Along with a surprisingly large number of West London's baby-boomers my brother and I went along to see New Jersey's 2nd finest son (below Bruce, above Bon Jovi)Southside Johnny and his band the Asbury Jukes. I have seen them about four times over the years. My enjoyment has usually hinged on how the soundman has set them up. If he has amped up the horn section I love them, if he has amped up the guitarist (who thinks he is Brian May) then I just like them.
I'm pleased to report the horns got the jump this time - not only that but there were four of them. Southside's financial status at the time dictates how many make the trip. The most I have seen has been five and the least two.
Bizarrely he went on stage at around 8.15 - no Special Guests as the ticket promised. Around 8.20 I was in the kitchen at home and I made a call to see what time he was on. "He already is." came the response!
Luckily a cab was already outside so we only missed about 15 minutes and he played for a further two hours. Endearingly he got the hits out of the way early, oh alright best known ones. By the time he got to the encore he had lost most of his voice and/or got bored with his own stuff. So the guitarist took centre-stage and played various Beatles songs and an Eddie Cochran one (as it was his birthday Southside had just remembered) for about 30 minutes. Despite a career of over 30 years, presumably playing the same set, Southside and his band still behave as if they are having an after-hours party with friends in a New Jersey club. And Southside still has a fantastic rasping voice. They remain one of the great white soul bands who deserve more recognition than they have ever got. They would have been made for life with a spot in the Blues Brothers film for example. Mind you I would have had to go and see them in Wembley Arena if they had done that and Shepherds Bush is so much nearer home.
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