A review by Shirley Alves

Fans were treated to a celebratiuon of sight, sound, and even touch last night, as one of Montreal's all-time favorite bands, BON JOVI, returned to the Bell Centre for the opener of a two-night musical extravaganza.

Mega-success bands and large arenas don't usually mix to make an intimate concert exerience, but BON JOVI put an end to that unfortunate reality last night...

The house lights dimmed, the main stage was slowly revealed in a blaze of color, but from way across the floor, at the foot of the sections farthest away, a small satelite stage for one became the focus of all the attention, as lead man, Jon Bongiovi, aglow in soft lights, stepped up to the mike and began singing "Last Man Standing", to the unexpected joy of fans seated in and around the immediate area.

Seemingly having no qualms whatsoever, Jon then slowly made his way to the main stage via the left aisle of the floor section, touching hands and hugging thrilled fans on either side, to finish the song alongside his bandmates.

"You Give Love a Bad Name" followed, getting everyone out of their seats, if they hadn't been standing already! Thus began a two and a half hour love-fest with BON JOVI, including 3 encores!

Jon, looking as gorgeous and beautifully taut as ever, was pure eye-candy to his many adoring female fans, in an open black leather jacket and black jeans. His ravishingly youthful blond-Italian good-looks gave new meaning to the over-40 motto, "You're not getting older, you're getting better". In fact, perhaps BON JOVI should change the lyrics to their song "Just Older" to "Just Better"!!

Lucky fans had many opportunities to "reach out and touch" their fav member throughout the show, and despite Jon's little joke about when U2's Bono comes to town, we Montrealers leave in peace, but when BON JOVI comes to town, we want to leave with "pieces" of him, he seemed to enjoy, and in fact, encourage the intimate connection between fan and performer. Super-wide side stage ramps that reached right into the crowd, surrounded by standing areas, made it easy for such contact. Halfway through the show, Jon performed an acoustic rendition of "Bed of Roses" from another satelite stage amidst fans in the right red section. Again, he lovingly wandered back to the main stage through the crowd, touching everyone's outstretched hands. One lucky brunette was on cloud nine when she had the chance to slow-dance with Jon during an extended guitar riff in the song, while an angelic little girl, maybe 4 or 5 years old, brought out Jon's paternal side, and got a little kiss!

With his strong and sensual vocals, energetic guitar playing, great smile, and magnetic "joie de vivre" personality, Jon Bongiovi was the ultimate communicator and crowd pleaser. He had everyone on their feet, roaring and singing along from the get go. "How are we doing so far?!", he would shout out... The response was deafeningly positive!!

While impossible to sing every favorite in one show due to the vastness of their musical reperatoire, spanning over 20 years, BON JOVI still knows how to deliver the songs they do choose with all the energy and warmth the songs were originally recorded with and more. Whether they're singing slow, emotionally-charged ballads like oldie "I'll Be There For You" or the new song "Welcome to Wherever You Are", or whether they're belting out loud rock anthems like "Raise Your Hands", "Bad Medicine", or "Livin' On a Prayer", BON JOVI live remains a concert that's always fresh, never "tired-sounding", that's sure to get your heart pounding or melting, and get you up and movin', completely aware that you're alive!

Always professional, BON JOVI knows how to give their fans a show to remember. Last night's sensorial success can be attributed to all the above, as well as to the hard work and dedication to craft of many talented individuals, in all areas of the production, most notably:

-The set design and stage set-up, that allowed all band members to be highlighted and seen from all angles in the Bell centre by all

-The lighting and effects crew, who designed and set up a bright and dramatic surround for the band, matching technology with rock and roll and its many moods

-The excellent filming done by the many cameramen, who provided the sharpest images, and the most professional big-screen video I've ever seen in a concert. Super job!

-Big sound without big obstructive speakers, to keep the band in view from all angles

-Even the wardrobe department... The colors and styles worn by the band all worked together to both make each member look good and stand out, while providing a smooth and perfectly balanced look to show.

All the above crews did an amazing job of making the show a huge success, but a show is nothing without the band itself, of course!

Unlike some bands, the front-man isn't the only one deserving of praise in THIS band!!

Guitar virtuoso, Richie Sambora, wearing a deep fuschia-pink satiny shirt that set off his sexy dark goodlooks, was amazing, his frenzied and fantastic fingers bringing the music to life on the 12-string! (And every other guitar he touched!)

Drummer, Tico Tores, was a powerhouse of energy, and thanks again to an excellent camera crew, we all had the pleasure of watching those awesome arms in action! Rock on Tico!

Bassist, Hugh McDonald, turned up the heat with his smooth grooves and kept us dancing!

And on keyboards, David Bryan kept the melodies vibrant and, well, melodic! Beautiful!

With additional musical talents provided by another guitarist and keyboardist, BON JOVI allowed all present to experience a little slice of "the good Life" (BON JOVI) !!

Honorable mention must also be made to the unknown photographer who provided the awesome desert photos used for the perfect backdrop to "Blaze of Glory" and "Wanted Dead or Alive". Beautiful!

They say that practice makes perfect, and BON JOVI has certainly had a lot of practice touring over the years. Last night, it showed !!

If tonight's show is anything like last night's, fans are in for another treat! ENJOY!!

And to you, BON JOVI, listen up guys, we fans here in Montreal "...will love you, Baby, ALWAYS" !! GREAT JOB!! Come back soon!!

XXXOOO :)

PLAYLIST for December 14th, 2005:

*Last Man Standing
*You Give Love a Bad Name
*Complicated
*Born To Be My Baby
*Story of My Life
*I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
*Runaway
*Bounce
*Novocaine
*Won't Back Down (Made famous by Tom Petty)
*Have A Nice Day
*Who Says You Can't Go Home
*It's My Life
*I'll Be There For You
*Blaze of Glory
*Bed of Roses
*Captain Crash and the Beauty Queen From Mars
*Bad Medicine
*Raise Your Hands
*Livin' On A Prayer

ENCORE #1:

*Welcome to Wherever You Are
*Everyday
*Treat Her Right

ENCORE #2 :

*Have A Little Faith In Me
*Just Older
*Someday I'll Be Saturday Night

ENCORE #3:

*Wanted Dead Or Alive

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