Not again!

As many of you must have heard, Jon busted his knee during the Helsinki show on Friday. It happened around the hour of the show's start and Jon kept going without missing a bit (he just said "ouch"). A statement was released by the fan club by Matt saying that Jon is doing OK and no shows will be cancelled.

Now Jonny...I know you have the best physicians taking care of you, but coming myself from a family of soccer players, whenever you have an injury of this kind (specially when you're not a 20 year-old punk anymore) you have to really take care of it and let it rest or the damage can be irreversible.

I'm glad he kept on going because it shows what a pro he is, but I'm worried that in intending to show what a Superman he is, he'll do more damage to himself. I also know that if I had been in that crowd, I may have been disappointed if the show had ended so I'm torn here.

Here is a video of the moment of the incident, I was moved by the concern on both Richie's and Tico's faces but again, they kept going...they're SO.AMAZING.

Please PLEASE get well soon and take care of yourself.

Livestream from Munich

That was so much fun! What I didn't like, though, was being left hot n' bothered right after Bad Medicine...they should have waited until after a more subdued song, this just felt like a kind of coitus interruptus ha ha.

One more thought: what's with the focus on Jon? I could have used some more Richiecam that's for sure.

Setlist we did get to see (I don't remember the order exactly):

Raise your hands

You give love a bad name

Born to be my baby

In these arms

We weren't born to follow

It's my life

Runaway

Blaze of Glory

Captain Crash and the Beauty Queen From Mars

Bad Medicine w Rockin' like a hurricane and Old time Rock n' roll (Is it wrong that I pictured Jon singing it in a white shirt and socks on? LOL)

I'm still not sure what to make of the red jacket with gold accesories...reminds me of Freddie Mercury or Michael Jackson waaaay back in the 80's. But let's be honest: Jon was hot even with the purple rubber pants of the Runaway video. I have to admit it's slimming and probably that's what he was looking for he he (I feel sooo bad joking about this).I can live with this jacket.

Jon was in excellent spirits it seems, he worked up the crowd like the real rock god he is, flirting with the front rows, duckliping like crazy and being sweet with Richie. Some memorable lines:

"Is this time to stump the singer time?"

"This isn't 1984! Don't scare me!"

"I wouldn't let Scorpions open for us cause they'd kick our asses up and down the streets"

"An oldie but a goodie!" (about Runaway)

Richie looked much more put together and confident during this show (for what I could see given the little camera time he got).

Anyway...I'll take what I can get. It looks like it's gonna be a helluva show...Thanks to all you rock and internet gods today!

SO?!

I was away and off the grid for a week and when I come back I find all these Richie-coming-back speculations! I'm sooooo happy for him, but I'm still a little apprehensive a- because I really want him to take his time to heal and that he comes back when he's ready not a day earlier and not because of a schedule and b- because there hasn't been an official confirmation which means maybe they're not sure? so I'm not holding my breath.

Anyhow I would die to be in Zagreb on June 8th, just being there and feeling the expectation will be so awesome, and if Richie finally appears that arena is going to BLOW.UP. Can't wait! youtube don't let me down pretty please!

X vs Bobby

The end is near my friends, and I'm not talking about May 21st, I'm talking about the American leg of the Tour, so it's time to do some reflection upon what's to come.

With Richie's pending but uncertain return, the question arises as to what would happen with Phil if and when Richie returns for the European leg. I have read some posts online that advocate for Phil to actually stay and let Bobby go, and though I'm leaning towards these idea, I think it's a long shot for many reasons.

Without getting into a prons-and-cons situation, I dare say Bobby will stay. On the one hand, X has that "heavier" edge, some coolness to him that adds a lot to the band, and though he's being portrayed as "the kid" I was amazed at the fact that he's actually 45! (what do these rockers drink!?). Both B and X come from different sides of the R n' R spectrum, and by keeping Phil there's a possibility that this will atract a different kind of audience (leaving aside the fact that he's easy on the eyes, and aesthetically speaking fits into the band perfectly). It's obvious that Phil has had much more notoriety for the fact that he was filling in for Richie so all eyes were on him and even though Jon (IMO) "ignored" him during the first concerts (playing more to B), his role was still much more important and noticeable than Bobby's.

On the other hand, Bobby is an impecable and respected musician, plus the fact that Jon worships him and has worked with him for years AND he's in Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes. His role has always been similar to Hugh's (perhaps just a little more noticeable during the Jukebox set), a "supporting" musician, sorta speak. However, if Phil was to be kept, I doubt he could play Bobby's role, and of course he couldn't keep his actual role, since Richie would be back. Not to mention the fact that Phil's presence has a kind of "negative" connotation since it's associated with Richie's absence.

All in all, however much I would like for them to keep Phil and let Bobby go, I don't see how Phil would fit in the general lineup once Richie is back, I don't see Bobby leaving and I don't see Phil playing Bobby's role.

X, we'll miss ya.

That's gotta hurt



Who's missing in this pic? Did they notice? Does he care? Anyway, WE noticed and WE care, change this banner RIGHT.NOW!

My two cents

Disregarding Bon Jovi as junk music has become such an automatic standard reaction that most people don’t even think about it anymore, they just take that for granted, and this has made me think, why? Is it because of unsupportive critics and journalists (nowadays, even any regular blogger like myself)? But then again, does their (or my) opinion count more than the opinion of not just  fans but people who like Bon Jovi in general? I used to just stop reading when someone started trashing Bon Jovi “just ‘cause”, because I always thought that since it’s a matter of opinion, we should have to agree to disagree, everyone’s entitled to one, even if we don’t like it.

Then instead of just not reading the bad criticism I started to pay attention to the information that’s presented as back up and found so many mistakes, misinformation, and partial truths that I decided I should right a couple lines in order to balance the scales and for people to have ALL the information to form an opinion by themselves (as it should be since the journalists’ job is to inform, and the critic’s job is to provide reference, background knowledge and perspective, but some seem to have just forgotten that) and these are my two cents towards throwing a different light on what they have to say. Bon Jovi don’t need defending, people will continue to love/hate Bon Jovi regardless, I won’t change the world, but it wil give me peace of mind just to get it out of my system. I’ll try to be as reasonable as possible. Promise.

I also know that it’s not all journalists and critics are BJ detractors, so those with a clean soul, please don’t take this personally. I won’t try to undermine your job, insult you or directly contradict you, either.

I have a huge list of artists and musicians I like (The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash to name a few) but listening to Bon Jovi is always like coming home, because they were there to say the things I needed to hear and say myself when no one would listen. OK, probably everyone has their own band/musician that did that for them, but in my case it was Bon Jovi, I can’t change that. And I’m not saying this as an apology, mind you.

* The more obvious criticism nowadays seems to be that Bon Jovi represent “unabashed commercialism”. I assume this is not based on the fact that they are best-selling artists, because if it is, then this label should be applied also to U2, right? They sell as many albums and concert tickets, so why don’t they get the same treatment? What’s more: it takes two to tango, baby, so if anyone’s to blame for their commercial success it’s us, the fans who support them, buy their music, enjoy it, go to their concerts, etc. It insults me to my very core when it’s implied that us BJ fans are “lured” into buying every little merchandise piece, every CD, DVD out there like we were dumb sheep. But surprise! The Beatles’ fans do it, The Rolling Stones’ fans do it. Why is it “wrong” if BJ fans do it? When did commercially successful become a synonym of bad quality? Maybe they write songs with the sole purpose of being commercially successful, just give people what they want to hear, throw anything at them and they’ll take it. This is like trying to explain the color red to a blind person: if you’ve never felt how a song supposedly written with the “let’s make a best-selling-hit” recipe, let’s say Who says you can’t go home, touches you in the very moment when you’re thousands of miles from home, for months, missing your families and friends, then there’s no way I can explain this to you, but let’s try more reasonable examples:

- The Lost HighwayCD, even when it was one of the most “commercially successful” overall, it was not so amongst fans (yours truly included) because it derailed from the rocker track, and If it was successful, it was because of a whole new audience they captured. They took a risk, who’s to blame if they were lucky?.

- When they first released the WWBT single and video, Richie received so many negative comments from the fans who expected more of his guitar solo that he went back into the studio to redo it before the album came out. We already know what we are gonna get, but we expect the best.

- “They released the GH CD just before Christmas in order to milk it”. So what? I’d do the same! So they have to be stupid to be respected? Are we living in the same world? These statements are contradictory with others that say that Bon Jovi are over because their success is not as big as it was in the 80’s. This is comparing apples and oranges. Do you really think that even Michael Jackson himself could have sold 40 million copies in the digital era? Please…

Bottom line: It’s their job, we like what they do and we pay for it. It’s as simple as that.

* Then there’s the “quality” issue. That they lack instrumental expertise, lyrical depth and musical relevance. This statement seems to ignore the fact that the guys have never claimed to be something they’re not. They’re humble in that way and remain just the kids that love rock n’ roll at heart, and that’s what makes them also so engaging, that we feel we can do it too. They acknowledge their influences and keep to a classic and traditional writing/composing/playing scheme. Let’s not forget the level of production of their records, that alone sets them apart from the rest. I’m tired of the criticism based on “You give love a bad name” and “Bad medicine”, nobody seems to give them a break for that, like that was all they ever wrote…please people DO YOUR JOB before spitting out nonsense and no, Slippery when wet is NOT a song. I think there’s no denying the quality, range, volume and character of Jon’s voice, the soulful and power of Richie’s guitar playing, the genius of David’s keyboard playing and the presence of Tico’s drums, but like we say in Spanish “No hay peor ciego que el que no quiere ver” (The blindest people are those who are not willing to see).

Bottom line: It’s like being in love: if you don’t like something, let it go, you don’t dump your husband or wife because they have one or two mistakes, you take them as they are, warts n’ all. So what if they are not avant-garde, original or pretentious… that’s what we like about them! So what if they are not pioneers of rock. There's depth and heart in their songs, that’s what matters.

* “Bon Jovi is for mature women”, “Bon Jovi is for teenage girls”. Other than the fact that they don’t seem to agree, seriously, these people have NO IDEA what they’re talking about. Whoever says this CLEARLY has never been to a BJ concert, where you can see people from different ages, fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, friends, couples. Yes, there is a bigger percentage of 20 to 50 year-old women in the audience than usual, but again, and specially in this case, they are not the ones to blame.

* “Bon Jovi are just glamorous pretty boys”. So apparently not only do you have to be stupid to be respected, but you also need to be ugly?

* “Bon Jovi are an 80’s hair band”.  Oh, remember you also need to NOT EXIST beyond the decade you became popular to be respected. Come on! Not only were they smart enough to go into hiatus when the 80’s collapsed and the grunge era began, but they also were smart enough to return to their roots (basic, classic rock n’ roll) and come up with something completely different from what they were doing (KTF) and then top it off with one of the best albums of all time (TD). Give them a listen (it doesn’t hurt) and if you still think those albums would fit in the 80’s then you and me have nothing else to talk about, have a great life.

Bottom line: They have stood the test of time and still make #1 records, 28 years and counting…

I could go on, but this pretty much sums it up. Some will continue to defend them for the same reasons we always have, and some will continue to attack them as they always have with the support of the musical status quo of the tour that has established what’s politically correct and what differs from its vision. But please before trashing Bon Jovi keep in mind: LEAVE.THEM.ALONE.

Hey baby, whose side you on?

It's about time: My top 10+5 Fave BJ songs

Sooooo, as we all know "Top X" lists are quite tricky, specially when we are dealing with a band that is still producing new songs, but as the years passed by I've had some pretty unmovable favourites and it helps me put all their music into perspective. I intented to do a "Top Ten" but I HAD to add 5 "bonus tracks" cause it didn't feel fair not to mention them since I listen to them on a daily basis as well. The songs that made it in the list are some of them songs I consider "the best" musically, lyrically, etc, and some I just luuuuuuv just 'cause they get me in a good mood. Note that there are no songs from the New Jersey album, which happens to be my favourite BJ album, but I like the album as a whole, the vibe, the melodies, the sounds, and I couldn't pinpoint one I preferred above the others or that would be included in my favourite songs individually. I COULD, just COULD say I really like Love for sale but again, it's because it's part of the album.

Enough said, here it is...

1- Wanted dead or alive

2- Something for the pain

3 - Always

4 - Dry County

5 - If I can't have your love

6 - Superman Tonight

7 - The radio saved my life tonight

8 - Til we ain't stangers anymore

9 - Good guys don't always wear white

10 - Love me back to life

+...

11 -  I get a rush
12 - Bitter Wine

13 - We can dance

14 - The one that got away

15 - Garageland

Why?

1 - It's just timeless. The intro, the mystery, the layout, the words, the voice, the unplugged story and just the whole feeling of it, how it was really written from their hearts, it feels almost effortless. This is my favourite song not only because it just gets me going, but because it's also a perfectly crafted song and well...it's just so cool.

2 - This is to me the "Wanted" of Bon Jovi in the 90's. Again, it's a complex song musically speaking (it almost didn't make it to the record because they couldn't make it work). There's just something so soothing about the acoustic guitar at the beginning, and there's also some nostalgia on my part because I remember the first time I heard it and watched the video when it first came out and I was blown away, with all the excitement for the new record and These days being so great. The lyrics are amazing (happiness, has found a home in me, my suitcase and guitar are my only family, I've tried to need someone, like they needed me, well I opened up my heart but all I did was bleed, I don't need no lover, just to get screwed, they don't make no bandage that's gonna cover my bruise - I can soooo relate to that), the "come on come on come on"'s and the beat of the drums, Richies part (so sweet...). I could never stop talking about this song. And when I thought I couldn't love it more, during The Circle Tour they did an AWESOME acoustic version live that just made my socks come off my feet, and Dave with the accordeon...in a way that's how I picture them in the future, dropping all the accessories and showing us the bare songs, no bullsh*t.

3 - Uff, so much to say about this one. It's so dear to my heart because it's the song with which I fell in love with Bon Jovi. Why it got me hooked right then that afternoon can only be explained by karma I guess, but there was something about that combination of the video, the song, the guys, the voice, the lyrics, my state of mind at that time (or hormones, for that matter). Through the years I have come to the conclusion that it is by far the greatest Bon Jovi ballad of all time (yeah, I know that the "politically correct answer" most times is I'll be there for you...) and most of its merit in my opinion comes from the fact that Jon wrote it all by himself. I don't wanna beat Desmond Child or any other collaborator up - and please God, I don't want to even imply I don't worship the Jon+Richie team - , but I love the fact that what really got me hooked was something written with no "help" at all (the same merit would be held if Richie had composed it together with Jon or by himself). Besides it's powerful, the lyrics are moving, the melody is exquisite and -damn!- that voice. Jon's voice always reminds me of the movie "Love Potion Nº 9" in which people who drank the potion could make others fall in love with them by just speaking to them. Well, that kinda is EXACTLY what Jon's voice does to me, there's something in its sound that seems to make my earbones vibrate in a way that stimulates some nerve that goes to a very naughty part of my brain, and in this song, it's sort of multiplied tenfold by the almost-scream quality of it. I have heard the demo version and contrary to common opinion, I prefer the official version, the one that got on Crossroad, it's much cleaner and the voice is better balanced and neat.

4 - This song got me obsessed for quite a bit of my Bon Jovi life. Keep the faith was the newest record around when I started listening to Bon Jovi and they were popular at that time for Bed of Roses, but I have never been a mellowy-romantic song kinda gal (I prefer the heartbreak ones) and disgusted the label Bon Jovi had for being a "love songs only" band. So when I discovered Dry County I was like "YES!" this is what I like most about them. Though the story is a bit depressing, what I really really like about it is that they didn't hold back with it, they didn't try to keep it simple, they went all the way with this one. The solo is mind blowing, the piano melody is unforgettable and the change in pace round the middle sends a rush to my head that triggers adrenaline shots through my body every time I listen to it.

5 - Remember all I said about preferring the heartbreak songs? Well, Bon Jovi always know how to make a hypocrite outta me. I think this is the sweetest thing someone could EVER sing to anyone they love. Plus...Richie's voice. In this song it's not as soft and mellowy as in most of the songs, but has a raspiness to it that makes it so much more delicious, one can feel the desperation, the adoration, the fear and the humility love can bring. I could listen to those "baby!...baby!" all my life and still get excited each time. It's raw, simple and moving - just how I like my BJ songs :D. Plus...the piano. Just perfect.

6 - Meet the newest song in the UUU list (UUU = Underrated, Underappreciated, Underestimated). Whether in its powerful album version or the acoustic live version with Richies background vocals, it's in my opinion the best song BJ have come up with in the last decade. When I bought The Circle I tried to keep my expectations down (I wasn't too fond of WWBTF) and when I started listening to it I prayed please PLEASE let this one not be the worst BJ album EVER. And then I heard it. It has the power to pull rivers of tears from my eyes like no other song. The album version (though a little over-produced for my taste) renewed my faith with those mysterious, exciting and strange sounds. Just WOW. The video is pretty good and cool too.

7 - Gaaawwwddd I just luuuuuuv this song. The main reason is completely hormonal: the sinuses voice. Jay-sus. It completely turns me on (sorry, but I just GOTTA say it). Then there's the music and the chorus that makes me wanna jump all over and scream and sing from the top of my lungs. And radio DID, many nights of my life, saved me from many things, but mostly from loneliness. I have always been a night owl due mostly to my insomnia and sometimes hyperactiveness, and those nights could be quite long I tell you, but with them sounding in my ears I never felt lonely, I dind't need anyone or anything else. Sometimes I just leave the playlist playing really low and I tremendously enjoy waking up from time to time and hearing they are still there.

8 - I have to confess that I kinda "boycotted" Lost Highway at first. I was soooo afraid of being disappointed that it took me quite a while to buy it. I saw the Lost Highway video on TV when the single was released and I rejected it right away, I don't know why but it sounded so safe, so "beautiful" (Jon's perfect looks on the video didn't help tone that down) I thought - where are my rock n' roll boys with the guitar?! Then the first time I heard this song I again thought "oh no, not another Thank you for loving me puh-lease". And just as if Jon was listening to my thoughts and being the stubborn over-achieving Pisces he is, I had surrender, come to my knees and beg for mercy for being SO.DAMN.WRONG. This is perfectly timely, this is where their new "love songs" should be going, this is how you maturely deal with a relationship blockout - and people wonder how is it possible for Jon to have been married for so long...well HELLO?!, because this is how he probably deals with the problems that arise in his marriage: "Hun, I'm locking the door down and not one soul is getting outta here 'til the problem is solved" (mmm...). It's so raw honest, so perfectly crafted, so beautiful, so different (LeAnne's voice is just the perfect balance for Jon's), so intimate, so relatable. And the video...sweet mother of all things gorgeous. Even a friend of mine who is a low-key but firm Bon Jovi-enemy succumbed to the beauty of this song and it has helped her deal with some issues she and her boyfriend had. She thanks me for suggesting it to her whenever she can.

9 - Just amazing, the guitar is sooo awesome, the screaming, the lyrics, the video. To me this song is like an intra-auricular heroin injection. It makes certain chemicals run through my body that make me want to run around and jump and scream and dance. The melody is perfect, the harshness and hardness to it are just delicious, this is exactly how I like my Bon Jovi songs :D. So in-your-face. So cool. I can really find the words to describe it. Just sublime. "You tell me I'm wrong but I disagree".

10 - There's always a song in each album that renews my faith and devotion to this band. This song made that for me in Bounce. It's powerful and meaningful. I specially appreciate the mood change between the powerful riffs of the intro, then the softer verses, the superpowerful bridge ( the "tonight I need you!" pitch easily qualifies as a full blown scream), and the desperate chorus. Again, there's that feeling of urgency, of desperation, of how we are so numb sometimes we look for something to wake us up, to make us feel alive. It's a very human topic, from the very humble position of confessing, admitting, that you actually need someone. And for a man to say that well...isn't that why we all love 'em? It puts ME in the position of admitting that myself. It's like they are saying "Hey, If I can admit it, YOU can too!", "If you need help, start by asking for it!". I hear them saying all those things to me, just as if they were reading my soul, like a friend I'm baring my soul to. They take all my barriers down. They really do touch my heart with this one.

Extras

11 - Does this need an explanation? A song about something you love and can't get enough, and you like a lot, and you get a rush from? Not to mention the ACTUAL rush I get with the chorus. I could run for miles just on the energy this song gives me. There's such a feeling of urgency in it. It's just awesome. The perfect song for any good obsessive like myself. Ha Ha.

12 - I think this song made it as a bonus track in some countries - not in mine unfourtunately. There are at least two versions of it I have heard myself: the one that eerly sounds like Wild Horses by the Rolling Stones, and the electric, more up-tempo version. The last one is the one that is in my list, maybe because it has more of a demo sound to it. "That night I said I loved you, and you told me to go to hell" ha ha I just love that part, so sassy, poor Jonny THAT must be something he never gets to experience, he must have been exploring that possibility with this song. "You were dressed like an orphan in Salvation Army clothes" - another good one. And all in all it kinda is one of those BJ heartbreak songs I like so much, 'cause at least in my case, most of my past relationships HAVE turned to bitter wine. It's sad that someone and something you cared for whether for a long or short period of time, and for who and which you would change your plans for, your whole life layout, and draw your inspiration from, when it's over and time has passed...there's only so much you can do with it...

13 - Well isn't this just...Beautiful. Effortless. Sweet. It takes everything down to the bear minimum: no matter what happens, the most important thing we have is each other and what we feel. It's just as simple as that. Things come and go and there's nothing we can do about that, but look at us, after all this time and all that has happened, I'm just a boy and you are just a girl and I still love you like the first time I saw you (feeling butterflies in my stomach as I write this just relishing on the idea of someone feeling something like that for someone else AND having the ability to put it in music in the form of a beautiful song for everyone to hear). Does love get any better than that?

14 - Mmm delicious heartbreak. The chorus pretty much sums it up. And the part of "When I asked you to dance, You said there's no band, there's no radio, I got up real slow, started singing real low, When I was melting in your arms I had to let go" jeez just the idea of him singing real low with no music and into my ear...there's no way of analyzing this song objectively. The atmosphere is just delicious, the regret, the pain...gawd, sweet sweet heartbreak.

15 - This song surprised me big time, I love the different melodies and it reminds me of why I love this band and again, it takes me back to basics: they are just boys who like to play rock 'n roll (or that's what I think they are- I really WAS hurt by the I'm-the-CEO-of-a-major-corporation-that-has-been-running-for-25-years statement). I'd rather think of them as a garageband, it makes it so much more fun!

Yup, that's it. Sorry Last man standing and Prostitute...