Is Bon Jovi turning in to an Orchestra or is it a band?

Exactly. Which is why it's so irritating that people get so strung out over the idea of Bon Jovi being connected to country music. If people would stop trying to push every song into a certain category, they'd see that good music is good music and you don't have to limit yourself by labels.

To me Bon Jovi is Bon Jovi, each album could technically fit into a different genre, and songs from each album could randomly fit other genres, but it would be a waste of time doing that, no need to pigeon-hole a band because it might put people off listening to them if they hear that the band is a specific genre.

Let's try repeating that 3 times
I say the same thing about books by the way.

Kathleen

We have a 7 piece Orchestra now do we? They're still a band. Anyway I haven't heard any of the new tour yet so my opinion is perhaps not very significant. If some of the songs are done in an alternative way, I.e. adding more detail with extra musicians/instruments then it can be a good thing. For example Dire Straits were originally a 4 piece band, although near the end they had 7 or 8 musicians. Some formal members of the Straits some just session musicians. I have to admit that although a lot of the early Straits stuff is very well written, apart from Knopfler's complex guitar licks and solos they are very simple in structure. When those same songs are played live on the Alchemy album the extra musicians bring those songs to life. The saxophone, pedal steel, etc all sound great and I prefer the extended versions of the songs done live. However having said that, it isn't always done well. In Bon Jovi's case it may be totally different.

It doesn't bother me that Jeff and Bobby are there ... I don't think i looked at either of them for a total of 5 seconds combined... it is just confusing why they are there. I can't hear any great difference in the music with the addition of these guys. I did notice they sang backup on alot of songs and while i don't mind them playing i don't really think they should be singing backup vocals..jmo I mean their voices are not on those songs on the albums so why hear them live?

it is curious though will bon jovi feel the need to have extra musicians from now on on tour? only time will tell

Lots of bands have extra musicians, just not all are on stage. I wouldn't be surprised if all along they've had help just not onstage. It's not that uncommon.

I thought they gave the band a fuller sound & probably give Richie & Dave a break now & then. Their backing vocals really do help too & they sound great.

Green Day is a 3 piece outfit but recently added another guitarist for their live performances so Billy Joe can sing & run around. It definitley changes their sound but for the better IMHO.