1978: Live in Boston [Live]

Southside Johnny | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 15, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Airline Records
• ASIN: B00157OIBE
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #259,608 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. This Time It's For Real

2. Love On The Wrong Side Of Town

3. Got Me Where She Wants

4. Talk To Me

5. Next To You

6. Trapped Again

7. The Fever

8. I Don't Want To Go Home

9. Having A Party

10. The Time Baby's Gone For Good

11. When You Dance

12. Stagger Lee

13. Santa Claus Is Back In Town

14. Merry Christmas Baby

Editorial Reviews

SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY & THE ASBURY JUKES were at a crucial point in their career when they performed the concert heard on this live album. Two months earlier, they had released their third album, HEARTS OF STONE, the most critically acclaimed album they ever made. Like its predecessors, I DON'T WANT TO GO HOME and THIS TIME IT'S FOR REAL, HEARTS OF STONE was produced by Miami Steve Van Zandt and featured songs writted by Van Zandt and Bruce Springsteen. Both of the band's first two albums had been moderate sellers - HEARTS OF STONE need to be a bigger seller to advance the Jukes, but as of December 23, it was just becoming apparent that this might not happen; the LP stumbled in the charts, and no single had emerged. If the band was apprehensive about its future, however, that only translated into a more fervent performance in Boston. The set includes four selections from the new album, among them the Southside/Springsteen/Van Zandt composition TRAPPED AGAIN, and the Southside signature song, THE FEVER, here given an 11-plus minute reading. The show ends, inevitably, with a pair of Christmas songs that have not appeared on any previous Southside Johnny collection. It all sounds like a triumphant evening with a tight band and its bantam frontman playing well before an enthusiastic audience.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the greatest Live shows ever!!!!, May 4, 2008

By 

Obiburner (Bend, ORUnited States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 1978: Live in Boston (Audio CD)

Although not titled the same, this is in fact the Live at the Paradise Theatre Boston, Massachusetts December 23, 1978 with a different cover as well. It also has a much nicer price.

It's great to see this outstanding show re-released. If you've never heard SSJ & AJ, this should be your introduction. It was mine, and since then, I've collected every SSJ & AJ recording I could locate.

Johnny delivers the kind of sound I grew up with in the mid-60's to early 70's from some of the great Soul & R&B singers of that period, including Motown & Stax records artists, but expands those songs with what has been later described as the "Jersey" sound of the Boss and the E Street Band.

If any of you have seen the movie or heard the soundtrack of the Commitments, this album will remind you of the premise of the movie, you don't need to be black to sing the soulful blues. Many "blue eyed" soul singers have tried, think Michael Bolton, and failed, again, think Michael Bolton.

Johnny is one of the few who can deliver the same heart wrenching vocals on the ballads, and the same energy on Rhythm & Blues infused, trumpet blaring numbers that will remind you of the greats like James Brown, Wilson Pickett, The Ike and Tina Turner Review, and Otis.

When I wrote my first review of the earlier release, I was ignorant of the involvement of the Boss and Steve Van Zandt in the writing of many of the early Jukes numbers played in this show. Since then, I've learned of the intertwining of the Boss's songs, Steve's writings and producing of the Jukes, and the early days of the small clubs they all played together before their recording careers took off.

My favorite number on this CD is Johnny's interpretation of Bruce's "Fever". I've heard the studio version, and another live version by Johnny which lack the emotion packed into the 11 plus minute cover. Bruce's studio recording which wasn't released until decades later is also lacking in the bluesy soulful manner of Johnny's delivery in this performance. In one of my favorite E Street Band live performances, from Winterland in 1978, which was broadcast on the Radio to promote the concert tour, while a good performance of this number, it pales besides Johnny in this 1978 live show. Johnny's version is one I have on all of my various Ipods regardless of their storage capacity.

If after hearing this album you want more of Johnny and the Jukes, which I expect you will, grab these albums as well:
1. I Don't Want to Go Home
2. This Time It's for Real
3. Hearts of Stone
4. At Least We Got Shoes
5. Better Days
6. Love is a Sacrifice

Amazon's DRM Free Download service has a great selection of Johnny and the Jukes available so check them out.

You can check out the history of Johnny at Wikipedia, and see all of the artists he's influenced like Jon Bon Jovi, and learn why, via bad luck with recording studios going under, Johnny did not hit the pinnacle of public fame he rightly deserved. But don't let fame or lack there of be confused with talent. Otherwise, you will miss out on some great artists, Johnny included.

Instead, check out your favorite artists and see who they listen to, or were influenced by. If you're a Boss fan, you'll love Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes.

Support these lesser known or "successful" artists by availing yourself of re-releases of their work. Buy their CD's or legally download their on line offerings.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Old show, new title, April 20, 2008

By 

Andrea Ciarlo "Snoopy1954" (Firenze, Italy) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 1978: Live in Boston (Audio CD)

Please check your CD collection. In my opinion this CD is the re-issue of "Live at the Paradise Th. Boston, Massachussetts December 23, 1978" printed years ago from Phoenix Gems Label. It was a legitimate issue but this label doesn't exist anymore.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Live Southside Johnny Recording, March 30, 2010

By 

The Footpath Cowboy "rockerusa2002" (Kingston, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: 1978: Live in Boston (24bt) (Audio CD)

1978: LIVE IN BOSTON (24BT) is a great recording of Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes in concert. Unlike REACH UP AND TOUCH THE SKY, which was culled from several shows, this is one seamless live performance, making it the preferable live Southside Johnny CD to own. If you love Southside's first three studio albums, you'll love this one.