Bon Jovi
Mohegan Sun
Uncasville, Connecticut
March 26, 2010
Tony Pijar
Today’s Bon Jovi is a far cry from that archetypal hair metal extravaganza from the mid 80s. These days the band and its leader are more than leaning in the direction of the Springsteens, Mellencamps and Pettys. Their musical and lyrical content is less contrived and more sophisticated. They were once pigeonholed as a hair metal band through their seminal release, “Slippery when Wet”, but now they are a more socially mindful band that has become, apparently, the spokespersons for the common man. It’s hard for me to view Bon Jovi as anything more than what they were in their genesis, but I suppose that’s narrow-minded of me because they have, in fact, come of age. Seeing them live in concert is a bit of a paradox as well. The flashiness is still prevalent, but the songs are more textured, mature and relevant.
The band played two sold out shows at the Mohegan Sun and was larger than life; seeing them live was an almost surreal experience largely in part due to their…well…larger than life stature, especially their leader. They opened with two new songs from “The Circle”, “Happy Now” and the excellent “We weren’t Born to Follow”, which I reckon is one of best things they’ve ever penned. When “Shot through the heart…and you’re to blame…” rang through the arena, the masses went nuts! “When we were Beautiful”, “Superman Tonight”, and “Work for the Working Man” from “The Circle” were aired as well and melded perfectly with older stables. Other highlights included “Born to be my baby”“,It’s my Life”, and “Lost Highway.” One of the eternal hair band songs ever in “Bad Medicine” segued into The Doors’ “Roadhouse Blues”, and The Who’s “Squeezebox” slotted nicely in the set list too. “Lay your hands on me”, “Wanted Dead or Alive”, “Livin’ on a Prayer” and “Runaway” are all classic rock anthems and sounded so good in the live setting!
Let’s not forget that Richie Sambora still delivered on guitar and remains such a huge part of the Bon Jovi structure. It’s a shame he doesn’t get the accolades he so richly deserves. His playing on “Wanted…” was typically spectacular. As a whole, the band was tight, professional and, again, very relevant and significant to the music world.
