Southside, Asbury Jukes reprise album at Pony show, by Kelly-Jane Cotter • MUSIC WRITER • July 3, 2008 – A classic album of Jersey Shore rock ‘n’ roll will be brought to life, track by sweaty track, when Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes return to The Stone Pony today.
What better way to commemorate the 30th anniversary of “Hearts Of Stone,” the third and final album the band recorded for the Columbia label?
Released in 1978, “Hearts Of Stone” remains a source of pride to Southside Johnny Lyon, who calls it “the apex of the early Jukes” and “the culmination of everything we tried to do,” as quoted on the fan site www.asburyjukes.net.
“We’d learned enough to make a professional record,” Lyon said, “but weren’t too jaded!”
Rolling Stone magazine agreed, ranking the album among its Top 100 of the ’70s.
“Hearts Of Stone” is as much a credit to E Streeters as it is to the Jukes. Of the album’s nine songs, Steven Van Zandt penned six, Bruce Springsteen two, and they collaborated with Lyon for the remaining song. Max Weinberg plays drums.
What makes “Hearts Of Stone” so good is what makes Southside & the Jukes stand apart from other blue-eyed-soul singers and horn-driven R&B bands. It is sincere, unprocessed and un-slick. It’s full of heat, a summertime record featuring musicians with serious chops. The album is for real. The cover photo depicts the young Lyon without his trademark shades, which is enough to stop you in your tracks.
The 1978 line-up for the Jukes featured Billy Rush, lead and rhythm guitars; Kevin Kavanaugh, keyboards; Aland Berger, bass; Max Weinberg, drums; Steven Van Zandt, vocals and rhythm and lead guitar; Bob Muckin and Rick Gazda, trumpets; Stan Harrison, tenor sax; Richie “La Bamba” Rosenberg, trombone; and Ed Manion, baritone sax.
Ocean Grove’s very own Southside Johnny Lyon, lead vocalist and harmonica player, then and now, is still at it. The latest Jukes album is set for release In September. It is a tribute to Tom Waits — “Grapefruit Moon.”
The performance of “Hearts Of Stone” will serve as the first of two sets by Southside & the Jukes today.
The show also includes music inside the Pony by Casey Henry at 5:30 p.m., Cool Days End at 6:15 p.m. and Boccigalupe & the Bad Boys at 11 p.m. Opening will be The Bob Burger Band.
Tickets are $30 in advance, available through Ticketmaster, or $35 at the door. Doors open at 5 p.m. for this all-ages show.
The Stone Pony is at 913 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park.
The track listing for “Hearts Of Stone” follows, along with each song’s author:
1. “Got To Be A Better Way Home” (Steven Van Zandt)
2. “This Time Baby’s Gone For Good” (Van Zandt)
3. “I Played The Fool” (Van Zandt)
4. “Hearts Of Stone” (Bruce Springsteen)
5. “Take It Inside” (Van Zandt)
6. “Talk to Me” (Springsteen)
7. “Next To You” (Van Zandt)
8. “Trapped Again” (Springsteen, Johnny Lyon, Van Zandt)
9. “Light Don’t Shine” (Van Zandt)
COPYRIGHT (c) THE ASBURY PARK PRESS 2008
