The conspiracy behind the making of the TLFR album
 

Seasons greeetings everybody,

Well, sitting her at my laptop on Christmas day, I couldn't help reflecting on BJ as a band over their years and their song selections each tour in particular (post 2000). As a diehard of the diehard BJ fans (im only 23 btw and im from Sydney Australia), I envy experiencing a Bon Jovi gig back in the days of these days, KTF and NJ, as most you will agree that this period was pretty much the bands golden era. Now, I shall write the following from the perspective of a diehard fan and not a critic, because I am so thankful for the presence of BJ music in my life, and therefore, I hope I don't regret any of it by offending anyone, including the band themselves. Please, it is only a logic I've developed recently so feel free to agree or disagree.

Ok, here goes. Basically, I feel that one of the main reasons why BJ released TLFR album was to provide a song solution to Jon's vocal struggles (I may be wrong). In other words, by recreating some of their biggest hits in a lower key (not as high pitched) for songs like Always and Bed of Roses, it gives Jon the luxury of choosing these versions in favour of the originals to suit his present vocal chord status (again, i may be wrong). Without doubt, the vocal chords naturally wear down with age but to what exent, I haven't got a clear cut answer. I have a number of reasons and examples for coming up with this logic (and again, I hope this is not true because I would die to hear them sing the original version of songs again):

- The last time Bed of Roses and Always were played in original format was during the Bouce 2003 tour (prior to the release of TLFR). Since then, in the HAND and LH tour, they resorted to the TLFR version.

- Another example of the difference in Jon's voice over the years is when he sung 'shout' (a fairly high pitched song in its introduction) on the LH tour and when he sung it back on the OWN tour. Big difference in notes.

-There aren't many songs on the LH album that show Jon stretching his vocal chords to the limit like he used to in songs like 'if i was your mother', 'hey god', 'TAALS', and even post 2000, 'thank you for loving me'. I mean, MAM reaches a few high notes but the way he sings those high notes isn't the same way he sung them previously. In my opinion, it sounds more squeeky (if you know what i mean). Perhaps im wrong, maybe it sounds different live when actually at the stadium.

- In their song selections recently, it almost becomes quite predictable as to what they are going to sing, with only a few surprises. Without doubt, the 2007 surprise songs were great like Diamond ring for example, and Blood on Blood and Blaze of glory. However, when you look at it, these songs have all been played in post 2000 tours so it's not like theyve been pulled out after a decade. I wouldn't say that Diamond ring is the highest pitched song of the these days album (in comparison to hey god, TAALS, Lie to me etc). I guess the biggest BJ surprise of the 21st Century was the re emergence of Dry County to the setlist on the HAND tour. Even though I wasn't at the concerts, it just thrilled me to know it was there as it is my favorite song and for many I'm sure. Thats a BJ masterpiece and I hope they unleash it in Sydney 2008 (as that would be my first Bon Jovi concert). Also on that point re Dry county, whilst it is obvious that when hearing it, it doesn't sound as good as it was sung on the these days tour and KTF, it still sounded good and I guess that's all a fan really wants. And on the topic of rarities, it would be nice to unleash songs that haven't been played in ages (since pre 2000 tours) like this aint a love song, lie to me, stick to your guns, if i was your mother etc.

I guess the above are just a few reasons for my logic. I just feel less confident about Jons voice these days. I wish I didnt but I hope one day, the confidence that I once had will be restored. I hope BJ prove me wrong and return to the classic versions of BOR and Always, and really make their concert setlists less predictable. While it is undoubtable that new songs will need to be sung (given that its the LH tour), I guess all a fan really wants is to hear a good chunk of the songs that made BJ the musical geniuses they really are with a few proper rarities for the diehards.

Whatever happens, BJ will be part of my life till the day I die.

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Keep the faith!!!

Regards,
Daniel

Aloha !

I think you're unaware of a poster called krb102, but he once said sort of the same at the time TLFR was released. "In the future Jon will get requests for Always, but play the song in the TLFR version just to do something different". He said something in those lines, while pointing out that the TLFR versions in the future would be played to safe Jon's voice.

Back when that poster said it, everybody laughed. No one could imagine Jon being that stupid to start playing such versions. It'd be insane, to give the crowd one of your biggest songs in a way they don't remember them.

Yet, about 2 years later, in Milton Keynes 2006 Jon said exactly the same. "I got a lot of requests for a certain song, so here it is, this is called Always.". And instead of getting the bombastic drum intro, the shitty TLFR version was played. Pathetic, really. Whenever someone asks for Always that person wants to hear the original, not some "Twisted" version of the song. Jon knows this, but is obviously to lazy to rearrange the song to another key so he could still sing it. Instead he choses to avoid the harder notes, which results in a shit version without the power of the original.

Salaam Aleikum,
Sebastiaan

Not knowing too much about the notes and keys ect involved in arranging songs myself, can I ask is there only certain songs that will actually 'work' if they were to be sung in a lower key? For example, depending on what the original key was, is there only so low you can take it before the melody starts to fall apart? If 'Always' was kept in the original band arrangement yet all lowered to accomodate Jons voice would this still be passable? If so I would still gladly hear this version.
I actually do like the current version of Radio saved my life tonight, even though it does sound very low compared to the boxset version - but I would rather have this version of a rarer song than no version at all.

This may be settling for second best, I know, but lets face it, its just the way things are and you have to try to find the best with whats now on offer.


andi

I know that it's a sad fact but If Jon considers all the wants/request to play these song in 'original format' (which has high notes) each night I think he's going back to 'steriod shots' again and damage his voice ...again... so I guess I just have to accept fact that he may sing these songs 'rarely' or 'never' (hope not) in TLFR/'twisted' format than him not singing ever again....

Also, 'thank you for loving me' in back in 2000 it's not that high(compared to pre 2000 songs) but he was struggling hitting those high notes how much more if he sings TAALS now....

The other thing is he used to add 'something to believe in' (original) in 2000-20001 shows...he sturggled.he hit the high notes. (though not as good his 1996 performances)...me watching it it's like my throat hurts too...you can see him gripping the mic just to reach those high notes... 'ouch'

'Wild in the streets' added to LH setlist...he sang it. stuggled a bit in the '...my hometown' part actually i think he screamed that part out...not that high compared to TAALS, lie to me songs...but he's struglling....the gripping of the mic is present again....

'Lay your hands on me' 2007 performances u can see him struggling too...again not that high compared to those songs...and the gripping...

I think it's really hurting...

I think he's aware about the fans 'wants' but restricted due to his vocal chords...his voice is in good condition,I can say that coz' he sings hallelujah smoothly...but pre2000 songs have really really high notes if he sings these songs at every show...him going back to steriod shots...rest...his voice is somewhat good to go...I beleive it's not going to be back to 100% old days kind of voice...he just really needs to take good care of his voice! so taht at least he couls still sing!!

Though still hoping and KTF for a TAALS live....*sigh* really my fave song...

Radio totally lacks all power live. It's awful.
It's a great track on CD but in concert it's just lame as hell. I don't understand why Jon doesn't change the key so he doesn't need to sing one octave lower in the chorus. Perfect way of ruining a good song.

That is why Saturday Night should ALWAYS be in the set, is one of the few songs that is still played with full of energy - and its not that Saturday Night is one of the songs Jon can't pull of, right?

The look on Jon's face at the ~3 minute mark is ****ing priceless!

Wow. THAT is brutal.

Yeah it was - I was there that night and usually you don't notice screwups in the heat of the concert. Later on listening to YouTube or a boot it is more obvious. On that night - it yanked me right out of the song it was so bad.

And to give credit - he is usually not that bad.

What makes you say they're not as high? Are you an expert? You have the notes? I hate it when amateurs try to act professional...

Thank You For Loving Me's highest note is high B, same as Wild In The Streets highest. TAALS's highest note as far as I remember is also high B. As is Lie To Me's. So they're all exactly as high.

Fact is Jon is losing his voice. But to back it up with guesses like you just did is stupid.

Ice