Richie Sambora
Stranger In This Town

THE REVIEW

Tedious but necessary warning to begin this review: for those who have never heard of him, Richie Sambora is the guitarist of Bon Jovi, and for those who, having come this far in reading, decide not to continue because they think the guitarist of Bon Jovi does not deserve their attention, well, they can also never listen to this album and remain prejudiced. But I will try to pique their curiosity nonetheless.

First of all, for a Sambora album, I think four stars are enough only because I think five are deserved by "Born To Run," "Selling England By The Pound," and things of that sort... but this is truly a great work.

Listening to these 10 songs, it seems that Sambora has held a frog in his throat for years playing pop-rock with Jon and has finally managed to get rid of it to show everyone who he really is: an extraordinary blues guitarist. For those who want only exuberance, speed of execution, and displays of technical skill from a guitarist, listen to Malmsteen; this album is not for them... but those who want to hear a guitarist delicate, refined, respectful of the instrument he holds in his hands should buy it. The booklet opens with this phrase: "TURN DOWN THE LIGHTS, LIGHT A CANDLE, WELCOME...". And this is the spirit with which this CD should be listened to, almost like a backdrop at four in the morning with a candle lit in the room, a half bottle of red wine on the table, and a girl under the covers sleeping with her back turned to you.

The songs practically all follow the structure of the classic rock song (I'm certainly not selling Sambora as Muddy Waters), with ample space for guitar flourishes (in Mr. Bluesman also for Clapton's, the album's exceptional guest), and where Sambora's voice sometimes becomes sorrowful ("Stranger In This Town", "Church Of Desire"), sometimes angry, aggressive ("Rosie", "Father Time", "River Of Love").

I assure you that this album will not disappoint:
- Those who are curious to feel what songs Charles Bukowsky would have written if he had been a guitarist;
- Those who, although not fans of Bon Jovi, acknowledge that "Wanted Dead Or Alive" is a great song;
- Those who have always wondered what music to put on the stereo when bringing a girl to the room;

I can't imagine who could be disappointed by it... I hope they let me know, but only after having listened to the CD.