Love on the Wrong Side of Town

'The past is never past. The past is always present." 

Bruce Springsteen

I'm comin' back, back for what's mine"
Little Steven (Miami Steve) Van Zandt

Bringing me back here is release of Little Steven's "Soulfire," a record that harkens back to the glorious sounds of Asbury Park.

My favorite album from that era, Southside Johnny's "This Time's it's for Real," is muddy and drenched in Shore Soul. And it's glorious.

"Soulfire" is an update of those sounds, although with a fresh kick, sonically and otherwise. Of course, covering two gems from that Jukes' album (including the monumental "Some Things Just Don't Change") helps things along material-wise. But it's universally strong, the only flaw is just a bit too much reliance on lyric-repeating backup vocalists.

So, I've gone back to 'This Time," when the world held so much possibility, so much hope.

So long ago.

On this Memorial Day, I am revisiting those days (see my thoughts on the real meaning of Memorial here), while looking to the new chapter about to begin.

"Soulfire" is sort of musical rebirth for Van Zandt. Musically, he didn't need a second chance; his first chance was a home run. With Springsteen, with the Jukes, his solo stuff.

Someone of us need a second chance. But we have to make the conscious decision to go after the opportunity.

All it takes is some guts. May the future have as much clarity as "Soulfire."