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Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes: This Time It's for Real (Epic)

Susin Shapiro, Circus, 8 September 1977

CERTAIN TRADITIONS should not be allowed to tarnish, and the tradition of bar bands is one of the populist heirlooms that should go on glowing forever, if only to keep us in touch with each other. Nothing can inspire such allegiance as a band that has been adopted as a favorite — a band to which you can dance and drink and one whose members are plucked from the neighborhood candy store. Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes are defenders of that tradition, staunch carriers of the R&B torch, and, as such, they deserve more than a share of affection and loyalty. They may never get it outside the inner cities unless they turn to CB-radio music. Thank God they haven't tried — some things are better off pure, if poor.

Total word count of piece: 991

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