Tag: Richie Sambora

Bon Jovi – ‘Live 2 E.P.’ – Picture Disc (Record Store Day 2014) – Album Review (The Bon Jovi Collection Series)

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Last week, we talked about the first of 2 Live E.P Picture Discs that were released on Record Store Day. This week, we discuss ‘Live 2’ which was released on Record Store Day 2014. It states it is a limited edition, but we have no idea how many there are out there and they aren’t hard to get as the internet has a bunch for sale if you search it up. So, it probably isn’t that limited. Still, it is another cool 10″ E.P. from the band even if the songs have all been previously released.

This time around all the songs are from the New Jersery World Tour recorded either in 1988 or 1989 and broken down in to a U.S. Side of recorded songs or an International Side of recorded songs. Now, there are only 4 songs so not a ton and they have all been released previously so you might have some of them already and you don’t know it.

The U.S. Side kicks off with “I’ll Be There For You” which was recorded in Lakeland, FL, 1989. It was previously available on 2 CD set of ‘Keep the Faith’ which featured a bonus CD also called Bon Jovi Live.  It isn’t a bad version, they do seem to have slowed things down a little live, but the key is how amazing Richie Sambora’s playing is on this one. Such emotion in those notes, it is really cool.

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Bon Jovi – ‘Live E.P.’ – 10″ Picture Disc (Record Store Day 2013) – Album Review (The Bon Jovi Collection Series)

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Back in 2013, Bon Jovi jumped on board the Record Store Day Bandwagon. On April 20, 2013, we get the first of 2 Live E.P. Picture Discs from the band. The first one is called simply ‘Live’ and is a 10″, 33 1/3 RPM, Picture Disc. It contains four live tracks, all previously released in some form or fashion.

The opening track, “Livin’ On A Prayer” was recorded at Madison Square Garden on either July 14/15 of 2008 and was released on the video ‘Live at Madison Square Garden’ in 2009. The song starts off with Jon singing “Livin’ on a Prayer a cappella and the crowd finishes it the chorus. The full band joins in and they show why they are a great live band. 

The second track is a personal favorite, “Blood on Blood” and this one was recorded at the Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey around May 2010. The song was released on the live album (and video) ‘Inside Out’. It feels untouched as you can here the little wobbles and cracks in Jon’s voice like a good live show should have. The song might not have the same grit live as it does on the studio version, but they do put their all in to it.

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Bon Jovi – ‘What About Now’ (2013) – Album Review (The Bon Jovi Collection Series)

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We are now to the band’s twelfth studio album and the last one to feature original guitarists, Richie Sambora. The album came out on March 8, 2013 in Australia and March 12, 2013 in the U.S. where it was the third straight Bon Jovi album to go #1, fifth overall. The album has gone on to sell over 200,000 copies in the U.S., but their biggest success is still overseas where the album has sold over 1.5 million copies. Crazy numbers to me for a band that was well past their prime…at least that is my opinion…I guess a lot of people might disagree with those numbers.

The band at this point is unchanged with Jon Bon Jovi, Tico Torres, David Bryan and Richie Sambora, but don’t forget Hugh McDonald on bass who hasn’t yet been promoted to full fledged member which I find strange. But that changes eventually. And sadly, at the helm is still John Shanks who has turned the band in to a predictable, paint-by-numbers band that has lost all creativity and imagination. There is no painting outside the lines on this album. You’ve heard it all before. They have turned into a band that tries to be positive and encouraging in their lyrics in a world that is much darker. It feels forced and is presented in a way that might seem bright and fun, but it is boring and a wonderful cure for insomnia. Am I being too harsh? We will see…

“Because We Can” opens with some gang vocals spouting positive affirmations that is bouncy, bright and full of sunshine. And about as exciting as a root canal. And sadly, it is one of the better songs on the album. It is fun, catchy and has a great hook…but holy crap how many times do we need the same song that has been on every album of this millennium but with different titles…hello, “It’s My Life”, “Have a Nice Day”, “Undivided”…should I go on…I think not. This was the first single and it made it to the Adult Top 40 and not the Billboard Hot 100 Top 40, so you know the band is now full on AOR. That speaks volumes.

The next track, “I’m With You”, does contain a killer guitar solo, but that is about it. There is a weird effect on Jon’s vocals that I don’t particularly care for. The song isn’t a ballad and yet not heavy enough to be a rocker, despite that solo. It drones on and on and doesn’t do much for me at all. I want to like it, but can’t.

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Richie Sambora – ‘Aftermath of the Lowdown’ (2012) – Album Review (The Bon Jovi Collection Series)

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In 2012, Richie was still in Bon Jovi. His departure was not too far in the future as he becomes unhappy with the direction of the band. His solo albums are his chance to do something he wants to do and I will say that this is better than anything Bon Jovi was doing at the time. Richie went deep in to his problems and laid them out bare for all of us to see. A very personal album, but based on what happens later, not sure it was a healing album for him. He was still fighting demons even after this release.

The album, ‘Aftermath of the Lowdown’, was released on September 12, 2012. Okay, that was the release date in Japan, the UK saw September 17th and North America saw the 18th (well, digital release, physical was even a week later on the 25th). Yeah, I hate these staggered release dates. Just do it all at once or none at all. The album only went to #149 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart, but did go to #10 on the Hard Rock Album Charts, so it had moderate success. But the real success is in the music. A Richie Sambora solo album is always welcome especially when a Bon Jovi album was not in my world. Bon Jovi had lost the plot, but Richie found his way with this one.

The album opens with “Burn the Candle Down” and it is a wall of sound with an explosive opening, a killer riff and some distorted vocals by Richie. The guitar sounds like a siren warning of the onslaught of rock we were going to get. A heavy rocker, with drum beats that will break your balls. The solo shreds harder then anything BJ was doing at the time; heck, there are even two solos in this song. Damn it is killer. The song really gets the blood flowing and kicks off the album in style.

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Bon Jovi – ‘Inside Out’ (2012) – DVD Review (The Bon Jovi Collection Series)

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Only the band’s second live album, ‘Inside Out’, was released on November 27, 2012. It was not one show though, it was spread across 3 epic venues as the back of the box states. The songs are from the 25th Anniversary show at Madison Square Garden, the Hometown opening night at New Meadowlands Stadium and then from the Historic 12 night run at London’s O2 Arena. 12 nights…damn!! Usually, I would hate something that wasn’t all one show, but this works. If I’m not mistaken, this is only available on iTunes. Well, that is unless you are able to find the Australian promo of the actual video…which I do. And that is what we are reviewing here, the DVD and not the iTunes version.

The DVD is a promo as it says on the back of the box and on the disc itself, “not for sale”. The video is the actual screening from the theatrical release and it does something cool. We get 14 tracks from the 3 venues and what they do at times during the songs is switch to split screen and show shots of them performing the song from the other arena or arenas in some cases. An interesting way of doing things and it makes it fun to watch. It is 75 minutes of pure Bon Jovi live energy.

The show kicks off with one of my favorite tracks, “Blood on Blood”, from ‘New Jersey’. It feels untouched as you can here the little wobbles and cracks in Jon’s voice like a good live show should have. The song might not have the same grit live as it does on the studio version, but they do put their all in to it. “Lost Highway” sees Jon dripping wet with sweat and when they show the split screens, he is perfectly dry in those which tells me one song was played early in the set and the other later.

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Bon Jovi – ‘Greatest Hits: The Ultimate Video Collection’ (2010) – DVD Review (The Bon Jovi Collection Series)

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To coincide with the release of the band’s ‘Greatest Hits: The Ultimate Collection’ on CD, the band also released a DVD full of the band’s video hits and live versions as well. The DVD was released on November 10, 2010 about 2 weeks after the CD. It isn’t a full career retrospective as it is only 17 of their numerous music videos. And it omits anything from the first two albums which is a huge misstep by the band as they continue to ignore those two albums. I honestly hate when a band does that. It is stupid and an insult to fans who love those albums even if they don’t. You guys truly suck for this!!!

But what is here, is really great. It kicks off with two tracks from ‘Slippery When Wet’ with “Livin’ on A Prayer” and “You Give Love A Bad Name”, two videos that really showcased the band’s live performances and what helped draw millions of fans in to the fold. They then jump to “In These Arms” from ‘Keep the Faith’ and surprisingly enough, it is another live concert performance to the studio song. Honestly, these type of videos are great as they aren’t some cheesy video telling a story that is not what is in the song, but gives you an idea of what the band is live. Now, I say that and you then get Sam Kinison and people talking through cut-outs of Elvis for “Bad Medicine” But that was only the opening as the rest was live concert shots as well.

“Born to Be My Baby” is full of studio shots as if the band was recording the song for the first time done in black & white. Very laid back and I like it because it isn’t the exact studio version of the song, it is a different edit. Then we go full on color with the ballad “I’ll Be There For You” which is more stage performance except this time it is in front of an empty arena. A great song shot perfectly here. “Lay Your Hands On Me” gives us another live style video. Honestly, I don’t remember all their videos being basically concert style.. They did not waste a lot of money on videos and it paid off for them and save them a ton of money. The videos are all professionally done, no denying that.

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Bon Jovi – ‘Greatest Hits: The Ultimate Collection’ (2010) – Album Review (The Bon Jovi Collection Series)

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After the Circle and subsequent tour, I am guessing the band was taking a little break because it would be 3 more years before another album. In the meantime, why not another greatest hits package since the last one was ‘Cross Road’ which was about 15 years earlier. This time around it was simply called ‘Greatest Hits’. Well, that is unless you bought the 2 CD set which was called ‘Greatest Hits: The Ultimate Collection’. The package was released on October 29, 2010 and it di really well going Gold in the U.S. and selling millions in Europe going multi-times platinum in numerous countries.

One thing they did with this release is that depending where you lived, what version was available. All single disc versions had 2 new songs on them. All 2 CD versions had 4 new songs on them. The difference was the U.S. version on had 26 songs while the International version (Europe/Australia) had 30 tracks and Japan had 31. The U.S. didn’t get any songs from 7800º Fahrenheit, International got 1 and Japan were blessed with 2 (including “Tokyo Road” of course). I will say it does suck they ignore that album here and only give us one from the debut. And it does effect my score. There is nothing else to say about the release so let’s get to the music as there is a lot to get through so I hope you’ve had a nap and are well rested.

DISC 1:

The first disc kicks off with “Livin’ On A Prayer” from ‘Slippery When Wet’. It opens with a wicked bass line, finger cymbals and a talk-box. But that wasn’t all that was great about it, it is the story of Tommy & Gina in “Livin’ on a Prayer” that makes this such a great song. Jon has a way of making the songs human and easy to connect with. The everyday person with problems just like you so the songs feel personal.  The song is loosely based on Desmond and his girl-friend as she worked in a Diner, but he was a taxi driver and not working at the docks.  It was that Blue Collar feel to the song that made it resonate with so many people.  It was a time when Bon Jovi actually wrote songs that told a story that connected with people and not try to write just to make a hit. 

“You Give Love a Bad Name” is next and also from ‘Slippery’. It was originally written for Bonnie Tyler and called “If You Were a Woman (and I Was a Man)”, but the song did nothing so Desmond Child re-wrote it for Bon Jovi and the rest is history. The song went to #1 and the beginning of the rise to super stardom had begun. The song checks all the boxes, big chorus, epic guitar solo, killer bass line, pounding drum fills and pure intensity. The song will have you singing along instantly as the song feels familiar and exciting. You can’t get it out of your head.

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Bon Jovi – ‘Live at Madison Square Garden’ (2009) – DVD Review

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Bon Jovi at this point is still putting out material on a steady basis. This time around we get their 5th live video called ‘Live at Madison Square Garden’. It was released on several different dates around the world, but here in the U.S., it was released on May 11, 2010, but elsewhere around the world it was released in November 2009. In the States this thing did go to #1 on the Video charts.

The show was recorded on July 14 & 15, 2008 in New York City at the famous Madison Square Garden…I know, that was a shock given the name of the video. It was directed by Anthony Bongiovi and Brian Lockwood, glad to see Jon keeping it in the family. The version I have is the DVD, but if you buy the Blu-Ray, you get the great documentary we discussed last week, ‘When We Were Beautiful’. The story around that DVD centered around the free Central Park show which was like a day or so before these fine concerts. The band was tight and ready to go.

The video doesn’t waste anytime and once you hit play, the band is there ready to go at full speed. They open with the song “Lost Highway” and not just because I don’t like that album, but what an awful song to kick off the show with. They used to kick off with something so powerful and energetic that this falls flat. With that being said, this is probably the only mistake they make the whole night. You get a band that is still in their prime, Jon’s vocals sound amazing and the band is as tight as ever. They go in to “Born to Be My Baby” and then Jon pulls out his acoustic guitar, Richie picks up his slide guitar and they go in to “Blaze of Glory” and things pick up from there.

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Bon Jovi – ‘When We Were Beautiful’ (2009) – Documentary Review (The Bon Jovi Collection Series)

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Bon Jovi’s 11th Studio album is ‘The Circle’ and came out on November 10, 2009. My version of the album has a bonus DVD entitled ‘When We Were Beautiful’. The video is documentary movie that was recorded during the 2007 Tour for the band’s ‘The Lost Highway’ Tour. The film premiered at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival and was directed by Phil Griffin. This isn’t your typical behind the scenes video, there is more depth and expertise to it and a purpose behind it. A story that was meant to be told.

The video shows them on stage and off and some very intimate moments. This isn’t some wild, crazy party video, but an opportunity for the guys to be shown as people and far more than just Bon Jovi. Don’t get me wrong, there are some fun moments. For instance, it was hilarious, and a little bit scary, when a woman jumped on stage in Dublin just to kiss Jon. That girl was bound and determined to do it and she succeeded.

But the interviews here with the band members are the most enjoyable part. You get to see a very serious side of Jon Bon Jovi, the smoker, the businessman, the CEO of a major brand over the last 25 years. A man who struggles more with touring, the stress, the loneliness. There is an artistic side to the film as well. I love when they show Jon singing “Hallelujah” and intersperse an interview with him as the song is playing. Jon talks about his insecurities about performing and how he hates the lull in the show and always wants to have it going up, up and up. It is moments like this that keep this film interesting and a step above most documentaries you have seen.

Tico Torres, the man who doesn’t look to the past, and lives in the moment and loves to spend his down time playing golf, but family is his most important thing. Tico had a serious drinking problem and had so many issues with his dad leaving him at a young age. He has dealt with those demons and today might be the most together person of the whole band. He has found salvation in his art.

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Bon Jovi – ‘The Circle’ (2009) – Album Review (The Bon Jovi Collection Series)

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We are now up to Bon Jovi’s 11th studio album called ‘The Circle’. The band has been on a massive schedule of album, tour, album, tour for years now and honestly the quality is starting to show. Producer John Shanks is back and a lot of people believe that is the problem, but for me it is more than that. It is the fact the fact they are still chasing that hit and everything has become formulaic and tired. More on that later.

For now, let’s discuss the album itself. The title, ‘The Circle’, has many meanings one possible is that they have come full circle back to the rock & roll sound of before after dabbling in to that country genre for a second…a very long second. Or it could be that the band is a circle of guys and that circle is hard to get in to (and hard to get out unless your Richie and you stop showing up – but that hasn’t happened yet and I’m getting ahead of myself). That circle still consists of Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Tico Torres and David Bryan. Poor Hugh McDonald still hasn’t been made an official member yet, but that will change eventually.

The album was released on November 10, 2009 and sold over 163,000 records in its first week alone. The album would reach #1 on the Billboard Charts and numerous countries around the world. It stayed at #1 for all of one week, but hey, it is a #1 album. It would also go on to Gold Status in the States and 5 other countries as well as Platinum in Canada. The band was still having success, but for me that loyalty had faded and faded fast. It was years after this album was released before I ever bought it and the only reason I pulled it out today, is so I could do a review. And after a couple more listens, my thoughts haven’t changed. Are you ready for it?

The opening track is the song “We Weren’t Born to Follow” and is very typical of every album since 2000. An uplifting song that talks about the tough times people were facing in the current economic environment. It was a charge to arms to stand up for you believe. But like every opening track on the past batch of albums, it feels like a been there and done that kind of song. Yeah, it ain’t bad, but it ain’t anything new either.

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