Southside Johnny – Grapefruit Moon

Southside’s tribute to one of his favourite songwriters, but also a pet sound: big band music. The idea to marry the brassy, ballsy sound of a big band to Tom Waits’ cinematic, character-driven songs has been sitting in the back of Southside’s mind for some time.

Grapefruit Moon features Southside’s take on 12 songs written by Tom Waits and his wife Kathleen Brennan. Southside is backed here by LaBamba’s Big Band, and LaBamba truly outdid himself on these massive arrangements.

Tom Waits himself guests on one track, dueting with Johnny on “Walk Away,” their vocals recorded together at a California studio. Otherwise, the sessions took place in New York and New Jersey in 2005 and 2006, with numerous horn players and musicians including Jerry Vivino, Eddie Manion, Art Baron, Mark Pender, Mike Spengler, Jeff Kazee, Charlie Giordano, Shawn Pelton, Bobby Bandiera and more.

The vocals of the South, the big band arrangements of LaBamba, the songs of Tom Waits is an ambitious project and brilliantly executed.

TRACKLISTING
Yesterday Is Here
Down, Down, Down
Walk Away
Please Call Me Baby
Grapefruit Moon
All The Time In The World
Tango Till They’re Sore
Johnsburg, Illinois
New Coat Of Paint
Shiver Me Timbers
Dead And Lovely
Temptation