Men Without Women is the debut solo studio album by American musician Steven Van Zandt, credited as Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul. It was released on October 1, 1982 by EMI America. The title track was inspired by the Ernest Hemingway collection of short stories of the same name.
In 1980, Van Zandt produced Dedication, a comeback album for singer Gary U.S. Bonds. Gary Gersh, who was in charge of the Bonds album at EMI America Records, subsequently approached Van Zandt and indicated that the label would be interested in a Van Zandt solo project.[3] In November 1981, Van Zandt began recording the album at The Power Station, using musicians from the E Street Band, the Asbury Jukes and the Miami Horns. Among the songs recorded at these sessions were "Inside of Me", "Princess of Little Italy" and "I've Been Waiting," the last of these originally written by Van Zandt for the Jukes album Hearts of Stone. Bruce Springsteen also took part in these sessions, providing backing vocals on "Angel Eyes", "Until The Good Is Gone" and "Men Without Women". Springsteen’s contributions, however, went uncredited but have been confirmed in interview by Van Zandt.[4][5][6]
Before finishing Men Without Women, Van Zandt produced a second Bonds album, On the Line, and also began recording Born in the U.S.A. with Springsteen. By Summer 1982, Van Zandt had recruited his own band, the Disciples of Soul, featuring drummer Dino Danelli and bassist Jean Beauvoir, and it was this line up that completed the album, recording "Under the Gun" and "Lyin' in a Bed of Fire". Van Zandt had also decided to adopt the pseudonym Little Steven, partly to distance himself from any Springsteen comparisons and partly as a tribute to Little Richard and Little Walter. On July 18, 1982, Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul made their live debut at the Peppermint LoungeinNew York City.[5][7] The concert was filmed for video release and as a companion to the album. On May 13 the film version of Men Without Women was given a European premiere at the Cannes Film Festival.[8]
As a single, "Forever" spent nine weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #63. The album did little better, reaching only #118 on the Billboard 200. A music video for "Forever" was played in heavy rotation on early MTV. "Inside of Me" was later featured on The Sopranos in which Van Zandt himself also starred.[9]
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 October 18, 2019 containing 10 bonus tracks, including the previously unknown studio outtake "Time".
"Princess of Little Italy" (Vin ScelsaHungerthon, 1995 – previously unreleased) - 6:04
"This Time It's for Real" (live at Marquee Club, London, UK, October 18, 1982/Live at Peppermint Lounge, New York, NY, July 18, 1982 – previously unreleased) - 5:26
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