Customer Reviews

Styx & the Contemporary Youth Orchestra of Cleveland: One with Everything [Blu-ray]

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

STYX' previous concert DVD's CAUGHT IN THE ACT and RETURN TO PARADISE have had their positive attributes and some less than positive attributes. While both are nice releases, they simply do not compare with the ONE WITH EVERYTHING concert dvd release.

On this night Tommy, JY, and Lawrence are in exceptional form in their vocal effort as they give everything they have to not only hit the high notes but sustain them with power and vibrato. The instrumentation is gorgeous from all of the boys. The set list for this show is "awesome" with many new songs included (particularly the medley.) While some favorites are absent, they are well represented in the previous releases.

The filming is outstanding with every member given lots of premium camera time (which could not always be said in the previous dvd releases.) The sound quality of the disc is exceptional.

The bonus features alone make this release worthy... as the two Christmas songs are very nice (Gowan's RING THE BELLS being truly exceptional.)

The coup de grace of this release is the long awaited "drum solo" from Mr. Todd Sucherman. While not truly a drum solo (though he does bang em when being introduced TWICE by Tommy ("is that enough drumming for y'all?") Shaw... this drum solo is the Quake Cam bonus video of Todd and ONLY Todd (with the other band members sound mixed out) beating the heck out of his drum kit during the shows STYX medley.

Lastly, the exuberance of the teenagers of the orchestra and chorus really bring out the best from the 'old guys' with whom they share the stage.

Most concert dvd's I watch 2, 3 or 4 times and then put them away forever. This one I can't stop watching!! From beginning to end, it is just a MAGNIFICENT release. This is the first dvd (from ANY artist) that ever made me "wish that I could have been there." Furthermore, this is the first concert dvd in which the concert is shown "just as it was that night." This release is truly the next best thing to actually being there.

As Tommy described the orchestra... so I describe the entire dvd... "One word, AWESOME!"

I saw this concert aired on HD Net a few days ago, and since I was not at MY house when I saw it, I decided to see if it is available on DVD...and to my delight it IS!!!! This was a fantabulous show! The band has not lost even the slightest bit of their performing edge...if anything they've become better with age. But one of the more astounding aspects of this show is how fantastic those young people in the Cleveland Youth Orchestra were in every sense of the word. They played very well, and they appeared to be having the time of their lives sharing the stage with some of Rock Music's finer icons! I know I would have been if I were in their shoes. I don't wish to go into anymore detail about this so as not to spoil it somehow for those who may not have seen it yet. But I will say this DVD is certainly worth getting because this performance is PRICELESS!

If you miss the quintet of Dennis, John, Chuck, Jy and Tommy, then this dvd won't quite make it. But, on the other hand, if you are a Styx fan, then you are going to enjoy the show. I recommend this to all, young and old...my ten year old loved it!
Hats off to the Contemporary Youth Orchestra, besides being a group of young talented individuals, they look like they are having the time of their lives. The band members also look like they are having lots of fun and that makes all the difference. This show is not a "staged performance" for the camera as I've watched Styx live several times and they always sound great and look like they are having a great time.
The song selection is good, but I miss not watching Dennis sing the songs that helped make Styx a great band. Enjoy!

First thing i need to get off my chest: will you people get over the fact that Dennis DeYoung isn't in the band anymore? It's been played to death, and he's not coming back. I compare it to Steve Perry and Journey and Peter Gabriel and Genesis. Yes, they all made some amazing music together. And no, they're not getting back together again. It's as simple as that. The nice part about gabriel leaving genesis is that we got more music out of the whole deal...from him, from them, and from Phil Collins. Dennis DeYoung has some great solo work, and Steve Perry, if he'd go back into the studio and record something new after all this time, is an equally great talent.

Now...having said that, I myself was cynical about Styx without dennis at first...then something told me to give the new lineup a chance. Let me tell you, I'm really glad I went. The band is getting along, they're enjoying doing what they do, and it shows onstage. Lawrence Gowan is every bit the dynamic keyboardist-vocalist he's always been on his dozen or so Canadian albums prior to joining Styx. Todd Sucherman is an amazing drummer, who by the way, was a Styx fan at age 11 when he was first learning to drum, Tommy & JY are as comfortable onstage together as they've always been, and Ricky Phillips is is a master on the bass. The vocal harmonies are right there like always, they put on a fan-friendly show, and to see them up there onstage together, it's blatantly obvious that this is what they love to do.

You want to hear Dennis DeYoung? Go see one of his shows. Very entertaining, he's done at least a couple tours with a full symphony orchestra thwat rival the Moody Blues for pure enjoyment...he's still got one hell of a great voice and can he play that keyboard? Definitely. But if you want to see a Styx lineup that's out there night after night having an absolute blast onstage...they're still doing it year after year, and this summer, they're bringing along REO Speedwagon and 38 Special for a full night of rock & roll classics. they're all fans of each other's music, and the mutual respect is something awesome to see between them. To say that Styx is still missing Dennis is missing the point...that was over ten years ago. Getting to this concert performance, it's an amazing piece of work that had some great involvement between the band and the youth orchestra that proves we need to make sure that music survives in our kids' school curriculum. This is a prime example that kids care about it and are very much into creating and performing, and it is very much to Styx' credit that they paire dup with this talented group of young people to create a fantastic night of music. The energy is contagious and the quality is perfect. This is a show to enjoy from start to finish!

Those were the words of Tommy Shaw and it's definately true! Once again Styx proves they are on top of their game after all these years. The sound quality of this concert is great! My kudos to the sound crew that were able to give us all the feeling of a live rock concert and make certain that we could hear the strings, horns and chorus of the CYO! This was something those kids (and their parents) will never forget! James Young was at his best, as were the rest of the band as they sang golden oldies, along with the awsome new songs. Lance Gowan was incredible as he sang the Beatles, 'I Am The Walrus' and the enthusiasm of the kids during this number was incredible. The solos performed by the kids were one for the books. The highlight of the concert had to be Chuck Panozzo's return to the stage for the last two sets and the kids letting loose after their incredible performance for a finale to remember! My hats of to Styx...can't wait to see you guys live again this year!

Amazing clarity. Everything it was said to be. The CYO is an unbelievable group of kids. As far as Styx, you can tell by watching them that they are really enjoying playing with the CYO. At one time I could take or leave Styx, now I can say I am a fan. Well worth the money! I really can not say enough about it. WONDERFUL! FANTASTIC! AWESOME! AMAZING! The best way to find out is to buy this DVD and see for yourself.

I am a Classic Rock / AOR kinda guy. It's my generational music, Styx, Kansas, Chicago, The Who, The Stones, Frampton, Yes, even the Dead...seen all their concerts, some several times, have some concerts on video, this one ranks near the tip-top.

The music is great, the kids are into it, and technically for a live performance, it's outstanding. Yes there are holes, it's LIVE music, but the Mona Lisa has cracks too! The imperfections show you that it was humans, live, gettin' with the program, rockin' out.
The band was great this night. (I'll bet the Amazon.com reviewers voice is different now than it was in 1979 too, if he was even alive then!) Every note sounds live but with feeling, not like the last show of a 6 month tour.

Perhaps the reviewer didn't like this because it's not re-sampled, 200 track, studio BS.

If you like Styx or you were ever a HS Band Geek in the 70's, this is a great addition to your collection. If you like Styx AND you were a HS Band Geek in the late 70's, it's an absolute must have.

PO the neighbors, crank this one up!!

What do you get when you combine the rock band "Styx" and a 171 piece orchestra? You get to experience one magical evening with one of rocks best bands and Cleveland's Contemporary Youth Orchestra comprised of young musicians and singers aged 13-19. I recently caught part of this concert from (May 25, 2006) on a PBS television broadcast and knew I had to have it. Accompanied by the orchestra the Band plays a variety of selections from the "Styx" catalog and everyone involved seems to be having a great time. I realize that for fans of Dennis De Young things will never be the same and I really miss seeing him in the band, it just doesn't feel right. For fans of this newer "Styx" lineup make no mistake, these guy's are here to entertain you and Gowan is at his very best.

It's clear from the beginning of the concert that fans are seeing something that may never happen again and they really soak it up. The orchestra comprised of 115 players and 60 singers under the direction of Liza Grossman seem out of place at times but their enthusiasm seems to bring the best out of Tommy Shaw, James Young and the rest of the band.

This "Styx" concert DVD released in 16:9 format from Eagle Vision has a fantastic picture and incredible 5.1 and DTS sound. It was nice to see Chuck Panozzo on the Bass for a couple songs. One last thing, If you ever wanted to see and hear what its like to be a drummer then click on the Quake Cam feature and ride along with Todd Sucherman as he pounds the skins.

Track Listing:
1.Blue Collar Man
2.Lorelei
3.One With Everything
4.It Don't Make Sense (You Can't Make Peace)
5.I Am The Walrus
6.Just Be
7.Everything All the Time
8.Crystal Ball
9.Miss America
10.Criminal Mind
11.Too Much Time On My Hands
12.Boat on the River
13.I Don't Need No Doctor
14.Styx and CYO Medley
15.Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)
16.Renegade

Bonus Material Includes:
Two new Styx Christmas songs
Performed by Styx and CYO
All I Want and Ring the Bells
Interviews
Photo Slideshow
The Quake Cam

First saw this on HD TV. Searched for the DVD, and found it on Amazon. Fun to watch and great music. Uniquely choreographed, live, Styx plays along with the Youth Orchestra and they all look like they are having fun. Would recommend this to a Styx fan.

If you own the CD you must have this DVD in order to have the full experience. When I listen to the CD in my car, I relive the DVD just as if I was at a live Styx concert. It seemed at times the band was overpowering the orchestra and the camera persons didn't spend enough time on Tommy's sweet face, otherwise it ROCKED!