Freedom – No Compromise


Freedom – No Compromise is the third solo album by Little Steven released in 1987.
Following on the moderate success of Artists United Against Apartheid's "Sun City", Steven Van Zandt's next record was a full-on dance-rock record, verging in places on world music. Bruce Springsteen and Rubén Blades join Van Zandt on lead vocals on "Native American" and "Bitter Fruit", respectively. Politics were even more at the forefront than before, centering on U.S. transgressions in Central America, South Africa, and against Native Americans. By this time, the old Disciples of Soul band had almost completely disappeared.
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 29, 2019 containing five bonus tracks, along with the reissued Bitter Fruit bonus EP.

Track listing

All songs written and arranged by Little Steven
  1. "Freedom" - 5:14
  2. "Trail of Broken Treaties" - 6:05
  3. "Pretoria" - 5:16
  4. "Bitter Fruit" - 6:18
  5. "No More Party's" - 5:40
  6. "Can't You Feel the Fire" - 4:38
  7. "Native American" - 5:38
  8. "Sanctuary" - 6:04

    2019 Digital Deluxe Edition Bonus Tracks

  9. "Bitter Fruit " - 6:48
  10. "Fruta Amarga " - 5:53
  11. "No More Party's " - 5:38
  12. "No More Party's " - 4:18
  13. "Vote Jesse In " - 4:45

    2019 ''"Bitter Fruit"'' Bonus EP

  14. "Bitter Fruit " - 6:48
  15. "Bitter Fruit " - 8:18
  16. "Bitter Fruit " - 6:54
  17. "No More Party's " - 5:38
  18. "No More Party's " - 4:18

    Personnel

Freedom - No Compromise retrospectively received three out of five stars from John Franck of Allmusic. He claims that "...in 1987, Little Steven would release Freedom No Compromise - the E Street-er's third solo record to date. Synth-laden textures, samples, and programming aside, Freedom No Compromise is an ambitious if somewhat over-produced effort. Although, certainly not as accomplished as Steven's sensational debut Men Without Women, the album features some fair to very good material. Overall, a good effort, but not a great one. For a better taste of the artist, spend some quality time with Men Without Women."

Chart Performance

Album

Singles