April 7, 2019

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Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes brought a little bit of the Jersey Shore to the newly named MGM Center Stage, formerly the Hard Rock Rocksino, on Friday night.

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The sold-out audience were singing and dancing along with The Jukes from the very first note.  

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As with every Southside Johnny show, there is a handwritten list of songs that may be played that evening and placed on the stage.  It really isn't a set list because there is no real order and audibles can be called at any time.

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For example, "Cadillac Jack" was towards the bottom of the list, yet it was the fourth song they played.

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When Ohio native keyboardist/organist Jeff Kazee, who happened to be wearing script Ohio t-shirt, mentioned that it was great to be home, Johnny asked if he knew any Ohio songs?  Kazee immediately went into the Ohio State Fight Song which then, of course segued into a full band rendition of "Hang On Sloopy."

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Neither were on the set list.

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All of the classic tunes that you would expect to hear were played:  "Walk Away Renee," "Trapped Again" and "I Don't Want To Go Home" were sprinkled throughout the set.

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Friend and fellow Garden State native, Bruce Springsteen was well represented as the band played "The Fever," "Talk To Me" and "Sherry Darling."

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The band was having a great time on stage and each member got a moment in the spotlight to play a short or extended solo.

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It was a fun, good-time rock and roll show.  No frills, just good music that gets your toes tapping.

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The two-hour show came to a close with their great cover of Sam Cooke's "Having A Party."

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Boston native Adam Ezra played a great, but short four song set of original tunes to open the show.  

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