As it turns out, the real scoop tonight wasn't the legendary singing voice of Southside Johnny and the wonderful, raucous, bawdy, rocking, rhythm and blues of the Asbury Jukes. Indeed, they were just great, but that has come to be expected. No, tonight's story was the mesmerizing and haunting performance of the support act, one Mr. Bobby Strange. With just a lone voice and a black guitar battered with road scars and covered with what appeared to be autographs, this diminutive troubadour from the shores of New Jersey in the U.S.A. managed to grab the total and complete attention --and might I add adoration-- of the sold-out audience.
Mr. Strange's songs were simple yet complex. His voice was edgy and raw yet somehow clear and strong. Carrying the audience through the full spectrum of emotions --love and faith, hopes and fears, and in the end glorious victory-- with the entire audience singing along to the final chorus of his song "sacred ground" all crammed into a half hour ride!
I don't know about Strange's standing back in The States, but judging from the length of the queue awaiting an autograph, cd or t-shirt after the show, this singer/songwriter has a very bright future on this side of the pond!
