While Bon Jovi was on an extended hiatus, Jon Bon Jovi wasn’t the only to put a solo album. The band’s lead guitarist, Richie Sambora, decided to spread his wings and release a solo album as well. Richie would step out of the shadows and take on the lead vocals as well as most of the guitar duties as well. And like Jon on his solo album, Richie brought along a few friends for the ride including fellow Bon Jovi bandmates, Tico Torres and David Bryan. On bass, he had Tony Levin, but he also had Randy Jackson on one song who also worked on Jon’s solo album too. The biggest guest on the album would be one of his idols, Eric Clapton for Mr. Bluesman.

Speaking of Blues, Richie didn’t stick with the same Bon Jovi sound. He shook things up and focused the album on more of a blues sound and I would say he captured it beautifully. The album would be released on September 3, 1991 and would #36 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #20 on the UK Charts. He would release 3 singles officially as well as one promo single. None went Top 40, but they still had moderate airplay and one single did hit #13 on the Mainstream Rock Charts. Richie might not have sold as many albums as Jon, but for me had the more interesting album of the two.

My version is a Japanese reissue from 2020 and came with the ever cherished OBI strip as well as a bonus track which is the cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “The Wind Cries Mary”. You can’t have a Japanese edition without a bonus track, then it is just an overpriced copy of the CD. I have to say that I think Bon Jovi isn’t the same without Richie for the reason of his backing vocals (and songwriting abilities). His solo work gives us the chance to hear how well Sambora can sing and a chance for his vocals to be front and center. Too band Bon Jovi, the band, didn’t utilize the two singer approach as it wouldn’ve been awesome. But it is and willl albums be Jon’s band so I get it. I am off on a tangent now, so let’s get back to the album.

The album opens with “Rest in Peace”, an atmospheric, bluesy piece that sees Richie sparsely place the licks as David Bryan gives the orchestrated sounds that give it an ethereal tone. Richie’s vocals are sparse as well, sounding angelic and little sad. The song is more of an opening for “Church of Desire” than a song on its own, but the tone is set and we know this is NOT going to be a Bon Jovi style album. When “Church of Desire” comes bleeding in, the tempo picks up, the bluesy riffs keep coming and Richie’s vocals come in strong. The song is polished, all glossy and perfect production which doesn’t make it pure blues, just dashed with its essence. The solo is exciting as it plays for the song while showcasing the talent he is and then the 2nd solo is pure joy as he takes it to another level. The thing we learn from this song is that Richie’s vocals are better than we ever heard as backing vocals with Bon Jovi.

The title track, “Stranger in this Town”, isn’t a ballad, but it is a slowed down blues number. It feels like a Clapton tune which is no surprise as Richie credits Eric Clapton’s playing for teaching him the guitar. But no Clapton here as that comes later. This is a song that Jon Bon Jovi wishes Richie would’ve saved for Bon Jovi because it is that good. Richie’s vocals hit some notes that will make you stand up and cheer as he really gives it his all. It is soulful, a little sexy and makes you want to turn the lights down, light a candle and let yourself sink away in to the music.

The first single off the album was “Ballad of Youth” which went to #63 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #13 on the Mainstream Rock chart. The opening guitar notes are engaging and then when the song kicks in we get a more upbeat tempo song and most rocking of the bunch so far. And this is the song I heard first before the album and it made me stop and take notice. I knew this album was going to be special and unlike anything we’d have expected. An exciting, rocking track that showcases what we have always loved about Richie.

Then with “One Light Burning” we are back to more of the bluesier tinted songs. The percussion on this one is great as there are little bits all over the song. Randy Jackson is on bass for this one and lays down a smooth, slick groove. A softer song which sees Richie get all emotive with this vocals and his playing uses a light brush with pictures of colors painted throughout giving the song layers and textures that add to the beauty of the song.

Richie got to work with Eric Clapton prior to this album and as a result, wrote Eric asking if he’d play on this song and of course Eric agreed. “Mr. Bluesman” is about a young boy who wants to play guitar and why not have Mr. Bluesman himself, do the solo. The song kicks off a little upbeat, but slinks back down to a slower bluesy number. Richie’s vocals on the chorus are striking and his verses give it the blues grit this song needs. Eric comes in and improvises his solo and it is nothing short of spectacular. What I also love about this song is that Tico gets a little drum break as well and he doesn’t disappoint. A really cool song all around.

The next track, “Rosie”, was actually written for the ‘New Jersey’ album and written by Richie, Jon Bon Jovi, Desmond Child and Diane Warren and as a result, it is the most Bon Jovi type song on the album and maybe my least favorite track on the album. It doesn’t really fit with the rest of the songs. It is too upbeat, but it does have a catchy chorus and is a little fun, just not on this album maybe.

“River of Love” gets us back to a little bluesy style with a swamp-boogie type opening and in to maybe more of a Badlands style track. There is some wicked bass work and a good solo, but I don’t know if this is any better than “Rosie” and might the weakest track as it doesn’t really do much for me. It might be a little bluesy, but it doesn’t match the intensity or style of the other tracks.

All is saved with one of my favorite tracks on the album “Father Time”. David does some great orchestration in the opening and then the song crashes in before slowing down as Richie’s vocals get all moody and emotive. The song has a sadness to it as Richie pleads for Father Time to give him more time to be with the woman he loves after she has left him. The highlight I think are David’s keyboards as they give the song such a great atmosphere for Richie’s vocals to play in. The other shining moment is Richie’s vocals as this might be his best performance on the album. You really feel it and feel the warmth.

The original album ends with the hauntingly beautiful “The Answer”. An acoustic ballad sees Richie really dig deep on the vocals. Another stellar performance on the vocals. The song is heartfelt and tender and leaves you feeling complete and satisfied with what you had just witnessed. It was here you realize the greatness that is Richie Sambora and it makes you want to play through the album again and again.

The bonus track is a cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “The Wind Cries Mary” and he takes the bluesiness up a notch with this one. Richie tries to sing it like Jimi, but probably should’ve just been himself. They do a decent enough job, but it is a little dull overall for me except for the solo which Richie did nail and Tico’s drumming during that solo was pretty freaking great as well. Overall, I don’t really want to hear Hendrix covers though. I’d rather hear Hendrix.

Track Listing:

1. Rest in Peace – Keeper
2. Church of Desire – Keeper
3. Stranger In This Town – Keeper
4. Ballad of Youth – Keeper
5. One Light Burning – Keeper
6. Mr. Bluesman – Keeper
7. Rosie – Keeper (1/2 Point)
8. River of Love – Delete
9. Father Time – Keeper
10. The Answer – Keeper
11. The Wind Cries Mary (Bonus Track) – Keeper (1/2 Point)

The Track Score is 9 out of 11 Tracks or 82%.  Richie’s debut solo album was way ahead of expectations for me. Jon might have been the first one with a solo album (I know it is for a movie soundtrack, but still he was first), but Richie delivered the best one.  It felt more like who Richie was as a person and felt more sincere.  Richie really put himself out there and showed that he can do more than play guitar for Bon Jovi.  Songs like the title track, “One Light Burning”, “Father Time” and “The Answer” proved how good he was.  I really dug “Ballad of Youth” and “Mr Bluesman” as well.  This was a solid, consistent album that left me wanting more.  My Overall Score is a 4.5 out of 5.0 Stars as I said, it was better than Jon’s for me which I gave a 4.0 too.  I will admit both were good, this one was better.

NEXT UP: BON JOVI – ‘KEEP THE FAITH’ (1992)

THE BON JOVI COLLECTION SERIES:

1. Bon Jovi – The Albums Box Set (2017)
2. Jon Bongiovi – The Power Station Sessions (1980-1983) (2001)
3. Bon Jovi – Bon Jovi (1984)
4. Bon Jovi – Shot Through the Heart: Live in Cleveland, OH March 17, 1984 FM Broadcast (Bootleg)
5. Bon Jovi – 7800° Fahrenheit (1985)
6. Bon Jovi – Slippery When Wet (1986)
7. Bon Jovi – New Jersey (1988)
8. Bon Jovi – New Jersey: Super Deluxe Edition – Disc 2/DVD (1988)
9. Bon Jovi – “I’ll Be There For You” – Cassette Single (1988)
10. Jon Bon Jovi – Blaze of Glory (1990)
11. Jon Bon Jovi – “Blaze of Glory” – Cassette Single (1990)
12. Richie Sambora – Stranger in this Town (1991)
13. Bon Jovi – Keep the Faith (1992)
14. Bon Jovi – “I Believe” – 7″ Single (1992)
15. Bon Jovi – Crossroads (1994)
16. Bon Jovi – “Please Come Home for Christmas” – CD Single (1994)
17. Bon Jovi – These Days (1995)
18. Bon Jovi – Live From London – DVD (1995)
19. Jon Bon Jovi – Destination Anywhere (1997)
20. Richie Sambora – Undiscovered Soul (1998)
21. Bon Jovi – Crush (2000)
22. Bon Jovi – Live From Osaka E.P. (2000)
23. Bon Jovi – “Thank You For Loving Me” – CD Single (2000)
24. Bon Jovi – The Crush Tour – DVD (2000)
25. Bon Jovi – The Love Songs E.P. (Promo) (2001)
26. Bon Jovi – Tokyo Road: Best of Bon Jovi (2001)
27. Bon Jovi – One Wild Night Live: 1985-2001 (2001)
28. Bon Jovi – Bounce (2002)
29. Bon Jovi – Unauthorized: Rock ‘n Roll Legends – Bootleg DVD (2002)
30. Bon Jovi – This Left Feels Right (2003)
31. Bon Jovi – Target E.P. (2003)
32. Bon Jovi – Wild in the Streets: Unauthorized – Bootleg DVD (2003)
33. Bon Jovi – This Left Feels Right – DVD (2004)
34. Bon Jovi – 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong (Part 1) – (2004)
35. Bon Jovi – 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong (Disc 1, Part 2) – (2004)
36. Bon Jovi – 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong (Disc 2, Part 3) – (2004)
37. Bon Jovi – 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong (Disc 3, Part 4) – (2004)
38. Bon Jovi – 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong (Disc 4, Part 5) – (2004)
39. Bon Jovi – 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong (Disc 5, Part 6) – (2004)
40. Bon Jovi – Have a Nice Day (2005)
41. Bon Jovi – Live from the Have a Nice Day Tour (Walmart Exclusive) (2006)
42. Bon Jovi – Lost Highway (2007)
43. Bon Jovi – Lost Highway: The Concert (2007)
44. Bon Jovi – The Circle (2009)
45. Bon Jovi – When We Were Beautiful Documentary DVD (2009)
46. Bon Jovi – Live at Madison Square Garden – DVD (2009)
47. Bon Jovi – Greatest Hits: The Ultimate Collection (2009)
48. Bon Jovi – Greatest Hits: The Ultimate Video Collection – DVD (2010)
49. Bon Jovi – Inside Out – DVD (2012)
50. Richie Sambora – Aftermath of the Lowdown (2012)
51. Bon Jovi – What About Now (2013)
52. Bon Jovi – Live E.P. (RSD – 2013)
53. Bon Jovi – Live 2 E.P. (RSD – 2014)
54. Bon Jovi – Burning Bridges (2015)
55. Bon Jovi – This House is Not For Sale (2016)
56. Bon Jovi – This House is Not For Sale – Live From the London Palladium (2016)
57. Bon Jovi – The Albums Box Set – The Extra LP (2017)
58. RSO – Radio Free America (2018)
59. Bon Jovi – 2020 (2020)
60. Bon Jovi – 40th Anniversary Box Set (TBA – I Hope it is out by the time we get here)

We’ve reviewed a bunch of pieces already over the years and won’t review again. They are as follows:

1. Bon Jovi – The Brotherhood Tour Book (1988-1990)
2. Bon Jovi – Bon Jovi Tour 2011 – Tourbook
3. Bon Jovi – The Rock History – Bootleg CD
4. Bon Jovi – “You Give Love A Bad Name” – 12″ Single
5. Bon Jovi – “You Give Love a Bad Name” – 7″ Single
6. Bon Jovi – Red Hot & 2 Parts Live E.P. – 12″ Single
7. Bon Jovi – “Wanted Dead or Alive” – 7″ Single
8. Bon Jovi – “Bad Medicine” – 7″ Single
9. Bon Jovi – “Born to Be My Baby” – 7″ Single
10. Bon Jovi – “I’ll Be There For You” – 7″ Single
11. Bon Jovi – “Lay Your Hands on Me” – 7″ Single
12. Bon Jovi – “Living in Sin” – 7″ Single