Equinox/Crystal Ball [Import, Original recording remastered]

Styx | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 20, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Original recording remastered
• Label: MSI:BGO
• ASIN: B000E0VL2M
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #64,460 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Light Up

2. Lorelei

3. Mother Dear

4. Lonely Child

5. Midnight Ride

6. Born for Adventure

7. Prelude

8. Suite Madame Blue

9. Put Me On

10. Mademoiselle

11. Jennifer

12. Crystal Ball

13. Shooz

14. This Old Man

15. Clair de Lune/Ballerina

Editorial Reviews

2-On-1 of Styx's first two A&M records that were originally released in 1975-76. Equinox produced Styx's first single with A&M, the highly spirited 'Lorelei', which found its way to number 27 on the charts. Although it was the only song to chart from Equinox, the album itself is a benchmark in the band's career since it includes an instrumental nature reminiscent of their early progressive years, yet hints toward a more commercial-sounding future in its lyrics. After Equinox, guitarist John Curulewski parted ways with the band, replaced by Tommy Shaw, who debuted on 1976's Crystal Ball album. Crystal Ball wasn't as successful as Equinox, but it was a better album, showcasing Styx's increased skill for crafting simple, catchy pop hooks out of their bombastic sound. Both titles have been digitally remastered. BGO Records. 2006.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally...Some Re-mastered STYX, March 22, 2007

By 

Richard Thompson "Music Fanatic" (El Paso, Texas) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Equinox/Crystal Ball (Audio CD)

I am a hugh Classic Rock fan, and have been buying music since the late 70's when I was in junior high. Went from vinyl albums to cd's in the mid-80's. About 15 years after compact discs originally hit the market, consumers began to see newer "re-mastered" versions of the old classics. At first, re-mastering was usually reserved for the most popular titles, but from 2002 to 2005, there seemed to be a surge of popular titles available. Some artists, such as Rush, Elton John, and Led Zeppelin, had their entire catalogs of past albums re-mastered. Then again, some classic rock outfits seem to not know this is something the consumers want, or simply don't care.

Styx is one of those band's that are very popular, but you still can't get their early albums in the new re-mastered format. I don't understand why? They are just as popular with mainstream music buyers as KANSAS, who have almost all of their back-catalog re-mastered. Anyway, this is your opportunity to get two, early classic STYX albums on one cd, with good re-mastered sound. I bought mine when it was on sale for only $17.99 What a bargain! The London based record company, BGO Records specializes in re-issuing older music. BGO stands for the "Beat Goes On". As far as the sound goes, it's quite good. More over-all output, better bottom end, and no tape hiss!

Before this became available, I had purchased the 2-disc Styx Anthology, just to get a modern, better sounding compilation of Styx songs. It's good. Nice selection of tracks and great sound, but it still did not have all the songs I wanted. I wanted all the tracks from the Equinox album. I own an A&M copy, put out in 1987. Just has a simple gate fold insert listing the songs, production notes, and band members. That's it. This BGO version has a 14 page booklet, including all song lyrics, original album sleeve notes from 1976, and a 5 page historical review of the band by Alan Robinson (2006).

I just hope that BGO Records is planning on offering a Grand Illusion / Pieces of Eight two-for this year! That would be great, since A&M Records here in the states are too cheap to re-issue STYX's music.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars finally well deserved remastering, June 4, 2006

By 

David Insinga "DJI NEW JERSEY" (CLIFTON,NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Equinox/Crystal Ball (Audio CD)

The two albums that brought STYX to the arena rock circle they deserved the discs never sounded better. always dug LIGHT UP
LORELEI,and the enduring SUITE MADAME BLUE.The start of the STYX
as a teen i grew to love.Still with a progressive edge and the prelude to the TOMMY SHAW era.CRYSTAL BALL was another classic PUT ME ON may be the best song that the "weak link" J.Y.ever wrote probably because DENNIS sang with him.MADAMEOISELLE great
TOMMY and DENNIS collaboration a look at the great sounds to come
from SHAW and DEYOUNG.The title cut CRYSTAL BALL is a great song
one of TOMMY SHAWS best.then its all DENNIS DEYOUNG at some of his finest moments THIS OLD MAN the beautiful rendition of CLAIR DeLUNE and finally BALLERINA.The band was really working as aband together and this was just the start as there was so much more to come.Worth every penny to buy again the sound is so much better than the original lame A&M VERSIONS.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FINALLY, September 22, 2006

By 

DANtheSTYXfan "DANtheSTYXfan" (Kalamazoo, MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Equinox/Crystal Ball (Audio CD)

Two of Styx's best albums Equinox and Crystal Ball. Equinox being the end of the Curulewski era as we know he would leave the band to save his marriage. And Crystal Ball marks the beginning of the Tommy Shaw era. Every Song on here is awesome. The best songs off the two albums have to be "Light Up", "Lorelei", "Suite Madame Blue", "Put Me On", "Crystal Ball", "Mademoiselle", "Shooz", and "Clair De Lune / Ballerina". This is a great collection of music and any Styx fan should want to have these songs if not on this combination of the too then the individual albums. Because this some of Styx classic music.