Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes Pills And Ammo !010

Southside Johnny might not be the maiden name you'd come up with in 2011, and who could charge you. But the new departure from this blues-rock and R&B stalwart is rather good.

Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes released three classic records between 1976 and 1978. I Don't Want To Go Home 1976, This Time It's For Real 1977, and especially Hearts Of Stone 1978 were all fine examples of rocking blues and soul done right.

All three also benefited from Steve Van Zant's writing, guitar and production, and the occasional Springsteen writing credit. In the eighties Southside (or his producers) lost the way and made some pretty regrettable records. But in 1991 Van Zant returned to do Better Days, and although it didn't return Southside all the way to his old glory, it's another good one. The disc company went bust while he was touring the record. Bad luck. During the final decade Southside Johnny has self-released a list of live Jukes records (I haven't heard them) as good as some good studio material, Into The Harbour 2005 is really good, and features Jeff Kazee on keyboards and songwriting, who also collaborates on the new one. From 2001, Messin' With The Blues is excellent, with Johnny blowing a lot of harp, and cover an especially well-chosen set of blues chestnuts. It's outstanding, and the best thing he's done since those first three.

Much of the classic Jukes sound is entire on this new one, and Southside's collaborator, Jeff Kazee, provides solid songwriting, keyboards, and production. Bobby Bandiera and Andy York provide rocking guitars, and the big horn sound of the Jukes is in place. Eddie Manion and La Bamba are still doing it on baritone sax and trombone, and the horns are as fast as ever.

Southside Johnny's voice is a little more ragged, but he's still a soulfull singer, and with good material he can always keep up his end of the bargain.

Bluesy rockers Harder Than It Looks and Mark That Line kick things off with high energy. The stomping blues of Woke Up This Morning follows, and it benefits from some killer harmonica from Johnny and a hot lead guitar. Lead Me On is a classic Southside ballad, with big emotions pouring out of Johnny's vocal.Strange Strange Feeling is a dangerous sounding blues that gets another fine vocal. Umbrella In My Drink finds it's way down to New Orleans with a guest vocal duo with Gary US Bonds. A Point Where I Can't Be Found is another good blues highlighting the trumpet section. Most of the balance is good, too, with rockers Keep On Moving and One More Night To Shake leading the pack.

The ring is in fine form, the songs are good, and Johnny's pouring it all out. If you always liked this band, they're still active and kicking.