Undiscovered Soul - Richie Sambora

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Undiscovered Soul 7:14

“When you walk that road you walk alone, just an undiscovered soul in the great unknown…”

It’s a long song that gives the title to this project. It has rhythm, rocks but fails to give the closure I’d expect for this kind of album. I would like to hear this song with Jon Bon Jovi’s voice. It doesn’t suit Richie’s. The instrumental side of the song is great as usual. 7/10
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...never conceived to become a commercial success and it does have a value of its own. It doesn’t lack quality, if anything it lacks recognition. Far from being a masterpiece it is a piece I would not dismiss from my music collection.

In fact, I would say that on the Bon Jovi scene Richie should be in charge of the instrumental side of Bon Jovi and Jon should do the lyrics. Samboras fine-tunes could give Bon Jovi the rebirth and creativity ... more

Unless you are a Bon Jovi fan Sambora’s name will mean little to you. Richie Sambora is Bon Jovi’s lead guitar player and was one of the founders of the band. Together with Jon Bon Jovi they are the creative force behind the band.

Sambora has been counted among the world’s best guitar players. However being part of a band that is so unpopular among the critics, this recognition went almost unnoticed. During the 80’s Bon Jovi’s popularity exhausted its members, and for a period of five years, both Jon and Richie used this time to explore their talent by venturing on solo projects.

Whereas Jon Bon Jovi went on to release a hit album entitled “Blaze of Glory”, an album dedicated in its entirety to the movie “Young Guns II”, Richie embarked on a project called “Stranger in This Town”.

The title itself suggested how Sambora was feeling in the Bon Jovi world, perhaps overshadowed by Jon’s figure. The album attracted Eric Clapton’s attention. But despite his participation on the album Sambora’s debut was far from being a success.

Sambora had its second chance to prove his solo value in 1998 with the release of “Undiscovered Soul”, a title that once again suggested Sambora’s feelings towards his own talent. At the same time, Jon Bon Jovi already had a new album wandering the charts since 1997 “Destination Anywhere”.

***UNDISCOVERED SOUL***

COVER: I absolutely love the cover. It has a plastic three dimensional effect sleeve portraying Sambora looking away. The cover in the CD case itself shows a serious Sambora facing forward. The back of the plastic sleeve shows what seems to be a mystical triangle, hiding Sambora somewhere in the distance playing guitar on his bed.

THE SONGS

Track 1
Made in America 5.34

“Made in America, nineteen fifty nine, born down by the factories, cross the Jersey City line…”

This is the type of song that would be cool to have live on a bar. It is very musical without the exaggerations of Bon Jovi chorus. This song is obviously about Richie himself, his bringing up and posterior success. I love the guitar effects and the sobriety in Richie’s voice. 7/10

Track 2
Hard Times Come Easy 4:34

“Seems like hard times come easy, we do a lot of hanging on these days…But the heart finds a reason, and love always seems to find a way…”

Not sure about the lyrics on this chorus, it seems a bit too simplistic. Music wise this is another song that immediately sends images of a bar with a snooker table, lots of girls dressed in black tight clothes, men with tattoos and Richie at the back of the room singing live. Is this a music video? Er…maybe… 6/10

Track 3
Fallen from Graceland 5:39

“There’s a burning light in this town, for ever heart that’s broken down tonight…”

Again, I’m not convinced by the lyric quality. But the start of this song is brilliant. I’m not a music expert but to explain it in layman it sounds as if he is playing in a Cathedral. It’s a deep, involving sound and Richie’s voice assumes a very low enticing tone. I’d love to hear this song live at a Bon Jovi concert. The sounds are fantastic. 9/10

Track 4
If God was a Woman 4:02

“If God was a woman with long blonde hair…”

Erm…I have to say that this lyric is a bit silly. I really appreciate Richie Sambora’s sense of humour and have nothing against jokes on religious themes but this song is completely silly and dull music wise. Yawns! Richie’s vocal efforts don’t do enough to not make me want to skip this track. 1/10

Track 5
All that Really Matters 4:19

“You’ll always be my sweet addiction, in this life my saving grace…”

Stop being so mellow Rich. OK, the music is great and it gives another insight into the composer’s feelings. Richie fell madly in love, married Heather Locklear and had a beautifully child called Ava. The song could be for any of the two women in his life, and it seems to show us a man that found something or someone to shield him from his own necessity of being under the spotlight. It is a nice ballad – I admit. 9/10

Track 6
You’re not Alone 4:19

“If I die or fade away, in the end you’ll always know…you’re not alone”

Lovely drums and guitars to introduce this song, whereas Richie’s voice is depleted from its usual tone by some technology they use for these things. How can I put this in proper English? Err… It suits the song. 6/10

Track 7
In it for Love 4:19

“Nothing else matters when you’re in it for love…”

The start reminds me of “Extreme” sounds in “More than Words”… (Remember them?) I like simple songs (but not necessarily over simplistic lyrics). “In it for love” is a nice ballad and at this point I am starting to miss Jon Bon Jovi’s input. 8/10

Track 8
Chained 3:27

“I was chained, chained, chained to my broken dreams…”

It could have been a kinky one but nah…! Sambora likes to be serious musically. It is a dull song and it follows the patterns of the previous ones and he should be showing something new by track eight. Next…4/10

Track 9
Harlem Rain 5:01

“Harlem rain coming down, another shattered soul in the lost and found…”

What a beautiful intro with great guitar effects. This is what Sambora is all about, lots of soul and guitar. 9/10

Track 10
Who I Am 7:08

“Who I used to be ain’t what I am, if you walked inside my shoes, then you would understand…”

Is this another allusion to his life in the limelight? I think so. I like the change of tempo in this song. It renews my craving for Sambora’s rock style. Awesome guitar solo. 9/10

Track 11
Downside of Love 5:26

“On the downside of love, where love turns to hate, we just can’t relate…”

Another mellow ballad and I am totally letting myself go with it. The bar images returning…9/10

Track 12

Undiscovered Soul 7:14

“When you walk that road you walk alone, just an undiscovered soul in the great unknown…”

It’s a long song that gives the title to this project. It has rhythm, rocks but fails to give the closure I’d expect for this kind of album. I would like to hear this song with Jon Bon Jovi’s voice. It doesn’t suit Richie’s. The instrumental side of the song is great as usual. 7/10

***

This album was probably never conceived to become a commercial success and it does have a value of its own. It doesn’t lack quality, if anything it lacks recognition. Far from being a masterpiece it is a piece I would not dismiss from my music collection.

In fact, I would say that on the Bon Jovi scene Richie should be in charge of the instrumental side of Bon Jovi and Jon should do the lyrics. Samboras fine-tunes could give Bon Jovi the rebirth and creativity it’s lacking.

Thank you for reading.

 

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