The covers of Vols. 2-3 of “Heart of Gold: The Songs of Neil Young.”
A new Neil Young tribute album includes a recording of Southside Johnny and Bobby Bandiera performing Young’s politically charged “Rockin’ in the Free World”; you can listen to it below.
I am trying to find out when and where the song was recorded and will update this post if I do. Southside Johnny has not toured or presented concerts since retiring from touring in late 2024. The only public appearance of his that I am aware of, since then, was when he made a guest appearance with Bandiera at a gig at The Elbow Room Bar + Kitchen in Bradley Beach in May of this year.
Bandiera was Southside’s guitarist, backing vocalist and right-hand man in his Asbury Jukes band from 1986 to 2000, and the two also frequently did shows together as a duo
Heart of Gold: The Songs of Neil Young, came out in April 25, 2025, with contributors including Brandi Carlile, Eddie Vedder and The Doobie Brothers. This has now been followed by Vol. 2 and Vol. 3 of the series, both released on Nov. 6 of this year. Other artists on Vols. 2-3 include Los Lobos, Ann Wilson of Heart, Peter Frampton, Modest Mouse, My Morning Jacket, Lucinda Williams, Cold War Kids, and Kurt Vile & the Violators.
I have embedded two other songs from Vol. 2, Jesse Malin’s “Pocahontas” and Dramarama’s “Kinda Fonda Wanda,” below, along with “Rockin’ in the Free World.”
Proceeds from all the albums will benefit The Bridge School in Hillsborough, California, which was co-founded by Young to offer education for children with severe speech and physical disabilities.
Click HERE for more on the albums.
Here are the songs:
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