Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes - I Don't Want to Go Home

When Bruce Springsteen first rose to fame in the mid-'70s, more than a few critics were bemused by the prospect of a rock star from Asbury Park, NJ, one of the Garden State's less scenic locales, but when Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes dropped their classic debut album I Don't Want To Go Home the same year as Born To Run, for a moment it seemed as if the Jersey Shore could be the secret center of the rock & roll universe. At its best, I Don't Want To Go Home sounds like the work of the greatest bar band in the history of the world; pumping out superb covers of lesser-known R&B classics (with Lee Dorsey and Ronnie Spector on hand to contribute guest vocals) as well as like-minded originals; the Jukes are admirably tough but versatile on this record, adding the right touch of swagger on "How Come You Treat Me So Bad" and "Broke Down Piece of Man" while sounding suitably heartbroken on the title cut and generally proving they can play anything they set their minds to and make it cook. Read More