Southside Johnny.com: John's Jive

I know, I know, I'm a lazy procrastinating, useless old bozo...Haven't written anything new for the site in MONTHS! Well, I'VE BEEN BUSY sorta, kinda. Garry T. and I finally finished the CD, the artwork got done, and the sucker has been manufactured and is in the hands of our fearless distribution people as we speak. If all goes as planned, and BILL DURBOROW doesn't screw up, the new Cd "Messin' With the Blues" will be available at the web site store on Thanksgiving day...two turkeys in one day, what a wonderful woild.

I am extremely pleased with the way it came out (and anyone who knows me, knows how rarely that happens), and can't wait to do the songs live. As time permits (in other words as soon as I play 1000 more games of solitaire on my computer...help!, I'm addicted!), I will write a little blurb for each song explaining why I picked it or what prompted me to write it.

I can't say enough about the guys who played on the record. Bobby Bandiera may be the easiest musician to work with in the studio I've ever seen. He's always up, focused, has no ego, and Plays His Ass Off! Wait till you hear the solo's... I mean, the man's flat hits it. I'd be lost without him. Jeff Kazee was a sterling example of looooooseness and adaptability. Remember; he's never worked with me in the studio before, and most of the songs were made up and recorded on the spot....a hair-raising proposition for most musicians, but not
Jeff, no sir; he just closed his eyes and played, and came up with the perfect parts and riffs. A true Juke all the way. Garry Tallent was Garry Tallent...nuff said. Don't come no better. We used a guy Named Chucki Burke on drums. He's played with all the R&B greats like Bobby Bland and B.B. King, and we wanted someone steeped in that tradition who would know what to play before we did. He truly delivered and kept the groove going even when we weren't sure how the song was going to begin or end. Thanks, Chucki. The Horns, wellll,
what can I say. They did all of their parts in a day and a half, played great, were full of helpful ideas, and didn't drive me so crazy that I had to kill them all. What more can you ask for? There were a number of others who helped out, but I think I'll save them for the next jive.

I guess all that's left to say is I hope you like the CD. See you New Year's.