Jon Bon Jovi
Blaze of Glory

THE REVIEW

In the late '80s, Bon Jovi was a band that seemed destined to reach the great heights of Rock's Olympus, thanks to two gigantic albums that far exceeded the quality level of the hard rock in vogue at the time: I'm obviously talking about Slippery when wet (1986) and New Jersey (1988).

The band took a break and Jon Bon Jovi, the voice and leader, dedicated himself to “his music,” which evidently has its roots in classic American rock and pop with strong blues and folk influences, like that of Dylan, Jackson Browne, the Eagles, and, of course, Bruce Springsteen.

Legend has it that on a cold night in 1980, Jon, not yet eighteen, was playing in a New Jersey pub when, while performing The Promised Land by his idol Springsteen, Bruce himself, enjoying the show at the bar, put down his drink and joined the young Jon on stage: for months, Jon Bon Jovi told everyone at school, where he was still studying, that he had played with his idol.

This Blaze of glory is an album I consider capable of holding its own against the best artistic references mentioned above, a classic of American singer-songwriter music.

The album was born from a request made to Jon by Emilio Estevez for a soundtrack for his film Young Guns II, a sort of sequel to the legendary Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid by Sam Peckinpah from 1973, which featured Bob Dylan in the soundtrack (and also in the film as an actor): that soundtrack gifted the world one of the most beautiful songs in music history, Knockin’ on Heaven’s door.

In reality, inside Young Guns II, the only song from the album used in the soundtrack was Blaze of glory: a western song born from the famous Wanted dead or alive found in Slippery when wet, not inferior, in my opinion, to the aforementioned: Jon delivers a chilling vocal performance, supported by the magical guitar of the great Jeff Beck and the thunderous drums of Kenny Arnoff.

Blood money is a high-level folk piece that exudes the beauty of the best American folk songs, precisely those of Dylan and especially Springsteen, the Springsteen of 1980, the one from Nebraska and The River who, to Jon’s disbelief, he had the honor and surprise of having beside him on stage: a simple and short piece, all voice, guitar, harmonica, and accordion.

Santa Fe is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever listened to, it speaks poetically of redemption: a man who must atone for his terrible sins and fears divine judgment... “Tell my creator he can wait, I'm riding somewhere south of heaven, back to Santa Fe... Now I won't go to heaven, if the devil has his way, I swear I'll live forever going back to Santa Fe... I've got debts to pay in Santa Fe, it's judgment day in Santa Fe, so I'll save a prayer for when I need it for the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” Musically, the piece is dominated by a beautiful orchestral arrangement and Jon’s stunning voice.

Another piece to remember is You Really Got Me, short as well, but a concentrate of emotions, old-style western blues sung in two voices by Jon and Little Richard, who also lets us hear his magical touch on the piano.

In Dyin' Ain’t much of a love it's Elton John's turn on the piano and second vocals: a beautiful piece, a ballad in full Bon Jovi style, with lyrics that talk again about sin and redemption.

“... Dying ain’t for a young life

It’s too late to ask for forgiveness

For the things I’ve done...”

If you don't know this album, I highly recommend it to you: forget Bon Jovi (the Band), a great band, no doubt, but here is a musical masterpiece outside the genre for which that band was (and in my opinion still is) great.