Unscasville review : Bon Jovi gives rock a good name

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REVIEW: Bon Jovi gives rock a good name
BY JESSICA KOSOWSKI / SUN CHRONICLE STAFF
Saturday, March 8, 2008 5:44 PM EST

UNCASVILLE, Conn.-- Bon Jovi is more than "Livin' On A Prayer." They're living the dream, and have been for more than 20 years.

The band's incredible show on Friday night at Mohegan Sun's Arena took fans on a journey through their lengthy song collection, and highlighted the band's success, which has taken them from their roots in New Jersey to stages across the world.

Touring in support of their newest studio album "Lost Highway," the show appropriately started off with front man Jon Bon Jovi's spirited vocals on the title track. Fan favorite "You Give Love A Bad Name," off the 1986 album "Slippery When Wet," followed and featured soaring guitar solos from Richie Sambora. With this opening, the crowd was understandably on its feet.

The excitement continued with newer song "Summertime" and "Just Older," from the band's 2000 album "Crush."

Bon Jovi and Sambora opened "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead," from 1992's "Keep The Faith," with joint vocals, as they did with several other songs throughout the night, and included a brief version of "Dancing In The Street" in the middle of the song, which was first performed by Martha and the Vandellas in 1964.

The enthusiastic crowd then mellowed a bit as the band then went to "The Radio Saved My Life Tonight," "Story of my Life," "Last Man Standing," and "Misunderstood." The energy returned to the room during "Blaze of Glory," during which "American Idol" alum Chris Daughtry, whose band performed the opening act, shared the vocal with Bon Jovi. Drummer Tico Torres' enthusiasm came through during this song from 1990's "Young Guns II" movie soundtrack.

"Till We Ain't Strangers Anymore" and "We Got It Going On" from "Lost Highway," and "Born To Be My Baby" from 1988 album "New Jersey," kept the crowd on its feet. "Have A Nice Day" and "Bad Medicine" featured more of Sambora's classic guitar solos. Sambora then took the mic for the touching ballad "I'll Be There For You," which prompted a glow of cell phone lights from the audience. The slow vibe continued with Bon Jovi's "(You Want to) Make A Memory" performed directly in front of incredulous fans on a platform half the arena away from the main stage.

Sambora and Bon Jovi again joined vocals during "Who Says You Can't Go Home," which also prominently featured a violin player. "Keep The Faith," with Bon Jovi rocking maracas and keyboardist David Bryan playing two keyboards at once, provided a nice segway to the song everyone in the crowd seemed to be waiting for: "Livin' On A Prayer." As if on cue, audience members' hands were in the air as they sang along during the chorus of the song.

For an encore, the band played "Wanted Dead Or Alive," whose ending seemed somewhat mellow, and "I Love This Town," which featured photos of the band members' hometowns and local sports teams' logos. With a good mix of fans from New England and New York in attendance, both the Patriots and Giants, and Red Sox and Yankees, seemed to get equal cheers and jeers from the crowd.

While some things have changed since the band released its first album in the early 1980s - glowing light from cell phones has replaced the soft flicker of cigarette lighters and the band members' hair has become considerably shorter - some things haven't changed at all. Bon Jovi's older songs remain as enjoyable to listen to as they were when first released, and the band's newer songs are just as entertaining.

Friday night's set list highlighted songs that showed off the band's still impressive range of vocal and instrumental talent, and, like so much classic Bon Jovi, its journey and perspective through time and history.

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