Customer Reviews

Hallucination

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I've never written one of these and probably won't again unless Shaw Blades releases another like Hallucination. Guys, the covers are nice, but why do I want to listen to what I already know when you are capable of producing your own original (and excellent) work. To the listening public: buy this one, enjoy it and join me in beating the drum for MORE!

If you like Damn Yankees, you'll probably like this CD. It's not quite as heavy, but Shaw & Blades complement each other really well and the tracks are all solid.

I'm so glad I found this CD on Amazon.com! This had been stolen from me a few years ago and I've been searching for it in second hand CD stores and bargain bins rather than paying ful price again for it, but I miss the blend of meoldy and harmony that I have to give in and get it!
There is just an aura of good fun on this CD. It always seemed to me that Jack Blades and Tommy Shaw were just sitting across from each other smiling at how easy it seemed to do this. Like two old friends jamming on a porch to old Beatles tunes, such as the song "My Hallucination" mentions.
My personal favorite though was "This Is the End", The Doors had a morose and maudlin song of similar title and this song was such a contrast to me that it has always stuck with me. I got the feeling that eventhough they were saying goodbye, it wasn't the last we'd be hearing of them.

Jack Blades (Night Ranger) and Tommy Shaw (Styx) got together and formed a super group under the name Damn Yankees, together with Ted Nugent. After two very good albums the band called it a day, but Shaw and Blades went on and recorded "Hallucination", a very strong album built on melodic (soft) rock á la Night Ranger. In my opinion this is a great album and the material is very strong, especially in the shape of "My hallucination", "I'll always be with you" and "Down that highway" to name a few. Blades and Shaw are clearly very talented song writers and on this album, they have combined the melody from Night Ranger with the harmony from Damn Yankees. You won't find any steamy rockers on this album but if you're a fan of Night Ranger, I'm sure you'll not be disappointed in this release. My advise is - Get it!

I'll have to say first, I didn't know what to expect when I bought this CD. I bought it after I heard Influences. That was an excellent (cover song) effort in it's own right. I am very glad I did take the plunge. For those who like original, real electric / acoustic rock with good vocal leads, harmonies and solid, talented musicianship, this a CD is for you. It is not a rehashed Styx, Night Ranger or Dam Yankees mix. It is a bit lighter than most of that music, but very good none the less. It starts right out with the 2 excellent cuts and maintains a high degree of quality throughout. This is no partially talented and/or half-baked attempt to make a few bucks CD either. It's a well recorded CD, with songs crafted by an accomplished, talented duo with Steve Smith on drums. The songs range from outstanding to good. No fills or bummers here. I would have liked to see it a bit longer (more songs). And that's a compliment of sorts too. It was that good. But it's not easy to write a full CD's worth of good songs. This CD is well worth listening to.

This is probably the most underrated Cd ever. This is a cd U want to listen to often. The songs are well written, well recorded, and keep your toes tappin thru the whole cd. If U are readin this and don't own this cd, please do yourself a favor and order it NOW. The new Shaw-Blades is really good too, of older songs remade by 2 of the best performers in Rock. May U all R.I.P. (ROCK IN PEACE)

Hallucination is a good example of what can happen when two good songwriters colaborate their talents. What emerges is a set of 11 good songs; easy to listen to when driving your car or hanging around your house. If you like the lighter side of Styx or Night Ranger, you'll like this music. It makes you wonder why the respective bands didn't use these guys to write more back in thier heyday. I hope these guys do another album of originals instead of drawing from other artists.

Jack Blades and Tommy Shaw, along with Ted Nugent and Michael Cartelone combined to form Damn Yankees in 1990. After two very successful albums, the group unexpectedly split up. But Tommy Shaw and Jack Blades produced this very fine collection of songs that has a very different sound than their Damn Yankees efforts.

Gone is Ted Nugent's screaming lead guitar, having been relpaced by a much more melodic sound. Tommy almost exclusively plays acoustic guitar on this CD, although he does pick up his trusty electric six string a few times as well. Jack handles most of the lead vocal responsibilities, and his bass playing is as good as ever.

All of the songs on this CD are very good, but "My Hallucination", " Come to be my Friend", and "Don't Talk to me Anymore" are a few of the best. In addition, "Blue Continental" and "Down That Highway" provide a classic southern-rock style that will surely please the listener. This CD is a definite departure of ways for both Tommy and Jack, who grew their reputations on loud guitar rock. But this CD is very special because it shows off the multiple talents of both Tommy and Jack.

I've been a fan of Styx, Night Ranger, and Damn Yankees for many years, and this CD deserves a place with these other great groups. Listen to this great CD and hear how two great hard rockers "mellowed out" and produced a very good CD.

I had never heard of this duo, so I came to them with no preconceptions. My adoration of them is entirely due to their astounding vocal and lyrical performances on Hallucination album. The song to get me hooked was the catchy, Beatles reference heavy 'My Hallucination'. In fact, the Beatles influence is strong throughout the whole album. My particular favorites are 'Don't Talk To Me Anymore' (which anyone having lived and loved can appreciate) and 'Down That Highway' (which showcases some star guitar playing). 'Blue Continental' is irresistable. This is the album you pick up when you're in the mood to hear music but can't figure out WHAT you're in the mood for. Shaw and Blades is guaranteed to fit any mood. They're just that GOOD. I'm sitting on my hands waiting for the next album! I play the album frequently in the bar where I run karaoke, and am always questioned about it. It's got something for everyone. Five stars.

Years after it's release, I still enjoy this album a lot. I'm also still surprised that this one wasn't a bigger hit than it was. There are some VERY good songs on here. My favorites: I'll Always Be With You, Blue Continental, and Down That Highway.

There's been some talk that Tommy and Jack are working together on a new album. I hope they are. Hallucination deserves a follow-up!