Post by happycat on Jun 21, 2015 23:14:20 GMT
I wanted to salvage this review from Dry County just in case that board does go away someday. Today being Father's Day has me nostalgic. This is the last show that my wonderful, loving, patient father drove me to before he died in 2003. He was the best! I was a much happier person then. Only 27 years old--the world seemed to have a lot more possibilities then.
Atlanta, Georgia 2-13-03
Looking back on this concert, I can say that I experienced it on a different level than I have any concert prior. There's more to a show than just the songs that are played and the light show and the stage antics. There's the experience that is shared with your friends and the experience you share with the band and the other 20,990 some odd people whom you don't know personally.
I had the extreme pleasure of going to this concert with two of my best friends. I'm lucky to have several people in my life who can be called my best friend beyond Colleen and Julie, but these two are the two people in the world who know me better than any others. Colleen knows my every secret (except the significance of 38 LOL) and Julie (who shares with me the significance of 38 ) is my local best friend whom I've grown up with and love like a sister. Bon Jovi is an intense passion for me and Colleen shares it and Julie has never discouraged it. So, to go to a show with them made it a special performance before it even started.
We had incredible seats, 4th and 5th row, on Dave's side of the stage. The stage set up has the band performing in front of 3 giant satellite dishes which are the projection screens for the video. It looks cool, but the screens from the previous tour provided a better picture. You may be wondering why I would even bother with the screens when I was 4 rows away. The way Jon interacts with the camera at times makes viewing the screen a must so you can appreciate the expressions he uses to animate his singing. He is the most amazing performer I've ever seen! From start to finish, he has the crowd in the palm of his hand. If he merely arches an eyebrow, 21,000 people react. He doesn't cater to one part of the crowd more than the other. The guy with the worst seat in the venue or the guy in the front row--Jon makes sure they ALL get a great performance. I noticed he didn't play guitar on some of the songs he has played on live before (like Bounce). This makes for a more energetic and entertaining show. But even when Jon's range of movement is limited while he's playing his guitar, he's much more animated and intense of a performer than any other act I've witnessed. By comparison, Johnny Reznick whom I expected to be an amazing performer was kind of boring. Well, what I saw of him was. Some wenchbag wearing half a bottle of perfume sat next to me during the Goos set and I missed half their performance because I was sitting with my head on my lap trying not to throw up from her stench, even after switching places with Colleen. Funny thing is, I prayed that I could get through the Bon Jovi show without her making me ill and not two minutes later she left and didn't return. Apparently she was in the wrong seat.
Ah, now, speaking of Jon's singing! The man has got some pipes! He sounds amazing on every song. A lot of people have a field day saying Jon can't sing like he used to. That's true. He no longer sounds like his vocal chords are bleeding as they were in 1987. He sounds better now than before. I'd much rather have a performance like this one where he's holding his notes and hitting them in the right places than a screaming metal lite performance of the SWW days. He has a powerful and strong voice and coupled with the athletic performance he gives, he is the most electrifying frontman in rock and roll! He has more stamina than a 3 year old with ADHD who's eaten chocolate covered vitamins for breakfast!
Speaking of Jon's stamina, when he says he's going to give you a workout like you've never had before, he means it. At one point he asked if we were tired yet and I have to admit if I answered honestly, I would have said "Yeah, as a matter of fact, I am." That was one of those little things that hit me with a profound effect. I've never been truly tired out by a Bon Jovi concert before and realizing that at that moment made me very grateful that I was there. I really was sick in 2002 and am so grateful that I didn't have cancer. Even if I don't have the kind of energy I used to, at least I had the energy to go. The Jon Bon Fonda work out made me grateful just be alive!
The show started with Bounce. That's exactly what we did for the next 2 hours and 15 minutes. From there, they went into Bad Name. I admit when I hear the intro, I thought to myself, "Well, at least they get it over with early." But, you know what, I'm wrong about Bad Name being their worst live song. It will never be my favorite, but it IS a crowd favorite. As far as live performance goes, the reaction that song gets is phenomenal. I looked around the arena and saw and heard every voice shouting the lyrics, every person loving every note. So, even though some diehards like myself may find the never ending presence of this song on the set list to be a bore, the fact is, it's a crowd pleaser and that's what Bon Jovi aims to do. The people like me are very much in the minority. Most people haven't been to a show every tour and certainly don't have a few hundred recorded.
We slipped back to 1987 for a little while with Wild in the Streets and Living on a Prayer. I know a lot of people want to hear those oldies like Wild in the Streets, but I just think there are so many better songs with better vocals that could be done. Prayer is always awesome though. It's a song that's stood the test of time and sounds just as good today as it did then. It means more now because it's been a part of people's lives for so long.
From the 80's, we jumped right into the current century with Everyday and Undivided. Everyday is one of those songs that packs more of an emotional punch live than it does on tape. You've just got to hear it live to appreciate it. Undivided started with a funeral dirge type of intro and was a very intense song for the band, only intensified by the use of the lasers. September 11 will forever be in the collective consciousness and I appreciate Bon Jovi's finding the positive to highlight. Optimism has always been one of their strengths.
Next was Runaway, old style. Colleen and I just looked at each other like, "Huh?" The concert would definitely please the old school fans as well as the new school fans! It's an interesting juxtaposition to go from Runaway to Just Older which was next and one of the best. That song makes me feel good about myself. I'm hardly knocking on the door of retirement at 27, but I still relate to those lyrics. I've grown up with the band and I do have things that I look back on fondly and a future to look ahead to hopefully. The best doesn't have to be over when you get out in the "real world" no matter what people say to you when you're young. Most days I prefer this "real world" I'm living in now.
Wanted being mid-show was a bit of a surprise. In fact, when it started Colleen and I both thought it was the intro to Blaze of Glory and freaked out. Oh well. No such luck! By the way, Jon talked about some football player named Michael Vick and dedicated that song to him. Next was The Distance! I was so happy to hear this song live. I really enjoyed the light show at this point. This song had a starlight type background which I loved.
It's My Life was as energetic as you could expect on the part of the band and the audience. Next was Misunderstood which, again, I think you have to hear live to really appreciate it for how great of a song it is. David opened Right Side of Wrong with a piece from his solo CDs. For the life of me, I can't hear the song in my mind now to play back his CD and identify it. But I know it was a piece I recognized from his solo CDs. Maybe if it hadn't been a few months since I'd listened to them, I could have more easily identified it at the show. Nonetheless, I'm really glad David has the opportunity to showcase his amazing talent. Right Side of Wrong was a time for Jon to showcase his acting talent as well. He brought those characters to life, not only with the way he performed his vocals, but also the way he animated the lyrics. Whether you like the song or not, it's a spectacle in the live atmosphere--definitely a highlight.
Next Richie sang I'll Be There For You. I'm happy for him that the song choice made a world of difference in the reaction he got! There was none of the sitting down and potty break routine that he'd gotten while performing his solo stuff in the USA before. A recognizable song really made a difference for him and I hope he left the show feeling good about it. The way Richie sang it didn't spur the emotional reaction in me that Jon's live version does. I missed Jon's adlibbing at the end. It's at that point I usually burst into tears. So, I didn't cry during I'll Be There For You this time around and it's one that usually can make me cry even on video tapes. But, I know it made his fans happy to hear him sing and I'm happy for them. I'm sure it made Richie happy to not look out at an audience of sitting people or exiting people too, so it's all good.
Hook Me Up was awesome!!! I think it would make a great opening song too. Next was Raise Your Hands, which again, for me was a little of a disappointment. I'd rather hear something new or rare. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night remains one of my favorite songs and is always a treat to hear live. Captain Crash and the Beauty Queen from Mars followed and that made Colleen sad because it's her son's favorite. It was a fun song though. Everyone in the arena started doing a bouncey wave in tune with the beat. And, I'll tell you something, when you look at 21,000 people moving their arms in a dorky unified fashion, it's pretty incredible. It's no wonder the band keep touring. It must be nice to have the kind of power over people to make them behave like that! LOL Born to Be My Baby rounded out the pre-encore segment of the show. Our encores were I'll Sleep When I'm Dead, Bad Medicine, and Shout. Yes, it's predictable. But, it still delivers. We still finished on a high note and the show was worth every penny (and I paid considerably more pennies than most folks in attendance. LOL)
There was something I realized while enjoying the oldies-but-goodies. No matter how similar set lists might be, the performances are not the same. They didn't do Born to Be My Baby the exact same way it was done in 2000, and surely not the same way it was done in 1988. Each night makes each show different because of the interaction of the band and the crowd. That's where the magic comes in. The guys feed off us and they aim to please us. I think that's why the songs that are known to work make the bulk of the set. This show is not the same show I saw in 2000! There were seven songs from Bounce integrated with the well known hits and the concert favorites. If that's not balance, what is? If a long time fan can't be pleased with hearing seven new songs, then maybe you shouldn't waste your money on the tickets. Enjoy what they give you. Let the professionals make up the set list. They've been doing it for 20 years and they're still selling out venues. Apparantly, they know *exactly* what they're doing. If you have the audacity to bitch about seeing the "same" show more than once on a tour, think about the person who feels privileged just to make it to ONE show because the closest the band comes to him/her is 400 miles from home. I'm one of those people who have found the recent set lists kind of disappointing, but the concert was a wake-up call. Bon Jovi puts on the best damn rock show in the world. Period. If they wanted to put their spin on Mary Had a Little Lamb, you can bet your britches it would be the best version you ever heard.
There are a few other things I wanted to comment upon. First of all, what's with women who think they have to right to sexually assault Jon when he gets near them? He went over to the fan pits at one point and he was going along shaking hands and someone reached right out and stroked him from his waist downward. She barely got to touch Jon before he jumped backward like a scalded cat and did not return to those fans. So, not only did she make a gesture that Jon did not want and did not appreciate, she ruined the opportunity anyone else in that pit had to be able to shake his hand. I hope she's proud of herself. Fortunately for one little girl, Jon did take her hand before that incident. She looked to be about 8 years old and her face lit up so much when Jon took her hand.
The interaction between Jon and Richie was like nothing I've witnessed between them before. There is an intense synchronicity between those men. They play off each other's every movement. It's no wonder they've been calling Bounce a Jon and Richie record--the dynamic between the two of them is explosive. I noticed at the end of the set, where usually Tico would be the one to call attention to Jon, it was Richie this time around. They are certainly one of the most powerful combos in rock and roll.
The merchandise wasn't that great--especially given the prices. Tour shirts were $45, baby doll tees were $40, kids shirts were $35. Most of the tour shirts had logos. The colors were dark or muted. Posters were $5; keychains $15, buttons $10, bandanas $15. There was a black and white photo of the band truly autographed going for $100 each. I'd give $102 if it were in color. LOL It's not really a good photo either. The band are all looking in different directions and Richie is being struck in the head by lightening (it's from the Everyday photo shoot). Still, getting all their autographs in one place is pretty cool if you have $100 to spare!
Oh, what were they wearing? Heh heh, before the show we were speculating about what Jon would wear and my dad said, "What difference does it make?" Without missing a beat, Julie said, "We want to make sure he's warm enough." LOL He was. In fact, he may have been a little too warm! He wore beige colored pants the whole show and started with a beige vest and went to a black War Greatest Hits T-shirt. Richie started with a red Sgt. Pepper type jacket that would have fit on the New Jersey Tour. Dave and Tico were in all black. Jon looked really gorgeous. Yes, there is chest hair. The most amazing thing though is his eyes. Wow! When you're 20 feet from someone and can tell they have blue eyes.... sigh. I'm reduced to mush.
One of the best things about this show was experiencing it with Julie who hasn't seen the band since 1989. I think she left fully aware of why my passion for Jon and the band has remained in tact for so long. She was impressed with the show and utterly amazed by Jon as a performer. Colleen's reaction was much like my own. We were the happiest girls in the world for a while and totally depressed when it was over. We all wished there was a way to make it to Nashville the next night. One show is just not enough. I'm dying to go back already. So, if you're still waiting to go to a show, enjoy it while it lasts. It will be over before you know it.
Atlanta, Georgia 2-13-03
Looking back on this concert, I can say that I experienced it on a different level than I have any concert prior. There's more to a show than just the songs that are played and the light show and the stage antics. There's the experience that is shared with your friends and the experience you share with the band and the other 20,990 some odd people whom you don't know personally.
I had the extreme pleasure of going to this concert with two of my best friends. I'm lucky to have several people in my life who can be called my best friend beyond Colleen and Julie, but these two are the two people in the world who know me better than any others. Colleen knows my every secret (except the significance of 38 LOL) and Julie (who shares with me the significance of 38 ) is my local best friend whom I've grown up with and love like a sister. Bon Jovi is an intense passion for me and Colleen shares it and Julie has never discouraged it. So, to go to a show with them made it a special performance before it even started.
We had incredible seats, 4th and 5th row, on Dave's side of the stage. The stage set up has the band performing in front of 3 giant satellite dishes which are the projection screens for the video. It looks cool, but the screens from the previous tour provided a better picture. You may be wondering why I would even bother with the screens when I was 4 rows away. The way Jon interacts with the camera at times makes viewing the screen a must so you can appreciate the expressions he uses to animate his singing. He is the most amazing performer I've ever seen! From start to finish, he has the crowd in the palm of his hand. If he merely arches an eyebrow, 21,000 people react. He doesn't cater to one part of the crowd more than the other. The guy with the worst seat in the venue or the guy in the front row--Jon makes sure they ALL get a great performance. I noticed he didn't play guitar on some of the songs he has played on live before (like Bounce). This makes for a more energetic and entertaining show. But even when Jon's range of movement is limited while he's playing his guitar, he's much more animated and intense of a performer than any other act I've witnessed. By comparison, Johnny Reznick whom I expected to be an amazing performer was kind of boring. Well, what I saw of him was. Some wenchbag wearing half a bottle of perfume sat next to me during the Goos set and I missed half their performance because I was sitting with my head on my lap trying not to throw up from her stench, even after switching places with Colleen. Funny thing is, I prayed that I could get through the Bon Jovi show without her making me ill and not two minutes later she left and didn't return. Apparently she was in the wrong seat.
Ah, now, speaking of Jon's singing! The man has got some pipes! He sounds amazing on every song. A lot of people have a field day saying Jon can't sing like he used to. That's true. He no longer sounds like his vocal chords are bleeding as they were in 1987. He sounds better now than before. I'd much rather have a performance like this one where he's holding his notes and hitting them in the right places than a screaming metal lite performance of the SWW days. He has a powerful and strong voice and coupled with the athletic performance he gives, he is the most electrifying frontman in rock and roll! He has more stamina than a 3 year old with ADHD who's eaten chocolate covered vitamins for breakfast!
Speaking of Jon's stamina, when he says he's going to give you a workout like you've never had before, he means it. At one point he asked if we were tired yet and I have to admit if I answered honestly, I would have said "Yeah, as a matter of fact, I am." That was one of those little things that hit me with a profound effect. I've never been truly tired out by a Bon Jovi concert before and realizing that at that moment made me very grateful that I was there. I really was sick in 2002 and am so grateful that I didn't have cancer. Even if I don't have the kind of energy I used to, at least I had the energy to go. The Jon Bon Fonda work out made me grateful just be alive!
The show started with Bounce. That's exactly what we did for the next 2 hours and 15 minutes. From there, they went into Bad Name. I admit when I hear the intro, I thought to myself, "Well, at least they get it over with early." But, you know what, I'm wrong about Bad Name being their worst live song. It will never be my favorite, but it IS a crowd favorite. As far as live performance goes, the reaction that song gets is phenomenal. I looked around the arena and saw and heard every voice shouting the lyrics, every person loving every note. So, even though some diehards like myself may find the never ending presence of this song on the set list to be a bore, the fact is, it's a crowd pleaser and that's what Bon Jovi aims to do. The people like me are very much in the minority. Most people haven't been to a show every tour and certainly don't have a few hundred recorded.
We slipped back to 1987 for a little while with Wild in the Streets and Living on a Prayer. I know a lot of people want to hear those oldies like Wild in the Streets, but I just think there are so many better songs with better vocals that could be done. Prayer is always awesome though. It's a song that's stood the test of time and sounds just as good today as it did then. It means more now because it's been a part of people's lives for so long.
From the 80's, we jumped right into the current century with Everyday and Undivided. Everyday is one of those songs that packs more of an emotional punch live than it does on tape. You've just got to hear it live to appreciate it. Undivided started with a funeral dirge type of intro and was a very intense song for the band, only intensified by the use of the lasers. September 11 will forever be in the collective consciousness and I appreciate Bon Jovi's finding the positive to highlight. Optimism has always been one of their strengths.
Next was Runaway, old style. Colleen and I just looked at each other like, "Huh?" The concert would definitely please the old school fans as well as the new school fans! It's an interesting juxtaposition to go from Runaway to Just Older which was next and one of the best. That song makes me feel good about myself. I'm hardly knocking on the door of retirement at 27, but I still relate to those lyrics. I've grown up with the band and I do have things that I look back on fondly and a future to look ahead to hopefully. The best doesn't have to be over when you get out in the "real world" no matter what people say to you when you're young. Most days I prefer this "real world" I'm living in now.
Wanted being mid-show was a bit of a surprise. In fact, when it started Colleen and I both thought it was the intro to Blaze of Glory and freaked out. Oh well. No such luck! By the way, Jon talked about some football player named Michael Vick and dedicated that song to him. Next was The Distance! I was so happy to hear this song live. I really enjoyed the light show at this point. This song had a starlight type background which I loved.
It's My Life was as energetic as you could expect on the part of the band and the audience. Next was Misunderstood which, again, I think you have to hear live to really appreciate it for how great of a song it is. David opened Right Side of Wrong with a piece from his solo CDs. For the life of me, I can't hear the song in my mind now to play back his CD and identify it. But I know it was a piece I recognized from his solo CDs. Maybe if it hadn't been a few months since I'd listened to them, I could have more easily identified it at the show. Nonetheless, I'm really glad David has the opportunity to showcase his amazing talent. Right Side of Wrong was a time for Jon to showcase his acting talent as well. He brought those characters to life, not only with the way he performed his vocals, but also the way he animated the lyrics. Whether you like the song or not, it's a spectacle in the live atmosphere--definitely a highlight.
Next Richie sang I'll Be There For You. I'm happy for him that the song choice made a world of difference in the reaction he got! There was none of the sitting down and potty break routine that he'd gotten while performing his solo stuff in the USA before. A recognizable song really made a difference for him and I hope he left the show feeling good about it. The way Richie sang it didn't spur the emotional reaction in me that Jon's live version does. I missed Jon's adlibbing at the end. It's at that point I usually burst into tears. So, I didn't cry during I'll Be There For You this time around and it's one that usually can make me cry even on video tapes. But, I know it made his fans happy to hear him sing and I'm happy for them. I'm sure it made Richie happy to not look out at an audience of sitting people or exiting people too, so it's all good.
Hook Me Up was awesome!!! I think it would make a great opening song too. Next was Raise Your Hands, which again, for me was a little of a disappointment. I'd rather hear something new or rare. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night remains one of my favorite songs and is always a treat to hear live. Captain Crash and the Beauty Queen from Mars followed and that made Colleen sad because it's her son's favorite. It was a fun song though. Everyone in the arena started doing a bouncey wave in tune with the beat. And, I'll tell you something, when you look at 21,000 people moving their arms in a dorky unified fashion, it's pretty incredible. It's no wonder the band keep touring. It must be nice to have the kind of power over people to make them behave like that! LOL Born to Be My Baby rounded out the pre-encore segment of the show. Our encores were I'll Sleep When I'm Dead, Bad Medicine, and Shout. Yes, it's predictable. But, it still delivers. We still finished on a high note and the show was worth every penny (and I paid considerably more pennies than most folks in attendance. LOL)
There was something I realized while enjoying the oldies-but-goodies. No matter how similar set lists might be, the performances are not the same. They didn't do Born to Be My Baby the exact same way it was done in 2000, and surely not the same way it was done in 1988. Each night makes each show different because of the interaction of the band and the crowd. That's where the magic comes in. The guys feed off us and they aim to please us. I think that's why the songs that are known to work make the bulk of the set. This show is not the same show I saw in 2000! There were seven songs from Bounce integrated with the well known hits and the concert favorites. If that's not balance, what is? If a long time fan can't be pleased with hearing seven new songs, then maybe you shouldn't waste your money on the tickets. Enjoy what they give you. Let the professionals make up the set list. They've been doing it for 20 years and they're still selling out venues. Apparantly, they know *exactly* what they're doing. If you have the audacity to bitch about seeing the "same" show more than once on a tour, think about the person who feels privileged just to make it to ONE show because the closest the band comes to him/her is 400 miles from home. I'm one of those people who have found the recent set lists kind of disappointing, but the concert was a wake-up call. Bon Jovi puts on the best damn rock show in the world. Period. If they wanted to put their spin on Mary Had a Little Lamb, you can bet your britches it would be the best version you ever heard.
There are a few other things I wanted to comment upon. First of all, what's with women who think they have to right to sexually assault Jon when he gets near them? He went over to the fan pits at one point and he was going along shaking hands and someone reached right out and stroked him from his waist downward. She barely got to touch Jon before he jumped backward like a scalded cat and did not return to those fans. So, not only did she make a gesture that Jon did not want and did not appreciate, she ruined the opportunity anyone else in that pit had to be able to shake his hand. I hope she's proud of herself. Fortunately for one little girl, Jon did take her hand before that incident. She looked to be about 8 years old and her face lit up so much when Jon took her hand.
The interaction between Jon and Richie was like nothing I've witnessed between them before. There is an intense synchronicity between those men. They play off each other's every movement. It's no wonder they've been calling Bounce a Jon and Richie record--the dynamic between the two of them is explosive. I noticed at the end of the set, where usually Tico would be the one to call attention to Jon, it was Richie this time around. They are certainly one of the most powerful combos in rock and roll.
The merchandise wasn't that great--especially given the prices. Tour shirts were $45, baby doll tees were $40, kids shirts were $35. Most of the tour shirts had logos. The colors were dark or muted. Posters were $5; keychains $15, buttons $10, bandanas $15. There was a black and white photo of the band truly autographed going for $100 each. I'd give $102 if it were in color. LOL It's not really a good photo either. The band are all looking in different directions and Richie is being struck in the head by lightening (it's from the Everyday photo shoot). Still, getting all their autographs in one place is pretty cool if you have $100 to spare!
Oh, what were they wearing? Heh heh, before the show we were speculating about what Jon would wear and my dad said, "What difference does it make?" Without missing a beat, Julie said, "We want to make sure he's warm enough." LOL He was. In fact, he may have been a little too warm! He wore beige colored pants the whole show and started with a beige vest and went to a black War Greatest Hits T-shirt. Richie started with a red Sgt. Pepper type jacket that would have fit on the New Jersey Tour. Dave and Tico were in all black. Jon looked really gorgeous. Yes, there is chest hair. The most amazing thing though is his eyes. Wow! When you're 20 feet from someone and can tell they have blue eyes.... sigh. I'm reduced to mush.
One of the best things about this show was experiencing it with Julie who hasn't seen the band since 1989. I think she left fully aware of why my passion for Jon and the band has remained in tact for so long. She was impressed with the show and utterly amazed by Jon as a performer. Colleen's reaction was much like my own. We were the happiest girls in the world for a while and totally depressed when it was over. We all wished there was a way to make it to Nashville the next night. One show is just not enough. I'm dying to go back already. So, if you're still waiting to go to a show, enjoy it while it lasts. It will be over before you know it.
