Longtime Central Jersey Iconoclast Andy Bernstein Releases Xmas Song

Written By Mike Greenblatt

“Xmas Eve On Venice Beach,” by Andy B.AND SoulFolk, is the latest from one of Central Jersey’s longest-lasting characters, Andy Bernstein, a.k.a. Andy B, a singer-songwriter-percussionist. He was, is, and likely will forever be, a member of Roots Rockers The VooDUDES. He labels his current sound "Garageband Americana," likening it to the summers he saw Levon & The Hawks (later The Band) down the shore.

In 2017, Andy produced My Roots Are Showing, a collection of original tunes with John Pittas that garnered him slots in the Light Of Day festival, Lebanon Blues & Rock Festival, and the Texas Indie Showcase in Austin during 2019 SXSW. His showcase performance resulted in a distribution deal with Indie On Air Records who promoted the next collection of original recordings Look What The Cat Dragged In, also produced with John Pittas.

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From the 20+ players on his first recording, Andy selected four for the SoulFolk record. Unfortunately, the  label did not survive the pandemic. While waiting for the return of rights for his second album, Andy and John began a third recording of story-songs, Telling Myself Weird Li’l Stories, with guitarist Gary Ambrosy, bassist Paul Daloia, drummer/percussionist Bill Homeyer, keyboardist Matty Hahn and vocalist Barbara Homeyer-Hahn. "Xmas Eve on Venice Beach" chronicles the adventures of three Jersey Boys set loose on Santa Night on the notorious Venice Beach with animation by Cary Miller.

Expect a spring 2024 album release with live dates in the mid-Atlantic region. The repertoire is original Andy with his tribute to Hub City's Harpist Queen, the late Big Nancy Swarbuck, and her weekly residence at the defunct Court Tavern in New Brunswick. There’s also a Door-sy reading of Motown’s first hit, "Money (That's What I Want)," 1959, written by Berry Gordy for Barrett Strong. And Newark Bluesman Juke Joint Jonny is featured on a spooky but soulful version of the 1905 New Orleans whorehouse classic, "House of the Rising Son."

Mike Greenblatt

MIKE GREENBLATT has been writing for Goldmine magazine and New Jersey's Aquarian Weekly for more than 35 years. His writing subjects fill the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

He's interviewed Joe Cocker, Graham Nash, David Crosby, Carlos Santana, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Johnny Cash, and members of The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. He was 18 when he attended Woodstock in 1969.

In addition to writing about music, Greenblatt has worked on publicity campaigns for The Animals, Pat Benatar, Johnny Winter, Tommy James and Richard Branson, among others. He is currently the editor of The Jersey Sound.

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