Tag: Phil X

Bon Jovi – Bon Jovi Tour 2011 – Tour Program

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic19 Comments

Welcome to the next Tour Book in the Bon Jovi Tour Book collection…and I only own two so a small collection at the moment. I didn’t start out collecting Tour Books for Bon Jovi, nope. I was only going to collect the Kiss Tour Books. However, life has a funny way of changing things. While out walking around an antique mall, I found my first Tour Book from the New Jersey Tour. It was cheap, so I bought it. This next one, I was out for Record Store Day on August 29, 2020 and after picking out my RSD vinyl and while I was waiting to check out, I saw another Tour Book for Bon Jovi. The price was right and so there you have it. I now have two and now seem to have started a Bon Jovi collection as well.

This Bon Jovi Tour Book is from the Bon Jovi Live Tour in 2011 in support of their sixth greatest hits compilation which is probably 4 too many as how many do you really need.  The tour went from February 9, 2011 until July 31, 2011 and was around 59 shows between North America and Europe.  It was huge success as most of their tours are and it was interesting one in that Richie Sambora would miss part of it due to having to go to rehab for “exhaustion” and alcoholism.  His replacement for part of the tour was Phil X who would end up replacing him in the long run a couple years later.

The band at the time was still the main four guys (Hugh McDonald was still not a full-time member).

  • Jon Bon Jovi
  • Richie Sambora
  • Ticco Torres
  • David Bryan

And the typical setlist was pretty impressive at 24 songs… Continue reading “Bon Jovi – Bon Jovi Tour 2011 – Tour Program” →

My Sunday Song – “Beautiful With You” by Halestorm

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For My Sunday Song #96, I am discussing the beautiful song by Halestorm called “Beautiful with You”.  The song is off the gold selling album ‘The Strange Case of…’ which went to # 1 on the Hard Rock Charts.  However, despite the album having 5 singles, this was not one.  I chose this one since we are currently discussing power ballads and I thought I would bring the power ballad into the 21st Century and highlight a newer song that I felt fit the mold.

The song definitely has the power with Lzzy Hale’s vocals and it is a slower tempo and softer song you would expect with a ballad that ebbs and flows between harder and soft. The song has a great tone to it and is a very emotional song.  The song is about loving your self and realizing it is okay to reach out to others for help.  It doesn’t make you weak, but strong.  Here is what Lzzy told journalist Valerie Bastien (from Songfacts.com) about her low self-esteem…

“Believe me, I don’t always feel like a rock star, and there are times when I look in the mirror and scream. Especially emotionally,” admitted Lzzy. “I used to hide a lot of my feelings of insecurity and powerlessness, and just wouldn’t reach out to someone because I thought it meant that I was weak if I did. I wanted people to see that it’s ok to need a shoulder sometimes, and to have those “ugly days” and to let down your guard. We’re human and we’re not perfect… don’t let those thoughts in your head rule your life and prevent you from opening yourself up.”

I really love the verse that states the following:

Continue reading “My Sunday Song – “Beautiful With You” by Halestorm” →

Scott Stapp – ‘Proof of Life’ (2013) – Album Review

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Scott Stapp.  Where do you begin?  The Creed frontman has been ridiculed and the talk of much gossip with his numerous personal issues.  He seems to be one of those artists that people love to hate.  I don’t get it.  I will go ahead and say this upfront.  I think he is an awesome singer and a great frontman.  I like Creed!!  I like Scott Stapp!! I like Art of Anarchy!!  I like everything he has done…okay, maybe not everything…but heckuva lot of it.

Scott’s personal demons are well documented…his drinking problems, many addictions and his battle with bipolar disorder.  He has attempted suicide, been in and out of rehab and so many other things that nobody wants to have happen to them.  At the time of this album, he seemed to be doing really well.  But shortly after, he came crashing down again.

‘Proof of Life’ is Scott’s 2nd solo album and is probably his most personal and honest record he has ever done.  It takes you on a stroll through all his struggles and how he somehow is able to get back up and fight back.  There are many Christian overtones in the music, but it is not a Christian album.  It is a mainstream, hard rock album…no doubt.  It is probably the best thing he has ever done.  Yes, I said it…The BEST thing he has ever done!!!

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Continue reading “Scott Stapp – ‘Proof of Life’ (2013) – Album Review” →

Hired Gun – Documentary Review

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I have been wanting to see Hired Gun since it was announced as a documentary in the Summer of 2017.  Thanks to Netflix, I finally got that chance.  If you don’t know what it is, I will tell you.

‘Hired Gun’ is a documentary about those musicians singers and bands hire to be in the band whether to help make an album or to do a tour.  They are the “hired guns” and they aren’t actual members of the band.  For me, that sounded like a very interesting story to be told.  What do these musicians/artists go through to get the gig and to actually keep that gig.

The people they interview are incredible musicians.  You might not know them all by name, but you would probably recognize a lot their work.  They are as follows:

  • Liberty Devito (Billy Joel)
  • Jason Hook (Five Finger Death Punch)
  • Phil X (Bon Jovi)
  • Eric Singer (Kiss)
  • Ray Parker, Jr. (Ghostbusters)
  • Justin Derrico (P!nk)
  • Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy Osbourne)
  • Steve Lukather (Michael Jackson)
  • Kenny Arnoff (John Mellencamp)
  • Jason Newsted (Metallica)

Continue reading “Hired Gun – Documentary Review” →

Bon Jovi – ‘This House Is Not For Sale’ – Album Review

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic18 Comments

The song “God Bless This Mess” sums up the album. The album is a complete mess. The album has some good songs, but overall lacks heart and the great songwriting from years past. I really wanted to like this album and hoped they could make one last great album. That did not happen.

What is wrong with the album?  Where do I begin.

1. The album is so formulaic and a repeat of their last few albums. There is definitely nothing new.

2. The backing vocals are lacking. Richie Sambora’s vocals alongside Jon’s voice are sorely missed.

3.  There are no great power ballads and a lot of the songs lack any real emotion. At times it feels like they are phoning it in.  It is very disappointing.

Continue reading “Bon Jovi – ‘This House Is Not For Sale’ – Album Review” →

New Bon Jovi Song – “This House is not For Sale”

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Bon Jovi have released a new video called “This House is not For Sale” off their new album of the same name.  The new album will be out on October 12 of this year.  I am interested in what they have to offer although their last few releases have not been good at all so my expectations are very limited.

It looks like guitarist, Phil X, is now an official member of the band and is featured on the new album.  I guess any hope of Richie Sambora coming back keep slipping away.  But I am okay with it as I am excited to see what Richie is working on with guitarist Orianthi.  Enough about that…here is the video.