Taking a breather from their duties in both Night Ranger and Styx, Jack Blades and Tommy Shaw embarked on an acoustic tour that found them offering up homage to their own musical influences. The guys stopped by NYC’s own B.B. King Blues Club and really delivered a sing along kind of night. We were on point for the occasion and if you want to learn more just scroll past the logo below.
Artist: Shaw/Blades Venue: B.B. King Blues Club (New York, NY) Opener: none Date: 3/21/2007 Label: VH1 Classic Records
Hot off the release of their second album of Classic Rock renditions, appropriately entitled “Influence” – New York City would enjoy an intimate performance with Jack Blades (Night Ranger) and Tommy Shaw (Styx). The pair would pick up their acoustic guitars and deliver one of the most inspiring and heart-warming shows of the year. Their talents are very well known based on their accomplishments with their legendary and still rocking main bands but tonight we would see a more back to basics view on what they can do with music. Having heard and reviewed their CD about a month ago I was very interested in this show since so many of the songs they did would bring back special memories. Judging by the visibly sold out B.B. King Blues Club venue, you could tell that many others had the same view about tonight. As you could expect this was going to be a great night of music and the guys would not only reach into their catalog of “Influence” but they would also touch upon the music of Styx, Night Ranger and Damn Yankees as well. Helping them with some additional vocals and backing guitar would be Will Evancovich. His presence would add to the fullness of the music as Tommy and Jack began to sing their hearts out. There was nothing rigid or stoic about the show either as the guys would frequently address the crowd with stories from life or about what the particular song meant to them. It was like being part of a very cool taping of the “Unplugged” show and the audience was responding with often resounding approval. Continue reading Shaw/Blades @ B.B. King Blues Club (3/21/2007)→
Artist: Styx Title: “One With Everything” Label: Eagle Vision Release Date: 11/21/2006 Genre: Progressive Hard Rock Rating: 4/5
The band Styx has come a long way since their debut in 1972 and since that time they have delivered some of the best Arena Rock in music history. In 2006, we find a Styx that is composed of almost entirely different members from their not so humble beginnings but at the same time they not too far from their original musical premise. The release of “One With Everything” is a great concert DVD for it is here that we find the band in rock solid form and joined by the Contemporary Youth Orchestra. Based out of Cleveland, OH, the CYO is a 115-piece Orchestra plus a 60 voice chorus and what makes them most impressive is the fact that they range in ages from 13-19. The Orchestra is conducted by Liza Grossman, who was the key factor in building this unique performance and actually is the one who contacted band Management about doing this adventure with the Styx guys. If you ask me, I felt that this idea would offer a refreshing change from the all too common “Rock Band meets Symphony Orchestra” videos as by this time almost everyone has done one. It was high time this blending of Rock and Symphony got a much needed kick in the tail to make it interesting once again. Together, Styx and the Orchestra deliver many of the bands most staple numbers as well as some new music that was written for this special sold-out concert. Lead singer, keyboardist Lawrence Gowan does an amazing job of filling the shoes once worn by Dennis DeYoung in the group while guitarist Tommy Shaw’s voice is exceptional on every track he does. I never heard JY sing, and yet on this piece he did one of my very favorite Styx numbers, “Lorelei”. Shaw, JY Young and Chuck Panozzo form the remaining three longest members though Chuck does not always tour with the band anymore. Ricky Phillips handles the bass for the most part and Todd Sucherman the drums. Sucherman is an incredible player who does justice to the drumming introduced by John Panozzo, the bands original drummer who passed away in 1996. He is both technical and powerful and shows the level of technique he brings to the table for the band best in the medley number. This is an epic piece on the DVD and it features pieces of some 16 Styx classics from across their catalog. Despite this DVD being very fun to watch I did have some other favorites and those were “I Am The Walrus” and “Fooling Yourself” along with “Renegade”. Continue reading “One With Everything” (DVD) by Styx→
Artist: Styx Title: “Gold” (remaster) Label: Universal Music Release Date: Genre: Progressive Hard Rock Rating: 4/5
Styx is a band who many feel were one of the finest of the Progressive Hard Rock outfits ever established and this view finds little argument when you add up the number of hit makers they have in their songbook. “Gold” has done right by the fans in its issue because unlike a typical greatest hits package that gives you but a sampling, this as an anthology works very well and touches upon a lot more music. While no release can ever capture every single amazing song that a group might have I think that 35 selections is a great start for any fan. As you peruse this particular track listing you do find a representation from some of their most pivotal and respected albums. The band was started in the early 60’s under a different name eventually becoming Styx for the release of their first record in 1972. The brothers Panozzo, Dennis DeYoung and James “JY” Young formed the nucleus of what was to become a musical blockbuster. Eventually recruiting Tommy Shaw the band would mix powerful Melodic Arena-styled Rock with elements of Progressive bands of the day. Listen to “Lorelei” on Equinox if you have any doubts on that. The band would find a breakthrough epic in their release “The Grand Illusion” and lead them to the chart-topping “Paradise Theatre”. Songs from all of these albums are here to enjoy (with five of them from “Paradise” alone). There is even some music from the confusing “Kilroy Was Here”, an album that essentially caused the end of the band of the time before the reunions with varied memberships would take place in the following years. Continue reading “Gold” by Styx→
Artist: Styx Title: “Big Bang Theory” Label: New Door Records Release Date: 5/10/2005 Genre: Rock Rating: 7.5
Styx is definitely one of the greatest arena rock bands of all time. I remember when I first heard tracks like “Lorelei” and “Come Sail Away”; these classic rockers were comparable to Progressive Rock before the term was widely used. In any case they really kicked it up a notch for Rock and Roll and their material has withstood the tests of time with some of it sounding fresh as if it were recorded today. Over the years the lineup has had some changes with lead singer & keyboardist Dennis DeYoung leaving several years ago. Drummer John Panozzo passed away while illness eventually kept bassist Chuck Panozzo from the rigors of touring. This left the band with Tommy Shaw and James Young as the only original members of the lineup. However, the two guitarists were not to let Styx and their music fall by the wayside as they filled in the spaces with some incredibly talented people. On drums came Todd Sucherman while bass would be handled by Ricky Phillips. Lead vocals and keyboards was now the task of Lawrence Gowan who is a capable man indeed in both of these areas. Continue reading “Big Bang Theory” by Styx→
