart from the songwriting credits his name doesn't appear, but he does under the pseudonym of Rusty Cloud! The duet of Angelyne instead featured the vocals of Little Steven.
The 1984 album Standing in the Line of Fire features Little Steven on the title track that he wrote for the album. Back last year during the Soulfire TourGary U.S. Bonds joined Little Steven and The Disciples of Soul on stage at The Paramount Theater in Huntington, New York to perform it. Little Steven included the song on the Soulfire album released in May 2017.
Gary U.S. Bonds would team up again with Bruce Springsteen on the opening track of his 2004 album Back In 20, Can't Teach An Old Dog New Tricks. In 2012 Gary U.S. Bonds joined Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band on stage at the Metlife Stadium to sing Jolé Blon and This Little Girl. In two days time (6th June 2018) Gary U.S. Bonds will hit the magical age of 79 years old, so in advance of that day we offer up a birthday greeting to him and thank him for more than 60 years service in Soul, R&B and Rock & Roll.
Just before we launch into what my choice for the #1 spot is on the The Best Albums of 2017 is I thought just incase you have missed the previous 19 (where have you been? 😁) I would post links for all of them just so you can look back in either astonishment at some of the choices or bewilderment that I hadn't included something you liked (well stick a comment in and tell what your favourites are, how else am I meant to know these things! 😉).
The Best Albums of 2017
(according to Soundtrack4Life just to say so if it is disagreed with 😉)
Way back on 4th June I wrote a piece for the blog on this album (which you can read here). I concluded it by saying, "The album gets a big👍from me and is one of my favourite releases so far this year!"
That sense of excitement about it never left and here we are on 21st December announcing it as the #1 pick of the year! I won't really say anything more about it because in the original post from June I think I said what I needed to say and I stand by it.
All I will say is that 2017 has seen some really great albums released (quite a few that never even reached my Top 20 but I will be doing a post to spotlight some honourable mentions next time) and I am delighted to announce this as what I think is the best of the crop (and remember it's my personal choice, you will probably think there is one better).
#1
Soulfire - Little Steven Wicked Cool Records/Universal Music Enterprises Produced by Steven Van Zandt Released 19th May 2017
Tracklisting and Songwriting Credits 1 Soulfire 4:34 - Written By – Anders Bruus, Steve Van Zandt 2 I'm Coming Back 4:17 - Written By – Steve Van Zandt 3 Blues Is My Business 6:23 - Written By – Kevin Bowe, Todd Cerney 4 I Saw The Light 4:25 - Written By – Steve Van Zandt 5 Some Things Just Don't Change 4:03 - Written By – Steve Van Zandt 6 Love On The Wrong Side Of Town 3:52 - Written By –Bruce Springsteen, Steve Van Zandt 7 The City Weeps Tonight 3:30 - Written By – Steve Van Zandt 8 Down And Out In New York City 6:27 - Written By – Barry De Vorzon, Bodie Chandler 9 Standing In The Line Of Fire 4:33 - Written By – Gary Anderson (Gary U.S. Bonds), L. Anderson, Steve Van Zandt 10 Saint Valentine's Day 5:20 - Written By – Steve Van Zandt 11 I Don't Want To Go Home 4:20 - Written By – Steve Van Zandt 12 Ride The Night Away 5:20 - Written By – Steve Jordan, Steve Van Zandt
Personnel Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar – Stevie Van Zandt Backing Vocals – Audrey Martells, Cindy Mizelle, Elaine Caswell, Lajuan Carter, Martha Redbone, Tawatha Agee, The Persuasions (tracks: 7, 11) Baritone Saxophone – Ed Manion Bass – Jack Daley Drums – Rich Mercurio Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Organ, Piano, Strings – Andy Burton Percussion – Daniel Sadownick Piano – Clifford Carter Tenor Saxophone – Steven Salcedo Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Stan Harrison Trombone – Ian Gray (track 8), Michael Davis Trumpet – Don Nissenbaum, John Martin, Kent Smith, Steve Jankowski
Violin, Viola – Jonathan Dinklage
Little Steven & The Disciples of Soul
23 September 2017 at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY
1 Soulfire 4:34 - Written By – Anders Bruus, Steve Van Zandt 2 I'm Coming Back 4:17 - Written By – Steve Van Zandt 3 Blues Is My Business 6:23 - Written By – Kevin Bowe, Todd Cerney 4 I Saw The Light 4:25 - Written By – Steve Van Zandt 5 Some Things Just Don't Change 4:03 - Written By – Steve Van Zandt 6 Love On The Wrong Side Of Town 3:52 - Written By –Bruce Springsteen, Steve Van Zandt 7 The City Weeps Tonight 3:30 - Written By – Steve Van Zandt 8 Down And Out In New York City 6:27 - Written By – Barry De Vorzon, Bodie Chandler 9 Standing In The Line Of Fire 4:33 - Written By – Gary Anderson (Gary U.S. Bonds), L. Anderson, Steve Van Zandt 10 Saint Valentine's Day 5:20 - Written By – Steve Van Zandt 11 I Don't Want To Go Home 4:20 - Written By – Steve Van Zandt 12 Ride The Night Away 5:20 - Written By – Steve Jordan, Steve Van Zandt
Playlist Includes
Soulfire (Official Audio)
I'm Coming Back (Live Paramount Theater, Asbury Park 22nd May 2017)
Blues Is My Business (Official Audio)
Some Things Just Don't Change (Live O2 London 29/10/16)
Love On The Wrong Side Of Town (Official Audio)
The City Weeps Tonight (Live Count Basie Theater, Red Bank NJ 27/05/17)
Down And Out In NYC (Live O2 London 29/10/16)
Saint Valentine's Day (Official Audio)
I Don't Want To Go Home (Live Paramount Theater, Asbury Park 22nd May 2017)
Ride The Night Away (Live Paramount Theater, Asbury Park 22nd May 2017)
Personnel Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar – Stevie Van Zandt
Backing Vocals – Audrey Martells, Cindy Mizelle, Elaine Caswell, Lajuan Carter, Martha Redbone, Tawatha Agee, The Persuasions (tracks: 7, 11) Baritone Saxophone – Ed Manion Bass – Jack Daley Drums – Rich Mercurio Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Organ, Piano, Strings – Andy Burton Percussion – Daniel Sadownick Piano – Clifford Carter Tenor Saxophone – Steven Salcedo Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Stan Harrison Trombone – Ian Gray (track 8), Michael Davis Trumpet – Don Nissenbaum, John Martin, Kent Smith, Steve Jankowski Violin, Viola – Jonathan Dinklage
Little Steven and The Disciples of Soul Count Basie Theater, Red Bank NJ May 27, 2017
FM Broadcast
Setlist “Soulfire” “I’m Coming Back” “Among the Believers” “The Blues Is My Business” “Love on the Wrong Side of Town” “Until the Good Is Gone” “Standing in the Line of Fire” “I Saw the Light” “Some Things Just Don’t Change” “Saint Valentine’s Day” “Salvation” “The City Weeps Tonight” “Down and Out in New York City” “Princess of Little Italy” “The Time of Your Life” “Solidarity” “Leonard Peltier” “I Am a Patriot” “Ride the Night Away” “Bitter Fruit” “Forever” “It’s Been a Long Time” (with Bruce Springsteen) “Tenth Avenue Freeze-out” (with Bruce Springsteen) “I Don’t Want to Go Home” (with Bruce Springsteen)
Encore: “Can I Get a Witness” (with Bruce Springsteen)
**************
It's been 18 years since the last album from Little Steven (Born Again Savage 1999) but you could forgive him for that as he has been just a wee bit busy with other projects such as his acting career on Lilyhammer; his production work for the likes of Darlene Love's Introducing Album; his work as a Radio Host and Program Director for Little Steven's Underground Garage; running his own Record Label Wicked Cool Records; being Musical Director for a Music Selection Commitee for the Video Game Rock Band; being the founder of the Rock and Roll Forever Foundation that provides musical education with a chronological anthology tracing the history of Rock and Roll from its roots to present day, highlighting the cultural impact and significance of each era of the genre as it relates to the events and changes that took place in the history of the country and of the world. This program provides an entire rock n roll curriculum appropriate for middle and high schools (you can find out more about that here); oh, and on top of that he has been quite busy the past 18 years touring as a member of The E Street Band!
Now, I will say this quietly so as not to upset the masses who refuse to speak anything critical relating to Steve Van Zandt (or toward Bruce Springsteen and other members of The E Street Band), I was never a huge fan of Little Steven as a vocalist with The E Street Band but, and it's a BIG BUT, when it comes to arranging and producing he's crazy good at what he does. That voice, which I didn't care so much for, really does shine though on his new album Soulfire.
The album has so many deft touches to it that I scarcely know where to begin. It Rocks, it has Soul, it has a spot of Doo Wop, it has guitar sounds that remind you of sixties Garage Rock and it's all arranged by the man himself as he draws together some fine musicians to bring to life his vision. There's wee glimpses of The E Street Band, as well as that of the Phil Spector Wall of Sound. Half of the tracks come from the pen of Van Zandt himself with the standouts being the title track Soulfire, I'm Coming Back, The City Weeps Tonight and Saint Valentine's Day. Standing In The Line of Fire, a co-write with Gary U.S. Bonds (whom Little Steven has produced for in the past) is real quality and Love On The Wrong Side of Town, a co-write with Springsteen shines sweetly.
The one thing that stood out overall for me though was that there is not (to my mind) a track that I would wish to skip over. The whole album is a brilliant listening experience and where I might have been a bit overly critical in the past regarding his vocal abilities he has arranged the music in such a manner that those deficiences all but disappear.
The album gets a big👍from me and is one of my favourite releases so far this year!
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