SHAW BLADES – Influence +1 [Japanese Edition] + Hallucination +2 Japan bonus tracks

After the Damn Yankees fresh remaster and SHAW BLADES first album posted here, as requested here we have the duo’s second album “Influence“, in its Japanese edition including an exclusive bonus track and different artwork.
As extra, we added the 2 bonus tracks from the Japanese CD first SHAW BLADES album “Hallucination”, not present into the Rock Candy remaster.

A classic rock act issuing an album’s worth of cover tunes that influenced them early on — sound familiar? It certainly should, as next to tribute and “unplugged” sets, albums comprised entirely of cover songs flooded the marketplace during the late ’90s and early 21st century.
Former Damn Yankees bandmates Tommy Shaw and Jack Blades (and also veterans of Styx and Night Ranger, respectively) were the next in line in 2007, with the release of the aptly titled ”Influence”.
Shaw and Blades always possessed great vocal harmonies together, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the majority of the tunes on their second album together are heavy on the harmonies, especially a fine reading of Seals & Crofts’ “Summer Breeze,” as well as Yes’ “Your Move” and the Mamas & the Papas’ “California Dreamin’.”

Next only to the Beatles and the Beach Boys, Simon & Garfunkel are often considered to be one of the first pop/rock acts to utilize vocal harmonies, and as a result, not one, but two Simon & Garfunkel covers reside here — a surprisingly hard rocking “I Am a Rock” and a more tranquil version of the classic “The Sound of Silence.”

Impressively consistent from beginning to end, ”Influence” is certainly one of the better “all-covers” albums of recent times, and if you ask me, one of the best ever.
With the help of top class musicians such as Brian Tichy on drums and Michael Lardie on keyboards, SHAW BLADES have crafted here an awesome disc of timeless classy tunes, done like only these melodic rock giants can do.
Highly Recommended

01 – Summer Breeze
02 – Time of the Season
03 – Your Move
04 – I Am a Rock
05 – Lucky Man
06 – The Sound of Silence
07 – California Dreamin’
08 – On a Carousel
09 – Dirty Work
10 – For What It’s Worth
11 – Dance with Me
12 – No Matter What (Japanese Bonus Track)

+

first album ”Hallucination” Japan edition:
12 – How Does It Feel (Japanese Bonus Track)
13 – Straight Down The Line (Japanese Bonus Track)

Drums – Brian Tichy
Keyboards – Michael Lardie
Loops – Randy Mitchell
Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Percussion, Vocals – Jack Blades
Electric / Acoustic Guitar, Keyboards, Percussion, Vocals – Tommy Shaw

BUY IT
www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/KICP-1225