Influence

[yogi]

I purchased this CD yesterday. DAMN it sounds good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ive never really been into the 60's movement but some of these songs are gems.

California Dreamin is INCREDIBLE!! Tommy & Jack nailed it!!!!!


Tommy really can shine with anyone. He and Jack are made for one another.


As are he and Glen..... Dennis................


I wonder if it is going to get a big push from MTV/VH1?????????????????

Its REEEEAAAALLLLLL good and some of these songs may hit again behind Tommy's & Jack's voices.

Is there any info on any chart positions on this CD or any of its singles????

Are any of the songs being released as singles??

[StyxCollector]

I purchased this CD yesterday. DAMN it sounds good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ive never really been into the 60's movement but some of these songs are gems.

California Dreamin is INCREDIBLE!! Tommy & Jack nailed it!!!!!


Tommy really can shine with anyone. He and Jack are made for one another.


As are he and Glen..... Dennis................


I wonder if it is going to get a big push from MTV/VH1?????????????????

Its REEEEAAAALLLLLL good and some of these songs may hit again behind Tommy's & Jack's voices.

Is there any info on any chart positions on this CD or any of its singles????

Are any of the songs being released as singles??

"Your Move" is a single; it was officially released as a promo CD single as well.

This is light years beyond BBT - and I don't really like some of the originals. I know this was recorded years ago, but to me it just overemphasizes the point that Tommy seems to be in a rut with Styx right now writing-wise.

[Monker]

Where did you buy it? I looked at both Best Buy and Target and couldn't find it last week.

If they can't get it out to retail, it isn't going to chart anywhere.

Also, what is the difference between the import and the US versions?

I purchased this CD yesterday. DAMN it sounds good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ive never really been into the 60's movement but some of these songs are gems.

California Dreamin is INCREDIBLE!! Tommy & Jack nailed it!!!!!


Tommy really can shine with anyone. He and Jack are made for one another.


As are he and Glen..... Dennis................


I wonder if it is going to get a big push from MTV/VH1?????????????????

Its REEEEAAAALLLLLL good and some of these songs may hit again behind Tommy's & Jack's voices.

Is there any info on any chart positions on this CD or any of its singles????

Are any of the songs being released as singles??

[styxfanNH]

I got mine at Best Buy, they only had the one copy. Probably gotta order it by mail.

The only difference between the US and Import versions is where it was released. I am guessing that VH1 couldn't get them pressed fast enough in the US to release them at the same time.

[shaka]

Walmart has it for just a hair under ten bucks.

Time of the Seasons just rocks. Their version is sooo awesome.

[stmonkeys]

my favs are
summer breeze
sound of silence
dirty work
dance with me
for what its worth
your move

ack- the whole album is great!!!!!!!!

[I Stumble In]

I got mine at FYE - I looked at Best Buy - Borders - WalMart - Target and was told everytime that they were sold out (although they all probably got just one copy). FYE had 4 in stock.
Your Move is incredible. I am a huge Yes fan and the boys nailed this one. I also like:
I am a Rock - nice modern version
Sound of Silence - like the original - tasteful
Dance With Me - Didn't like the original - but I like this one
All in all there isn't a song I don't like on the album. I listened to it on the way to the cabin on Saturday and it was perfect. Nice sunny day (albeit a bit chilly) - I can see my wife and listening to it this summer at the cabin as we watch a sunset over the lake. It is a perfect CD for that!!

[bugsymalone]

Thanks for the various reviews here. I was going to buy only certain tracks from iTunes, but I think you all have convinced me to buy the entire CD. There are one or two songs I am not that fond of in the original versions, but it does sound like a pleasant CD to have in my collection.

Bugsy

[froy]

I purchased this CD yesterday. DAMN it sounds good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ive never really been into the 60's movement but some of these songs are gems.

California Dreamin is INCREDIBLE!! Tommy & Jack nailed it!!!!!


Tommy really can shine with anyone. He and Jack are made for one another.


As are he and Glen..... Dennis................


I wonder if it is going to get a big push from MTV/VH1?????????????????

Its REEEEAAAALLLLLL good and some of these songs may hit again behind Tommy's & Jack's voices.

Is there any info on any chart positions on this CD or any of its singles????

Are any of the songs being released as singles??

Yogi will all due respect its a cover cd
Not worth even talking about

[Zan]

Not worth even talking about

And yet, here you are, talking about it.

Froy, don't you ever get tired of just being negative ALL THE FREAKIN' TIME?

[brywool]

I got it yesterday. Still trying to decide if I like it. I'm the HUGEST Tommy fan and the first S/B album is one of my all time favorite all time albums.
This one though... I dunno. Some of Tommy's harmonies are a bit out there (end of Summer Breeze, parts of Time of the Season) and some of the song choices... some of these songs were crap when they were released originally (dance with me).

I'll have to listen to it more I guess. I'm also pretty tired of cover tunes from Tommy.

I'm sure that it'll grow on me.

Also, they should've saved "Shine On" from Blades' album for this one to give the album one
rocking track.

I DO like the Yes track. Nice of them to put Give Peace a Chance in there. A lot different sentiment than
"Don't Tread".

Good guitar solo on Lucky Man too.

Okay, I guess I like it now. Just not sure it will get as many repeated plays as other albums because
the songs aren't new to me.

[froy]

Not worth even talking about

And yet, here you are, talking about it.

Froy, don't you ever get tired of just being negative ALL THE FREAKIN' TIME?

Negative ?
Who's negative?
Shaw copy catted again
Nothing to even talk about .

You really think Shaw was influenced by YES ?
The guy attaches himself to everyone and anyone.

Didn't I just give a great positive review to the Dennis cd
Did you miss that burst of positive energy?

[StyxCollector]

Negative ?
Who's negative?
Shaw copy catted again
Nothing to even talk about .

You really think Shaw was influenced by YES ?
The guy attaches himself to everyone and anyone.

This album was in the can before BBT. It took 2 - 3 years to get released. Would I have preferred a new S/B album with original tunes to this? Yes, but this is head and shoulders above BBT in terms of performances.

[froy]

Negative ?
Who's negative?
Shaw copy catted again
Nothing to even talk about .

You really think Shaw was influenced by YES ?
The guy attaches himself to everyone and anyone.

This album was in the can before BBT. It took 2 - 3 years to get released. Would I have preferred a new S/B album with original tunes to this? Yes, but this is head and shoulders above BBT in terms of performances.

Who cares they both suck
Shaw needs to take a break
He is over exposing himself.

I can see the come back already

[Zan]

He is over exposing himself.

Geez, I wish he would do it in this direction!

[shaka]

Froy is just bitter because Jon Anderson contradicted his opinion of Your Move.

[StyxCollector]

Who cares they both suck
Shaw needs to take a break
He is over exposing himself.

I can see the come back already

Froy, let me ask you a serious question: what would you do if you were in Tommy's shoes? You're a musician and that's all you know how to do (and arguably love to do). You were once on top of the world, now you're trying to figure out where your place is. I'm sorry, but I don't know if I would do anything different in his shoes and I've been critical of Styx. It's easy to throw stones from the outside.

No offense to Journey fans, but at least he's not Steve Perry who called it a day and whatever shape his voice is in, the fans will never hear it.

[brywool]

I agree with this Perry reference.

I don't think it's above BBT at all, but it IS a cover album and not an original work. That's disappointing to me as as Tommy Shaw fan, it also was as a Styx fan for BBT. BUT, it's better than nothing from the guy. Someone earlier mentioned Tommy seems to have hit a dry spell. I tend to agree although I liked the new CYO tracks, they weren't his best work, but they also didn't suck as I read in places.

I hope that now the cover albums are out that they're done and that Styx AND S/B will go back to doing ORIGINAL music again. To follow Cyclorama with a covers album was the biggest letdown...

A lot of these songs on Influence are songs that if they came on the radio, I'd turn it quick. Dirty Work and Dance with Me are lame songs period. Having Tommy and Jack sing them, while helping me to rope me in a bit, does nothing to change the fact that they aren't great songs to begin with. With these on here, I expect to see "Wild Fire" as the next release. "She came down, from yellow mountain..."
GaaaakKK!

One thing I DO like is the peacenik vibe of some of the tracks. I also think Jack's singing better on this album than he did on the first S/B album. On that album, he had a really different kind of "drawl".

I like it, but I don't love it.

[froy]

Froy is just bitter because Jon Anderson contradicted his opinion of Your Move.

Sure he did he got paid to do it,

[froy]

Froy, let me ask you a serious question: what would you do if you were in Tommy's shoes?

I would stop the bullshit and work on his own merits

Go on tour and promote Tommy Shaw
He could open for anyone and do an hour set
Here is the setlist

The Ocean
On My Way
Tell Me How Should I Feel
Just Get Through This Night
Somewhere In The Night
A Place To Call My Own
Girls With Guns
Bllue Collar Man
That's all in how you say it
High Enough
Lonely School
The Silence Is Broken
Renegade,


Tommy Shaw is a follower
He is taking the easy road and just collecting pay checks
No balls at all.

Get off the copycat road and sing your own songs
There all great songs







No offense to Journey fans, but at least he's not Steve Perry who called it a day and whatever shape his voice is in, the fans will never hear it.[/quote]

His voice is fine he is just not using it right.

[7 Wishes]

Froy, you are SO obsessive about DDY that you go out of your way to tear Tommy to shreds. I hate to tell you this, but TS was just as responsible for writing the DDY-era songs you love as Dennis. Additionally, he sang lead on just as many tunes as DDY did. You need to get off your soapbox. You sometimes remind me of that bearded guy in "The Life of Brian" who's proselytizing to no-one in particular. "...And the whore of Babylon shall ride forth on the three-headed serpent...and he shall wield a nine-bladed sword. Not two, not three, not five, but nine!" Seriously, I admire you and the passion you have for DDY and Styx. Just allow for the fact that Tommy is fantastically talented, OK? A lot of us think he is a better songwriter with Jack than he was with JY or DDY.

[Grotelul]

Negative ?
Who's negative?
Shaw copy catted again
Nothing to even talk about .

You really think Shaw was influenced by YES ?
The guy attaches himself to everyone and anyone.

This album was in the can before BBT. It took 2 - 3 years to get released. Would I have preferred a new S/B album with original tunes to this? Yes, but this is head and shoulders above BBT in terms of performances.

Who cares they both suck
Shaw needs to take a break
He is over exposing himself.

I can see the come back already

Here is a review of Dennis' new CD that I saw......

De Young's New CD Harkens Back To Early Years

Dennis De Young was recently quoted as saying it was time he went back to his roots and write some music worthy of the Styx name. His new CD, Love Letters from Paradise, to be released on May 14th, will bring back memories of old Styx tunes from the popular years of the '70's and early '80's. His wife Suzanne, who helped produce Love Letters from Paradise, was beaming when asked how she thinks fans will accept this new record. "I think fans of the early years will think they were in a time warp when they hear these great rock and rollers". Heavy rockers such as Love Me Forever, Tonight In My Arms, Made Me Cry and Listen To Me God will make you want to break out the bell bottoms and bongs. There are also a few softer tunes on the CD such as Lady of Paradise and the tear inducing title track Love Letters From Paradise. On a personal note, my wife commented after hearing this CD that it would absolutely make the best Valentine's gift ever. I think I'll have to book that one away.

[froy]

Froy, you are SO obsessive about DDY that you go out of your way to tear Tommy to shreds.

What does DDY have to do with this?
You are so obbsessed with Tommy Shaw that you think everything he does is great
He has copied Styx he copied BBT and now he copies Yes songs
He's a copycat
At least DDY is singing his own songs and is putting out a new cd.
Tommy Shaw is afraid to sell the world Tommy Shaw because his name means nothing
You think Tommy Shaw can do a orchestra show and sell 8 thousand seats
I don't

I hate to tell you this, but TS was just as responsible for writing the DDY-era songs you love as Dennis.

I hate to tell you but your wrong.

Additionally, he sang lead on just as many tunes as DDY did.

Your wrong again

Just allow for the fact that Tommy is fantastically talented, OK?

Let Tommy Shaw allow the fact by selling himself
The concert I proposed above is a great start.




A lot of us think he is a better songwriter with Jack than he was with JY or DDY.

Yea he so good he and Jack do a cover cd,

[Zan]

Yea he so good he and Jack do a cover cd,

Again, I ask, what's so wrong with doing covers? It's not like that's all he's ever done in his life. Maybe to someone who's never written or performed a song in his life, it's easy to sit back and make armchair quarterback calls, but I'll give people like Tommy and Dennis props that at least they have made use of their skills and damn good use at that. So what if they enjoy doing covers once in awhile, maybe it's ENJOYABLE for them. For god sake. Give it a rest.

[NealIsGod]

Yea he so good he and Jack do a cover cd,

Again, I ask, what's so wrong with doing covers? It's not like that's all he's ever done in his life. Maybe to someone who's never written or performed a song in his life, it's easy to sit back and make armchair quarterback calls, but I'll give people like Tommy and Dennis props that at least they have made use of their skills and damn good use at that. So what if they enjoy doing covers once in awhile, maybe it's ENJOYABLE for them. For god sake. Give it a rest.

But froy puts video clips together and picks a song to play with them. That makes him an authority.

[Zan]

But froy puts video clips together and picks a song to play with them. That makes him an authority.

yeah right? And he does a really nice job with them too. You don't see anyone here ragging him for not using his OWN material, do you? He chooses songs that mean something to him to make his "art" because...he enjoys it. Big swinging Mickys.

[7 Wishes]

Froy, your assertions are dead wrong because they're not factual. That means you're just expressing an opinion. Denny has put out two CD's since '97, and Tommy has put out four and co-written a dozen songs for other artists. Get off your soapbox and stop smokin' that shit. It'll rot your brain.

Dennis is NOT God, or god, for that matter. Give me a break!

[froy]

Yea he so good he and Jack do a cover cd,

[b][color=magenta]Again, I ask, what's so wrong with doing covers?

Whats right about it?
To sing the songs the exact same way as the original
How cheap is that.
Tommy Shaw had a great cd 7 zens and he was afraid to do anything with it.,
Its his best work and he cheaped out and went for Styx money.

It's not like that's all he's ever done in his life.

Its all he has done in the last 6 years /

Maybe to someone who's never written or performed a song in his life, it's easy to sit back and make armchair quarterback calls,

Excuse me
I performed I Will didn't I

[froy]

Yea he so good he and Jack do a cover cd,

Again, I ask, what's so wrong with doing covers? It's not like that's all he's ever done in his life. Maybe to someone who's never written or performed a song in his life, it's easy to sit back and make armchair quarterback calls, but I'll give people like Tommy and Dennis props that at least they have made use of their skills and damn good use at that. So what if they enjoy doing covers once in awhile, maybe it's ENJOYABLE for them. For god sake. Give it a rest.

But froy puts video clips together and picks a song to play with them. That makes him an authority.

Yea and people love it
What have you done?

[froy]

Froy, your assertions are dead wrong because they're not factual. That means you're just expressing an opinion. Denny has put out two CD's since '97, and Tommy has put out four and co-written a dozen songs for other artists. Get off your soapbox and stop smokin' that shit. It'll rot your brain.

Dennis is NOT God, or god, for that matter. Give me a break!

Again what does Dennis have to do with this thread?
The last thing Tommy has done that was good was 7 Zens and it was awesome.
He was afraid to tour it
He goes for the for sure thing
Covers and using the Styx name in vain
Shame on you Tommy Shaw you have no guts,