DDY Connecticut-Foxwoods

[styxfanNH]

The Set (The Order is wrong, but the songs are correct)

Grand Illusion
Lady
Pieces of Eight
Desert Moon
Lorelie
Show Me The Way (Acapella)
Suite Madame Blue
Babe
Mr. Robotto
Don't Let It End
Best of Times
Hello God
Light Up
Castle Walls
Rockin The Paradise
CSA

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It was great to see Dennis he looked good and sounded great. His voice says it all. He was wearing that black polyester suit. Word to Dennis- We know you aren't trying to be cool or hip, but bag the polyester or at least take the jacket off at some point during the show.

The venue looks like it holds about 2000 or so and it was about 75%sold, maybe a little more.

Stage was set up pretty tight, although it looked like there was more room for them to use if they wanted to. Basic band setup with amps on the stage to the right (if you are looking at it), drums center behind a clear plexi wall and backup keyboardist to the rear left. Dennis' keyboard was front left. Dawn Marie and Suzanne sang in front of the other keyboard. Dawn Marie is definitely a keeper.

It was a great selection of songs for a show that lasted almost two hours. I was pleasantly surprised by the length of the show as many of the shows here are usually 90 minutes.

It was even better to hear his voice to those songs. And to songs like Castle Walls, Pieces of Eight, and Light Up, they were simply great.

Throughout the set, Dennis was his usually goofy self with a few of the standard throw away lines we have been accustomed to hearing or have heard about on this board.

It was also Dennis' sons Matt's Birthday and we sung Happy Birthday to him.

My son and I really enjoyed ourselves. It was good to see him having what appeared to be a good time on stage.
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With all that being said, here's what else you should know.

From the beginning of the set, there were a variety of problems. Throughout Grand Illusion the sound was awful. Way, Way to much high end and way way to much bass at the same time. It made me wonder if they had done a sound check. During Grand Illusion Dennis went to his Keyboard and you could see him playing but his keyboard wasn't in the mix. There was also some random feedback issues until about the 5th song or so when DDy told them to just drop the volume of the monitors. (problem solved)

The transition from Grand Illusion to Lady was also horrible in the sense that the mic wasn't on and about thirty seconds into the song Dennis stopped it and grabbed his other mic. - Dennis was the consumate professional though, cracked a joke and moved on. The sound issue cleared and all appeared good.

Throughout the set though, the mix would get muddled with a horrible mix then it would clear up. Sometimes it was too much bass and other times you could see them playing on stage with an instrument not cued into the mix for a few seconds. It was definitely an issue with whoever was behind the mixing board. The issues were really with about 4 of the songs.

I also thought the volume was a bit much. They didn't need that much power for a room of that size.

The show was a sit down show throughout the show including the encore.

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DDY Observations.

DDY appears to be having a ball.

DDY appears to have moved on from Styx, but still has strong feelings about the band.

To Dennis: 6 or so years since your departure from the band is not "until recently". (Just commenting, not trying to start the war).

Dennis' band is a talented group of individuals, but on the Styx songs seemed to be missing something. After giving it some thought last night, I think it was the missing 2nd guitar. It's the 2nd guitar that is playing rhythm while the other is playing lead that is a good part of the Styx sound. There is just too much stuff going on in a Styx song for one guitarist to cover.

At the end of the show, Dennis talks about being left behind by Styx and how dreams change. In the process he uses a line from "Don't Wait for Heroes" Would be nice for him to add this into his encore preceding CSA.

My son commented that he Dennis was all over the stage and would have liked to see him play keys a bit more. Don't know if I would disagree with him.

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Dennis showed he is still the great talent that he has always been. I am glad I went and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Now to find the money for NYC. That's gonna be fun...

[gr8dane]

Nice review styxfan.
How old is your son???
My son is 6 and puts in his requests every now and again.So far Deep Purple and Status Quo.You gotta start somewhere.
I look forward to the day ,where i can drag my kid to a show.

[bugsymalone]

Hey! Thanks for the review. Very nice and am glad you and your son had a good time.

Sounds like everyone has been having sound mixing problems from time to time. To have a non-working mic is unforgiveable in my book!

As to his attire. Uh, I don't think you are seeing Dennis in polyester. More likely a silk suit.

And I totally agree with you about his adding "Don't Wait for Heroes" to the setlist. It is a great song.

Bugsy

[sadie65]

Thanks for the review. Whenever there have been technical or sound problems at the shows I've seen him do, he is always a pro and just muscles through them. I think my personal favorite had to be Rosemont 2002. Huge lightening and thunderstorm. About 2 thirds the way through Mr. Roboto, his mic dies. He continues singing (and you could still hear him). Tells the crowd after intermission it was a lightening strike. Man right in front of me yells out "too much technology". Great stuff.

As for his comments about being singer with Styx, well while I personally agree with you, I think since most people associate him with that band, for them it's fairly recent.

I'd love to have Don't Wait For Heroes added, but I think it won't happen.

So glad you and your son could share the experience. Thanks for sharing.

Sadie

[styxfanNH]

MY son is 14 today.

and it just seems that Don't Wait For Heroes and CSA would compliment each other nicely for the encore.

OK, then. The "silk" suit needs a change. (but it sure did look like polyester)

[classicstyxfan]

NH, totally agree a 2nd ( rythem ) guitar would be a great addition to the Styx songs........Tommy D. plays a mean lead, but some of the tracks just arent as good as they could be w/o guitar #2.

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Thank YOU for the review StyxfanNH!!! I'm glad that you were able to make it and your son too. A belated Happy Birthday to your son. I'm hoping to bring all my kids to a Dennis show this summer. They LOVE his songs. They were just cranking up "Mr. Roboto" this weekend about 12+ times - UGH

I hope you can make the NYC show!! I wish that I could go to that one too, but I had to change my vacation plans.

What did you think of "Pieces of Eight"????????????? I know you said that you liked it, but anymore comments on hearing it live?

I don't like to comment on people wear because I dress terrible But what the heck, I would rather see Dennis wearing jeans and some type of top that wasn't silk or polyester. I know with the orchestra shows he likes to dress up, I thought he dressed great in Milwaukee. He also dressed great in Green Bay.

I would like to hear his concerts with an additional guitarist too. I think that's the only thing that missing, I couldn't place my finger on it, but that must be it.

[styxfanNH]

Suite,

Pieces of Eight was Fabulous! Actually the whole show was. It was neat to hear him add that classical piece into it. Funny thing is that I know the tune but the name escapes me (I am horrible with names) but my son knew the name of that song right away.

After hearing Dennis again, I am happy that Styx has stepped away from much of his work. There really is no replacing that voice. But at the same time I understand them playing a few songs that are the Band's signature. Now that he appears to be better from the Epstein Barr Syndrome thing I feel spoiled a bit. If the guys were together we never would hear many of the songs that each is playing in their current set lists because their simply is not enough time on stage.

I hope Dennis stays with a touring schedule that he is comfortable with as long as he finds a way to get close to somewhere I can get to. I am really looking forward to seeing him in NYC and Boston, but can't wait till he gets close enough with an orchestra (The Boston Symphony Orchestra and The Boston Pops aren't actually cheap)

I agree with you on the suit. Dress up for the Orchestra shows and let it loose on the 5 piece band. To me there different personnas.