remember the dual guitar attack of the 7800/slippery era

I've been wondering myself that. So far the only confirmation I've heard is Southside Johnny saying it, so I dno. The fact that they brought Bobby and Jeff out for Live 8, two old songs and One new, kinda confirms it to me.

Yeah a guitar battle would be cool, but Jon is only a very basic player and tends to stick to rhythm on an acoustic. However I've seen a vid of Rockin' In The Free World live and the solos are amazing. Richie takes the first and the second one Jon. It shows that they have the potential to do it, but as somebody said it'd take a lot of rehearsing to pull off.

Jon is a really decent guitar player. Just watch the Kiel 2003 show. He's on fire and plays guitar on almost every song (except IML, TD and ITA I thought), including Bad Name and he is solo-ing on Sleep.

Aloha !

But he always plays the same guitarsolo's. Listen to I Believe from Amsterdam 2003, Rocking In The Free World and August 7, 4:15. All have the same guitarsolo's repeated but played in a slightly different way. And he often just strums something, and isn't really playing the song, a good example for that would be the acoustic version of Everyday.

Salaam Aleikum,
Sebastiaan

Did you ever see him play Mrs. Robinson?

Aloha !

Yes. So?

Salaam Aleikum,
Sebastiaan

That didn't look easy and standard. Those were some really ****** up chords and it wasn't just strumming. Richie does them with a capo.

Aloha !

That's because he probably rehearsed that song a lot, if he'd be really that great, there'd be more of such stuff on the albums. The point is, Jon can not just strum or play any song he wants to, just like he can't play a random guitarsolo. It always ends up to being the same. And what does the capo thing have to do with anything?

Salaam Aleikum,
Sebastiaan

Way back in the olden days right after they invented fire, Jon played guitar on about 75% of the tunes live. Check some older vids from the 7800 and slippery tours and even some of the NJ stuff. It's not that he is a guitarist on Richie's level but he is definately competent and it givs a song a more rock and roll vibe to have the nice thick 2 guitar attack in the main riffs, plus it leaves Richie a bit freeer (is that even a word? )to squeel and squall and carry on without having to hold the line for the whole show.

i guess I am just sentimental for the days when it didn't matter if they put on a letter perfect show, it was more attitude and fun than sychronized greatness. The breakdown was cetainly the turning point when Jon took control and "tightened up" the performances. He wants it to be just perfect, no reason for the critics/press to throw the whole 80's hairband revival in his face, so he is less and less willing to throw caution to the wind and just have fun.
The last time they pitched the setlist and played a truly surprising show was grand rapids Michigan a few tours back, maybe the best show I ever saw, as they played 1/2 of the New Jersey album that night, but the newspaper review the next morning said that playing obscure tunes like "homebound train" was a waste of the audiences time and money.

When Jon has an electric strapped on he seems more focused and dedicated somehow.......**** it I'll shut up now, I'm sure you aer all sick of hearing an old man babble about how it used to be...
P

I really hope that they don't. I'm praying for a miracle.