Richie Sambora - Undiscovered Soul
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Music CD Cover
Artist: Richie SamboraEdition: Music CD
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Import
CD Release Date: 1998-03-03
Music Label: Mercury Records/Polygram
Soundtracks:
- Made In America
- Hard Times Come Easy
- Fallen From Graceland
- If God Was A Woman
- All That Really Matters
- You're Not Alone
- In It For Love
- Chained
- Harlem Rain
- Who I Am
- Downside Of Love
- Undiscovered Soul
Free Music Notes for Undiscovered Soul
Free Music Review: Richie Sambora's Solo Journey . . .
Hit: 5 Stars
Richie Sambora, guitarist of the famed, New Jersey-bred melodic rock group, Bon Jovi, has once again taken a journey to embark on his second solo effort, Undiscovered Soul.
Most reviewers would feel so annoyingly inclined to compare Richie Sambora with his bandmate, Jon Bon Jovi, as well as his work within the confines of the band as a unit. This reviewer, however, is not even remotely tempted to do any such thing. The band, Bon Jovi, have become an underrated band in the 90s as a result of an overly-fickle public. To make matters even more grim, the band is overlooked by radio and MTV due to the fact that these media outlets think of Bon Jovi as a "hair-band" stuck in an 80s time capsule. As a result, the members of the band have branched out to try other career avenues. Jon Bon Jovi released a solo album of his own late last year, and he's presently tweaking his newfound acting career. Richie Sambora has decided to let his wife worry about the acting while he continues to go down the road as a musical solo artist.
Richie Sambora has always been one of the most underrated guitarists to hit the rock world. Unlike his technical counterpart, Eddie Van Halen, Richie is more of a guitarist of the heart. His instrument speaks to you, stirring up emotions inside you that are deep and to the core. Don't be mistaken -- the man can play a fast riff of smoking, cascading notes, but more importantly, he can pull back and create beauty. His musical roots lie in, not only rock and roll, but heavily in blues as well. Like one of his biggest influences, Eric Clapton, Richie is not only a spectacular guitar player, but he can also sing and pen some delightful ear candy -- and he does it more than well.
On Richie's first solo effort, Stranger In This Town, Richie's blues influences are strong and more than evident throughout the disc. A seriously depreciated album, Stranger In This Town, fell through the cracks when the shift in musical tastes changed. Despite this, it was a highly acclaimed piece of work made by fans and media alike. This reviewer didn't think Mr. Sambora could top his first effort, but she may have been wrong.
If you're looking for a hard-rock album, Undiscovered Soul isn't going to deliver. However, if you're looking for beauty and depth, you'll find plenty here. Though not as bluesy as Stranger In This Town, there's still some subtle blues influences intertwined throughout the disc. There is a heavy tendency towards pretty, acoustic numbers -- plus there's two enchanting ballads, and a few mid-tempo, pop-oriented songs on here. You have a hint of some hard-rock on here in two songs, but they're the minority. Produced by Don Was and mainly co-written with the help of Richie Supa (known for co-penning a handful of Aerosmith tunes), this disc is very personal and to-the-heart while providing an exquisite musical backdrop that's pleasing to the ear.
Made In America: An auto-biographical mid-tempo filled with a mix of acoustic and electric guitars, with some symmetrical keyboards thrown in, this song leans towards the "classic rock" style of a song. The lyrics paint a picture of "growing pains" and having the dream of music in your young mind: "Made in America, nineteen-fifty nine, born down by the factory, cross the Jersey City line. Raised on the radio, just a jukebox kid -- I was alright."
Hard Times Come Easy: Up-tempo and catchy, this song is the first single and the most pop-oriented (as in, Top 40 music) on the disc. With a harmonious chorus full of hooks and a beat that causes you to tap your foot whether you want to or not, this one is about the ups and downs of life: "It's amazing, we go through changes, when times get crazy; it's up and down it's hot and cold. These complications just keep on coming, there ain't no running; when it comes to life that's how it goes. Round and round we go, sometimes it feels like we're on a roller-coaster ride. Baby, don't you know, it could eat you up if you try to keep it all inside."
Fallen From Graceland: Co-written with Bon Jovi bandmate, David Bryan, as well as Richie Supa, this song is a real stand-out. The beat is easy and searching, the guitars bewitching and hypnotizing. This song swings like a lullaby as Richie croons softly through your speakers, hitting you somewhere in your soul. The lyrics are beautiful and deep, touching the soul of even the most cold-hearted: "There's a line that you cross, when you find out that you're lost. When you world is closing in, and it crawls under your skin. And the heart's always blind, when it's in this state of mind. There's a burning light in this town for every heart that's broken down tonight -- here tonight. You're stranded out there in the rain and you can't see past the pain -- tonight. You've fallen from Graceland."
If God Was A Woman: A total blues, good ol' rock n' roll fest of a song chock-full of both tongue and cheek, this song is another major highlight. Full of bluesy and jamming riffs, a dynamic drum beat, and all-out rhythmically smoking harmonica bits (played by none other than the Demon of Screamin', the Big-Lipped Blues Master himself -- Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, yours truly and this jam-fest of a song became instant best friends. With David Bryan and Richie Supa once again assisting Mr. Sambora with the penned words, this song is about just what the title suggests -- If God was a woman . . . : "If God was a woman, would you be impressed, if she showed up in high heels and a pretty red dress. Would you make a donation or would you draw the line? Would you yield to temptation or savor her wine? If God was a woman, she'd come like an angel or a devil in disguise. When she left in the morning, would you lose your religion or kiss your faith good-bye?"
All That Really Matters: Another stand-out, this is an aesthetic ballad filled with grand, lovely piano and ethereal guitars. Richie's voice is filled with unabashed passion, proving this song to be heartfelt and a possible future wedding song contender. Lyrically, it's about that one emotion we're all still obsessed with understanding: LOVE. With love comes the search for a soul mate, and with those of us lucky enough to find that person, and even for those who are still hoping to find, this song will pull at your heart-strings: "There comes a time in someone's life, when you find the things that matter. And every time we touch, the love runs deep, we realize it's ours to keep, and that's all that really matters. You'll always be my sweet addiction; in this life, my saving grace. You're all that really matters. You know it's true -- ain't no me without you."
You're Not Alone: This is another favorite because of the very unique style and approach to it. With distorted vocals, soaring guitars, and a heavy-hitting beat, this song is one of the heavier on the album. Richie wrote this song around the time his daughter was born. The subject matter is about unconditional love and support: "You can be a million miles away; I will always love you. You can be a thousand thoughts away; I'll always be thinking of you. No matter where you try to hide, you are always going to find me; right where I belong -- I've been beside you all along. Like some ancient star, forever we'll remain; even if the sky should ever fall from grace. If I die or fade away, in the end you'll always know -- you're not alone."
In It For Love: A pretty but simple acoustic number, this is a fine song, but not a standout. On the contrary, it borders a bit on the bland side. The lyrics are written well, and the melody is nice, but it falls flat in comparison to the other tunes on the disc: "Life is a road, forever winding, where it leads us I don't know. In it together, for better or worse, searching for our pot of gold."
Chained: A tune which starts out slightly bluesy and then kicks into a more pop-oriented tune, this one is another likable song, but more so for the lyrics than the actual music. Musically, it's good but not outstanding. There are some scorching guitar solos and flavorful riffs in there, and the beat is up, but not spectacular. Lyrically, you can very well relate, which is the song's strong point: "Hey, what's this feeling; I've never been down this far before. I was scared of believing that love would never find my door. I was chained -- chained to my broken dreams. I never knew who I was suppose to be; waiting for someone to come and rescue me."
Harlem Rain: Another slow, acoustic number with pretty-sounding melodies, this song has a melancholy, searching feel to it -- much like Fallen From Graceland. However, while this song is pretty, it's no way half as beautiful as the aforementioned. It only scratches the surface of raw emotions, and like In It For Love, it doesn't stand out in comparison to some of the other material. It does have a charming appeal to it, however, and is far from being a "bad" song. The subject matter is about tough times experienced by the common folk: "The old man down the corner is drowning in his pain. I can see the sorrow in his eyes, his tears they leave a stain. The streets have left him broken, he's in the final phase. It's been a long, hard road -- from his glory days."
Who I Am: The other hard-hitting song on the disc, complete with heavy drums, eerie keyboards and guitar riffs, this song changes tempo. It's starts rocking, switches to soft and mythical and then changes the tone again -- BAM! -- by hitting you over the head. There's some shredding guitars in the middle of the piece, adding to the defiant tone of it. Co-written by Marti Frederiksen (who co-wrote such tunes Something's Gotta Give and Attitude Adjustment from Aerosmith's Nine Lives disc.), this song is about finding out who you really are: "When I lost is when I learned, when the road took a crooked turn. Wore a face of I just don't care, that piece of me just disappeared. Help me now, help me now -- finding some hope inside myself. Reaching down, finding out -- who's hiding in this shell."
Downside of Love: The other "ballad" on the album, this one is another favorite and major highlight. Much different from it's sister ballad on this disc, All That Really Matters (which was more of a slow, classic ballad), this one is oh-me-oh-my-do-I-have-DA-BLUES!!!! This song is probably the most blues-influenced on the disc (next to If God Was A Woman). This is the blues, brother, and Richie wails is soooo well!! This song is a prominent showcase for Richie's incredible vocal ability, and it shows that he's improved tremendously since recording Stranger In This Town. The guitars are wailin', the "boards" are cryin', and Richie's vocals are soarin' with raw-boned E-M-O-T-I-O-N. This is the blues, and we've got the blues because, with love comes the part that H-U-R-T-S -- deep within the soul, brother. You know the old cliché -- Every rose has it's thorn, so maybe every love has it's downside: "There's a danger of getting so close to you. There comes a time when the walls fade away. And when love turns to bitter blue; sometimes it feels so hard to stay. Last night we went to bed angry. We didn't mean what we said. Seems we never get past forgiveness. We try to hide, we never learn to swallow our pride. On the downside of love -- where love turns to hate, we just can't relate. On the downside of love -- when you're misunderstood -- cause when it hurts you, it hurts you so good."
Undiscovered Soul: A mid-tempo, upbeat, happy-go-lucky rocker, this song will be liked by anyone who appreciates a good Bon Jovi gem. This sounds so close to a Bon Jovi song that I can see partner-in-crime, Jon Bon Jovi, covering this song. That seems almost comical to this diehard, but I can see that "I'm a cowboy" theme running through this song. I can envision Richie with his trademark black hat and double-neck guitar, and Jon with his cowboy boots and fringe jacket. Yes, I'm going back in time, but I digress. The subject matter of this song is in that good ol' story-telling theme (a la Tommy and Gina from Livin' on a Prayer and Lie To Me). I could almost see this as being the story of the "before" Tommy and Gina found each other. Hey, I can use my imagination, can't I?: "She was standing at the station, small town suitcase in her hand. There were dreams she found inside her that no one could understand. She never talks about her childhood, so much past to leave behind. She's so scared to go, but still she says good-bye."
In summary, Richie Sambora made a beautifully creative package of music that touches the soul and tickles the ear. Once again, it's him and his guitar and I think, despite what critics and a capricious public may say, Richie Sambora is a man, and a musician, to be reckoned with. While he will always be a very important part of Bon Jovi, it was more than a pleasure to hear Richie's own voice. Being the other great half of the song writing talent that drives Bon Jovi, Richie (with the help of his Jovi bandmate, David Bryan on three songs, as well as a big helpful hand from Richie Supa on nine, as well as the input of some other fine artists) has written some deeply introspective, personal and reflective lyrics. Many can lose themselves in his words and get some kind of meaning out of them. The music is more beautiful and elegant than it is aggressive and hard-hitting, causing many a critic (I'm sure) to cry "Michael Bolton" -- but no matter. Richie is "who he is" and that's something this musical climate needs a good shot of.
In comparison to his first effort, Stranger In This Town, it is clearly evident that Richie has topped himself lyrically and at least called it even musically. His voice has gotten stronger and he has more of a vocal range on this effort than on his previous. This is not only a showcase for his writing talent and what he can do as a guitarist, but also as a vocalist.
While there's one or two songs that are middle-of-the-road, there's not a horrible, or "bad", song on this disc, and there's many highlights that make it a shining star. Here's hoping Richie and his Bon Jovi bandmates will return soon as a group, but here's also hoping we get to continue to hear Richie's individual (and so very special) voice (as well as bandmate, Jon's) every now and again. As much as yours truly gets "da blues" from lack of new band material, she's glad Richie made this disc because it's become one of her new best friends.
© Written by Diane Trautweiler on April 19, 1998.
Undiscovered Soul Poster
RICHIE SAMBORA Undiscovered Soul (Deleted 1998 US 12-track CD for the 2nd solo album complete with fold-out lyric picture sleeve with deletion hole through barcode)Hard Rock & Metal Music CDs
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