DeYoung-Iowa Review

[sadie65]

Nice to see each getting good reviews:

http://gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ ... /707059986


REVIEW: DeYoung sticks his hits in fine form
By Diana Nollen
The Gazette
diana.nollen@gazettecommunications.com

CORALVILLE — Under some rain, some shine, Dennis DeYoung whipped up the best of times Friday night at Coralville’s 4thFEST.

Thousands turned out to hear the voice of Styx create his magic during a 90-minute free concert in S.T. Morrison Park. They danced the robot, they cheered, they sang those familiar lyrics and some dined in style with elaborate homemade picnics and barbecues. Even Miss Iowa, Anne Michael Langguth of Iowa City, whipped out her fiddle for a rousing “Orange Blossom Special” to kick off the concert.

It doesn’t get more Americana than that for a Fourth of July celebration.

Chicago native DeYoung, 62, is in fine form. He sounds just as fabulous today as in his former band’s heyday in the ’70s and ’80s. The years aren’t always kind to rock ’n’ roll tenors, but his pure, high tones shot like a rocket through the layers of funky electronics.

Although he’s parted company with his former bandmates, he’s assembled a groovy new group with dual guitars, bass, percussion, keyboards and two backup vocalists.

Something tells me DeYoung sounds better without Styx than Styx sounds without DeYoung. (We’ll find out when Styx plays an outdoor show at the Riverside Casino at 8 p.m. Aug. 29.)

He is so personable, so comfortable in his own skin, that watching him in action is a delight. He kicks and punches the air with gusto, chats often with the audience, teases the crowd, mugs with tongue in cheek and makes wisecracks about growing older. He knows how to play his fans and, I suspect, reel in some new ones, including some Goth teen headbangers in front of me.

He launched the evening with “Grand Illusion,” his tenor soaring through the air, promising great things to come. As the song wound down, he stepped behind his synthesizer and laid out a delicate, tinkling piano line that segued into one of his biggest hits, “Lady.” Things didn’t stay gentle for long, as DeYoung and the band blasted into all out rocker mode.

Blistering guitar licks continued through “Lorelei,” as well as other quintessential hits, from “Rockin’ the Paradise” to the sublime encore, “Come Sail Away.” DeYoung obviously knows guitarists don’t get much better than Tommy Dziallo and Jimmy Leahey, with each having extended solo turns in addition to their crunching duels.

The audience had the most fun with “Mr. Roboto.” It was a real kick to watch the boomers around me bust their best herky-jerky moves.

The concert showcased lovely moments, as well, with an extended guitar solo shining through “Desert Moon,” and DeYoung’s signature ballad, “Babe,” the first song he wrote for Suzanne, his wife of nearly 40 years.

Not one to rest on his laurels, DeYoung also broke out the title track from his new CD, “100 Years From Now.” It begins softly, like a French folk song, then churns into anthem mode, chock full of emotion. Recorded as a duet with Quebec rocker Eric Lapointe, the single powered its way to the top of Canadian radio charts. Amazed at this latest success, DeYoung quipped to the crowd, “People my age don’t even get on the radio!”

Maybe not, but there’s plenty of firepower left in the man who sounds forever young.

[Abitaman]

I wish people his age did get on the radio more!!!
Maybe radio would be worth listening to again.

[bugsymalone]

This was a nice review from someone who obviously gets it. Especially the part about The Voice.

Thanks, Sadie.


Bugsy

[kansas666]

DeYoung obviously knows guitarists don’t get much better than Tommy Dziallo and Jimmy Leahey, with each having extended solo turns in addition to their crunching duels.

What, no Glen?

I always thought his band was the weakest part of his show.

[brywool]

The audience had the most fun with “Mr. Roboto.” It was a real kick to watch the boomers around me bust their best herky-jerky moves.

Neato. Thanks Dennis for keeping "The Robot" alive. Not since the "Hustle" has a dance so touched a generation...