What an amazing show, this has to be my favourite Bon Jovi show ever just an unforgettable night. Jon sounds better than he has in many years and put on an absolutely awesome performance. One of the truly great frontmen of his or any other generation, I was beginning to think he'd lost it after the Bounce tour but this couldn't have been a more different show.
The Sambora was out of this world, though when Jon introduced him as The Heavyweight Champion Of The World I wasn't sure if he was referring to his playing or his waistline. Who cares though the guy was absolutely on fire all night, just stunning playing and as always his version of I'll Be There For You with extended solos was just magical. On the point of guitar playing by the way they should never let Bandiera near a Sambora solo ever again, he absolutely murdered the solo In These Arms.
If I had to pick fault Last Man Standing was pretty lame as an opener, it was pretty lame full stop although Jon sang it on the catwalk about 5 ft away from me so that was pretty special to see him that close. I'm not a huge fan of Captain Crah or Just Older either but they were performed with a verve and hunger missing from the Bounce show and they got away with. It was the best I've seen them play It's My Life the crowd were really going for it and Prayer was amazing as ever. It's always much better later in the set when it's dark and the crowd is really warmed up.
At the end of the first part of the set I turned to my mate and said that even though they hadn't yet played some of my favourites it had still been an amazing show so far. They seem to have their hunger back and as I mentioned Jon (I'm not always his biggest fan) was really up for it. Another minor criticism was the It's Alright's in Who says went on a little too long but the song went down well.
When they came out for the first encores I said that if they're going to do Dry County it will be now as this seemed to be its place in the set when they have played it. When they started Welcome I have to admit my heart did sink a little bit although by this stage I had already decided that Dry County or not this was a great show. When they then came out for the second encores and I heard the little windswept sounds I was like "Oh my god, it's Dry County!" I nearly had to change my underpants there and then, I've waited so long to hear it (Since Keep The Faith tour). Jon did struggle with the vocals but who cares it was just a magic moment, Richie played his ass off, Jon gave it his all despite struggling to hit the notes. Shamefully it did not get a massive reaction, I don't know if people were just stood in awe or if many just don't know the song. I do truly believe though that we got this into the set, I think fan pressure did it because Jon obviously had trouble singing it and it is not a live favourite with the masses on this evidence. The only reason he could have done it therefore is as a gift to the hardcore fans who've been flooding the boards with requests that the song be played. It may be another 14 years before we hear it again but I'll be eternally grateful he decided to play it tonight. It just topped off a magical evening.
We then got Wanted which was great with Richie singing the second verse and I was just about to say the one song I've missed tonight is Keep The Faith when the bass line came in. I think I actually punched the air in delight. What a brilliant finish DC, Wanted and KTF, I know this is a long review but unless you were there you'll never know how good this was. Bon Jovi are back as one of the best live acts on the planet, get in!!
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Riding through starlight and smashing the boundaries as hellfire falls from the sky.
A shadow of pain will arise from the ashes of those fallen ones who have died.
Our only master with fire and fury of hell will see his bidding done.
Blasting from high as the battle unfolds, to the gates of the city we come!
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06-05-2006, 01:18 PM
