Jon Bon Jovi - Blaze Of Glory: Songs Written And Performed By Jon Bon Jovi, Inspired By The Film Young Guns II

Not the same

Thought Jon Bongiovi could have been more creative in his melodies and songwriting with this compilation. June 15, 2008

An Excellent Solo Effort From Bon Jovi's Frontman

Stripped down a bit, a lot more "earthy," Jon Bon Jovi's "Young Guns II" album is a nice breakaway from his efforts with the band that bears his name. Fans of Bon Jovi, however, will find plenty to enjoy in this album. For starters, the raucous "You Really Got Me Now," has an excellent "jam session" feel to it. "Miracle" and "Never Say Die" give the listener a light dose of what made Bon Jovi tunes like "Born To Be My Baby" so much fun to listen to. Then there are tunes like "Blood Money" and "Bang A Drum" that herald the coming Americana sound that Bon Jovi would play more of with their later albums.

Last but certainly not least, "Blaze of Glory" sounds like a hairband tune soaked in whiskey and left out over night. It's the highlight track on the album and it alone makes this one worthy of purchase. Also included is Alan Silvestri's "Guano City," a passable track from the score of the film.

Overall, this is definitely a keeper for fans of Bon Jovi or anybody who enjoys grittier rock. Recommended. June 3, 2008

A must for fans of Jon and his muse

As the soundtrack to a movie that bombed badly you could be forgiven for dismissing this Jon Bon Jovi solo effort but it would be wrong to consign it to the scrapheap without giving it a listen if you've ever had a soft spot for his day job band Bon Jovi.

Released initially in 1990 and produced by the main man himself and Danny Kortchmar to good effect the albums eleven tracks are all within the confines of the projects brief - ie they are all country tinged to a greater or lesser degree. Most people who were anywhere near a radio in the Western world around 1990 will be familiar with this albums resident hit single and title track Blaze of Glory. And it's probably fair to say that this song is the high point of the record as it has a good chorus, simple yet effective construction and some emotion. It's also pretty much the most hard rockin' number on the entire album.

Some of the songs miss the mark badly such as the utterly plastic and fake sounding Bang A Drum and the last track, Guano City, is mercifully only one minute long. Some other tracks however do work to a reasonable degree such as lead cut Billy Get Your Guns and there is some genuine maudlin emotion on songs such as Dyin' Ain't Much of A Livin'. Blood Money tries to work a similar done-me-wrong emotion but falls pretty flat while most of the other tunes blend in with the wallpaper fairly quickly.

Jons' familiar voice tends to walk by your side throughout this release, it really does come across as very much a solo effort though anoraks might want to know that such luminaries as Jeff Beck, Elton John and Aldo Nova do turn up on the album in places and the booklet includes the lyrics to the whole shebang. Mind you, once you open out the booklet the side opposite to that with the lyrics has a full size picture of Jon - wow, just what I always wanted!

All jokes aside my advice overall is that if you are a Bon Jovi fan and don't have this yet then definitely get it as you'll find a few gems here. And given the directions Bon Jovi have gone over years the country tinge to this album makes perfect sense in hindsight. February 1, 2008

Blaze of Glory

I never thought I'd be able to find this CD but Amazon had it and it was shipped very fast. Great album. Just a great album with great songs from the movie which was a clasic western. June 8, 2007

Must own for BJ fans

This album is in my top 3 favorite Bon Jovi albums (even tho it is a solo record). In this record, you really get to hear just how powerful and gifted Jon's vocals are (with some exceptions - such as in NJ - usually only demonstrated live) - Santa Fe solidified in my mind, the assertion that Jon Bon Jovi was one of the most gifted singers in rock & pop music with very few people (in rock/pop) able to come close to his vocal abilities. May 7, 2007

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