First off, I hope nobody hates me for my last post about my disappointment in Jon during my 2nd night Tampa show.

Let me state that I have always been a gigantic Bon Jovi fan since I was 8 years old and Bad Medicine was #1 on Atlanta's rock radio for 6 weeks only to be taken off by Def Leppard's Armageddon It. War ensued in my brain.

anyways.

Going back over some points everybody brought up in my last post... other than 'if u dnt like it donnnt go luuser'.

'The songs aren't about high notes'. Now this I understand. Bon Jovi is not Foreigner, Journey, or Iron Maiden. People don't neccesairly put the band's status solely on the reputation of how high the singer can sing. And since Jon is a belter in the studio, like Bono or Celine Dion, it's perfectly understandable to me, as a singer of similar style, to lower the songs (like they do). I just don't get why songs like 'Last Man Standing' were lowered a half step. I do that when I play it acoustically, but in an arena? He honestly sounds bored singing the song. The song has a very easy vocal melody. No tinkering needed... it was written in Em for a reason, not Ebm, right? Somebody has to agree with me here...

Either way, I did say in my last post he sounded GREAT on HAND and WtWyA. Almost like he knew he was having an off night and saving his voice specifically for those two songs, which are quite tough to sing.

Above all, and I know this, Bon Jovi is about the SONGS. The SONGS are what has held up through the years. Part of this is Jon's voice, part of this is Richie, part is the band's harmonies. It's not like Journey where you only go to see if Steve Perry (pre 2000) or Steve Augeri (present) can really wail like a castrato in person.

That being said..... certain high notes can and should be covered by the band if Jon doesn't want to try and hit them on a given night.... Freddie Mercury did the same thing with his drummer, Roger Taylor... Mercury sang so hard (and was usually wasted on stage) that his drummer would reliably cover certain notes while Freddie took a low harmony. Sounded quite nice, actually. With 7 people in their touring band, not one of them has this ability?... just puzzles me. Thoughts on this?

And what's with the extra two guys, anyway? Who are they? Are they adding anything to the sound? The extra guitar and keys were not audible to me. Never saw Bon Jovi with extra members before on any tour or live document except, understandably, TLFR live. I hope they don't pull a Pink Floyd and start bringing in a backup drummer, 2nd bass player, female backup singers, and a horn section ... (and yes, I know that won't happen...so don't jump down my throat)

My faith in the live show was reaffirmed by how many people have told me I just caught them on an off night. I will go to another one next time around. And I'm still a fan.

But to anybody who doesn't like what I have to say, piss off. Just because Bon Jovi is a band we hold close, doesn't mean they're perfect, so don't take the attitude of 'HOW DARE I' not think they're the bee's knee's when I was disappointed in a show. I love this band. I just only... liked... not loved... the Tampa show... whereas I left the two Crush shows not being able to shut up about it for two weeks... well, I guess I can't shut up about this show either, can I?

Perhaps THAT'S the mark of a great band...

KJ