4.74.7 out of 5 stars
3 product ratings

  • 5stars

    2ratings

  • 4stars

    1rating

  • 3stars

    0rating

  • 2stars

    0rating

  • 1star

    0rating

3 reviews

by

The Best of Southside - Epic Years

This is a really good cd. But, it includes only the earliest work of Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes, recorded between 1975 and 79, Basically, the years they recorded for Epic. This includes their first three studio albums and a promotional live album recorded at New York City's the Bottom Line. These include: "I Don't Want To Go Home", "This Time It's For Real" and "Hearts Of Stone".

All of these recordings were produced by Miami Steve VanZandt, who also co-wrote many of the tracks, and was the lead guitarists/backing vocalist for the Asbury Jukes at that time.

During those early years Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes were part of an amazing, R&B infused rock scene that was centered on the New Jersey coastal towns around Asbury Park. The most famous and successful among the collaborating musicians with Southside Johnny Lyons and Miami Steve VanZandt was Bruce Springsteen, who wrote or co-wrote 6 of the 19 tracks on this cd.

However, in '79 VanZandt left the Jukes, focusing on his role as the lead guitarist/backing vocalist and musical collaborator in Springsteen's E-Street Band. And, Epic dropped Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes. Southside didn't stop writing and recording new music, but they never had the same commercial success they enjoyed with Epic.

None of the tracks from non-Epic albums, including "The Jukes", "Love Is A Sacrafice" and the double-live "Reach Up and Touch the Sky" are here. Nor are there anything from the years they operated under the shortened name: Southside Johnny & The Jukes, which includes "Trash It Up" or "At Least We Got Shoes".

While the omission does not reduce the quality of this disc, it's hard to ignore that there's half a ton of good Southside music not included on this disc either.

As a fan, I would have hoped that a second disc could have been included here, that contained work up to 1986.Read full review

Verified purchase:  Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: gohastings

by

Great collection.

Remastered songs sound better than ever. A great collection.

Verified purchase:  Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: wonderbooks

by

GOOD

GOOD MUSIC

Verified purchase:  Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: decluttr_store

Why is this review inappropriate?

Cancel