Customer Reviews

Music of Styx: Live With Symphony Orchestra

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I saw this CD advertised in a music magazine, the concept is hardly a new one, Elton John, Metallica, KISS and Meat Loaf have all released symphonic albums. I really like the combination of rock with an orchestra, so this album of Dennis Deyoung singing the hits of Styx was of interest. Usually when a former lead singer releases an album without the band that made them famous, the results can be less than stellar. However, Dennis Deyoung has pulled this off incredibly. His voice hasn't aged at all the songs sound just a good now as they did in the 70's and 80's. To be honest, you don't miss the other guys in the band! The set list is a mixture of mostly Styx songs along with some solo material. The orchestrations are incredible, a perfect match. For fans of Styx you will want this CD it may not BE Styx, but it may as well be! The cool thing about his performance of the Styx songs is that he sings them as if it IS Styx up there on stage with him, he knows the people love these songs and he clearly loves them as well.
A great collection and a great performance and a great marriage of classic rock and symphony.

This is NOT a live CD by an aging has-been that is simply rehashing songs from years ago just to make some bucks. "Live with Symphony Orchestra" takes the songs from Dennis DeYoung's catalog of hits and makes them fresh and exciting like you have never heard them before. The orchestra is not there as background music; rather an integral part of the performance, working well with the musicians in Dennis' band. The music selections include DeYoung-penned hits from Styx, his solo work, and two selections from a musical Dennis wrote based on "The Hunchback of Notre Dame". There are also three new studio songs, showing that Dennis has not lost his songwriting abilitilies.

I have been a huge fan of Styx music for well over twenty years, and I especially liked the songs written by Dennis DeYoung. His melodic tenor voice and extreme vocal range made each of his songs a pleasure to listen to, and these songs are included on this excellent CD.

Recorded live at the historic Chicago Theatre, Dennis, along with a complete symphony orchestra, children's choir, and backing singers and musicians give life to his songs in a way which I have never heard before. From the Mozart intro. of "Lorelei" to the classic "Claire De Lune" by Debussy, the orchestra gives these songs a new element that makes them even more special.

Many of Dennis' signature Styx songs are included on this disc, such as "Lady", "Babe", "The Best of Times", and "The Grand Illusion", but there are some lesser-known songs included as well, including a personal favorite "Castle Walls", and Dennis' huge solo hit "Desert Moon". Three new studio tracks, "Goodnight My Love", "My God (Can Beat Up Your God)" and "Hello God" (which is very good) round out this fine collection.

Dennis' voice and high-energy stage presence was the signature of Styx for many years, and, if you listen to this disc, you'll discover that Dennis still has the singing voice he had twenty five years ago. I give this disc my highest recommendation. Listening to it is like a walk down memory lane, and the addition of the symphony orchestra and choir have made these classic songs that much better. Listen to this disc and hear the original voice of Styx performing his greatest songs.

Dennis Deyoung has returned, and better than ever. After Dennis left Styx in 1999, I feared it would be the end of the great performer. Instead he has come back to record this live album with Mr Roboto, Dont Let it End, and Castle Walls. These songs are amazing to hear again. The three new songs included, are also incredible. Dennis also has a new studio album on the way with Rounder records.

Dennis DeYoung is a tour De force with this latest CD. Live from his hometown of Chicago this CD also includes three blockbuster new songs, the smash hit "Hello God", the Beatle-esque "Goodnight My Love" and ballsy "My God Can Beat Up Your God". I highly recommend this and if you want more, you can try his live album with his former group Styx, "Return To Paradise" =0)

I was fortunate enough to see Dennis perform with symphony in Kansas City last March, and even more fortunate to meet him after the show.

I really can't say that I've been a Styx fan for well over 20 years because I was barely two by then. Still, I've been following them for a little while now; definitely long enough to know that Dennis was the heart and soul of Styx.

This album takes some of Styx's best songs, lesser known ones, and Dennis's solo work, and puts them in a new light. It's incredible. Another reviewer mentioned that you don't know that Tommy isn't up there; it's true, nor do you care. Dennis is doing what he does best, with some of Styx's best work.

I saw Styx, with Gowan, a few months after this, and it was clear to me: Dennis was the heart of Styx. There should be no doubt about it. If you are a fan of Styx, Dennis or classic rock, this album is a must have.

I have to admit it, as a long time Styx fan who discovered the band during their Grand Illusion tour in 1977, I wasn't really planning on liking this CD for two reasons;
1) I am firmly in the "Tommy Shaw Rules" camp,
2) There really is enough "live" Styx music out there to last a lifetime.

But, between Dennis' vocals, which seem to have gotten even better with time and the excellent performance of this backup band/orchestra/choir, this CD really sounds great.

I was expecting a wimpy Broadway-sounding version of Styx songs, but the quality of the musicians and the arrangement of the songs took me by surprise. They are fresh and clean with a Rock and Roll edge provided by the very capable lead guitarist (sorry, Tommy). I wish there was a DVD available for this performance.

Highlights: "Castle Walls" (rare performance), "Show Me The Way" accopella (sp?) version, "Black Wall". "Suite Madame Blue" and "Come Sail Away". Put this in your cars' CD player and crank it, you won't be disappointed-highly recommended for true Styx fans.

This live album is a real treat! Dennis DeYOung has never sounded better. His voice is in superb condition and the orchestra adds a wonderful new dimension to his music. The added classical favorites to "Lady","Lorelei" and "Don't Let it End" give this album a unique magic. And the addition of "Castle Walls" and "Black Wall" make this album a must for any Dennis DeYoung fan. In addition, fans get three new songs in which Deyoung demonstrates his enormous talent as a songwriter. "Goodnight My Love" is a wonderful tribute to the sound of the Beatles. "My God Can Beat Up Your God" rocks and "Hello God" is a song to which EVERYONE can relate. In this song, DeYoung taps into the hearts and minds of anyone who has ever questioned the harshness of life and searched for answers. This album is a wonderful addition to DeYoung's discography and I HIGHLY recommend it!

ya know ,it's nice to see that there's a version of STYX that still tours .God Knows we need our classic rock bands to keep carrying the torch,as there isn't too many new bands today that have staying power,or wealth of quality material so many classic rock bands have .I've seen the current STYX lineup live a few times,with Lawrence Gowan(Dennis'replacement)and he's a very talented keyboard player ,but I gotta tell ya, "AIN'T NOTHIN LIKE THE REAL THING BABY" Lawrence's vocals can't hold a candle to Dennis'and this album proves it .Dennis is in top form on this CD and the Symphony Orchestra compliments his material perfectly .If your a styx fan you'll love this CD .The two bonus studio tracks are great too.Keep up the good work Dennis !!

DENNIS WAS AND STILL IS STYX . THIS IS STILL 3000 TIMES BETTER THAN LISTENING AND SEEING THE SHAW J.Y.CIRCUS THEY CALL STYX.GRAND ILLUSION NEVER SOUNDED BETTER AND EVEN THE HARMONIES BY HIS CURRENT BAND ARE GOOD .CLOSE YOUR EYES WHO NEEDS THOSE CLOWNS.LADY,BABE,COME SAIL AWAY,BEST OF TIMES,ROCKIN THE PARADISE
WHEN YOU THINK STYX THIS WHAT YOU THINK OF .NOT HORRID COVER SONGS AND IMITATING VOCALISTS AND THEN THAT CYCLORAMA [...] .STYX=DENNIS