Bon Jovi released a box set that contained every vinyl up to that point. It was called The Album Box Set and it was released on February 10, 2017. Now it was released on both vinyl and CD which I chose the Vinyl collection as I love to have their albums on vinyl. The set carries all studio albums from the debut Bon Jovi album all the way up to ‘This House is Not For Sale’. But that isn’t all, it has both Jon Bon Jovi solo albums as well as an “Extra” LP with a bunch of their international B-Sides which is a nice treat. But that is it. There no extra posters, stickers, booklets or anything. Each album though is remastered on 180g LP and the 16 albums are spread over 24 LPs. At the time this was released, 7 of the albums had never been released on vinyl and then you have the “Extra” LP which is the first time this had ever been released. So, for the vinyl collector in me this was the easiest way to get everything.

We are here to talk the ‘Extras’ LP which was rare tracks and international B-Sides and a couple songs from the ‘Cross Road’ compilation as that compilation is not in here (but I do have that on vinyl as well). We get 10 tracks and we will go through all 10 just for you!

“Someday I’ll Be Saturday Night” is from ‘Cross Roads’ and was released as a single in various countries on February 13, 1995, but not the U.S. It went to #7 in the U.K. and of course never charted in the U.S. The song, according to Wikipedia is about optimism in the face of adversity. The song’s first verse introduces the characters Jim who struggles to find employment and is forced to sleep in his car, and Billie-Jean who was abused by her foster father and has turned to prostitution at the age of sixteen (remarking that the street-life ain’t much better but at least I’m getting paid), mourning the loss of her childhood. It has a country flair to it with its acoustic feel and an accompanying organ. It is catchy for sure and a great tune as who doesn’t struggle through the week hoping for Saturday Night.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=s-IXGmubKx4%3Fsi%3DjgrtekuhL2ahNaBs

Next is a song from a different compilation called ‘Greatest Hits’ in 2010. “No Apologies” was written by only Jon and Richie. How do I describe this one. It is a cross between “It’s My Life”, “Have A Nice Day” and “We Weren’t Born to Follow”. Yes, an anthemic, uplifting, feel good song. Been there, done that. Honestly though, it isn’t bad. Kinda fun, kinda catchy, but kinda cheesy too.

Next up is the song “Postcards from the Wasteland”. This was from the album ‘Bounce’ from 2002 and was only available on the Japanese CD release. The song was written by Jon and is a not quite a ballad but the tempo is slowed down and the chorus is catchy as hell. This sounds like a demo, as it feels unfinished, but even their demos can be good. A little morose, however, there is something about it I like. It could use a little work, but it has good bones.

From the Japanese & International editions of ‘Have A Nice Day’, we get “These Open Arms”. Jon likes using a title more than once or variations of it any way until it works. This was written by Jon and Desmond Child. This one I would say is a ballad. Jon’s vocals sound really great here, I have to admit. Might be the best of the song. The verses are tender, but the chorus is not as explosive or catchy as they have done before. It is a little repetitive. Another decent song though.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=NnBWvqpmqq4%3Fsi%3DkFuxoqVwEbDxEzp-

The album ‘Lost Highway’ had a Target Edition and the next song was from it. “Walk Like A Man” was written by Jon Bon Jovi. Being from “Lost Highway” you’d think this would have a country tinge to it and you know, you’d be right. As I’m not a fan of that album, it would come as no surprise that I am not a fan of this one either. It is a band trying too hard to be something they are not.

“Neurotica” is a Jon and Richie Sambora penned track and comes from the International release of the ‘Crush’ album from 2000. It feels like a demo, but it really rocks out and has a promising chorus. It still needs work but there is some hope with this one as I think they could’ve made this a good one. It is just not there yet.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=5OSXHigCUuU%3Fsi%3D4DC7bba1G_2EnI3P

“I Could Make A Living Out of Loving You” is another by Jon and Richie with the help of Billy Falcon. This too is from the International release of ‘Crush’ and it is easy to see why it was left off the album. I’m not sure it is even done as it sounds a little like a demo. It wouldn’t fit the album at all. It sounds unfinished to me and still needs some massaging to make it better.

“What Do You Got?” is another track from the 2010 Greatest Hits compilation. It was written by Jon, Richie and Brett James. It is a song about love, but doesn’t have to be romance. Just love of family or whatever. Without love, you have nothing. It is a ballad and it isn’t too bad. A little cheesy and not quite up to par with their earlier ballads, but not bad either. Hell, they’ve done worse.

Next up is “Dirty Little Secret” and it needed a whole lot of people to write it. It has Jon Bon, Richie, John Shanks and Desmond Child. It too is from the Japanese & International editions of ‘Have A Nice Day’. It is an upbeat, rocking track and probably the best song on the ‘Extras’ release. This is an album worthy song and as good as anything on the ‘Have a Nice Day’ album. Damn! These are the surprise songs that make you still have faith in the band. Killer guitars, killer drums and Jon’s killer vocals. This is a dirty little secret of a song for sure.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=9BMwcO6_hyA%3Fsi%3DGBKe3CQNQ1dS7iDX

“Always” is the other song from ‘Cross Roads’ and was released as a single on September 12, 1994. It is one of their biggest selling songs of all time with over 3 million copies sold. It reached #4 in the U.S. and #1 in several countries worldwide. The song was gong to be used by Jon for the soundtrack to the movie ‘Romeo is Bleeding’, but after Jon say an advance screening of the movie, he decided against it because the movie was so bad. This coming from a band who put a song on ‘The Disorderlies’ soundtrack. Hypocrite much! “Always” is a very cheesy piano based ballad heavy on the orchestration, but Bon Jovi does these type of ballads so well. Jon really gets all emotive and really goes over-the-top with the vocals. It ain’t half bad and I can see why it did so well.

Track Listing:

1. Someday I’ll Be Saturday Night – Keeper
2. No Apologies – Keeper
3. Postcards from the Wasteland – Keeper (1/2 Point)
4. These Open Arms – Keeper (1/2 Point)
5. Walk Like a Man – Delete
6. Neurotica – Keeper
7. I Could Make A Living Out of Loving You – Delete
8. What Do You Got? – Keeper (1/2 Point)
9. Dirty Little Secret – Keeper
10. Always – Keeper

The Track Score is 6.5 Out of 10 Tracks or 65%.  I have to admit this was a great idea by the band to compile some of the international tracks and the greatest hits new songs.  I think they could’ve easily done at least two more of these and that would’ve been awesome. It is kind of like getting a whole new album from the band and I’ll take that.  No, all the songs aren’t great, but I could see myself pulling this out so I can hear some less common tracks to give me something different.  Is it great, no. But it isn’t bad either. My Overall Score is a 3.5 out of 5.0 Stars.  This is a piece that not many people have in their collection so it is awesome to have a little gem like this.  Yeah, some people might have the songs spread out over a half a dozen albums, but here they all are on one LP.  Pretty cool.

NEXT UP: RSO – ‘RADIO FREE AMERICA’ (2018)

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 – “Burning For Love” – 12″ Single – Japanese Edition (1984)
6. Bon Jovi – 7800° Fahrenheit (1985)
7. Bon Jovi – Slippery When Wet (1986)
8. Bon Jovi – “Borderline” – 12″ Single – Japanese Edition (1986)
9. Bon Jovi – New Jersey (1988)
10. Bon Jovi – New Jersey: Super Deluxe Edition – Disc 2/DVD (1988)
11. Bon Jovi – “I’ll Be There For You” – Cassette Single (1988)
12. Jon Bon Jovi – Blaze of Glory (1990)
13. Jon Bon Jovi – “Blaze of Glory” – Cassette Single (1990)
14. Richie Sambora – Stranger in this Town (1991)
15. Bon Jovi – Keep the Faith (1992)
16. Bon Jovi – “Keep the Faith” – CD Maxi Single (1992)
17. Bon Jovi – “I Believe” – 7″ Single (1992)
18. Bon Jovi – Cross Road (1994)
19. Bon Jovi – “Please Come Home for Christmas” – CD Single (1994)
20. Bon Jovi – These Days (1995)
21. Bon Jovi – Live From London – DVD (1995)
22. Jon Bon Jovi – Destination Anywhere (1997)
23. Richie Sambora – Undiscovered Soul (1998)
24. Bon Jovi – Crush (2000)
25. Bon Jovi – Live From Osaka E.P. (2000)
26. Bon Jovi – “Thank You For Loving Me” – CD Single (2000)
27. Bon Jovi – The Crush Tour – DVD (2000)
28. Bon Jovi – The Love Songs E.P. (Promo) (2001)
29. Bon Jovi – Tokyo Road: Best of Bon Jovi (2001)
30. Bon Jovi – One Wild Night Live: 1985-2001 (2001)
31. Bon Jovi – Bounce (2002)
32. Bon Jovi – Unauthorized: Rock ‘n Roll Legends – Bootleg DVD (2002)
33. Bon Jovi – Target E.P. (2003)
34. Bon Jovi – This Left Feels Right (2003)
35. Bon Jovi – Wild in the Streets: Unauthorized – Bootleg DVD (2003)
36. Bon Jovi – This Left Feels Right – DVD (2004)
37. Bon Jovi – 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong (Part 1) – (2004)
38. Bon Jovi – 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong (Disc 1, Part 2) – (2004)
39. Bon Jovi – 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong (Disc 2, Part 3) – (2004)
40. Bon Jovi – 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong (Disc 3, Part 4) – (2004)
41. Bon Jovi – 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong (Disc 4, Part 5) – (2004)
42. Bon Jovi – 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong (Disc 5 & 6, Part 6) – (2004)
43. Bon Jovi – Have a Nice Day (2005)
44. Bon Jovi – Live from the Have a Nice Day Tour (Walmart Exclusive) (2006)
45. Bon Jovi – Lost Highway (2007)
46. Bon Jovi – Lost Highway: The Concert (2007)
47. Bon Jovi – The Circle (2009)
48. Bon Jovi – When We Were Beautiful Documentary DVD (2009)
49. Bon Jovi – Live at Madison Square Garden – DVD (2009)
50. Bon Jovi – Greatest Hits: The Ultimate Collection (2009)
51. Bon Jovi – Greatest Hits: The Ultimate Video Collection – DVD (2010)
52. Bon Jovi – Inside Out – DVD (2012)
53. Richie Sambora – Aftermath of the Lowdown (2012)
54. Bon Jovi – What About Now (2013)
55. Bon Jovi – Live E.P. (RSD – 2013)
56. Bon Jovi – Live 2 E.P. (RSD – 2014)
57. Bon Jovi – Burning Bridges (2015)
58. Bon Jovi – This House is Not For Sale (2016)
59. Bon Jovi – This House is Not For Sale – Live From the London Palladium (2016)
60. Bon Jovi – The Albums Box Set – The Extra LP (2017)
61. RSO – Radio Free America (2018)
62. Bon Jovi – 2020 (2020)
63. Bon Jovi – Forever (2024)
64. Bon Jovi – “Legendary” – 7″ Single (2024)
65. 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