reviewsarchiv 751

From a certain distance you are indeed tempted to think, Richie Sambora belongs to those musicians, whe never get any older. But watched from a close up, it does look a little different again. Because then, you spot some little wrinkles, proving his partly heavy moving life. Well Sambora is most known as Bon Jovi's guitarist, and this since 1981. And it often gets neclected, that he's is running a more or less successful solo carriere as well. Whereby, this is certainly due to the shadow of Bon Jovi. Three soloalbums he's got going so far. The latest release is
'Aftermath Of The Lowdown', which just came out. Reasin enough, to start a fresh new solo tour, promoting this longplayer. That this would really happen, wasn't that sure 'till lately. So Richie has to undergo some medical treatment last year and was even replaced in Bon Jovi for some dates in the US. But currently he seems to be pretty well again, - well enough to undergo this tour here.
And there we are in Munich at the Circus Krone, which is pretty much sold out. Ticket holder are mainly Bon Jovi fans - who else?!
There is a support act named Bjorn Baillie, starting his set as a single entertainer, trying to warm up all those kiddies here. But those seem not to care really, as they are waiting only for one man....
I myself have to confess, I'm not even in the building at this early time.

Sambora is starting his, almost 3 hours show at strike 9 p.m. And as soon as he has appeared up there, the screaming within this place is overwhelming. He stands in the centerpoint, all other musicians are reduced to the background. And is taking a sunbath within the limelight, almost sufferin a sunburn. And yes, Richie Sambora is a great guitarist, no doubt about that. But he hasn't invented the singing necessarely. Sure, there are worse voices around.. But his vocals don't really own a so called re-recognition level. He owns one of many voices, winding itselves throughout the smooth pillowed melodic rock landscape. - Shame also, that his band is drowning so much in the shade, as they are worth while to mention. There is guitarist Luke Ebbin, guitarist David Ryan Harris, drummer Aaron Sterlin, Bassist Curt Schneider and Keyboarder Matt Rollings.
The band is working themselves through all periods of Sambora's solo catalogue, does a jam session, which shows clearly Richies favour for the Beatles.

To mention is for instance 'Golden Slumbers' and some other well known tunes of the Fab Four. At the song 'Sugar Daddy' 3 quarter of the audiance is singing along getting more and more enthusiastic. When 2 songs later Bon Jovi's 'I'll Be There For You' comes up, all Jovi deciples in here are getting mad about it. And Richie truly looks very happy. Because here he's got the living prove, that he is still here and is still someone. Because this has not always been the case inbetween thanks to some physical and psychological depths which had pulled him into a deep hole.
Further solotracks are coming up here such as 'Fallin' From Graceland' from his second soloalbum
Undiscovered Soul' from back in 1993.

The official set is finished by the Bon Jovy track 'Who Says You Can't Go Home'. And the Circus Krone here is almost exploding. Richie does come back for two encores. And we all do get the impression, that this night is never ending after almost 3 hours. Inbetween a fan storms the stage to sing along with our superstar here, and this one doesn't mind...
However, it's a fact, that this evening is a full success, and not only for Bon Jovi Fans. I for my part would not neccessarely glorify this here now, but... how shall I express myself best...? - it's been a nice and entertaining evening with some nostalgic moments - no more no less....
http://richiesambora.com/