Customer Reviews

Styx: Return to Paradise [VHS]

5 star:		(73)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This DVD, bought last year, was my first music/concert video purchase. It was a good choice and led to about 30 more purchases over the last 6 months or so. The video is clear, camera work is good and the sound is great. I was using an old Dolby Pro-Logic setup when I bought this but have since upgraded to a full DD 5.1/DTS home theatre system. This DVD sounded really good with my old system but, in comparison, sounds awesome now. In this concert (the songs are listed somewhere else on this page so I won't repeat them), Styx performs most of my favorites and the band is tight. I saw them live in Houston back in the 80's and again this year at the Rodeo in the Astrodome - not a good venue for concerts. But this live concert on DVD is better in many respects since you get to see the band close-up and the sound is almost as good as being there, if you have a good sound system. Also, I think the current Styx lineup misses something without the great voice of Dennis DeYoung. So, if you like the original Styx lineup, this is the DVD to get. Also, if you like to see closeups of the musicians when they are playing, the camera work with respect to that is fairly good. I've seen better on other DVDs but you do get some shots of JY and Tommy doing the riffs from some of the classic Styx hits.

I would say this DVD a must-have for STYX fans and very entertaining for anyone else who likes "middle-of-the-road classic rock" (i.e. somewhere between "soft rock" and "heavy metal"). I give it 5 stars based on 1) video and camera work, 2) 5.1 sound track and 3) the fact that I've always liked Styx's music and most of my favorites are on this DVD.

Too many reviews are by people who want to be critics. Speaking as a Styx FAN, this DVD is INCREDIBLE!!! The only problem I have with it is that it should be LONGER!!! The rendition of "Renegade" is electrifying!!! I felt 15 years younger the first time watching it. Since Amazon doesn't list the songs on the disc, here they are...
Rockin' the Paradise
Blue Collar Man
Too Much Time On My Hands
Snowblind
Suite Madame Blue
Crysal Ball
Grand Illusion
Fooling Yourself
Show Me The Way

Boat On The River
Loreli
Babe
Miss America
Come Sail Away
Renegade
The Best Of Times

Age doesn't take anything away from these guys. This is a great concert taped in Chicago in '96. Sounds great, the surround is awesome. You feel like you are right there live. Great guitar. Check out Miss America. The video is top notch, very clear and colors are sharp. Everything makes you feel as though you are right smack in the middle of everything. If you want a good concert DVD, this is one to have. The songs are... Rockin' The Paradise, Blue Collar Man, Lady, Too Much Time On My Hands, Snowblind, Suite Madame Blue, Crystal Ball, Grand Illusion, Fooling Yourself, Show Me The Way, Boat On The River, Lorelei, Babe, Miss America, Come Sail Away, Renegade, and The Best of Times. There is a good selection of extras too. If you like Styx, you will love this DVD. I'm glad they got back together for this tour.

The footage for this excellent video was filmed during the 1996 Styx tour in Rosemont, IL. All of the hits which made Styx one of the top bands of the late '70s and 80s are included in this fine video. Classics such as "Come Sail Away", "Renegade", and "The Best of Times" bring this video to life, but the two songs which, in my opinion, are the best of all are Dennis DeYoung's excellent rendition of "Lorelei" and Tommy Shaw's uplifting "Fooling Yourself". Jy even gets in some keyboard time on "Lorelei", while Tommy's unmatched acoustic guitar playing shines through on "Fooling Yourself". This video contains the original Styx line-up, minus original drummer John Panozzo, who passed away shortly before this video was released. However, new drummer Todd Sucherman ably fills John's considerable shoes and doesn't miss a beat. Fans of the original Styx line up will surely enjoy this look at the band in concert.

This DVD is definitely worth having. The sound quality is excellent, song selection is very good, and the performance is almost flawless. All that this video needs to truly take you back to the heyday of Styx is the powerful drumming of John (Rest In Peace) and some hair. Dennis DeYoung sounds great, Tommy Shaw displays even more guitar skill than on the studio recordings, Chuck Panozzo is animated and steady, and James Young shines through as a much larger contributor to the Styx sound than I ever gave him credit for being. The harmonies are a little rough early on, but really gel as the show progresses. The drummer (Todd Sucherman) is very good, and inserts some of his own flair into the songs without taking anything away from the spirit. The band changes the arrangement/structure of some songs (Suite Madame Blue, Grand Illusion), which I would have preferred not to have been done, but they are the one that are performing them, not me. If I had input into their performance, I would have asked for Man In The Wilderness, Great White Hope, and Mother Dear, to name a few. Anyway, I am very happy with this DVD, and would recommend it to any Styx fan. It is a great performance. Be warned that there are some silly actions on the part of the band, but if I were there live, I might not think this. Highlights - Snowblind, Renegade, Crystal Ball, Folling Yourself, Boat On The River. Lowlights - Too Much Time On My Hands, Grand Illusion. The DVD also has a few interesting extras (pictures, band footage) that make it even more of a value, but don't rip the case apart trying to find the nonexistent booklet. Rating - 5 Stars.

I saw Styx in concert in 1981 during the original "Paradise Theater" tour. I was a high school student, and unimpressed with previous bands (Molly Hatchet and Heart) whose concerts I'd attended.

Styx really thrives in the arena; they put on a truly fantastic show! I've always wished I could see that 1981 concert again live -- I took some nice photos at the 1981 concert -- and this DVD really brought it all back. I watched this DVD over and over, with memories of 1981 reinforced by this fine 1996 performance.

This is what you get when you have talented muscians who understand they are on a stage, putting on a show for an audience; superbly executed music and a great performance. If you've haven't discovered Styx yet, you may find this DVD to be the turning point for you. In fact, I'd recommend you buy this DVD before you buy any Styx vinyl or CDs. Styx is even more enjoyable in concert.

They are one of those rare bands who belong on stage more, and in the studio less. As the Cheap Trick live version of "I want you to want me" showed that band to shine on stage, this DVD proves Styx's value as one of the original arena rock bands.

My favorite moments from this DVD are too many to list. Frankly, Styx doesn't have select good "moments" on stage; the entire concert is a great moment. There are no flat spots. You don't get bored.

I was mesmerized watching Tommy Shaw make guitar playing seem like magic, and his angelic voice is undiminished by time; ditto for Dennis DeYoung's perfect voice and keyboard playing, Chuck's cozy presence with is bass guitar, James Young's high "hair-metal" energy, the new drummer's perfect playing and the band's comfortable and very dynamic stage chemistry with each other.

This concert leaves you feeling good.

- john starr

This was an excellent video of a band that i grew up with. Dennis DeYoung's voice is spectacular in this video tribute. I don't think Styx is any good without him in their lineup. It is a shame the other band members can't get over themselves and bring him back to the group. This is a super video with all the old songs and DeYoung doesn't miss a note. I highly recommend this video to true Styx fans all over the world!

Styx, the most Mythical and musical rock band of all time put on one of the greatest rock concerts of all time! This concert is a killer from start to finish.I got 'goose bumps'throughout the set by the Melodious/Harmonious voices of masters Tommy Shaw and Dennis de Young, these guys rocked the Chicago (home) crowd to classic Styx songs as Crystal Ball,Come Sail Away,Renegade,Blue Collar Man,Lady,Boat on the River and many more of their hits. The musicianship is a 10..Tommy and J.Y ripped through the crowd with precision 'Styx' solos tommy's acoustic performances on 'crystal ball' and fooling yourself is so heart warming he even played the 'mandolin' on the breathtaking 'Boat on the river'!De Young trademark 'dreamy' keyboard was refreshing as ever, so was his showmanship.J.Y even rocked the frenzied 'Paradise' crowd to his Miss America and Snowblind,Todd's drumming would have made the late John Panazzo really proud as it really got emotional when the band paid tribute to him (John) as De young sang 'Show me the Way'.
Bassist Chuck Panazzo who appeared unmoved throughout the set played remarkably.Truly a Classic Styx performance.
The menu,sound and video on this concert are all 10!For this price at Amazon it a 'Steal'!

Styx with Dennis Deyoung (as it should be). This was a great concert of most of the classic Styx. Video quality and sound is superb. I'm really glad I bought it.

If you're a Styx fan you will love this DVD. The band (minus Chuck Panozzo, the drummer, who died just prior to this 1996 tour) is very tight, and they obviously enjoy their Chicago reunion. Their newdrummer, Todd Sucherman, fits, and really adds to the energy. Most of Styx's major hits are here (Rockin' The Paradise, Blue Collar Man, Lady, Too Much Time On My Hands, Snowblind, Suite Madame Blue, Crystal Ball, Grand Illusion, Fooling Yourself, Show Me The Way, Boat On The River, Lorelei, Babe, Miss America, Come Sail Away, Renegade, and The Best of Times), with one glaring omission from my standpoint - Mr. Roboto. Most of the songs were very well done, with Come Sail Away being truly awesome.

Styx as usual puts on a great show. John Panozzo, the bassist is far more active and engaged then I ever remember in the shows I saw. The only problem with the sound concerned the volume on James Young's leads. In some (but not all) settings on my receiver (Denon 3802 - Widescreen and Jazz Room settings) his leads are very quiet. This was especially bothersome, as one of the greatest things about Styx involve the contrasting guitar styles of James Young and Tommy Shaw. Additionally, while James Young's leads absolutely rocked, a few of Tommy's do not fit as well as they could have (although his acoustic work was awesome!). Also, Dennis DeYoung's black hair color is somewhat strange.

These are minor quibbles though. Their voices are all terrific, and the performance is wonderful. If you have ever seen their live performances, you know this is where Styx truly shines. This DVD reminds us how great they really were.