Born Again Savage | |
Type: | studio |
Artist: | Little Steven |
Cover: | Little Steven Born Again Savage cover.jpg |
Released: | September 10, 1999 (Renegade Nation website)[1] November 30, 1999 (stores)[2] |
Recorded: | 1994 |
Studio: | Avatar Studios, New York City |
Genre: | Rock |
Length: | 01:01:01 |
Label: | Renegade Nation Pachyderm Records (limited promo) |
Producer: | Little Steven |
Prev Title: | Revolution |
Prev Year: | 1989 |
Next Title: | Soulfire |
Next Year: | 2017 |
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.[3] 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.
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.[4]
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.[5]
In 2019, the album was remastered for release as part of Van Zandt's career-spanning box set . 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.
Little Steven wrote in the liner notes of the album:
All tracks are written by Little Steven.