Shaw Blades @ Joe's in Chicago

[StyxCollector]

Setlist:
Dance With Me (Video - not sung live)
Summer Breeze
Too Much Time On My Hands
Down That Highway
Your Move
I Am A Rock
For What It's Worth/Stop In The Name Of Love
Time of the Season
Dirty Work
High Enough
When I See Beth Smile (regular + dirty lyrics)
Sister Christian
Carry On (CSNY - 2nd half)/Fooling Yourself/Love the One You're With
Coming Of Age
California Dreamin'
Lucky Man

Encore
Crystal Ball
Don't Tell Me You Love Me (with Hotel California guitar solo and bit of Highway Star)
Blue Collar Man

Thoughts:
Good show. In some ways, better than the two I saw in the Spring (including the one at Joe's). They did try to swap up the setlist a bit and it's a bit different than the spring shows - enough that it was interesting. They are not sponsored by Infinity this time, so no big banners on the side. The performances were all good, and Tommy and Jack were in good spirits. It was a stark contrast to the Styx show I saw in CA recently - night and day Tommy. I've talked about that topic before and will leave it alone. There were some genuinely funny moments like when they went to go into the 2nd verse of "I Am A Rock", they forgot the lyrics, joked around a bit, and started from there. You won't find THAT at a Styx show. This was loose, but in a good way. At the same time, they were a very tight band. Will adds a lot to the mix.

The place was pretty packed and this was a LOUD crowd. It was clear Jack and Tommy were honestly taken aback at times. Once they hit "I Am A Rock" the audience was really with them and sang nearly every song.

Like the other two shows, I'd say if they're coming near you, go. One can only hope Tommy does more of this.

[styxfanNH]

Some scuttlebut I overheard was this grouping of shows would likely be the last of this style of Shaw Blades tours, being that they would not likely tour again as a "head lining" show, even in these types of venues.

So if you have a chance, go see them.

On another note, the St. Lois show the night before was flawless. Tommy was in another zone.

And the closing bluesy version of Blue Collar Man was out of this world as was Sister Christian.

I like Will alot, he really is an asset to the show.

[Ehwmatt]

Just saw Shaw/Blades at the Tangier in Akron last night... setlist looks similar, although we didn't get Crystal Ball as a third encore (just two). They sounded great and it's a shame they don't have a drummer they can bring on and do a full electric show. The only thing I really didn't care for was the Sister Christian arrangement... I don't know if it was the arrangement, Tommy singing it, or whatever else, but for some reason I just didn't feel it. I think Jack might have sung that one better, as great (and unquestionably dominating) Tommy's voice is.

Will definitely adds a lot to the show and I think his contributions to the harmonies are going to be easily overlooked by a lot of fans at the shows... I can't remember the name of his band and would like to check it out? Anyone got the link?

[tommyluvr2]

I'll take Shaw Blades over Styx any day and I truly love the fomat of these shows. Very very fun, laid back and you'll see Tommy and Jack acting so differently from their persona in their day bands. Don't miss Shaw Blades if you have a chance, go, I have 2 more shows and can't wait.

I love Will, he is a sweet very nice guy. His band is American Drag, check them out, they have a new CD out, they are very good.

Denise

[stmonkeys]

Just saw Shaw/Blades at the Tangier in Akron last night... setlist looks similar, although we didn't get Crystal Ball as a third encore (just two). They sounded great and it's a shame they don't have a drummer they can bring on and do a full electric show. The only thing I really didn't care for was the Sister Christian arrangement... I don't know if it was the arrangement, Tommy singing it, or whatever else, but for some reason I just didn't feel it. I think Jack might have sung that one better, as great (and unquestionably dominating) Tommy's voice is.

Will definitely adds a lot to the show and I think his contributions to the harmonies are going to be easily overlooked by a lot of fans at the shows... I can't remember the name of his band and would like to check it out? Anyone got the link?

will's band is American Drag
http://myspace.com/americandrag

[fbnl]

Hey there, I'll be at the show in Atlanta on this Friday, 23rd, will posted a review afterwards. Really looking forward to seeing these guys after all I've read!! You've got me pumped up !

[elmotano]

Some scuttlebut I overheard was this grouping of shows would likely be the last of this style of Shaw Blades tours, being that they would not likely tour again as a "head lining" show, even in these types of venues.

So if you have a chance, go see them.

On another note, the St. Lois show the night before was flawless. Tommy was in another zone.

And the closing bluesy version of Blue Collar Man was out of this world as was Sister Christian.

I like Will alot, he really is an asset to the show.

I reall hope the scuttlebut you over heard is wrong. I know Tommy and Jack both said they loved doing this and hoped to get out their on their breaks from Styx and Night Ranger. But, that was back in March and April.

[SheriH]

Just saw Shaw/Blades at the Tangier in Akron last night... setlist looks similar, although we didn't get Crystal Ball as a third encore (just two). They sounded great and it's a shame they don't have a drummer they can bring on and do a full electric show. The only thing I really didn't care for was the Sister Christian arrangement... I don't know if it was the arrangement, Tommy singing it, or whatever else, but for some reason I just didn't feel it. I think Jack might have sung that one better, as great (and unquestionably dominating) Tommy's voice is.

Will definitely adds a lot to the show and I think his contributions to the harmonies are going to be easily overlooked by a lot of fans at the shows... I can't remember the name of his band and would like to check it out? Anyone got the link?

will's band is American Drag
http://myspace.com/americandrag

Or, better yet... go to their website, www.americandrag.net and you can track their entire album. I actually delivered a CD to the program director at KLOS radio here in LA...Mark & Brian do something called "unsigned artists" every so often where they have a band come in that is (obviously by the name) unsigned. I'm hoping I can get them to take a listen and have them in.
Karin & I went to see them up in Santa Rosa back in September and they ROCKED. Will, along with the rest of the musicians in the band, are very talented.
They are currently working on their 2nd album, which I was told would be out in February (at least they hope so), and you can listen to a couple new tracks on their myspace page and website as well.

Can you tell I really, really like this band? LOL!

[Classic Rock]

Does anybody know why they aren’t coming down south specifically Texas? After all these great reviews I have been patiently waiting but every time they announce new dates there is nothing even close.