Ok... new questions.
 

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

LMS is dropped more than a half-step when played live - it's more like a step and a half or something ridiculous.

Oh - and watching the live performance of the HAND show they played in Amsterdam that was aired - none of the band sing the high parts in LOAP anymore. It was blatantly looped and lip-synced over a backing recording - watch the guys singing on the close-ups. Richie is no way putting enough into it to create the vocals you're hearing and Hugh clearly backs away from the mic and yet you hear no waiver in the harmonies.

Jon has got vocal problems since the slippery tour.Tokyo 1985 was the only concert which he was incredible about high notes.I havent listened a really great bad medicine or lay your hands on me live from the new jersey tour.Both of them were not so good at moscow music peace festival and jon was terrible at 88 tokyo.But in the blood on blood video and i ll be there for you live from florida lakeland they were highlighrs of the tour.In early 90's jon's voice is at his best(Blaze of glory and Keep the faith era).Crossroad tour 95 is ok but jon's voice is not as strong as the keep the faith tour.

Speaking of which; does anybody know where I can get EARLY live recordings, just because I love the first two albums far more than I think most fans do and I would like to hear some songs off of them?

Also, I REALLY think Jon could still pull off 'She Don't Know Me' (minus the octave-jump at the end) and Silent Night... anybody else agree? Who woudln't want to hear them in concert, just for the sake of suprise?!

i got lots of early live recordings and videos they are my favorite.

You will never, ever, ever hear "She Don't Know Me" live. Jon HATES it because it's the only song they've recorded that he didn't write.

Pretty much goes for anything off the first two records, which is a shame, because I really like them too..

Nope.. Jon has said that is one of his biggest regrets recording a song that was written by someone else.



I have to disagree. Sure it was good then but it was GREAT in 95/96... I saw them in 95 and was blown away by Jon. But go watch and listen to ALWAYS Live from London.. How can you say his voice wasn't as strong in that era as during KTF? It got better imo..

I don't think anyone here thinks the band is perfect. Now backstage on the other hand... in some of those people's eyes the band can do no wrong... I love the band too but NO I DO NOT LOVE every song they have ever done NOR DO I THINK THEY ARE PERFECT. But I must admit they are pretty damn close for me :)

Don't worry - you have a right to voice your opinion!!!

I don't know many of these answers, but I was wondering a question of my own - has Jon ever sang the high notes in the chorus in 'Prayer' live in concert?

I feel bad for him in a way, cause it's their biggest song, and he must be embarassed that he has to give that note to the crowd. You know?

Anyway, I thought the concerts in Toronto were great, and that his voice was wonderful - I mean, he sang In These Arms, Wild Is The Wind, and Living in Sin, and nailed them too. So that's my opinion.

Why are people saying LMS was dropped a step and a half? I'm comparing the studio version and the version from the Walmart cd and it's just half a step down, like all the other songs.

I'm comparing the album version of LMS to that played in Amsterdam 2005