Richie Sambora Undiscovered Soul CD

Personnel includes: Richie Sambora (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, handclaps); Mark Goldenberg (guitar, handclaps); Chuck Leavell (piano, electric piano); Greg Phillinganes (piano, background vocals); David Paitch (electric piano, synthesizer); Rami Jaffee (Hammond B3 organ, accordion, hand claps); Billy Preston (Hammond B-3 organ, background vocals); Robbie Buchanan (synthesizer); Jamie Muhoberac (synthesizer programming); Don Was (bass, Wurlitzer, handclaps); Pino Paladino (fretless bass); Kenny Aronoff (drums, percussion, handclaps); Paulinho da Costa (percussion); James "Hutch" Hutchinson (background vocals, bass, handclaps); Myrna Smith, Portia Griffin, Sweet Pea Atkinson, Harry Bowens, Hook (background vocals); Richie Supa.
Personnel: Richie Sambora (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, background vocals); Mark Goldenberg (guitar); Rami Jaffee (accordion); Chuck Leavell (piano, electric piano); Greg Phillinganes (piano, background vocals); David Paich (electric piano, synthesizer); Don Was (Wurlitzer organ, bass guitar); Jamie Muhoberac (synthesizer, sound effects); Robbie Buchanan (synthesizer); James "Hutch" Hutchinson (bass guitar, background vocals); Pino Palladino (fretless bass); Kenny Aronoff (drums, percussion); Paulinho Da Costa (congas, talking drum, shaker); Myrna Smith, Dave Amato, Hook, Portia Griffin, Arnold McCuller, Sir Harry Bowens, Sweet Pea Atkinson, Billy Preston (background vocals).
Audio Mixers: Ed Cherney; Rail Jon Rogut; Bob Clearmountain.
Recording information: Ocean Way Recording; Record One; Record Plant; Voodoo Lounge.
Photographers: Chris McCann ; Dan Chavkin; Greg Allen.
Unknown Contributor Role: Richard Supa.
Arranger: Richie Sambora.
Richie Sambora's second solo album Undiscovered Soul is a more ambitious affair than Stranger in This Town, finding the guitarist trying on a wide variety of styles. Not all styles are fit Sambora's bluesy hard rock foundation, but it's interesting him to try out blues-rock, power ballads, pop/rock, arena rock and Stonesy rock, even if he's not always successful. Sambora has a pleasantly bland voice and knows how to craft a hard rock song, even if he doesn't always come up with a good hook. The result is a respectable journeyman album filled with competent songwriting and fine guitar playing -- just the kind of record that will appeal to his fans. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
On this, his second solo album, Richie Sambora attempts to step out of the shadow of his vocalist/movie star co-writer. He does a fine job of it, as his singing and guitar playing have definitely evolved from his earlier work. UNDISCOVERED SOUL is a very personal, heartfelt album full of emotion and passion. The album consists of mostly mid-tempo, acoustic-based songs, going more for feel than flash. In other words, Bon Jovi fans shouldn't expect any lighning-fingered, '80s heavy metal solos here. Improving upon his blues-based debut release, Sambora combines the aforementioned mid-tempo tunes with soulful ballads. He has lined up a stellar band to get the job done, including Kenny Aronoff (arguably the finest technical drummer in rock), Don Was (who also produces), Billy Preston and Chuck Leavell. All in all, an excellent sophomore effort from a guitarist who deserves his time to shine.