I am going out on a ledge and admit that I am a Bon Jovi fan. Being from New Jersey, it is a prerequisite that you either like Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi or both. I first saw Bon Jovi open for Ratt at the Hemisfair (1983) in San Antonio and have been a fan every since. In 1990, after seven years of recording and touring non-stop the band went on hiatus and most believed premanently. While Jon Bon Jovi ventured into acting and recording the soundtrack to "Young Guns II" with a lot of fanfare and the distinctive Bon Jovi sound (complete with Sambora like backing vocal), Richie Sambora quitely released "Stranger In This Town" in 1991. From opening track "Rest in Peace", you quickly realize that this is not a Bon Jovi record and in fact is a whole lot more. The combination of keyboards and guitar emit mood that sets the pace for the entire record. The other thing that immediately strikes you is that Richie can sing and sings better than his lead bandmate. On "Church of Desire", the bass line kicks right and plows right into a straight forward rocker that highlights Richie's superior guitar playing. Upon reading the liner notes, the primary musicians that recorded this album were follow Bon Jovi alumni David Bryan (keyboards) and Tico Torres (drums) but the difference is the bass player (Tony Levin). Tony is a legend the music community and is known for his work with Peter Gabriel and King Crimson but has a porfolio of work that is nearly endless Tony Levin's Website. As a bass and a Chapman stick player, he tightens up this band and proves that Tico Torres can play more than 4/4 "bang/pop" on the drums. On "Stranger in this Town", the song is a quiet ballad that is accented by David Bryan's keyboards and synthesizer orchestrations. While the lyrics are about someone who is down of their proverbial luck, if you read into the lyrics it can interpreted as Richie's unease with the mass popularity that he had experienced over the preceding six years. On "Ballad of Youth", you get another straight forward rocker that has no hint of being a Bon Jovi song. The song is tight and richly textured and avoids the trappings that define a Bon Jovi album. On the front cover of the CD booklet, Richie writes the recommended listening instructions for this album "Turn Down the Lights, Light a Candle...Welcome..." which I would suggest for "One Light Burning". "One Light Burning" is my favorite song on the album and offers a introspective side of Richie that had not been represented before and is, in my opinion, a love song to his then-wife Heather Locklear who was his "One Light Burning" throughout the darkness of constant recording and touring. "Mr. Bluesman" is an ode to the traveling blues players and the song his highlighted by the guitar playing of Eric Clapton. Eric Clapton provides the guitar solo and guitar accents throughout the song and clearly shows why he is among the Top 5 greatest guitar players of all time. The 7th track "Rosie" is the only disappointing track on the CD because it songs like a Bon Jovi song which is no surprise because it is co-written with Jon Bon Jovi, Desmond Child and Diane Warren. While "Rosie" is a competent song, it is clearly not in step with the other songs and mood of the CD. Diane Warren should be banned from the music business for introducing and popularizing the rock ballad (see Aerosmith's "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing") and inundating listeners with sugar coated/sappy crap. "River of Love" get things back on track with the rest of the album and is again highlighted by Tony Levin's stick playing which is emphasized throughout the track especially during the musical interlude/guitar solo portion of the song. "Father Time" is another ballad that puts David Bryan's keyboard playing up in front. The song is a lament on apparently how quickly Richie's life seems to be passing him by and the relationships that he has either missed or neglected. It is interesting that 18 years after this song is written the different perspective that his career has. Currently, Bon Jovi records and releases an album every 2-3 years and does a tour (not a 2 year marathon) but they do it because they want it and not because they have to. It seems that Richie has taken control of his "Father Time". The last song "The Answer" is an acoustic ballad that could easily be mistaken for a lullaby that is sung to a child. David Bryan's synthesized effects give off an ethereal mood. The lyric of "Come Along With Me/Come Along With Me/Seek The Truth/and You Will Find Another Life" seemingly accentuate the inviting feeling that this whole album has presented. Solo albums are usually interpreted a couple of ways; the "I am sick of my band,so I will make a solo record as a statement (David Lee Roth)", "there is nothing else going on, so I will make a solo record (Joe Perry)" or "I want to make a solo record that showcases my talents and offers a different and more rounded perspective of my musicianship". Stranger in this Town falls into the third category and is one of those albums that you buy because you recognize the name but are not sure what to expect. It is the lack of expectations that allows you to listen with an open mind and truly be blown away by its quality and his performance. This CD will be an excellent addition to any collection, large or small. You will not be disappointed Richie Sambora - Stranger in this Town
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