Photo: Gundula Johannsmann
REALROOTSCAFE.COM – On the night of the Hague show, all the Hague’s people who were dressed in Halloween attire went to see Southside Johnny to play at the Horse for the first time. The rock singer from New Jersey, on the road since 1975 with his band The Asbury Jukes, can not yet be written off. This has just been proven once more during the more than 2 hour vibrant show that Johnny and his band performed for an enthusiastic audience.
He had – as he said – a frog in the throat, but hoarse voice or not but: The show must go on! A compelling show with an appealing mix of urban rock, soul and blues.
The audience got to hear no fewer than 25 songs. The first highlight was “Don’t Call Me Baby”, a wonderful soul grinder on a high level. The horn section with four winds has been full up for it. Baritone Sax player Ed Manion had just appeared on The Rock Hall Of Fame Show in New York with a leading role for Bruce Springsteen, Sting and Billy Joel the night before and just flewn in right for Den Haag’s show .
“You really have to realize that each Southside Johnny show is different from the last one on the night before.” That I heard from a Swede, who came down all the way just to attend all the Dutch shows. The night before in Amsterdam’s Paradiso, an all time favorite spot to play for Southside Johnny, (he has been there for almost 10 years in a row) he was playing a completely different set.
The great stomping song “Talk To Me” was the next peak for me. The nine men on stage were producing a spectacular show. “Walk Away Renee” is such a poignant song full of emotion that Johnny brought to a great conclusion and the audience sang along obediently.
A lovely and cheerful adaptation of Tom Waits’ “Tango Till They’re Sore” brought more popular acclaim, with the horn section on their New Orleans-brass again wich caused another great furore. Until the end of the show, not missing “Fever” of course, and the bouncer “We’re Having a Party”, all the joy brought the horse to boil.
Southside Johnny and his men played two encores. But the highlight in between was drummer Joe Belia with a world class and true hilarious acrobate act. Southside Johnny casually and carelessly threw a lolly towards him which he – indeed – caught with his MOUTH. After “Monster Mash” and the R & B classic “Stagger Lee” the show concluded with a sparkling understated version of “Hearts of Stone.
“You are so lovely cheerful” was the comment of Horse-promoter Majel Blondes about the compelling show of the veteran rockers from New Jersey.
For the first time in my life I rode my bike home through the drizzling rain – with a Big Smile!
by Paul Jonker
Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes
Live at Paard van Troje, Den Haag, Netherlands, 31.October 2009
This review has been written for and first published at http://realrootscafe.com (Dutch)
Thanks Paul!