Seasons greeetings everybody,

Well, sitting her at my laptop on Christmas day, I couldn't help reflecting on BJ as a band over their years and their song selections each tour in particular (post 2000). As a diehard of the diehard BJ fans (im only 23 btw and im from Sydney Australia), I envy experiencing a Bon Jovi gig back in the days of these days, KTF and NJ, as most you will agree that this period was pretty much the bands golden era. Now, I shall write the following from the perspective of a diehard fan and not a critic, because I am so thankful for the presence of BJ music in my life, and therefore, I hope I don't regret any of it by offending anyone, including the band themselves. Please, it is only a logic I've developed recently so feel free to agree or disagree.

Ok, here goes. Basically, I feel that one of the main reasons why BJ released TLFR album was to provide a song solution to Jon's vocal struggles (I may be wrong). In other words, by recreating some of their biggest hits in a lower key (not as high pitched) for songs like Always and Bed of Roses, it gives Jon the luxury of choosing these versions in favour of the originals to suit his present vocal chord status (again, i may be wrong). Without doubt, the vocal chords naturally wear down with age but to what exent, I haven't got a clear cut answer. I have a number of reasons and examples for coming up with this logic (and again, I hope this is not true because I would die to hear them sing the original version of songs again):

- The last time Bed of Roses and Always were played in original format was during the Bouce 2003 tour (prior to the release of TLFR). Since then, in the HAND and LH tour, they resorted to the TLFR version.

- Another example of the difference in Jon's voice over the years is when he sung 'shout' (a fairly high pitched song in its introduction) on the LH tour and when he sung it back on the OWN tour. Big difference in notes.

-There aren't many songs on the LH album that show Jon stretching his vocal chords to the limit like he used to in songs like 'if i was your mother', 'hey god', 'TAALS', and even post 2000, 'thank you for loving me'. I mean, MAM reaches a few high notes but the way he sings those high notes isn't the same way he sung them previously. In my opinion, it sounds more squeeky (if you know what i mean). Perhaps im wrong, maybe it sounds different live when actually at the stadium.

- In their song selections recently, it almost becomes quite predictable as to what they are going to sing, with only a few surprises. Without doubt, the 2007 surprise songs were great like Diamond ring for example, and Blood on Blood and Blaze of glory. However, when you look at it, these songs have all been played in post 2000 tours so it's not like theyve been pulled out after a decade. I wouldn't say that Diamond ring is the highest pitched song of the these days album (in comparison to hey god, TAALS, Lie to me etc). I guess the biggest BJ surprise of the 21st Century was the re emergence of Dry County to the setlist on the HAND tour. Even though I wasn't at the concerts, it just thrilled me to know it was there as it is my favorite song and for many I'm sure. Thats a BJ masterpiece and I hope they unleash it in Sydney 2008 (as that would be my first Bon Jovi concert). Also on that point re Dry county, whilst it is obvious that when hearing it, it doesn't sound as good as it was sung on the these days tour and KTF, it still sounded good and I guess that's all a fan really wants. And on the topic of rarities, it would be nice to unleash songs that haven't been played in ages (since pre 2000 tours) like this aint a love song, lie to me, stick to your guns, if i was your mother etc.

I guess the above are just a few reasons for my logic. I just feel less confident about Jons voice these days. I wish I didnt but I hope one day, the confidence that I once had will be restored. I hope BJ prove me wrong and return to the classic versions of BOR and Always, and really make their concert setlists less predictable. While it is undoubtable that new songs will need to be sung (given that its the LH tour), I guess all a fan really wants is to hear a good chunk of the songs that made BJ the musical geniuses they really are with a few proper rarities for the diehards.

Whatever happens, BJ will be part of my life till the day I die.

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Keep the faith!!!

Regards,
Daniel