Born Again Savage is the fifth solo studio album by American musician Little Steven (stage name of Steven Van Zandt), released in September 1999 by Renegade Nation. It was his first album since 1989's Revolution.
Born Again Savage was a return to the raw, garage rock sound of his second album, Voice of America from 1984. The main topic of the album is religion. The rhythm section on all songs is bassist Adam Clayton (of U2) and drummer Jason Bonham.McShane, Larry. "Little Steven Takes on Religion With New Rock 'n' Roll Album", Amarillo, 4 Nov. 1999. Retrieved 2015-1-1. Jean Beauvoir, who was one of the original Disciples of Soul, sang background vocals on the album. After its release, Van Zandt returned to play with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band for 18 years until reforming the Disciples of Soul for the 2017 album Soulfire.
Background The songs on Born Again Savage were originally written by Van Zandt in 1989-1990 and were eventually recorded in 1994. After initially being rejected by his then current label, the album was finally released in November 1999 when Van Zandt started his own record label, Renegade Nation. To promote the album, there was a promotional single edit of "Camouflage of Righteousness" released through mp3.com, edited to 4:36; down from the album version's 5:01. Not as many copies of the album were sold as expected."U2 Discography - Born Again Savage Album / Little Steven", U2 Wanderer, 1995-2007. Retrieved 2015-1-1.
The album's main theme is the lack of religion and spiritual ideas in daily life. However, "Flesheater" deals with animal rights and vegetarianism, and "Guns, Drugs and Gasoline" touches upon the use of fossil fuel. "Politics, religion and sex interrelate throughout the album," Van Zandt said.
In 2019, the album was remastered for release as part of Van Zandt's career-spanning box set Rock N Roll Rebel: The Early Work. The digital deluxe edition of the album was released on November 22, 2019 containing one bonus track, a 2019 solo acoustic rendition of Van Zandt's song "It's Been a Long Time" originally recorded by Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes and released on their 1991 album Better Days.
Liner notes Little Steven wrote in the liner notes of the album:
Track listing All tracks are written by Little Steven.
"Born Again Savage" - 4:38 "Camouflage of Righteousness" - 5:01 "Guns, Drugs, and Gasoline" - 4:59 "Face of God" - 7:38 "Saint Francis" - 8:17 "Salvation" - 5:09 "Organize" - 2:13 "Flesheater" - 6:07 "Lust for Enlightenment" - 8:38 "Tongues of Angels" - 8:19
2019 digital deluxe edition bonus track "It's Been a Long Time" (solo acoustic, 2019 - previously unreleased) - 4:16
"Camouflage of Righteousness" appears in The Sopranos episode "Whitecaps"""The Sopranos" Whitecaps (TV Episode 2002) - Soundtracks", IMDb, 1990-2015. Retrieved 2015-1-1. and "Salvation" appears in the episode "Moe n' Joe".""The Sopranos" Moe n' Joe (TV Episode 2006) - Soundtracks", IMDb, 1990-2015. Retrieved 2015-1-1. Tracks used in the series Lilyhammer co-produced and featuring Steven Van Zandt: "Guns, Drugs and Gasoline" (S3E3), "Flesheater" (S3E7)
Personnel Musicians Little Steven – vocals, guitars, arranger Adam Clayton – bass Jason Bonham – drums Steve Jordan – background vocals Jean Beauvoir – background vocals Ben Newberry – background vocals Frank Newberry – background vocals "Dizzy" Daniel Moorehead – saxophone
Technical Little Steven – producer Ben Fowler – engineer Zoe Thrall – engineer Scott Austin – assistant engineer Kevin Shirley – mixing Rich Alvy – mixing assistant Dan Gellert – additional engineer Andrea Yankovsky – additional assistant engineer George Marino – mastering (at Sterling Sound) Alex Ewen – art design Lorraine Cullin – art design assistant Gustave Doré – original wood engravings Ronnie Farley – photographyLittle Steven Born Again Savage. Liner Notes. Renegade Nation, 1999.
Chart Ruhlmann, William. "Born Again Savage - Little Steven & the Disciples of Soul", AllMusic, 2015. Retrieved 2015-1-1. SingleChart (2000)Position"Salvation"Mainstream Rock40
The Born Again Savage album itself did not chart.
References