This Left Feels Right

Performer: Bon Jovi
Artist: Olivia d'Abo
Engineer: Obie O'Brien
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Bon Jovi: Jon Bon Jovi (vocals); Richie Sambora (guitar, background vocals); David Bryan (keyboards); Tico Torres (drums, percussion). Additional personnel: Olivia d'Abo (vocals); Hugh McDonald (bass). Producers: Pat Leonard, Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora. Includes liner notes by David Wild. This is a Super Audio CD playable only on Super Audio CD players. Bon Jovi: Jon Bon Jovi (vocals); Richie Sambora (guitar, background vocals); David Bryan (keyboards); Tico Torres (drums, percussion). Additional personnel: Olivia d'Abo (vocals); Hugh McDonald (bass). Producers: Pat Leonard, Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora. Includes liner notes by David Wild. This is a Super Audio CD playable only on Super Audio CD players. Bon Jovi: Jon Bon Jovi (vocals); Richie Sambora (guitar, background vocals); David Bryan (keyboards); Hugh McDonald (bass guitar); Tico Torres (drums, percussion). God knows why Bon Jovi felt the need to recut its best songs in an adult alternative style with Patrick Leonard as the producer. In the thorough liner notes -- presented as an interview between Jon Bon Jovi and guitarist Richie Sambora -- by the suddenly ubiquitous David Wild, Jon claims that the roots of the album derive from a Japanese show he recorded where the intent was to release live, acoustic versions of the band's standards. Alas, the recordings weren't up to snuff, so the band reentered the studio and cut versions that have more overdubs than the original releases. To its credit, the band sounds committed to this rather bizarre project, an endeavor so unconnected to reality that actress Olivia d'Abo -- best known for either her role on The Wonder Years or her lead in the brilliant '90s indie film Kicking and Screaming, depending on your viewpoint -- provides counterpoint vocals to "Living on a Prayer," while "Bad Medicine" boasts breathy, echoed vocals that suggest it was conceived as a reflective affair, not as a dumb hard rock song. This holds true throughout the album, and while the arrangements are relatively interesting, they're rarely improvements on the originals and rarely rise above the level of novelties. And while longtime fans may find it worthwhile on that level, it doesn't offer proof that the band's songs are resilient enough to withstand new arrangements, nor does it shed new light on Bon Jovi or prove that the group is maturing gracefully. And all of that is really too bad, because the songs have stood the test of time, sounding better in their original incarnations than they did upon release, plus the group was moving in the right direction with its last album, adjusting to the sound and feel of middle-aged maturity seemingly effortlessly. This, however, sounds simultaneously safe and hazy; it's the sound of a band that's earned the right to indulge itself and has followed that inclination here. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine Conceived during the Japanese leg of the BOUNCE tour, THIS LEFT FEELS RIGHT went from mere acoustic re-workings of Bon Jovi hits to an entirely restructured approach, aided by producer Patrick Leonard and turned around in a mere 23 days. The results are a dozen songs literally reborn as practically brand new compositions, thanks to the use of some unique arrangements. "Livin' On a Prayer" gets basted with ethereal keyboard washes by David Bryan, while Leonard's actress wife, Olivia d'Abo, hops aboard and turns the song into a heartfelt duet. Plugged-in anthem "Keep the Faith" gets a nice twist, as its hard-pounding tempo is cast aside in favor of a subtle and soulful delivery, while Tico Torres' time keeping and the band's overall approach to "Wanted Dead or Alive" make it sound like a LED ZEPPELIN III outtake. Richie Sambora's deft wielding of his acoustic guitar can't be praised enough, particularly on "You Give Love a Bad Name," where his sharp slide playing makes it sound like an offshoot of Eric Clapton's UNPLUGGED version of "Layla." THIS LEFT FEELS RIGHT ends up turning what could have been a straightforward moneymaking venture into something special. Conceived during the Japanese leg of the BOUNCE tour, THIS LEFT FEELS RIGHT went from mere acoustic re-workings of Bon Jovi hits to an entirely restructured approach, aided by producer Patrick Leonard and turned around in a mere 23 days. The results are a dozen songs literally reborn as practically brand new compositions, thanks to the use of some unique arrangements. "Livin' On a Prayer" gets basted with ethereal keyboard washes by David Bryan, while Leonard's actress wife, Olivia d'Abo, hops aboard and turns the song into a heartfelt duet. Plugged-in anthem "Keep the Faith" gets a nice twist, as its hard-pounding tempo is cast aside in favor of a subtle and soulful delivery, while Tico Torres' time keeping and the band's overall approach to "Wanted Dead or Alive" make it sound like a LED ZEPPELIN III outtake. Richie Sambora's deft wielding of his acoustic guitar can't be praised enough, particularly on "You Give Love a Bad Name," where his sharp slide playing makes it sound like an offshoot of Eric Clapton's UNPLUGGED version of "Layla." THIS LEFT FEELS RIGHT ends up turning what could have been a straightforward moneymaking venture into something special.

In the early 1980s, aspiring New Jersey musician John Bongiovi assembled a rock band, secured a record deal, and changed his name to Jon Bon Jovi. By 1986, Bon Jovi's brand of melodic hard rock was a runaway hit, with the band's third album, SLIPPERY WHEN WET, achieving massive international success. In addition to the catchy singles, the singer's chiseled good looks only led to more adoration and, eventually, movie and TV roles. By channeling the earnestness of his hero, Bruce Springsteen, and reining in his glammy look, Bon Jovi outlasted his hair-metal peers for decades beyond their '80s heyday.

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