Album review: Tommy Shaw, 'The Great Divide'

[Rockwriter]

After giving it quite a few listens already, this is fast becoming my favorite bluegrass or country release of 2011 so far. Here's my review http://www.examiner.com/music-industry- ... eat-divide

Thanks! I hope everyone is well.


Sterling

[mr.v]

After giving it quite a few listens already, this is fast becoming my favorite bluegrass or country release of 2011 so far. Here's my review http://www.examiner.com/music-industry- ... eat-divide

Thanks! I hope everyone is well.


Sterling

Great review Sterling, any idea if any of the cuts are getting AirPlay?

[Everett]

Awesome review sterling thanks.

[Babyblue]

Awesome review sterling thanks.

[Rockwriter]

After giving it quite a few listens already, this is fast becoming my favorite bluegrass or country release of 2011 so far. Here's my review http://www.examiner.com/music-industry- ... eat-divide

Thanks! I hope everyone is well.


Sterling

Great review Sterling, any idea if any of the cuts are getting AirPlay?

Well, it's too early to tell. I don't know that there's a lot of mainstream radio market for this kind of thing. There's a ton of AM stations that do this. It's going to be more fan-driven, I would think, but I guess we'll see. It's a deserving piece of work.


Sterling

[FormerDJMike]

Sterling, I have been away from TN radio for over 10 years now. Is this something WSM-AM would play? I have no idea what they are doing these days, been ages since i have heard that station (the AM version of WSM).

Mike

[Babyblue]

After giving it quite a few listens already, this is fast becoming my favorite bluegrass or country release of 2011 so far. Here's my review http://www.examiner.com/music-industry- ... eat-divide

Thanks! I hope everyone is well.


Sterling

Great review Sterling, any idea if any of the cuts are getting AirPlay?

Well, it's too early to tell. I don't know that there's a lot of mainstream radio market for this kind of thing. There's a ton of AM stations that do this. It's going to be more fan-driven, I would think, but I guess we'll see. It's a deserving piece of work.


Sterling

I do know that many of the fans are buying the CD.I hope that others will get it as well.

[Rockwriter]

Sterling, I have been away from TN radio for over 10 years now. Is this something WSM-AM would play? I have no idea what they are doing these days, been ages since i have heard that station (the AM version of WSM).

Mike

You know, it might be. Good thought!


Sterling

[froy]

Babyblu

I do know that many of the fans are buying the CD.

Really how do you know such a thing?

[Babyblue]

Babyblu

I do know that many of the fans are buying the CD.

Really how do you know such a thing?

Because dear fred, i have friends & they told me so.

[froy]

Babyblu

I do know that many of the fans are buying the CD.

Really how do you know such a thing?

Because dear fred, i have friends & they told me so.

Then say it that way,

[Boomchild]

After giving it quite a few listens already, this is fast becoming my favorite bluegrass or country release of 2011 so far. Here's my review http://www.examiner.com/music-industry- ... eat-divide

Thanks! I hope everyone is well.


Sterling

Great review Sterling, any idea if any of the cuts are getting AirPlay?

Well, it's too early to tell. I don't know that there's a lot of mainstream radio market for this kind of thing. There's a ton of AM stations that do this. It's going to be more fan-driven, I would think, but I guess we'll see. It's a deserving piece of work.


Sterling

I do know that many of the fans are buying the CD.I hope that others will get it as well.

This CD will be in the "cut out" bin before you know it.

[kmd2009]

After giving it quite a few listens already, this is fast becoming my favorite bluegrass or country release of 2011 so far. Here's my review http://www.examiner.com/music-industry- ... eat-divide

Thanks! I hope everyone is well.


Sterling

Great review Sterling, any idea if any of the cuts are getting AirPlay?

Well, it's too early to tell. I don't know that there's a lot of mainstream radio market for this kind of thing. There's a ton of AM stations that do this. It's going to be more fan-driven, I would think, but I guess we'll see. It's a deserving piece of work.


Sterling

I do know that many of the fans are buying the CD.I hope that others will get it as well.

This CD will be in the "cut out" bin before you know it.

LOL!!!

[bugsymalone]

I finally got a good listen to this. Certainly a decent bluegrass album, for sure. It is being somewhat overshadowed by the Steve Martin bluegrass album, which has also just been released. Not that anyone much pays attention to bluegrass, unless a noted artist is involved.

I think the success or failure of this CD will depend, now, entirely on its reception by country music and country music radio. I am not sure Tommy Shaw has sufficient star power to get this A-listed, so-to-speak, but if somewhere along the line one of its tracks gets some country music airplay and catches on, it may do well. Country music fans are hugely loyal and buy in great numbers if they like something.

Certainly Styx, and Tommy Shaw fans, have bought this CD, but beyond that, wider audience acceptance is a question mark right now. I am expecting it to debut somewhere on a Billboard chart, even in the Top 200 album chart, but it only takes about 2000 in CD sales to land on that chart now.


Bugsy

[shaka]

Airplay isn't the point of Bluegrass music. Measuring the success using the same formula as most popular or even country music really isn't the right way to go about gauging the success of the project. Tommy, who is mostly a rock musician, made a good bluegrass album and that is quite an accomplishment.

[bugsymalone]

Airplay isn't the point of Bluegrass music. Measuring the success using the same formula as most popular or even country music really isn't the right way to go about gauging the success of the project. Tommy, who is mostly a rock musician, made a good bluegrass album and that is quite an accomplishment.

I am not arguing that point. It IS a good album. Really good. My point is that there has been crossover success with other artists to country. (Bon Jovi, Kelly Clarkson), and it has generally been driven by a popular single. There have been some bluegrass influenced hits in the country market. That is ultimately who will embrace, or reject, this album. And how success is measured, I guess, is up to the consumer.

I don't know if TS can grab that kind of attention, but, most certainly, this is an excellent project on his part.


Bugsy

[Ash]

I'm looking forward to tomorrow night and meeting Tommy back stage at the Opry. I may share with him one of my oldest memories involving Renegade. Depends on the mood. I'll be picking up the album at the Opry tomorrow afternoon. I literally haven't had 10 minutes to leave work to go pick it up sadly.

[shaka]

Airplay isn't the point of Bluegrass music. Measuring the success using the same formula as most popular or even country music really isn't the right way to go about gauging the success of the project. Tommy, who is mostly a rock musician, made a good bluegrass album and that is quite an accomplishment.

I am not arguing that point. It IS a good album. Really good. My point is that there has been crossover success with other artists to country. (Bon Jovi, Kelly Clarkson), and it has generally been driven by a popular single. There have been some bluegrass influenced hits in the country market. That is ultimately who will embrace, or reject, this album. And how success is measured, I guess, is up to the consumer.

I don't know if TS can grab that kind of attention, but, most certainly, this is an excellent project on his part.


Bugsy

Gauging bluegrass success by how a project does on the country market really doesn't work. Bluegrass and country are related but not the same thing.

[Rockwriter]

Airplay isn't the point of Bluegrass music. Measuring the success using the same formula as most popular or even country music really isn't the right way to go about gauging the success of the project. Tommy, who is mostly a rock musician, made a good bluegrass album and that is quite an accomplishment.

I am not arguing that point. It IS a good album. Really good. My point is that there has been crossover success with other artists to country. (Bon Jovi, Kelly Clarkson), and it has generally been driven by a popular single. There have been some bluegrass influenced hits in the country market. That is ultimately who will embrace, or reject, this album. And how success is measured, I guess, is up to the consumer.

I don't know if TS can grab that kind of attention, but, most certainly, this is an excellent project on his part.


Bugsy

Gauging bluegrass success by how a project does on the country market really doesn't work. Bluegrass and country are related but not the same thing.

That is absolutely so. Tommy can't reasonably hope for any country stations to play this, not straight commercial country stations. Not the ones that played Bon Jovi's fake country album, no way.

Bluegrass is a market unto itself, and there are tons and tons and tons of radio stations that specialize in it, albeit in smaller markets and with less power. But it's a very hungry fan base, and if he can get them on board, he can do very well. The Grascals are not known to most people, but they do very well for themselves, for instance. Same with Rhonda Vincent.

If this album appears anywhere, it would be the bluegrass album chart specifically. And it doesn't take very many sales to get there, so it probably will. I'd be very surprised if it does not debut well in that chart.


Sterling

[Boomchild]

Airplay isn't the point of Bluegrass music. Measuring the success using the same formula as most popular or even country music really isn't the right way to go about gauging the success of the project. Tommy, who is mostly a rock musician, made a good bluegrass album and that is quite an accomplishment.

I am not arguing that point. It IS a good album. Really good. My point is that there has been crossover success with other artists to country. (Bon Jovi, Kelly Clarkson), and it has generally been driven by a popular single. There have been some bluegrass influenced hits in the country market. That is ultimately who will embrace, or reject, this album. And how success is measured, I guess, is up to the consumer.

I don't know if TS can grab that kind of attention, but, most certainly, this is an excellent project on his part.


Bugsy

Bet the thought of Tommy crossing over to the Bluegrass market scares the crap out of JY.

[Baron Von Bielski]

Airplay isn't the point of Bluegrass music. Measuring the success using the same formula as most popular or even country music really isn't the right way to go about gauging the success of the project. Tommy, who is mostly a rock musician, made a good bluegrass album and that is quite an accomplishment.

I am not arguing that point. It IS a good album. Really good. My point is that there has been crossover success with other artists to country. (Bon Jovi, Kelly Clarkson), and it has generally been driven by a popular single. There have been some bluegrass influenced hits in the country market. That is ultimately who will embrace, or reject, this album. And how success is measured, I guess, is up to the consumer.

I don't know if TS can grab that kind of attention, but, most certainly, this is an excellent project on his part.


Bugsy

Bet the thought of Tommy crossing over to the Bluegrass market scares the crap out of JY.

I bet it's just a one time thing.

[StyxCollector]

Airplay isn't the point of Bluegrass music. Measuring the success using the same formula as most popular or even country music really isn't the right way to go about gauging the success of the project. Tommy, who is mostly a rock musician, made a good bluegrass album and that is quite an accomplishment.

I am not arguing that point. It IS a good album. Really good. My point is that there has been crossover success with other artists to country. (Bon Jovi, Kelly Clarkson), and it has generally been driven by a popular single. There have been some bluegrass influenced hits in the country market. That is ultimately who will embrace, or reject, this album. And how success is measured, I guess, is up to the consumer.

I don't know if TS can grab that kind of attention, but, most certainly, this is an excellent project on his part.


Bugsy

Bet the thought of Tommy crossing over to the Bluegrass market scares the crap out of JY.

I bet it's just a one time thing.

Doubt it. Ever hear Shaw Blades or see them live? That's more the real Tommy esp. these days than Styx is. Styx pays the bills.

[Rockwriter]

Airplay isn't the point of Bluegrass music. Measuring the success using the same formula as most popular or even country music really isn't the right way to go about gauging the success of the project. Tommy, who is mostly a rock musician, made a good bluegrass album and that is quite an accomplishment.

I am not arguing that point. It IS a good album. Really good. My point is that there has been crossover success with other artists to country. (Bon Jovi, Kelly Clarkson), and it has generally been driven by a popular single. There have been some bluegrass influenced hits in the country market. That is ultimately who will embrace, or reject, this album. And how success is measured, I guess, is up to the consumer.

I don't know if TS can grab that kind of attention, but, most certainly, this is an excellent project on his part.


Bugsy

Bet the thought of Tommy crossing over to the Bluegrass market scares the crap out of JY.

I bet it's just a one time thing.

Doubt it. Ever hear Shaw Blades or see them live? That's more the real Tommy esp. these days than Styx is. Styx pays the bills.

If this thing does well enough to justify another, I predict we can expect a follow up to be squeezed into Styx' schedule. I agree, Styx is Tommy's job, and his outside projects are what he does to stay awake at this point, LOL. I don't mean that as an insult . . . I mean seriously, the songs of Styx are reasonably challenging as far as pop-rock songs go, but I'm sure they could play them in their sleep by now. Like Bill Bruford pointed out in his excellent autobiography, the nature of classic rock is endless rehash. They're lucky to be in that position, but it comes with a price, as does everything.

Tommy won't leave Styx to do bluegrass, no way. He could never replace the income from Styx by doing so unless it was as successful as Robert Plant, and that was a big giant fluke. But I can see him working it into the schedule and doing a bit less with Styx coming up.

You know, since JY used to privately refer to Dennis' Broadway CD as 'The Death of Styx,' it really WOULD be interesting to know what he thinks of this. Is this 'The Death of Styx Part 2?' Privately he's got to be thinking, 'Tommy, BLUEGRASS?!!! What the fuckin' hell?! Could you come up with ANYTHING more uncool?' LOL.


Sterling

[Ash]

You know, since JY used to privately refer to Dennis' Broadway CD as 'The Death of Styx,' it really WOULD be interesting to know what he thinks of this. Is this 'The Death of Styx Part 2?' Privately he's got to be thinking, 'Tommy, BLUEGRASS?!!! What the fuckin' hell?! Could you come up with ANYTHING more uncool?' LOL.

To which I would say.... Hey JY... what's more "uncool"? A talented song writer and musician being diverse and recording something a whole new group of people are going to eat up? Or a leech like you sucking all of Styx dry for your own benefit? You wouldn't know what a creative muse if it was teabagging you on the forehead while you were trying to write Out On A Day Pass Part 2. You don't have the talent to pull off Bluegrass music, much less anything that has more than six chords.

[Boomchild]

You know, since JY used to privately refer to Dennis' Broadway CD as 'The Death of Styx,' it really WOULD be interesting to know what he thinks of this. Is this 'The Death of Styx Part 2?' Privately he's got to be thinking, 'Tommy, BLUEGRASS?!!! What the fuckin' hell?! Could you come up with ANYTHING more uncool?' LOL.


Sterling

If and I said IF JY does not have a problem with Tommy's "outside" projects, I find that interesting. Since he felt Dennis should be focused on Styx only. In a way that would just prove that point as a smoke screen for the real reason JY wanted Dennis out of the band.

[Boomchild]

You know, since JY used to privately refer to Dennis' Broadway CD as 'The Death of Styx,' it really WOULD be interesting to know what he thinks of this. Is this 'The Death of Styx Part 2?' Privately he's got to be thinking, 'Tommy, BLUEGRASS?!!! What the fuckin' hell?! Could you come up with ANYTHING more uncool?' LOL.

To which I would say.... Hey JY... what's more "uncool"? A talented song writer and musician being diverse and recording something a whole new group of people are going to eat up? Or a leech like you sucking all of Styx dry for your own benefit? You wouldn't know what a creative muse if it was teabagging you on the forehead while you were trying to write Out On A Day Pass Part 2. You don't have the talent to pull off Bluegrass music, much less anything that has more than six chords.

Styx is and will be the only thing JY has as far a the music business. Unlike Tommy and Dennis who have had success beyond Styx. JY reached his peak with Styx and it's where he will reach his bottom. Period.

[gr8dane]

You know, since JY used to privately refer to Dennis' Broadway CD as 'The Death of Styx,' it really WOULD be interesting to know what he thinks of this. Is this 'The Death of Styx Part 2?' Privately he's got to be thinking, 'Tommy, BLUEGRASS?!!! What the fuckin' hell?! Could you come up with ANYTHING more uncool?' LOL.

To which I would say.... Hey JY... what's more "uncool"? A talented song writer and musician being diverse and recording something a whole new group of people are going to eat up? Or a leech like you sucking all of Styx dry for your own benefit? You wouldn't know what a creative muse if it was teabagging you on the forehead while you were trying to write Out On A Day Pass Part 2. You don't have the talent to pull off Bluegrass music, much less anything that has more than six chords.

Styx is and will be the only thing JY has as far a the music business. Unlike Tommy and Dennis who have had success beyond Styx. JY reached his peak with Styx and it's where he will reach his bottom. Period.

You just keep on trying there Boomy.And please do try, and continue,and continue.You are the new
Froy.Froy is a heartwarming village fool,and his efforts has totally been without any change of how the Styxworld spins,
and how little JY and Tommy gives a flying fack.
JY is doing OK,no matter how much you try to make him look like an ass.
These days JY and Tommy is Styx.
Carry on chaps.

[willspups]

I am having a difficult time understanding why Tommy has bashed Dennis for going "Broadway" and entering into "Barry Manilow" territory and then releases a bluegrass album, like somehow bluegrass is "cooler"? Personally I can "tolerate" show tunes/Broadway over bluegrass/country.
And why the hell kick out your main singer/songwriter so that you can tour relentlessly (and play the same songs over and over) with only a single CD of original material in 10 years. Further, why complain and use the excuse over and over again for no new Styx studio CD because "no one is buying new music" and then release a bluegrass album which might sell a few thousand copies at most. I mean what the hell?? And re-recording the classics- I'm embarrassed for the band and find there decisions insulting to the real fans.

I have always placed Tommy Shaw on a pedestal since my teenage years starting back in '81 , but sadly I have become increasingly dissapointed in one of my idols.

Get off your ass guys and prove to the fans why it was so important to kick Dennis to the curb and release a CD of all-new music.

Oh yeah, I am a sucker so I will buy Tommy's new CD anyway. Perhaps I will be pleasently surprised.

[shaka]

I am having a difficult time understanding why Tommy has bashed Dennis for going "Broadway" and entering into "Barry Manilow" territory and then releases a bluegrass album, like somehow bluegrass is "cooler"? Personally I can "tolerate" show tunes/Broadway over bluegrass/country.
And why the hell kick out your main singer/songwriter so that you can tour relentlessly (and play the same songs over and over) with only a single CD of original material in 10 years. Further, why complain and use the excuse over and over again for no new Styx studio CD because "no one is buying new music" and then release a bluegrass album which might sell a few thousand copies at most. I mean what the hell?? And re-recording the classics- I'm embarrassed for the band and find there decisions insulting to the real fans.

I have always placed Tommy Shaw on a pedestal since my teenage years starting back in '81 , but sadly I have become increasingly dissapointed in one of my idols.

Get off your ass guys and prove to the fans why it was so important to kick Dennis to the curb and release a CD of all-new music.

Oh yeah, I am a sucker so I will buy Tommy's new CD anyway. Perhaps I will be pleasently surprised.

I have no problem with show tunes but they are usually written to further a plot rather than purely being about the music. Bluegrass on the other hand is about as stripped down as you can get and along with early blues is probably the purest form of American music. Oh yeah, contrary to what someone who posted earlier in this thread bluegrass musicians are incredible technicians on their instruments.

[Boomchild]

You know, since JY used to privately refer to Dennis' Broadway CD as 'The Death of Styx,' it really WOULD be interesting to know what he thinks of this. Is this 'The Death of Styx Part 2?' Privately he's got to be thinking, 'Tommy, BLUEGRASS?!!! What the fuckin' hell?! Could you come up with ANYTHING more uncool?' LOL.

To which I would say.... Hey JY... what's more "uncool"? A talented song writer and musician being diverse and recording something a whole new group of people are going to eat up? Or a leech like you sucking all of Styx dry for your own benefit? You wouldn't know what a creative muse if it was teabagging you on the forehead while you were trying to write Out On A Day Pass Part 2. You don't have the talent to pull off Bluegrass music, much less anything that has more than six chords.

Styx is and will be the only thing JY has as far a the music business. Unlike Tommy and Dennis who have had success beyond Styx. JY reached his peak with Styx and it's where he will reach his bottom. Period.

You just keep on trying there Boomy.And please do try, and continue,and continue.You are the new
Froy.Froy is a heartwarming village fool,and his efforts has totally been without any change of how the Styxworld spins,
and how little JY and Tommy gives a flying fack.
JY is doing OK,no matter how much you try to make him look like an ass.
These days JY and Tommy is Styx.
Carry on chaps.

Just to be clear on some things:

1. I don't need to make JY look like an ass, he does that by himself. He needs no help.
2. I in no way think that Dennis is an angel and not guilty of some of the things that have been said about him.
3. I do not believe that TS and JY are innocent victims of Dennis DeYoung as they portray themselves at times.
3. I am in now way trying to change what Styx has become. Just posting my opinions and viewpoints on the subject.
4. I am not looking to convert anyone here to viewpoint.

In the end, JY, TS, CP and DDY can do whatever the heck they want to do. Doesn't mean that people will always agree with it and not share their thoughts on it. It's as simple as that.