'Some Things Just Don't Change'

It's nice to always have something or someone you can rely on. Tomorrow night Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes are playing at the Shepherds Bush Empire, London. Let's see, how many times have I seen Southside play over the years? I'm so old I can't remember, it must be close to 20 or so... the thing is, every show is great, it's like meeting up with a good old friend once a year. Long may the Jukes keep going!

Ok, I'm getting in the mood now... Another piece of rare Southside video from 1978 - a classic good time Sam Cooke song, performed here to the max with guests Bruce Springsteen, Steve Van Zandt and Roy Bittan.

Havin' A Party - Southside Johnny And The Asbury Jukes
Wait, there's more... From the Official website, a great free mp3 download of Hearts of Stone that mixes Johnny's classic 1978 vocal with Springsteen's original version (which wasn't released from the vaults until 1998!). To my ears, having known the separate versions for years, this made up virtual duet sounds a bit weird, but it's interesting in a 'what if' kind of way.

Update (9pm): It's spooky! A DVD of one of my favourite 80's movies Adventures In Baby Sitting turned up in my postbox today. That's not weird since I'd ordered it and was expecting it, but the funny thing is I've just remembered that Southside and the band are in it - they play themselves in a nightclub scene. I'll watch it before I go to bed tonight. The film stars the lovely Elizabeth Shue as the babysitter of the title, and amidst all of the action and comedy the male teen lead forms a crush on her. Sigh, I remember feeling the same way when I first saw it all those years ago. Oh, yes, and 'Thor' the Mighty God of Thunder is in it as well! Does entertainment ever come any better than this?