My review of Nashville. Best live band in the world, and they proved so again last night.
Crowd: 9/10
My first show in Nashville, and I thought the crowd was terrific. The arena looked completely full all the way to the top, and most seemed to be standing the entire time. The crowd was appropriatley loud in the right spots, genuinely appreciative of Richie's solos and Jon holding notes. Somewhat suprisingly to me, a very "Bon Jovi crowd."
Jon's Mood/Energy/Vocals: 8/10
I've seen Jon in as good a mood, but rarely in a better mood than last night. He obviously likes Nashville, a place where they've written and recorded so many songs. While out on the circle, Jon pointed and gave a shout out to Billy Falcon and his daughter(?). If I wouldn't have read all the comments here, I wouldn't have thought twice about Jon's movement, or lack thereof. He must be cured of whatever debilitating back injury/leg injury/illness that people are talking about. Moved around plenty and looked fine to me. Stiff dance moves? Yes, Jon can't really dance and never has looked smooth.
He did a lot gyrating and shuffling/pretend stumbling back to the mic between songs. Best of all, he sounded good all night. I didn't notice him skipping words as I have in the past. In fact, the thought that kept running through my mind: He sounds good enough, I wonder if he has enough confidence to try Always again tonight.
Richie: 9/10
I'm not a guitar player, so I can't really give you a proper technical review. All I can say is Richie's playing sounded terrific and got some great responses from the crowd. Noticed several times the harmonizing with Jon on certain lyrics, and that's always one of my favorite parts of any Bon Jovi show. Richie was a monster on Keep The Faith.
New Songs: 8/10
Personally, I love the new songs (except I think Because We Can is just ok). I thought the new songs got sincerely decent reaction from the corwd. People were a little static during That's What The Water Made Me, but when it was over, there was a fairly warm reception and applause. I thought the other new songs went over well, even Amen. Jon again mentioned it as the likely 2nd single. Because We Can is the new song Jon seemed the most proud of, smiling and nodding approval from the prolonged reaction when it finished. Otherwise, his comments about the new songs were almost apologetic, along the lines of: "We're going to play you a couple new ones, and then we'll get to all the hits", and after Amen "Now we'll play something you'll recognize a little more."
Set List: 7/10
No rarities or tour debuts, but I was thrilled to get Always. Probably the one song I enjoy most in concert. When I heard it was played in Charlotte the night before, I had mixed emotions. Definitely glad it got played (wasn't so sure it would happen on this tour). But didn't know if Jon would play it back to back nights. Halfway through the show, I knew his voice was "on" enough to handle it. Yes, the "one more?" stuff with the band on stage in the encore is scripted. But there was legitimate drama for me. Would it be Always? I was hoping. Jon waved everybody back to their spots, and then said to David where I could read his lips plain as day: "Always" Yes! Huge crowd pleaser, and Jon knows it. Keep it up, I'm sure the performances will get better as the tour goes along.
Thought it was a kick ass performance of Saturday Night. The energy was electric for Runaway. I'll Be There For You had extended "whoa oh oh's" from Jon as he made his way back to the main stage. I love Make A Memory, but have to agree, it doesn't really work as the opener to the encore. People are going nuts, and then a super slow acoustic ballad. Need to change that up. Jon started Who Says You Can't Go Home with an acoustic verse, which is not only different, but also a version I really enjoy. That was cool. Made all those "s'alright's" tolerable.
Overall, I had a blast and can't wait until Solider Field this summer. Enjoy your shows everyone!