As I stated in Jon Bon Jovi’s ‘Destination Anywhere’ Review last week, after Bon Jovi’s very successful ‘These Days’ album and especially that tour which ran for 126 shows in around 43 countries, the band was ready for a break. The tour ended on July 19, 1996 and the band decided, it was time for a hiatus from the band. They did a self-imposed two year break from the band. That 2 year break would turn in to 3, but no one is counting. During that time, we saw solo albums, Jon went and did a lot of acting and the thoughts that Bon Jovi were done were on everyone’s mind. Jon’s solo album came first, but shortly after we received Richie Sambora’s solo album.

‘Undiscovered Soul’ was Richie’s 2nd solo album and was produced by Don Was which saw Richie work with a ton of musicians and writers and really push himself both musically and lyrically. He worked with Richard Supa who had worked with The Rascals and Aerosmith and he worked with his old Bon Jovi bandmate, David Bryan, who co-wrote a handful of songs. Richie didn’t stick with the straight blues-rock album like before, he experimented a little with rock and country and anything else he that inspired him.

The album came out on February 23, 1998 and saw four singles released, however, only one of those charted in the U.S. and not very high. The album only reached #174 on the Billboard Top 200 album charts and that isn’t very good. The first single only reached #39 on the Mainstream Rock Chart while doing better in the UK hitting #37 with the second single going to #58 in the UK with no U.S. charting. The album didn’t do as well as the debut and was gone before you knew it.

Thanks to Music on Vinyl, we finally received a vinyl edition to the album last year and that is what I am reviewing. It came on a 2 LP set on 180 gram records and sounded awesome. The album cut out all the crap you hear on the Apple Music version that goes on between the songs which makes you not take the album very seriously, where the vinyl makes it a more serious sounding record. The album didn’t do as well as the debut as I said, but is it worse? Let’s go through it and find out.

LP 1:

The album kicks off with “Made in America” and the song has a country vibe to it even with some twangy guitars. Richie sings the verses in an almost spoken word style and does sing on the chorus. The chorus isn’t bad as it is a little catchy and there are some good guitars parts, but overall, I do not like this song. It doesn’t do anything for me or make me excited about what is to come and that is not a song you want opening your record.

Next up is a song that is more of what should have opened the album. “Hard Times Come Easy” was the first single off the album and co-written with his Bon Jovi bandmate, David Bryan. The song talks about how life can hard at times, but if you are with the one you love, they don’t seem that difficult. A touching song that is upbeat, uplifting and up there as the best on the album.

Richie slows things down with “Fallen From Graceland”. A ballad that sees Richie deliver one of his best vocal performances on the album. The song talks about how when you fall from grace, there is a burning light that if you reach for it it will save you. I love the spiritual aspects of the song. It is so heartfelt and touching and such a beautiful song and might be one of the best on the album.

“If God Was A Woman” kicks off side 2 and sees Richie turn the gender on God upside down and tackles the idea of what life would be like of God was a Woman and it would be different. The song is a rocker, upbeat and even a little fun. Some great guitar work and it is a little catchy at times, but at the same time, I’m not overly excited about it. It is a little corny at times, but I don’t hate it at the same time. I do love the harmonica work which is done by Lippy La Rue or better known as Steven Tyler from Aerosmith.

Then Richie slows things down again with “All That Really Matters”. A more piano based track which sees Richie get all emotive and romantic as he sings about his wife at the time, Heather Locklear. A really touching song that has a lot of heart. Richie does do ballads really well as his voice is suited perfectly for it.

Richie goes back to rocking out with “You’re Not Alone” and it is a blast. Some wicked guitar playing and riffs you can sing to which I love. There is a cool effect on his vocals which add to the rocking attitude of hte song. The chorus is a big payoff and it draws you in. A strong song to end the first LP with because now you can’t wait to get to LP 2 and see what is to come. Another of my favorite tracks on the album.

LP 2:

The 2nd LP kicks off with “In It For Love” and it slows things back down with a an acoustic performance. The percussion sounds like bongos and it has this whole island vibe to it which I dig. Another great ballad by Richie, but this one is a little more fun than strictly romantic…at least to me.

“Chained” is another upbeat rocker with some good guitar work and a somewhat catchy chorus, but overall for me I never connected to it. It felt too generic and didn’t offer anything new and exciting for me. Some might like this one as it has its moments, but it wasn’t for me.

Then we get to one of the best songs on the album. “Harlem Rain” is another acoustic song that turns very dramatic and emotional. Richie talks about the adversity that people go through. He uses Harlem as the backdrop. You can almost feel like you are walking down the street as the rain hits you from above. Richie digs deep with the vocals and delivers another one of his best performances on the album. The song feels personal and important and for that it is something you should hear.

Now on to the final side and starts with “Who I Am” which was written with famed writer Marti Frederikssen which gives us another Aerosmith connection. The song rocks out and sees some nasty guitar work by Richie and he really lays it out all on the table for you to enjoy. There is a bluesiness to it as well and it I love every second of the over 7 minute track.

With “Downside of Love” we get some great Hammond Organ and a bluesy Richie on vocals and guitar. He goes in to the sadness of love and the song reminds me the most of what we heard on his debut and I can dig that. The Clapton-esque track is what you love about Richie so how can you not like this one.

The album closes with the title track, “Undiscovered Soul”, and that opening guitar and the drums are so intense and full of drama. The ballad goes to new heights for Richie as this is one of the most epic songs he has ever done. There is an intensity to it that builds and builds and when Richie goes in the chorus all is right with the world and you start to lose yourself in the song. Damn! This is the song you want to close out an album with as it the embodiment of everything that is right with this album.

Track Listing:

1. Made in America – Delete
2. Hard Time Comes Easy – Keeper
3. Fallen From Graceland – Keeper
4. If God Was A Woman – Keeper (1/2 Point)
5. All That Really Matters – Keeper
6. You’re Not Alone – Keeper
7. In It For Love – Keeper
8. Chained – Delete
9. Harlem Rain – Keeper
10. Who I Am – Keeper
11. Downside of Love – Keeper
12. Undiscovered Soul – Keeper

The Track Score is 9.5 out of 12 Tracks or 79%.  The second album sees Richie pull a little away from the blues sound of the debut, but not by much. There are still elements of that album here so don’t you fret.  The ballads on here are exceptional and some of the best songs he’s done. There are some rockers as well that are what you love about him sas well.  And that voice, let’s not forget the power behind the Bon Jovi sound.  With only a few missteps, Richie delivers another solid performance and I don’t see any slippage form his debut.  My Overall Score is a 4.0 out of 5.0 Stars.  So many standouts with “Hard Times Come Easy, “You’re Not Alone”, “Harlem Rain, “Who I Am” and “Undiscovered Soul”, I am sure there is something for everyone to enjoy. Is it better than his debut?  No, but it is pretty damn close.

NEXT UP: BON JOVI – ‘CRUSH’ (2000)

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 – Cross Road (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