SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 48 Min.
Released by PolyGram Records in 1990, this Jon Bon Jovi showcase ‘inspired’ by the film Young Guns II includes two songs featured in its closing credits; an instrumental; and eight other tunes reflecting the film’s thematic content. Other than Alan Silvestri’s instrumental “Guano City,” the song lyrics and music are composed by Jon Bon Jovi.
Track 1: “Billy Get Your Guns” (from the film’s closing credits). Running Time: 4:48. Notes: A sample of Billy the Kid’s film dialogue by Emilio Estevez is its intro. Among its guest musicians are Randy Jackson; Aldo Nova; Elton John (on piano); and Jeff Beck.
Track 2: “Miracle.” Running Time: 5:08. Notes: Guest musicians include Randy Jackson; Aldo Nova; and Jeff Beck; as well as back-up vocalists Myrna Matthews; Julia Waters; and Maxine Waters.
Track 3: “Blaze of Glory” (from the film’s closing credits). Running Time: 5:44. Note: A tense dialogue clip between Kiefer Sutherland’s ‘Doc’ Scurlock and Emilio Estevez’s Billy is the intro.
Track 4: “Blood Money (Hey, Patty Garrett).” Running Time: 2:34.
Track 5: “Santa Fe.” Running Time: 5:40.
Notes: Silvestri contributes to its string arrangement.
Track 6: “Justice in the Barrel.” Running Time: 6:49. Note: The back-up vocalists include actor Lou Diamond Phillips; Julia Waters; Maxine Waters, and Myrna Matthews.
Track 7: “Never Say Die.” Running Time: 4:53.
Track 8: “You Really Got Me Now.” Running Time: 2:23. ote: Little Richard is on piano and back-up vocals.
Track 9: “Bang a Drum.” Running Time: 4:36. Note: The back-up vocalists are Maxine Waters; Myrna Matthews; and Julia Waters.
Track 10: “Dyin’ Ain’t Much of a Livin.’” Running Time: 4:39. Notes: Elton John is on piano and adds extra vocals. Myrna Matthews, Maxine Waters, and Julia Waters provide further back-up vocals.
Track 11: “Guano City” (from the film). Running Time: 1:00. Note: Silvestri is its composer-conductor.
REVIEW:
Instead of a vanity solo project, Blaze of Glory confirms Jon Bon Jovi’s multi-talented arsenal. The album’s appeal smartly mixes rock tunes (i.e. “Billy Get Your Guns;” “Justice in the Barrel;” and, of course, “Blaze of Glory”) with poignant ballads (“Miracle;” “Santa Fe;” and “Blood Money”). Track 10 is a fourth ballad, “Dyin’ Ain’t Much of a Livin’” that insightfully echoes the fallout from the gang’s climatic shootout with Pat Garrett’s posse. The other tunes blend in fairly well, as “Never Say Die,” for instance, fits the film’s shoot-and-run antics. Only Track 8’s “You Really Got Me Now” is an instance of rollicking barroom filler.
Though hearing more of Silvestri’s instrumental score would have been appreciated, “Guano City” is still a minute’s worth of action-packed suspense. Despite Blaze of Glory being only a partial soundtrack (more of Silvestri’s work would have been appreciated), Jon Bon Jovi capably delivers plenty of entertainment.
Note: This album helped spawn a dubious Hollywood trend (i.e. 1995’s Batman Forever) where much of a movie soundtrack was merely ‘inspired’ by the film.
PACKAGING:
The tracks and their running times appear on the disc and the case’s back cover. The fold-out insert is a mini-poster of Jon Bon Jovi on one side. The flip side consists of: song lyrics; musician credits; technical credits; and thank-you notes.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars
