Great points all across, but especially this. You're right, it does seem as getting his power back and controlling the narrative. And he has good reasons, and finally I would say he is on top of his game in intuition sense (after 20 years of chasing IML clone and next hit).

I would even dare to say that this documentary is the best that Jovi as a brand and a band can do to get in public, mainstream eye as next "hit" or phase of the band. And for Jon to sell his "weakness" as PR promo material is genius. Because, let's be honest, documentary is really good and emotional for us fans, but without this narrative of young energy vs. old challenges that is masterfully done, there would be little of substance for non-fans.

I also fear a little bit for him, cause the 60's are on their way big time for him, voice is obviously not going to be 20 years younger, nor are band members. What happens next is probably the last chapter and fanbase is by now okay with that. Some are more resentful, some less, but this is it, endgame.

BUt how is he going to pull out of this? I do like him in documentary and recent promo, I do believe he became more down to earth due to voice struggles, Richie, everything. But still he believes in big success of The Circle, WAN, etc, it's nonsense. I don't know if he knows it or not. I sincerely don't know if he knows that Legendary is not really a hit and riding the waves, but it's manufactured charts and its' no more a hit than, let's say, RollerCoaster?

He's out of touch a little, and I do fear for him when world forgets about the band, which is basically soon. This is band's swan song, he and others should enjoy it, and I do hope Richie is invited back. But after that, Jon could have delayed phase like Richie had in post-HAND period, in a sense lost, misplaced, different (not necessarily tragic and substance abuse).

It's bittersweet for us also I guess. I love them and criticize them, but next tour, if it happens, I will treasure, no matter the mistakes, the Shanks, the whatever of what's still wrong.

Thanks. Today I gave this tracklist a listen. It does flow better. It may be better than THINFS. Still a weak album IMO; Jon's voice is at its worst, I hear Shanks all over some of the songs and I've had enough with "woooohs", but I can see myself listening to this again, but without Story of Love and Shine.
I don't miss neither Do You Can because, well, it sucks, nor American Reckoning, because I dislike the chorus.

Found this quote by Jon. Really puts in perspective that band work was very much constantly on, even before promised break before WAN

A lot of things happened in the band members' personal lives after the Have a Nice Day Tour. "If someone had said, You're going to write a record in September, having come off the road in August," noted Bon Jovi in 2007, "I would have said no, because I wasn't going to repeat the mistake of Slippery into New Jersey. But then I started observing things happening in our world. Richie went through a divorce [from Heather Locklear] and his dad passed away [from cancer]. Meanwhile Dave got a divorce and was fighting for custody of his kids. Watching the sadness, compounded by these newfound freedoms for Richie and Dave as individuals, make me think about what we should write about." Blake, Mark (2007). "My brilliant career: Jon Bon Jovi"

https://youtu.be/CbbBwOqX0Xk?si=0vijVYD1GvpgkxLP

Sent from my SM-X700 using Tapatalk

Aloha !

I just watched that and thought several things were interesting;

- Jon doesn't recognize Right Side of Wrong until he starts singing the verse. Not patting myself on the back, but I instantly knew this was David doing the piano solo before Joey or Right Side of Wrong. Jon's watched it about 50 times and doesn't remember any of it.

- He watches his "acting" during the solo for the first time and doesn't seem to cringe so apparantly no one ever, ever said this looked shit.

- He lights up when he sees Richie actually being up to his usual standard during the guitar solo of Just Older.

All of this makes me wonder how often he's actually looked at regular footage of himself. Surely he must see a different and better band perform than what he's got going on around him nowadays?

Salaam Aleikum,
Sebastiaan

Of course he does. That's absolutely clear from the documentary, I think. But, it seems Jon is focused on being as good as is possible given the reality of the bands situation. I think if you asked him, he'd want the 5 piece from 1995 back in business. It can't happen so do the best they can.

Reminds me of the line from the song "You do what you can." I think the #1 thing Jon wants back is his voice.

https://2loud2oldmusic.com/2023/07/0...ection-series/

https://2loud2oldmusic.com/?s=bon+jovi

Found this...they are ranking everything...

Sent from my SM-X700 using Tapatalk

mark around 10:00 min. question about Richie return :


:)