WowMe: Jersey Christmas Smiles…

Mr Pete has a special holiday post which ties to his (and my) Jersey roots. It’ll make you smile with a soundtrack that’ll lift your spirits. Enjoy! —the editor

“Everybody knows Christmas ain’t Christmas till the world smiles again…

During COVID, Jersey Boy, Bruce “The Boss” Springsteen made the world a promise, to throw the biggest party when this is over.

Explained Springsteen:

“Since I was 16, playing live has been a deep and lasting part of who I am, and how I justify my existence here on earth… When the world shut down I made a promise that, if we got through this, I’d throw the biggest party I could.”

Amen, brother!

For those of us who couldn’t score tickets to Bruce’s latest non-stop party, we have an opportunity to crash it/stream it via a documentary titled “Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band” available on both Hulu and Disney+.

You know, there’s nothing like a dose of The Boss to boost the spirits…

Here are a couple of clips for your listening pleasure.

Let’s start with “Merry Christmas Baby” – a live performance from 2002 Late Night with Conan O’Brien.

This one, “Blue Christmas,” was recorded in 2010 at The Carousel in Asbury Park, New Jersey.

Keepin’ it in Jersey…

Diggin’ the theme of Jersey and shore music, here’s another delightful “gift.” It is a book that was released in the middle of 2024, that I found absolutely fantastic.

By New York Times reporter Nick Corasaniti, with a forward by Bruce Springsteen, “I Don’t Wanna Go Home: The Oral History of The Stone Pony” is basically audio tapes interviews/conversations put into written word. This from the people who were actually there —People who lived and breathed the birth, growing pains and glorious comeback of this legendary nightclub.

Which Flows to Southside…

I’m very proud of my Jersey roots with so much good “sound” to boast about and enjoy.

This year, three (3!!) Live CDs of Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes were released. These recordings are from 1977 and 1978 which to me were their PRIME Years.

As a young man in high school, I often listen and taped their New Year’s shows that/ were broadcasted over NYC-based WNEW-FM.

The first two CDs featured special guest Ronnie Spector who also did a one-off 45 single of the Billy Joel song “Say Goodbye to Hollywood” in 1977.

The first CD is called Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes; Live in Cleveland ‘77

Ms. Spector performs her single here, while the Jukes perform their cover of the Sam Cooke song “Having A Party” This was taped on May 2nd (memorable date in my world—hint, hint).

The second CD comes from a sort of Homecoming date as it was taped on 14 June 1977 at The Bottom Line in NYC. This was most likely broadcast of WNEW-FM, Here we are treated to a wonderful mini concert from Spector, as she does five of her hit songs:

“Baby I Love You”
“Walking in the Rain”
“Say Goodbye to Hollywood”
“Be My Baby”
“You Mean So Much to Me”

Here again the Jukes perform their closing bit: “Having a Party/ I Don’t Wanna Go Home”

The last CD was issued this past November.

Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes: Sold Out – Live at the CAPITAL THEATER Passaic New Jersey December 30th 1978

The New Years shows at this time had become so popular that a pre-show was added. WNEW-FM broadcast the December 31st, which featured Rockabilly act Robert Gordan, and the return of Bruce Springsteen from a year long self exile from live performance due to a lawsuit involving his first manager.

In this CD, Johnny performs Otis Redding’s “Merry Christmas Baby.” He also covers Sam Cooke’s “Bring it Back Home to Me.” The Jukes finish the show with their cover of Lloyd Price, “Stagger Lee.”

That’s a Wrap!

To finish this Holiday WowMe here is an audio track of a song that I bought as a 45 and a cassette single. It was a FM radio staple during the holidays back in the mid 1970s. For your listening pleasure, I present the late Clarence Clemmons doing his Santa bit (HoHoHo!).

Thanks for reading and listening with me (us!) Happy Holidays!! — Mr Pete and Annie (AKA the editor)

About Mr Pete

A music aficionado, Mr. Pete’s mind and ears have no horizons. He has the uncanny ability to suss out the right song for the right time — a skill that is truly amazing. The Gang here at Jedemi enjoys his contributions.

Listen Up! Tunes for you…