Destination Anywhere

Destination Anywhere is the second solo studio album by Jon Bon Jovi, released on June 16, 1997 and features music from the film Destination Anywhere released in the same year. It follows his successful 1990 soundtrack Blaze of Glory, from the film Young Guns II.

The production and style for Destination Anywhere departs from the hard rock sound of his albums with the group Bon Jovi, such as featuring drum loops, female backing vocals and Jon Bon Jovi himself singing in a lower register in most of the tracks. Only one of his longtime bandmates, keyboardist David Bryan, contributed to the album; though Desmond Child, cowriter of hits such as "Livin' on a Prayer", plays the tuba in the song "Ugly" and is also one of the producers.

During the production of the album, the daughter of Bon Jovi's former personal manager Paul Korzilius died. "August 7, 4:15" is dedicated to Katherine Korzilius.

Reception

Commercial

The album charted at number 31 on the Billboard 200, number 6 on the Top Canadian albums chart and number two on the UK Albums Chart. The first single "Midnight in Chelsea" was Bon Jovi's highest-charting solo single in the UK, reaching number four on the UK Singles Chart. Also charting in the UK was the second single "Queen of New Orleans" at number 10 and the third single "Janie, Don't Take Your Love to Town" at number 13. The fourth single "Ugly" charted in some European countries but not in the UK. "Staring at Your Window with a Suitcase in My Hand" was released as a promo single.

Critical

AllMusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine described it as "a fine example of late-'90s mainstream pop" and "a breakthrough for Bon Jovi, because it is the first time he sounds like he's come to terms with adulthood." Nevertheless, he criticized the presence of fillers on the record. Chuck Eddy of Entertainment Weekly wrote: "Almost every track on Destination Anywhere could be faster, shorter, and less world-weary, but Bon Jovi's melodies feel indelible nonetheless."

Film

Destination Anywhere: The Film (also released in 1997) was produced and incorporated music and concepts from the album. It stars Jon Bon Jovi and Demi Moore as a young couple struggling with alcoholism and the death of their young child. It debuted on both MTV and VH1 in 1997 and also stars Kevin Bacon, Whoopi Goldberg, and Annabella Sciorra. Directed by Mark Pellington, it was released on DVD on April 11, 2005, and contains the film, Destination Anywhere, the EPK for the album, and five promotional videos for the singles of the album. The track "It's Just Me" also features in full during the film.

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Jon Bon Jovi, except where noted.

Limited edition

Personnel

• Jon Bon Jovi – vocals, acoustic guitar (2, 4, 12), electric guitar (2, 12), backing vocals (2, 3, 6, 9), guitars (3, 6, 8-11), harmonica (4), acoustic piano (8, 12)
• Imogen Heap – keyboards (1)
• Andy Wright – programming (1, 7)
• Guy Davis – acoustic piano (2), Hammond organ (2)
• Stephen Lironi – programming (2, 6, 8-11), loops (2, 5, 6, 9, 10), keyboards (5), electric guitar (5, 6, 8), synthesizers (8, 9, 11), acoustic guitar (9, 10)
• Alex Silva – keyboards (3), programming (3)
• Rob Hyman – Wurlitzer electric piano (4)
• David Bryan – acoustic piano (5), accordion (5)
• Jerry Cohen – organ (5, 6, 8), keyboards (10, 11)
• Terry Disley – keyboards (7, 12)
• Paul Taylor – programming (12)
• David A. Stewart – guitars (1, 3, 7)
• Bobby Bandiera – lead guitar (2, 10), guitars (6), slide guitar (8)
• Eric Bazilian – electric guitar (4), lead guitar (7)
• Lance Quinn – guitars (5, 8, 11)
• Aldo Nova – guitars (10)
• Kurt Johnston – dobro (9)
• Hugh McDonald – bass
• Kenny Aronoff – drums
• Desmond Child – tuba (4)
• David Campbell – string arrangements (2)
• Teese Gohl – string arrangements (3)
• Alexandra Brown – backing vocals (1)
• Bridgette Bryant – backing vocals (1)
• Maxayne Lewis – backing vocals (1)
• Zhana Saunders – backing vocals (3)
• Helena Christensen – backing vocals (6)
• Dean Fasano – backing vocals (10)
• Mark Hudson – backing vocals (10)
• Mardette Lynch – backing vocals (12)

Production

• Steve Greenberg – A&R
• David A. Stewart – producer (1, 7, 12)
• Jon Bon Jovi – producer (2, 3, 5, 6, 8-13)
• Stephen Lironi – producer (2, 3, 5, 6, 8-11)
• Desmond Child – producer (4)
• Eric Bazilian – producer (4)
• Jeff Schulz – design
• Anton Corbijn – photography
• Bruce Weber – photography

Technical

• George Marino – mastering at Sterling Sound (New York, NY)
• John "Obie" O'Brien – engineer (1, 3, 4, 7, 12, 14), mixing (1-8, 10-14), remixing (2, 3, 12)
• Niven Garland – engineer (2, 6, 8-11), mixing (9)
• Lee Manning – assistant engineer (1, 4, 7, 12)
• Mike Woglom – assistant engineer (1, 7, 12)
• Marc Lane – mix assistant (1, 7, 12)
• Mark Springer – assistant engineer (2, 5, 6, 8-11, 13)
• Jim Labinski – mix assistant (2, 3)
• Ann Mincieli – remix assistant (2, 3, 12), mix assistant (4-6, 8, 10, 11)
• Mike Rew – remix assistant (2, 3, 12), mix assistant (4-6, 8, 10, 11)
• Pete Karam – assistant engineer (3)
• Mikey Malak – assistant engineer (4)
• Robert Valdez – assistant engineer (4)
• Matt Curry – mix assistant (9)
• Charles Dye – additional recording (4)
• Cage Gondar – additional recording (4)
• Andrew Roshberg – additional recording (4)
• José Cristobal Ulloa – additional recording (4)
• John Hougdahl – technicIan
• Michael Bilkoski, Tony Blanc, Tony Bongiovi, Pat Brannon, Rick Britton, David Davidian, Bobby Deluca, Mike Farese, Marty Gelhaar, Moe Haggedone, Rocky Holman, Mark Springer and Danny Stewart – technical support

Charts

Certifications

References