Why do you want Richie back so bad?

rolo_tomachi · #21 05-17-2013, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panda

Back in Richie's hayday anyone could argue that Richie would be better, because he probably was. But after listening to his recent solo album, I've realised Richie just doesn't have it anymore.

You are unfair and a bit manipulator. "Aftermath of the Lowdown" has the guitars that need the new albums from Bon Jovi.

"Seven Years Gone", "You Can Only Get So High", "Learning How To Fly With A Broken Wing" and even "Every Road Leads Home To You" are very good songs.

Not as good guitarist as before, but still good, listen again "Burn The Candle Down".

No I have nothing against Phil X, but not is better than Sambora, it's clear IMO. This guy is 47 years old, and has done nothing, absolutely nothing amazing or admirable in the studio, and their albums with his band "The Drills" I can not take seriously (I think Phil either), his discography can hear in less than one hour. Even "Aftermath Of The Lowdown" (Album more slack from Richie solo discography) is better than the entire discography of "The Drills".

I'm talking about songs, and not just guitars.

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Iceman · #22 05-17-2013, 03:08 PM

I won't slag either one, but I like Phil X.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johny

Timo has many guitar covers on youtube and I'm sure he would do a better job.

Let's not get carried away here... That Timo guy is an average guitarist that copies Richie. Phil X is a technically very, very good, professional guitar player. He doesn't get to play half of what he can do with Bon Jovi. Also he's a good singer. The only reason he's not able to shine with Jovi is the fact that they haven't any time to rehearse and give Phil the time to learn the songs. It's one thing learning the parts in your bedroom and recording a YouTube video than learning the song, while travelling and gigging every night, but 90% of the bedroom guitarist couldn't play shit on stage. It's a totally different ballgame.

Quote:

I was some episodes of Phil's on youtube and he is a crazy fool and I found it rather embarrassing.

He's a funny ADHD guy, much like Richie used to be.

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He has no stage presence apart from KTF. He ruins some songs with his vocals (they should let David do all Richie's vocals).

Phil does what he is paid to do. If he was allowed to run on the catwalks and talk with the audience, he would. He's just an employee there, does what he is told. Why do you think KTF is the only place where you think he can shine? Plus, he sings just fine. Hits the notes better than Jon.

Ice

Solid Sambora · #23 05-17-2013, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panda

Phil has better stage presence and energy than Richie. Richie will bend his knees back a bit and look down at his guitar with a bit of a "lost in the music" face occasionally, but that's about the extent. He doesn't say much and he doesn't really move from his spot. At all. Phil on the other hand is moving around the stage and is truly enjoying himself out there. Just watch Keep The Faith from Bulgaria.

Phil is a phenomenal guitar player and actually IS better than Richie.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panda

How are you able to measure this. This just screams of ignorance to me. Or maybe I'm just ignorant. Show me where and when Richie has more stage presence. I just don't see it. I've seen Richie across Canada, and in seven cities in Europe. I just don't see it.

So, you can proclaim Phil X is better than Richie, but anyone proclaiming Richie is better than Phil X is ignorant? How can YOU measure this? Opinions can be beautiful things, ignorance is thinking your opinion is more valid than someone else's.

Thierry · #24 05-17-2013, 03:14 PM

Looks like I'm in good company here, Phil X is the bomb!

some1 · #25 05-17-2013, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johny

Timo has many guitar covers on youtube and I'm sure he would do a better job.

The naivety in the above statement is outstanding. Comparing a dude who covers a band's songs in his bedroom (and not being very good at that either) to a top LA session guy is mindblowing. Goes to show how unrealistic people can be when their feelings get in the way (nothing wrong with that one - i can understand a bon jovi fan going crazy over that richie thing). But you've gotta give it to Phil - he does a very fine job every night on that stage and he's a very likeable guy.

Johny · #26 05-17-2013, 04:45 PM

I just hate that it is rather a fashion here to say how Phil is amazing and Richie sucks.

I'm not that stupid to think that it is the same to play in a bedroom and on stage. From what I heard Timo plays the songs exactly the same as on records or as Richie does them and like it. Rather than some Phil who does not. I don't say he's bad but he's far from amazing. He does mistakes in many solo and it bugs me. Maybe I'll change my opinion tomorrow but he adds nothing to bon Jovi for me. The only thing I liked being different was outro solo to Always on some of the US shows. He may be technically genius but I like Richie's guitar outro miles better, I don't think he is that good at improvising. And yeah, one more good thing - when Jon is out, he really acts like a rock guitarist during KTF, that true and very good to watch. Richie is rather lazy. But still, Phil is in shadow for the whole show - I don't say it's his mistake, it's just the way it is. I also find his vocals eg in I'll Be There For You very irritating.

IF it is so right and cool and amazing to have a different person instead of Richie. I'd love to have a new singer there. One that can actually sing and bring some fresh air. What about that and what about now? The new singer could move more, he could sing technically better, he could come up with some adlibs.

For me, Richie as important as Jon. If one of them should be missing, be it Jon for me, his performances are much worse than Richie's. Yeah, call me naive, you all professional musicians. I don't need to be that to enjoy music I like.

Mysterytrain · #27 05-17-2013, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beaky

Charisma... Let's look at that one first... Not sure if you're being awkward over that one. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and explain...

Maybe you're incapable of getting goosebumps or getting wrapped up in a moment but for me, when Richie screams 'let's ride' and cranks into the Wanted solo, there is very little in music, that can get anywhere close to it. Many people have said that without him, it's not Bon Jovi and that's true for me.

Either way, it's also about association. Richie is woven into the very fabric of Bon Jovi and unless you just simply don't like them anymore or you just don't really care for Richie anymore, it shouldn't even be a question. It's a poorer show for me without him.

Phil seems like a lovely guy and I am really chuffed he is living this life and experiencing it for a while. It's like watching a kid rise up through the ranks at a football club. But the fact is, he is a session player and stuck between a rock and a hard place. Unable to improvise certain things and when he does, half the people say he's crap.

He's not crap. He's very fast and he's a shredder. But listen to the solo from Sofia for Wanted and you immediately miss the slides down the neck, the palm-dampening runs, those little Clapton-esque, soulful touches that Sambora has thrown in that make certain solos sing. I could probably stand there at the Isle of Wight and say, 'wow, he can play' but I won't get lost in it.

Oh and just to sum up the charisma/star power thing... no matter how cheesy it sounds, I would much prefer to say... 'I've met Richie Sambora' than 'I've met Phil X.'

This is how I feel, as well.

Living_on_my_Hair · #28 05-17-2013, 05:03 PM

One other thing, Phil can play the Wanted solo more or less note for note which is perfectly...adequate, but I don't get the same feeling as I do when Richie really nails it. I literally do get chills sometimes when Richie launches into the Wanted solo, especially if he nails those bends, pinch harmonics and of course the backing vox. Proper hairs on the back of my neck moments, which are missing with Phil.
Of course, with most of the recent tracks where there is little or not lead guitar to speak of, Richie isn't missed as much, but on stuff like I'll be there for you and Wanted, the difference is clear as day. Also, the solos from the likes of Runaway, Raise your hands are missing the Richie trademark licks. Phil X doesn't really ''bring the blues'' either, he's a great technical shredder.
I know I was slagging of Keef Richards the other day for being sloppy, but would I want him replaced in the Stones lineup with some younger and more technically proficient player? Like hell I would, the songs would lose a lot of their character, and when you have been a fan and grown up with a certain sound and soul of a band for 18years like I have, you of course don't want to lose that.

Beaky · #29 05-17-2013, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Living_on_my_Hair

One other thing, Phil can play the Wanted solo more or less note for note which is perfectly...adequate, but I don't get the same feeling as I do when Richie really nails it. I literally do get chills sometimes when Richie launches into the Wanted solo, especially if he nails those bends, pinch harmonics and of course the backing vox. Proper hairs on the back of my neck moments, which are missing with Phil.
Of course, with most of the recent tracks where there is little or not lead guitar to speak of, Richie isn't missed as much, but on stuff like I'll be there for you and Wanted, the difference is clear as day. Also, the solos from the likes of Runaway, Raise your hands are missing the Richie trademark licks. Phil X doesn't really ''bring the blues'' either, he's a great technical shredder.
I know I was slagging of Keef Richards the other day for being sloppy, but would I want him replaced in the Stones lineup with some younger and more technically proficient player? Like hell I would, the songs would lose a lot of their character, and when you have been a fan and grown up with a certain sound and soul of a band for 18years like I have, you of course don't want to lose that.

^^This^^

Also, for me, it goes back to being a 16 year-old kid, with all the stuff I was going through in my life. I loved this band but Richie made me want to play guitar just as much as Jon made me want to be a singer.

When you go to see a band, your band, THE band, it's about sharing the same moments as them, right there.

If you take the band out of the performance, it's a tribute band and with no disrespect to Phil, he pays great tribute to Richie Sambora but he's just not connected to the songs in the same way.

Jim Bon Jovi · #30 05-17-2013, 06:15 PM

I don't. I'm quite looking forward to seeing Phil play.

Shame the last time I get to see the band is sans Richie but as the band like saying - you've made your bed, lie in it.

Why do you want Richie back so bad?

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