By Tom Semioli

 

Before the Boss and his E Street Band came to define the patented sound of a certain Jersey Shore metropolis, therein ruled one of rock ‘n’ roll’s greatest rhythm and bar bands: Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes. As I was witness, woe to any ensemble that followed Messrs. Lyon, Little Steven, and the mighty Miami Horns in concert.

 

Akin to the manner in which the British Invasion bands reminded and re-educated us Yanks of our storied musical history – The Jukes avidly turned my generation on to Ray Charles, Solomon Burke, and The Ronettes to cite select few. With his no frills Fender Jazz, founding bassist Alan Berger was flawless; soulfully swinging the massive, and oft maniacal Jukes akin to the Basie, Miller, and Dorsey Big Bands of my parents’ era. Yet Berger and his mates also piled their craft with the rock ‘n’ roll fervor of the Rolling Stones and The Animals. 

 

The Jukes first three releases: I Don’t Want to Go Home (1976), This Time It’s For Real (1977), and Hearts of Stone (1978) are among the most lasting and finest albums of their era and genre. Though they never enjoyed the commercial success they so richly deserved, Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes were a tremendous influence on blue collar rockers far beyond the hallowed stage of the sanctified Stone Pony!

 

Alan Berger Sound & Vision

“Trapped Again” https://youtu.be/03-CW89SSW4

“I Don’t Wanna Go Home” https://youtu.be/D7JeaeElcQg

“Talk To Me” https://youtu.be/oyHdnYmqt0o

 

 

Courtesy of Richard Davis Com

 

As one of the world’s premier bass players, Davis’s music has touched the lives of countless fans, and his teaching has inspired generations of students in the classroom as well as with the Richard Davis Foundation for Young Bassists, Inc., which provides musical instruction for financially challenged youth. While the jazz master and professor could’ve ended his renowned biography there, his passion for social justice, for the healing of racism, has changed the lives of those who have accepted his invitation to open their hearts, minds and spirits to the history and pathology of racism within.” Neil Heinen,  Madison Magazine

 

A master jazz and classical bassist (Leonard Bernstein), solo recording artist, composer, collaborator, and educator at the University of Wisconsin in Madison; Richard Davis’ body of work as sideman span important, watershed recordings by Eric Dolphy, Ahmad Jamal, Kenny Burrell, Tony Williams, Andrew Hill, Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Orchestra, George Benson, Stan Getz, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, and Billy Cobham to cite a select few.

 

Davis began his career as a bassist in high school. A member of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, Richard migrated to New York City in the 1950s, and anchored Sarah Vaughan’s ensembles. 

 

Richard served as the rhythmic and melodic foil for Van Morrison on one pop music’s greatest recordings, Astral Weeks (1968).  He also worked with pop artists Bruce Springsteen, Laura Nyro, and Frank Sinatra. In 1977 Davis commenced his career as a jazz instructor at University of Wisconsin-Madison. 

 

Richard Davis Sound & Vision….

 

Van Morrison “Madame George” https://youtu.be/FjSzsu9y9gY

 

Bruce Springsteen “Meeting Across the River” https://youtu.be/c6OAtvjSf1Y

 

Richard Davis / Elvin Jones “Shiny Stockings” https://youtu.be/FTnrNqCoFeQ

 

Richard Davis “What’d Ya Say” https://youtu.be/s_d1GIsXmDM

 

Richard Davis “Now’s The Time” https://youtu.be/0JdvW-1g3-4

 

Eric Dolphy “Something Sweet Something Tender” https://youtu.be/rUNDPUIac4E

 

 

Born in Detroit, Michigan – a locale renowned for bass players, Garry W. Tallent is the longest tenured member of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band – and aside from the late, great Clarence Clemons, the cat with the most soul among the Jersey collective! 

 

Garry migrated to the Jersey Shore in his teens in the 1960s, befriending “Southside” Johnny Lyon, and original E Street drummer Vini Lopez while in high school. Talent honed his chops in local bands; Little Melvin & The Invaders which featured Clarence, The Jaywalkers with Steve Van Zandt, and Glory Road with David Sancious – all central figures in the Springsteen camp.

 

A disciple of Sir Paul, Bill Wyman, Duck Dunn, and James Jamerson and an avid record collector (over 10,000 LPs and 45s) – Tallent’s talent is borne of his reverence and reference for the history of recorded music in the formats of rhythm & blues, soul, pop, British Invasion, Motown, Stax, Muscle Shoals, and Nashville traditional and contemporary country, to cite a select few.

 

Weapons of Choice: Garry was an early adopter of Leo’s MusicMan Stingray Nowadays uses a Spector NS-2J short scale on stage. In Bruce’s early years Tallent worked the Jerry Jones Longhorn and on latter day Bruce sides he has recorded with a ’63 Fender Precision and a ’63 Fender Jazz.  In the 1980s Gary turned to the fretless quite frequently – among his instruments sans metal strips included a ’65 Guild Starfire and Spector. 

 

When he is not anchoring the E Street Band, Garry is also recording artist, and an acclaimed producer: Jim Lauderdale, Steve Forbert, and The Delevantes and among his clientele. Tallent also anchored pivotal platters by Ian Hunter, Southside Johnny, Marshall Crenshaw, and Gary US Bonds. In 2019 Garry released his second solo side More Like Me.

 

 

Garry Tallent Sound & Vision:

 

With Bruce….

 

“Ghosts” https://youtu.be/Lo5QNcFioZ4

 

“Letter to You” https://youtu.be/AQyLEz0qy-g

 

“Ties That Bind” https://youtu.be/2cPjKtcQDpk

 

“Lucky Day” https://youtu.be/gO7vFDfhDHw

 

“Radio Nowhere” https://youtu.be/MtrOYsNCPmg

 

“Fire” https://youtu.be/jEKquOrJiAI

 

Garry with…

 

Gary U.S. Bonds “This Little Girl Is Mine” https://youtu.be/X90dxTyz1GU

 

Ian Hunter “Cleveland Rocks” https://youtu.be/6u9DrPx_er8

 

Southside Johnny “Better Days” https://youtu.be/bJnGv8M0v8Q

 

Garry solo …

 

“More Like Me” https://youtu.be/_wlUFPLydTk

 

“Stay Away” https://youtu.be/623Y8XYM–4