Greetings from the UK! What a whirlwind couple of days it has been so far!
After a suprisingly enjoyable ”crossing” (row to myself, upgraded with extra leg room, unlimited wine and some very nice salmon. Thank you, Virgin Atlantic.) I landed at Heathrow at the crack of dawn Friday morning ready to see the Jukes rock London.
Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes, Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London, UK, October 21.2011
Video by: onomedoktor66
We spent the day walking London: Buckingham Palace, the Tate Gallery and the River, Piccadilly Circus, the Xmas lights in Regent Street, Libety’s store, Carnaby Street and though Soho to the Dog and Duck pub. There, and at the show, we met so many great old and new friends: Brian B and Micky; Steve, Kent; Steve, LI; Andy and friends; Deborah and sisters; Shaggy and Mrs Shaggy; the famous Peter Owen; Tony, Leighton Buzzard; Miss October; Wally and Co from Spain and of course Karin. So sorry Liz wasn’t well and that Cavi and Evelien couldn’t come – we’ll see you later.
For reasons which may be apparent, the following may not make much sense. That entirely apart, it was a glorious show (everyone said so). The old Astoria in old Soho is a quintessential London rock club: in a basement, black-painted, with surly door staff and no amenities save an overworked bar, just a floor and a big, high stage. It was packed with fans going utterly crazy; the Jukes were at the top of their game; and South was apparently enjoying it, full of chat and stories and, once the monitors were (promptly, thanks guys) sorted, singing like your wildest dream (“You made me sound like Pavarotti. The looking like Pavarotti I can do for myself”).
SUN 31 OCTOBER; DAY OFF
With a few hours to spare before train-time, we see a few sights – the Millennium Stadium, new home of the FA Cup Final, and Cardiff Castle – then I succumb to the mall and buy a pair of Levis for £15. (But I’ll find out tomorrow that the Jukes can outdo me at bargain shopping – something I would have thought impossible.)
Then it’s back on the train, wash hair, post setlist and change suitcases, ready for the next one…
FRIDAY 29 OCTOBER: THE ASTORIA
Time to show my VIP Euro guests around London. First we call in at brother Doug’s office in Victoria Street (where there’s a very smart building named “Southside”; but Doug’s office is in an undistinguished block around the back) to view his arty b-and-w photos of Asbury Park which are on display there. Then we walk past the Houses of Parliament, over Westminster Bridge (“Earth hath not anything to show more fair”) and along the South Bank of the Thames to the Tate Museum of Modern Art.
By this time my guests are protesting at the pace and are calling me “Speedy Jean”, so we stop to take in the view from the Tate’s terrace, then take the Wobbly Bridge to St Paul’s and the tube back up West for the show.
THURSDAY 28 OCTOBER: BOBBY BANDIERA, THE BORDERLINE
After dropping Mark at Victoria and driving back home, get to bed at 3am; so once more everyone else is still sleeping as I leave to meet Cécile off the Eurostar. But we get back to mine in time to eat and rest up a little before setting off into central London again for Bobby’s show.
The Borderline’s a smokey little club down an alleyway in Soho. It often hosts alt.country acts, so is done out with wagon wheels on the wall and wooden rails round the bar area. It’s a nice, friendly place and is pretty full – just right for a night of high-pitch rock ‘n’ roll.
Gave my arm a rest from writing up the list, but here’s what I remember: Tracey Marie; I Was A Fool; Tell Me (You’re Coming Back To Me); Mexico; Goodbye Blues; Maybelline; Rescue Me; Rebel Rouser and another instrumental featuring Horny Krankenschaft (now we Brits know all about Horny, Cock and Balls); There’s A Reason from Ed; Like A Hurricane (brilliant); Love (Messing With My Mind); Rock ‘n’ Roll City; Boom Boom. Southside got up and played hapr, sang backup ane ended up swapping verses on a segue of The End/C’mon Caroline/Twisting The Night Away and also duetted on Claudine. Bobby was grinning like a devil (he evinced special pleasure at seeing Cécile), practising his English accent (which is getting pretty good, even if it does still tend to veer between mock- Cockney and Scouse) and giving back to joshing from the crowd like he was right at home.
