Live Review: Richie Sambora

With the absence of an opening act, The Espy's Gershwin Room is packed, electricity filling the air as if some sort of religious icon has re-emerged to greet the pilgrims. The crowd erupts as Richie Sambora and co roar into Burn That Candle Down, a Hendrix-infused rock jam packed with juicy hooks, smashing drums and wah-drenched guitar talk between Sambora and Orianthi. The band then take it down a notch for Every Road Leads Home To You, a proud single sounding like the lovechild of a young Coldplay and ballad-era Bon Jovi – digestible, but not desirable.

After some indiscernible onstage banter, the crowd gets a dose of what they're here for. Bon Jovi's I'll Be There For You has the 40-somethings singing to the heavens, with audible heart palpitations present among the female demographic. Sambora is then kind enough to let Orianthi perform her song You Don't Wanna Know, which not only showcases the guitar wizard's skills, but also her jaw-droppingly perfect vocals.

Thankfully, it isn't too much of a wait before the double-neck's whipped out and Sambo switches into cowboy mode for the Bon Jovi classic, Wanted Dead Or Alive. A wave of relief mixed with alcohol results in a deafening sing-along that temporarily mutes Mr Sambora and drives him into a frenzy when the guitar solo kicks in, showing hints of his slippery youth whilst engaging the shred. Voodoo Chile gets its 20,257th airing at The Espy and is full of the usual extended jams that showcase the musicianship of Sambora's team of travelling troubadours. The cameras come out for Bon Jovi's Lay Your Hands On Me, during which we witness Sambora's finest vocal delivery of the evening and a dynamic performance by his band. With the finish line in sight, it's time to bring out the big guns and the 'Wa-Oo-Wa-Oo-Wa-Oo's are about to strike. A stripped-back version of Livin' On A Prayer, as sung by Orianthi, just isn't the same as the old Bon-dog especially as the octave change in the last chorus is omitted and played in the same key!

After a brief exit, the band come out for a mediocre version of Don't Change by INXS. Vocals are lacklustre and the band seem out of place in their cowboy apparel performing a song that has re-charted after 31 years due to a television mini-series. Redemption comes in the form of two classics – It's My Life and These Days – both performed with an exuberance that leaves the audience feeling satisfied and ready to head out the door.

Unfortunately, 20% of the audience leave before a third encore during which Mr Corey Glover of Living Colour comes out and hits the ball out of the park with an incredible performance of Prince's masterpiece Purple Rain. This is hands down the finest moment of the night as Glover's vocals are un-frickin-believable, making Sambora sound out of place when he tries to join in.