Search - Richie Sambora :: Stranger in This Town

Blaze of Glory, Stranger in This town... Blaze, Stranger...

D. Rausch | United States | 01/20/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

""I walk alone in the darkness of the city...I might be dyin but you can't hear a sound"Good lord. Which album to listen to? Given that both are handed down from God himself. Isn't it ironic that Jon and Richie "parted ways to do their own thing" and then each of them singlehandedly made the BEST ALBUM EVER MADE, completely without the other? Well, that in itself should build on the musically underrated credibility of the band Bon Jovi. Unfortunately this was the artistic peak (so far!!!!) in their career, as recent albums post "Keep the Faith" have been played it a little safe.But you want to talk underrated? This will go down as the most underrated album of all time, hands down. I cry when I think about Richie's potential. He has so much soul, technique, feel, blood and sweat....Everyone knows this album is an artistic triumph (which Richie regrets his lack of commercialism (???????) ), but just like Jon's Young Guns Masterpiece, this album is SATURATED with epic lyrics to get you through the toughest of tough times and find emotional muscle, and there's many other great things for all the "commonpeople" out there. AND there's great diversity throughout. Highlights are the title track, "Father Time," and "The Answer", and also the single "Ballad of Youth", though of course the whole thing really is a mega highlight in an otherwise ridiculous music industry. Again, if you consider yourself a lover of music, you BETTER own this album. GreatnessAnd Richie, for God's sake get your passion back to play guitar and stop dwelling on being radiominded for atleast 2 songs an album. Is that too much to ask?"

Stranger he may be, but he's welcome

J A Kelly | England | 06/21/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Rest In Peace - Slightly uneasy start to the record, has you anticipating bad things.
Church of Desire - Any illusions of this being a bad record are thrown completely out of the window. This is a seriously good song. I've owner the record for three years, and I still listen to this one on a regular basis.
Stranger in this Town - Perfectly captures the feeling of loneliness. A strangely beautiful track.
Ballad of Youth - It's amazing how a song like this can get through to a teenager. It's anthemic with some seriously good guitar licks.
One Light Burning - One of my least favourite tracks, but if it was on any other album, it would be the best on it. Even at his worst, Sambora is better than almost anyone else.
Mr. Bluesman - Absolutely astounding, blues song, and Eric Clapton's guitar solo just makes it even more amazing.
Rosie - The most Bon Jovi-reminiscent track on the album. Jon actually wanted this for New Jersey, but Richie kept it.
River of Love - Dodgy lyrics, but another nice, anthemic rock song.
Father Time - Sharply contrasting to the previous two tracks, it really hits you with despair and angst.
The Answer - A beautiful ending to a beautiful album. Soft, gentle, but with a strange power about it.Jon may be the focus of Bon Jovi, but with this album, Richie really steps out of the shadows and proves himself a superior vocalist, songwriter, and a truly amazing guitarist."

All the Stars in the Heavens!

K. N. Nelson | California, USA | 07/01/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"That sounds grandiose, but it isn't for this CD. Stranger in this Town is a masterpiece. It flows. It is high art. Richie's guitar is weeping, sighing, shouting, ripping, slamming, scorching, shredding, blazing and simply out of this world. Vocally, at times he sounds like Robert Plant, and other times he sounds like an ancient soul reaching in to you where you live.



As a professional musician myself I love the many subtle ways his strings are reverbed and at times makes you feel like you are in outer space with the resonant reflections. The layering of this mix with all the tools of magic used in recording studios is immaculate. I love the artistic treats scattered here and there that amp up the glitter. Do yourself a favor and listen to it the first time with digital headphones. It is a whole different world than listening through room amps.



"Stranger in this Town" is dazzling.



I feel at times like I am seeing sound painting with the way Richie sculpts his sounds. His music is very visual. Wait til you hear "Father Time" it will dig deeeep into your soul. My visual was Dali's melting clock with this wrenching piece.



Richie's CD is a true Masterpiece. It never overwhelms yet is continually evolving like a kalaidoscope of sound morphing into ever fascinating patterns, rhythms, perceptions, moods. Like a fine, rare vintage of, pick your pleasure, his music pleasures the ears. I'm smiling.



Check him out on Bo Bice's hit single "Vehicle". Richie scores again. Incredible work.







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