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Little Stven: Born Again Savage

 A l b u m   D e t a i l s


Label: Renegade Nation Records
Released: 1999.11.30
Time:
 60:01
Category: Pop/Rock
Producer(s): Steven Van Zandt
Rating: *****..... (5/10)
Media type: CD
Web address: www.littlesteven.com
Appears with:
Purchase date: 2001.10.01
Price in €: 6,99



 S o n g s ,   T r a c k s


[1] Born Again Savage (Little Steven) - 4:38
[2] Camouflage of Righteousness (Little Steven) - 5:01
[3] Guns, Drugs, and Gasoline (Little Steven) - 4:59
[4] Face of God (Little Steven) - 7:38
[5] Saint Francis (Little Steven) - 8:18
[6] Salvation (Little Steven) - 5:09
[7] Organize (Little Steven) - 2:13
[8] Fleskeater (Little Steven) - 6:08
[9] Lust for Enlightenmert (Little Steven) - 8:38
[10] Tongues of Angels (Little Steven) - 8:19

 A r t i s t s ,   P e r s o n n e l


LITTLE STEVEN (aka. Steven Van Zandt) - Guitar, Arranger, Vocals, Liner Notes

JASON BONHAM - Snare Drums
ADAM CLAYTON - Bass

STEVE JORDAN - Background Vocals
JEAN BEAUVOIR - Background Vocals

BEN FOWLER - Engineer
GEORGE MARINO - Mastering
KEVIN SHIRLEY - Mixing
SCOTT AUSTIN - Engineer
DAN GELLERT - Engineer
RICH ALVY - Mixing Assistant
ANDREA YANKOVSKY - Engineer
ZOE THRALL - Engineer

 C o m m e n t s ,   N o t e s


1999 CD Pachyderm 6



"This is the record I would have made in 1969 had I been capable," writes Little Steven of Born Again Savage, his first album in ten years and fifth album overall. In case that statement doesn't tell you enough about the sound of the record, he goes into detail: "It is a tribute to the hard rock pioneers that kept me alive growing up, the Kinks, the Who, the Yardbirds, and the three groups the Yardbirds spawned — Cream, the Jeff Beck Group, and Led Zeppelin." Actually, he cites even more influences, but that should be enough to give you the idea. With a rhythm section consisting of Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham's son Jason Bonham and U2 bassist Adam Clayton, Little Steven layers on the guitars in emulation of everyone from Dave Davies to Jimi Hendrix, and at times it's hard to realize that you're not listening to a song from You Really Got Me or Axis: Bold As Love. The primary difference, in fact, comes with the lyrics, which Little Steven spits out in a Bob Dylan-like nasal howl that has improved from the whine of his earlier albums primarily by deepening. The man who wrote the anti-apartheid anthem "Sun City" retains his extensive political interests, though here they are often expressed in the form of rhetoric rather than spoken plainly. This may be because Born Again Savage is deliberately intended as "the fifth and last of the political albums I outlined when I decided to make my own records," as Little Steven puts it, and therefore, it is the one on which he is drawing broader philosophical conclusions. No wonder that the "suggested reading" list he provides this time around consists entirely of religious texts. Still, the basic conclusion remains that the world is going to hell in a hand basket, and, if anything, Little Steven's world view is even more depressing than it was in the 1980s for being less specific. Still, it is made more palatable by being married to guitar tracks that sound like they were recorded in 1968, and if you don't read the lyric sheet, you won't get too bummed out.

William Ruhlmann, All-Music Guide, © 1992 - 2001 AEC One Stop Group, Inc.



A classic second-in-command rocker in the tradition of Keith Richards and Johnny Thunders, Little Steven has also made a mark apart from his erstwhile boss, the Boss. The man also known as Miami Steve Van Zandt had a major hand in Southside Johnny's bar-band masterwork Hearts of Stone, was the linchpin in 1985's Artists United Against Apartheid project, and lead his own group, the Disciples of Soul, for a time after his 1984 departure from the E Street Band. Largely out of the picture through the 1990s, Little Steven returns with a solo outing that rocks harder and is more inflamed lyrically than one might have expected from this long-AWOL warrior. Van Zandt's liner notes lay out his mission--to doff his bandana in the direction of the '60s rockers who helped shape his consciousness, from Cream to the Kinks to Jefferson Airplane. At the same time, he maintains the confrontational political stance that's been in evidence since the days of Sun City. Hence there's the title track ("Look around at the volunteered slavery") and "The Camouflage of Righteousness" ("We give you politicians and you call it a choice / We let you do the voting and you think you have a voice"). With this Savage attack, Little Steven fights the good fight and remains standing.

Steven Stolder, Amazon.com



Little Steven, ein typischer Rocker aus der zweiten Reihe in der Tradition von Keith Richards und Johnny Thunders, hat sich verewigt -- auch unabhängig von seinem früheren Boss, "The Boss" Bruce Springsteen. Er war auch einmal unter dem Namen Miami Steve Van Zandt bekannt, hatte seine Hand im Spiel bei dem Meisterwerk von Southside Johnny's Bar-Band "Hearts of Stone", war aber auch eine Stütze bei dem Projekt Artists United Against Apartheid (1985) und leitete eine Zeit lang seine eigene Gruppe, die Disciples Of Soul", nachdem er 1984 die E Street Band verlassen hatte.

In den neunziger Jahren geriet Little Steven ziemlich ins Abseits, kehrt jetzt aber mit einer Solo-Veröffentlichung zurück, die härter daherrockt und dessen Texte energiegeladener sind als man dies von einem alten Krieger erwartet hätte. Van Zandts Titel skizzieren sein Anliegen, "sich in Ehrfurcht (zu) verbeugen vor den Rockgrößen der sechziger Jahre", die sein Bewusstsein entscheidend prägten, von Cream über die Kinks zu Jefferson Airplane. Gleichzeitig bleibt er bei seinem politischen Konfrontationskurs, der schon seit den Tagen von "Sun City" offensichtlich wurde. Daher auch sein Titelsong ("Look Around At The Volunteered Slavery"/"Seht euch die freiwillige Sklaverei um euch herum an!") und der Song "The Camouflage Of Righteousness"/"Der Deckmantel der Rechtschaffenheit" ("We give you politicians and you call it a choice / We let you do the voting and you think you have a voice"/"Wir geben euch Politiker, und ihr nennt das eine Wahl/wir lassen euch abstimmen und schon glaubt ihr, ihr habt eine Stimme"). Mit dieser wilden Attacke kämpft Little Steven für eine gute Sache und zeigt Rückgrat.

Steven Stolder, Amazon.de



Little Steve Van Zandt's first solo album in more than 10 years is hardly what you might expect from the man who is best known, first, as the guitar player in Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band and, second, as the actor who plays Silvio Dante in the acclaimed HBO series, The Sopranos. Born Again Savage is a wildly ambitious blend of spiritual searching; political analysis; heavy-metal graphics and bone-crunching rock and roll. In one song St. Francis returns in a dream to weep over war and environmental devastation. In another ("Flesheater") people who eat meat are denounced for being willing links in a brutal food chain.

Steven communicates his urgent messages with music that is an even more urgent assault. U2 bassist Adam Clayton and drummer Jason Bonham fill out Steven's power trio, and together, they build a reverberating wall of overwhelming sound. As E Street fans know, Steven sings in an endearing, Dylanesque bray that consists equally of yearning and contempt. That's contempt for ruthless power brokers and yearning for a better world through awareness and action -- the two passionately felt emotions that make Born Again Savage such an exhilarating ride.

Anthony DeCurtis - December 28, 1999
Copyright © 1994-2001 CDnow Online, Inc. All rights reserved.
 

 L y r i c s


BORN AGAIN SAVAGE

We are the chosen ones that's what they taught me
We've got the power, the money, the guns
If there's a God He is white and on our side
You'll believe anything when you are young

We are the civilized they always told me
Religion is organized I was told
I found it more honest exploring the darkness
'cause Jesus never wore no South African gold

Look around baby we're desperate and divided
All calling God by different names
Kneeling to praise Him while we poison His garden
I'm Born Again Savage and can't play the game

There ain't no justice for the loyal foot soldier
We're promised salvation but not till we die
Our bodies are churches of wisdom and pleasures
Don't be afraid baby let's look inside

I've danced with the spirits I've challenged my demons
Been baptized in the blood of my own killing ground
We laughed when the elders said all life is sacred
And natural law's gonna punish us now

Look around at the volunteer slavery
Everyone drinking and dying of thirst
Don't look up baby 'cause no one's gonna save you

I'm Born Again Savage and a child of the earth

This flesh we walk 'round in is so temporary
It's misused and disused, discarded too fast
Invite me into your temple to worship
I'm Born Again Savage and free at last


THE CAMOUFLAGE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

The old men make excuses
While the young men bring the noise
And nothing ever changes
Because boys keep being boys

And the women just surrendered
While Cinderella slept
Now they know they've waited too long
There's nothing worth stealing left

Under the camouflage of righteousness
We supply the sins while you confess
You're seduced by the vampires' sweet caress
Behind the camouflage of righteousness

We give you politicians
And you call it choice
We let you do the voting
And you think you have a voice

We control the information
And you call yourself informed
We give you our religion
And you believe it's yours

Under the camouflage of righteousness
We supply the sins while you confess
You're seduced by the vampires' sweet caress
Behind the camouflage of righteousness

Breathe - Life is just a dream
Reach out and touch the screen
We're here to soothe you
Relax - It's better if you don't fight
Believe in the flickering light
We can't afford to lose you

We offer you diversion
On any channel you choose
We give you bread and circus
And you still call it news

We orchestrate your hatred
It's as clear as white and black
We select your history
And you believe its fact

Under the camouflage of righteousness
We supply the sins while you confess
You're seduced by the vampires' sweet caress
Behind the camouflage of righteousness


GUNS, DRUGS, AND GASOLINE

Stop telling me how I feel - You don't know a thing about me
Ain't nothin' getting better - Down here on the street
Tell me a lie, tell me a lie - Tell me a lie, tell me another lie I got nothin' to believe in - I got no reason to live
I got nothin' to believe in - I got no reason to live
But checkin' out seems so pitiful
I'm gonna find out who's responsible
I'm gonna find out what makes the world go 'round
I'm gonna take you down, I found

Guns, Drugs, and Gasoline

I got no one to look up to - Nothin' to look forward to
I got no one to look up to - I got nothin' to do
It's time to get organized - Time's killing us while we're killing time
I'm gonna find out why nobody's dreams come true
I'm talking to you - I'm talkin' about

Guns, Drugs, and Gasoline

It's hard to be a rebel in an outlaw nation
It's hard to be smart when you're always wasted
And wasted's their own children's fate
They don't care their money's safe

You say my brother's my enemy
The real criminal's the unholy Trinity
As you bow down and worship like a slave
Satan has three names, I'm talkin' about


Guns, Drugs, and Gasoline


THE FACE OF GOD

When the churches feel like graveyards so solemn and so cold
Those who blaspheme passively have already lost their souls
Men will build their steeples, stain their glass and pray in vain
When the world loses it's pity, the pitiful shall reign

I hear that whistle blowin' we're running out of time
That train of lost souls keeps me running - their fate could be mine
I hear their cries for mercy on their way to limbo's jail
I'm one step ahead of the hellhounds on my trail

I was sipping coffee and anisette at a sidewalk cafe
Realizing at least half my life is gone
I was feeling alright watching life go by thinking
I ought to know by now where I belong

And a waitress came out of nowhere, right through the mist, and said,
"Is there anything else I can do for you?"
She said it like she meant it (I said) "I'll have some parmigiana and pears
And, oh yeah, there is one more thing that you can do

Can you tell me is the white light of near death the light of creation?
You know the one from that big bang so long ago?
And is reuniting with that energy what we call heaven?
Or is what's in your kiss all there is to know?"

You know that Moses climbed that mountain
And the Buddha was so cool under that tree
And me, I'm here waiting in your garden
Just to catch a glimpse of the face of God

The young girl worked in fashion, the old man was an outlaw priest
They had nothing much in common but the adventure in their eyes
She said, "I inherited my body, my religion, and my wealth
Why am I never satisfied?"

He said, "There's some things you cannot be given
And there's some things you cannot steal
She said, "I will trade my youth for your wisdom"
He laughed and said, "It ain't quite that simple but you got a deal"

And Moses climbed that mountain
And Mohammed got down on the floor of that cave
Tonight I'll be deep inside your garden
Just to catch a glimpse of the face of God

The old Kings and the Princes so recently dethroned
Were prophets once upon a time - their words the law of the land
They used to look so regal in their psychedelic colors
There is no place for them now in the land of the bland

Some turned into spirits
And some came crashing down in flames
But with their dignity intact some keep on searching
Knowing they can't go back the way they came

Have you heard that Moses climbed that mountain
And Jesus walked in the desert sands
And me I wait so patiently in your garden
Just to catch a glimpse of the face of God


SAINT FRANCIS

The war stopped for a moment
We held our breaths my brothers and I
The poisoned sky'd stopped crying
The red sun tried to shine

We looked down from the mountain top
And felt so alone
This once was paradise
This wasteland once was home

Are you still alive inside baby
That's all I need to know
Without you my bloodlust
Would have blinded me long ago

I want to be your shelter
But there's no shelter left on Earth
I wish I could hide you
But hiding only makes it worse

Don't let your demons make you cry
They'll all be gone by morning
Don't let your spirits leave your side
Stay close to the Earth - so you don't get burned

Oh my sweet child how did you sleep last night
She said, "I dreamed I saw Saint Francis"
He came in the body of a lion and had tears in his eyes
And he said, "It don't have to be this way"

The masters of war keep marching
Their work is never done
The sacrifice continues
In the form of God's most innocent ones

The masters of religion
Better learn a new way to love
God never created anything
Anything He's not part of

Don't fear the light, don't shield your eyes it's only Holy fire
Don't be afraid to look inside it's only your desire
Don't deny your own desire

There's a bad storm coming
I believe it's coming our way
The air is thick and cloudy
The sky gets blacker everyday

The rebel children are waiting - Their time is coming soon
They face no future gamely - They've got nothing left to lose


SALVATION

I was born a sinner - I was born in sin
I was born with an alibi for the trouble I've been
I can talk my way through anything it's in my blood
So why do I get nervous when you talk about love

I could use a little shelter
So I can try to understand the things I've seen
Maybe you don't have all the answers
But you can give me something I need

Salvation - Don't deny me - Got to find me somebody to help me tonight
Salvation - Deep inside me - I'm a little confused but I'll be alright

The greasy politicians want to set me free
My teachers wasted their lives selling lies to me
A little more money - A little more sex
A little religion's what they'll be selling me next

I've been looking for you baby
Looking for a reason to live
I been looking for some temporary sanctuary
Something, that I think you can give me

Salvation - Don't deny me - Got to find me somebody to help me tonight
Salvation - Deep inside me - I'm a little confused but I'll be alright

I ain't afraid of hellfire
I'm only afraid of wasting time
I want some answers and I'm gonna find them
And I ain't gonna wait till I die - show me a sign


ORGANIZE

white water blue sky
yellow sun organize

green money blood red eyes
purple hearts organize

black prisons orange fire
brown earth organize

gold lightning distant cries
silver glasses organize

grey leaders grey lies
grey eagle organize


FLESHEATER

I saw you at the slaughterhouse on Saturday night
It was loud enough to cover up the screams inside
When I looked in your eyes I saw the walking dead
When we kissed I could taste the blood on your breath
The thrill of the hunt makes you feel alive
I know what you got on your mind tonight

You want flesh - flesheater
You need flesh - flesheater
We're all born cannibals
You don't have to die a flesheater

It's kill or be killed its always been that way
The cries of the animals are so far away
You see yourself reflected in the hungry boys eyes
It's a hunger that can never be satisfied
but when you look behind the mirror there's no escape
You're just another bag of bones wrapped in powder and paint

You want flesh - flesheater
You need flesh - flesheater
We're all born cannibals
You don't have to die a flesheater

In the end to them you're just another piece of meat
Prime choice for the vultures - their own kind tastes so sweet
There's got to be more to life than this
I'm getting stronger with every kiss

Feeling better baby have another drink
Stick the spike right in so you don't have to think
Open up, open up, open up, I'm coming in
You say you want to be with me tonight
You better be ready for some religion in your life

No more flesh - flesheater
No more flesh - flesheater


LUST FOR ENLIGHTENMENT

I stumbled blindly through the storm
Rituals, myths and dreams helped me carry on
The last words the warrior priest confessed,
"Faith has its usefulness"

She offered shelter, wine and bread
"I seek the truth", I said
She smiled, "You first must die before rebirth"
She buried my sword in Mother Earth

"The fast is over. Tonight we share the feast"
She whispered, "Do you hear that sound. By passion the world is bound
And by passion it is released

Hunting the night for new flesh
While wisdom dwells in loneliness
You hold the key to the gates of redemption
Your demons await your attention

Those who resist the healing fire
Will drown in the ocean of desire
The adventure that you're ready for's the one you get
Ashes to ashes and dust to dust
The familiar is the death of lust
You can't fill your glass if it hasn't been emptied yet"

She said, "It's the journey not the destination
It's the journey not the destination"
I didn't understand, I was just a young man
She said, "It's the journey not the destination"

I seek the golden fleece, the Holy Grail
I wait no more for an excuse to fail
The path to compassion leads inside
I pray to find the wisdom to serve
Until the end of time


TONGUES OF ANGELS

Smoke curled from the embers of the fire
With respect for the dawn the beach was quiet
God tried to smile
It's a good day to live or die

I live where the Earth meets the sky
In the violence of the hurricane I ride the eye
I live inside
I travel in dreamtime

Look what you've done to the blood of the Earth
Look how you've changed the balance
Look at the desecration of my church
You're morally bankrupt and blind
While your children pay for your crimes

I'm gonna ride the tongues of angels all the way to heaven

I've done my penance in Babylon among the tribes
I organized
We stood side by side fighting the righteous fight
Hard fought victories won in vain
The new leaders learn from the old ones and do the same
They've lost The Way
That's why nothing changes

I see without looking
I feel without touching
I know without thinking
When I feel confused and lost
I come back to the source

I'm gonna ride the tongues of angels all the way to heaven

Smoke curled from the embers of the fire
Proud soldiers once unified
Fighting for the scraps of power
In the city's final desperate hour

I live where the wind meets the sand
Waiting for the holocaust where life began
If I'm called I will return
But I'm not gonna watch it burn

I find without searching
I hear without listening
I know without thinking
After there's no tears left to cry
I will choose the way I die

I'm gonna ride the tongues of angels all the way to heaven

 M P 3   S a m p l e s


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