Josh Gracin - "Telluride"

[Zach]

This is his next single, just sent to radio.

[rowdawg21]

Interesting that they're getting this out so quickly. It's not a great time of year to release a new single unless your name is Taylor, Carrie, Kenny, etc.

I like the song, although I do like Tim's version better. It's not a bad choice for a single, but I probably would have gone with "Let Me Fall."

[kw9461]

Dang, where are the dancing emoticons when you need them! This is best news I've heard in months. This held a slight edge over We Weren't Crazy as my favorite song off of the album (and WWC was my favorite song of 2008), so I'm quite thrilled by this somewhat surprising decision. I agree though that the timing is a bit odd, b/c a December release isn't very smart (but then again, neither is Lyric Street), but I think the song is strong enough to survive until the first of the year, when mere survival can land you a pretty decent chart position (and we may have even more X-mas songs on the charts this year than last year. Plus I find it odd that they're releasing another song off of an album that I can't even find in stores anymore. Either way though, I'm still pleased and hopefully radio will play this and it will do well for Josh (is T20 asking too much?).

[iCF]

Are you kidding me? Tim McGraw's is much better. Why can't he find fresh material?

[kw9461]

Nov 24, 2008 17:11:52 GMT -5 iCF said:

Are you kidding me? Tim McGraw's is much better. Why can't he find fresh material?

I don't think Tim's is really THAT much better, is it? I personally prefer Josh's version (I love the passion he sings it with), but really I don't think the versions differ that much (I always thought Tim should've released it). I'm sure a lot of people are going to like Tim's better, he is a more crafted singer, but I don't find them to be all that different (maybe I'm not able to be objective though since I'm a big fan of Josh's).

[jch]

Tim's version on "Set This Circus Down" was the first country song I ever really loved. I'd love to see this take off though I'm questioning the time of year that they are releasing it.

[zaclord]

Nov 24, 2008 16:58:22 GMT -5 kw9461 said:

Dang, where are the dancing emoticons when you need them!

This is best news I've heard in months.

same. i just about wet my pants in excitement! i am surprised they are giving him another single after Unbelievable flopped hard but i am so glad they are giving him another chance! this is by FAR my favorite on the album and i am just so excited that they chose this as the next single!

[Ten Pound Hammer]

Wow. "Favorite State of Mind" came out in early 2006, didn't it? This will probably chart in early 2009 if it all, making three years combined for all the singles off this album.

[someguy]

I much prefer Tim's version, but at least this song is finally getting released in some form.

[Minimalism]

I've never heard Tim's version. Which is probably a good thing, since I adore this version. This is my favorite track from the album, and I think it has potential to be another decent hit for him.

[iCF]

Nov 24, 2008 17:22:42 GMT -5 kw9461 said:

Nov 24, 2008 17:11:52 GMT -5 iCF said:

Are you kidding me? Tim McGraw's is much better. Why can't he find fresh material?

I don't think Tim's is really THAT much better, is it? I personally prefer Josh's version (I love the passion he sings it with), but really I don't think the versions differ that much (I always thought Tim should've released it). I'm sure a lot of people are going to like Tim's better, he is a more crafted singer, but I don't find them to be all that different (maybe I'm not able to be objective though since I'm a big fan of Josh's).

Josh's voice is much better than Tim's and he does a decent job with it, but I really don't see the point in releasing a single to radio that was a single for somebody else some years before, especially a big artist. I would rather hear new stuff from Josh. He has some good songs, like "Stay With Me" - that one is incredible.

[rowdawg21]

Nov 24, 2008 22:52:20 GMT -5 iCF said:

Nov 24, 2008 17:22:42 GMT -5 kw9461 said:

I don't think Tim's is really THAT much better, is it? I personally prefer Josh's version (I love the passion he sings it with), but really I don't think the versions differ that much (I always thought Tim should've released it). I'm sure a lot of people are going to like Tim's better, he is a more crafted singer, but I don't find them to be all that different (maybe I'm not able to be objective though since I'm a big fan of Josh's).

Josh's voice is much better than Tim's and he does a decent job with it, but I really don't see the point in releasing a single to radio that was a single for somebody else some years before, especially a big artist. I would rather hear new stuff from Josh. He has some good songs, like "Stay With Me" - that one is incredible.

It was never a single for Tim. It peaked at #52 from unsolicited airplay.

[nncountrykid]

Did someone with a brain get hired at Lyric Street? This is incredible news.

[kevin59]

[LISTEN] Josh Gracin - "Telluride" (Allaccess)

[Dustin J.]

I really like this song (and Josh's version of it)... but I worry about the timing of the release. Unless you're one of the country music's top tier artists, nothing should ever be released from Thanksgiving to Christmas.

[iCF]

Nov 24, 2008 22:54:06 GMT -5 rowdawg21 said:

Nov 24, 2008 22:52:20 GMT -5 iCF said:

Josh's voice is much better than Tim's and he does a decent job with it, but I really don't see the point in releasing a single to radio that was a single for somebody else some years before, especially a big artist. I would rather hear new stuff from Josh. He has some good songs, like "Stay With Me" - that one is incredible.

It was never a single for Tim. It peaked at #52 from unsolicited airplay.

ah, did not know that! I just assumed from my local station's airplay that it was (not surprising since I live in Colorado lol). Thanks.

[Marv]

Actually, four of the last six #1 singles of the year @ R&R and BB were on the charts at this time of year (Nov/Dec), and none of them were by format megastars.

If the song is good enough, radio will play it, even if small-town radio stations serve as the engine before the majors hop on board.

That's certainly not a bad thing, is it?

To refresh your memories.....

19 Something--#1 for the year in 2003 @ R&R.

That's What I Love About Sunday--#1 for the year in 2005 at both.

If You're Going Through Hell---#1 for the year in 2006 @ BB, and #2 @ R&R, behind 'What Hurts The Most'.

'Watching You'---#1 for the year in 2007 at both (BB & Country Aircheck).

Just Got Started Lovin' You----#1 for 2008 @ both (BB & CA).

[bigbluenote]

I actually think releasing this song now is perfect. Come the new year, when PD'S/MD's are redoing their playlist, I'm sure this will be given a chance because it's something different. It's by a known artist, yet not a superstar. I think they'll be willing to take a chance at this song....at least at first, then wait to see the callout scores and phones and whatnot.

[edwin1961]

Nov 24, 2008 17:11:52 GMT -5 iCF said:

Are you kidding me? Tim McGraw's is much better. Why can't he find fresh material?

I belive Josh did with Unbelivable, and you see what's happening with THAT song on the chart. (I really didn't care for that song). However, Telluride, I believe, will do much better (maybe not #1) but much better.

[edwin1961]

Nov 24, 2008 20:08:03 GMT -5 Ten Pound Hammer said:

Wow. "Favorite State of Mind" came out in early 2006, didn't it? This will probably chart in early 2009 if it all, making three years combined for all the singles off this album.

But didn't Favorite State Of Mind come out as a single LONG before the album came out. I believe he ahd a good year and falf or evern two years between his first and second albums?

[zaclord]

yes. I Keep Coming Back and Favorite State Of Mind were released long before the album was. i think the only reason they were included on the album is because they were not available to download off of iTunes or anything and Lyric Street knew that those songs would bring in a little more money.

but Favorite State of Mind would still be considered a single from this album.

[cufan7]

I just gave both his cover and tim's original a listen and I gotta say I like Josh's better ,sounds like he puts more into the song.

[leilamaurizia]

The 9513

Josh Gracin - “Telluride”
Jim Malec

In 2005 Josh Gracin delivered what I believe is one of the finest performances from a mainstream male country artist this decade; Gracin’s vocal on “Stay With Me (Brass Bed)” is urgent and vulnerable, oscillating between contemplative, understated verses and a pleading chorus that glows with desire.

Since that single, however, Gracin has released a string of nearly identical, lyrically breakneck up-tempos which possess nary a shred of any such emotion.

I keep waiting for Gracin to again tap into the well from which “Stay With Me” is drawn, but my patience is growing thin.

After an unsuccessful attempt at crooning on the clinically awful “Unbelievable” (Gracin’s worst charting release ever), the Michigan native and American Idol alumni returns with the fifth single from his sophomore disc We Weren’t Crazy, “Telluride,” which tells the story of passion passing through the filter of youth and independence.

But “Telluride” is essentially a musical carbon copy of Tim McGraw’s 2001 reading of the same song, and Gracin’s version, by comparison, feels shrill and disconnected.

“Telluride” hinges on the fact that the events of the narrator’s time in that city are viewed through the prism of experience; the lovemaking, the being “tangled up by a fire” are just actions, and it is not the actions but the reactions that are emotionally compelling. It is the understanding of what that time meant—independence, sexual development, the passing of youth—that grabs us by the heartstrings, and that is an understanding that can only be fully realized from a distance.

Maybe it is because of the difference in age between the young Gracin and the older McGraw, but Gracin is much less successful at bearing the weight of the song’s core, and so its underlying emotional current runs still. When Gracin sings “Telluride” he sounds like the kid who is snowed in on a mountain with his lover, not a seasoned soul who understands why that time was precious.

And in that he completely misses the point of the song.

(thumbs down)

Country Universe

Single Review: Josh Gracin, “Telluride”
Posted by Kevin J. Coyne

If you’re going to comb through an artist’s catalog looking for missed hits, Tim McGraw is a good guy to start with. “Telluride” was on Tim’s Set This Circus Down album, which produced four #1 hits. It’s easy to imagine this one lighting up the charts, though it’s quite a bit less effective in the less experienced hands of Josh Gracin.

There’s none of the wry humor or devilish charm of McGraw’s reading here. If anything, Gracin’s overly earnest. McGraw gave a performance that connected with what the lyrics described - a one-night stand that was noteworthy for the action. Gracin sounds like he’s swooning over a long lost love. In case anyone out there’s still looking for proof of the difference between being a gifted singer and an effective one, here it is.

Grade: C

[Marv]

The unsolicited airplay which rowdawg mentioned from Tim's version of 'Telluride' came from KZLA/LA which routinely gave the song 15-20 spins per week.

KZLA also routinely aired 'You Look Good In My Shirt' despite the fact that it was never released as a single: Keith Urban told Bob Kingsley on 'CT40' earlier this year that it was country radio which requested that he re-record 'YLGIMS' & release it as a single.

He took their advice, and wound up with a #1 single.

[S4C]

I love how both reviews of the song compared it to the Tim McGraw version of the song. At least the first one didn't completely focus on this being a remake.

[Fanofctrymusic]

MusicRow Robert K. Oermann

JOSH GRACIN/Telluride
Writer: Brett James/Troy Verges; Producer: Brett James; Publisher: Sony-ATV Cross Keys/FSMGI/State One Songs America/Songs of Universal, ASCAP/IMRO/BMI; Lyric Street

—He’s a strong singer. Why bury him in production?

[kw9461]

This was BB's 5th most added song last week, and appears to be moving up quite nicely this week, so I'd give this a pretty good chance to chart this week (depending on what the x-mas songs do this weekend). Considering the time of year, the fact that the song doesn't officially go for adds until this week and that Unbelievable took quite a bit a longer to get going, I'd say this song is off to a promising start.

[un4gitible]

Not a big fan of this song (and you know I love me some Josh) but I hope it does well for him. I'd still like to see Let Me Fall or even Sweet September get released as a single.

[zaclord]

i am glad this charted already! (and it only went for adds yesterday!) i hope this does really well for him!

[josh]

I live right near Telluride, and MAN we're getting dumped on with snow!

It's a good time to get tangled up by the fire!