A review by Paul / NewJerseyBrit@aol.com

The stage set-up was different to that if you've seen them already in Europe. It appeared to be a roof-top and in the centre of the stage was a lift. Inside the lift there was a camera and you could see the band patiently waiting to come on stage. Flash of lights, doors open and out come the band - standing and admiring the craziness before them for a couple of minutes.

I guess for the benefit of the female contingent I'll explain what the guys were wearing. Jon was decked out in a black leather jacket and silver trousers. Dave was wearing a 3 quarter lentgh jacket and leather trousers. Hugh was wearing a striped blue t-shirt and jeans. Tico was wearing black trousers and a sleeveless black leather waistcoat,

As for Richie......I think whoever did his wardrobe is also responsible for Aerosmith's Steven Tyler too. He was wearing a white trenchcoat type jacket, along with multi-coloured trousers that had different patches all over. Someone fire the wardrobe designer please.

Ok, after the bizarre intro music the band burst into full rock mode with 'One Wild Night'. Not a bad start - had everyone up and jumping around, not to mention the ear-piercing screaming whenever Jon came towards our way. Richie's solo in the song was perfect, complete with every facial expression possible (what he calls "f**k-faces).

After a speech on telling people to forget about politics and sport (both of which have been in the ehadlines here in the States), Jon informed us that none of us were sinners, and that he was there to preach about all that is good about Rock 'n' Roll. Next up was 'You Give Love A Band Name', giving the crowd something to really sing along too. Jon was strutting his stuff on stage much to the delight of every female in the building. Where as Richie was belting it out on the guitar - every male fan wishing they could play that good.

Next in line was the ultimate tribute to the 70's - 'Captain Crash & The Beauty Queen From Mars'. And the stars of the song were in fact "there" at the show. At one of the earlier concerts they had managed to rope in an MTV presenter into playing the part of "Captain Crash". They got him all dressed up, along wih his "Beauty Queen" and put him out in the crowd and filmed it so that it could be used for further shows. It was actually pretty well organised. "Captain Crash' reacted to whatever Jon was saying - and it had quite an effect.

Next on the set-list were 4 old favourites - 'Blood On Blood', 'Livin' On A Prayer', 'Keep The Faith', and 'Born To Be My Baby'. Each and every one of them had the crowd going crazy and getting a little wilder.

Enough of the old......in with the new. Jon said "As you'll no doubt know - we have a new album out at the minute called 'Crush', so I won't even bother going into detail about it. Here's the first track of that album, 'It's My Life'". The band leapt into action, Richie in perfect "voice" on the "voice-box" and Tico was in fine form on the drums as ever...as for Jon, well he gave it his all as ever.

Toning it down now....one of the new songs got a rare inclusion on the set-list. 'Thank You For Loving Me' was performed perfectly and passionatley by both the band and the audience. Jon has said that he has been unsure about including it in the set-list, but it surely has to be. Those that have seen the band know that there has to be at least a couple of slow songs in there somewhere. With the ommitance of 'Always' or 'Bed Of Roses' - then this is a fine replacement, and in my eyes superior to the afore-mentioned songs.

That was the last track from 'Crush' that was to be played during the main part of the show. We were treated to the regulars such as 'Lay Your Hands On Me', 'I'll Sleep When I'm Dead' (inc. 'Rockin' All Over The World') as well as the Bad Medicine/Shout medley, that to be honest is now starting to wear a little thin - time for a change methinks. As well as those regulars, 'Blaze Of Glory' and 'Someday I'll Be Saturday Night' were thrown in for good measure. At one point Jon knelt down and beckoned a young girl to come closer, which she did rather shyly, and asked her to dance. Poor girl got stage-fright and was frozen to the spot. Then Jon puckered up for a kiss, and still the little girl was reluctant to do anything - "Do you know how many women out there would love to trade places with you?" asked Jon....with that she turned her cheek to Jon so he could have the privilge of making the move.

That was the main part of the show....but everyone knew though that the band would back on stage. There had been rumours flying around that maybe 'The Boss' himself, fellow New Jersey resident - a Mr Bruce Springsteen might have made an appearance. But alas, thats all they were - rumours.

Opening up the first encore was the electric 'Next 100 Years' - probably one of the best tracks on the album. All I can say is that when it came to the solo, Richie was just excellent. He put so much effort and flair into it that it was just mind-blowing.

Following a speech by Jon, 'I'll Be There For You' was played. Out came the lighters, up went everyone's arms - it must have been quite a sight for the band.

Off stage they went again...and after 5 minutes they were back on. Jon made an annoncement that they would be playing "across the parking lot" for 2 nights next July. Across the parking lot by the way is the NewYork Giants stadium - scene of the fanous "Homecoming" show they had a few years ago.

First song was I guess the bands anthem for this tour, 'Just Older'. Out of all the new songs that had been played throughout the night, this was probably the one that got the biggest reaction. If Jon had stopped singing we could quite easily have finished the song ourselves.

And last but not least was the bands anthem full stop - 'Wanted Dead Or Alive'. As soon as you heard David hit the first keys on the keyboard, that was it - the place erupted. Not a song I would choose to close a concert.... but hey what do I know about the music business? The crowd were completely wrapped up in the song.....out came the lighters again and a sea of hands were raised in unison to clap along.

And that my fellow Jovi friends, they say, is that. We had just witnessed the return of the homeboys.

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