So here is my review and commentary on the show in St. Louis...
Dennis in St. Louis.
There is much to be said about shaking things up. And it looks like Dennis has chosen to shake things up in a big way for 2010. Out for one reason or another is most of Dennis’ band that he has been touring with over the past five years – bassist Hank Horton, guitarist Tommy Dziallo, and vocalist Kate Milan. In are bassist Gregg Carter and guitarist August Zadra. But DeYoung hasn’t stopped with just changes in the band. For the first time Dennis has given up some of the spotlight, by having newcomer Zadra take the lead on several Styx classics including Blue Collar Man, Too Much Time On Your Hands, and Renegade – songs previously sung by Tommy Shaw, while he plays keys. Something that is sure to make the die hards happy.
The addition of August gives the band new life. I am not saying they were dying by any means, but Dzaillo really had little stage presence and that has now changed. Dzaillo has done some great work with Dennis in the past, notably covering the best of two guitar parts for much of the band’s live shows, but clearly having two guitarists is the way to go. It best compliments the way the songs were written and intended to be played. With Jimmy Leahy and August Zadra now being wireless as well as having some youthful energy, the band can now cover the stage and interact with the crowd in a way that couldn’t be done before. In some ways it seems as if Dennis has found a second fetus.
The youthful energy of Leahy and Zadra clearly has rubbed off on Dennis. With a bit of extra zip in his walk, Dennis traveled the stage with a different purpose than I had seen in previous concerts. Even though Dennis was using a wired microphone, he traveled what was a fairly large stage with ease, playing to the whole audience. In no way could anyone say Dennis locks himself into a particular spot, Dennis was continually working the audience, but also would go back to the other musicians toward the rear of the stage. Oddly enough, the new mobility of the band provided for some classic Styx staging and orchestration between all members.
Techies will note that Dennis’ gear sported the Yamaha Motif that has been the staple of his keyboards since returning to touring. But new to the stack was the Korg CX3, the classic rock organ that gave life to Blues Collar Man and Renegade as well as other songs throughout the set.
The new cast of characters certainly gives the band a more rock feel and presence. It looks more like the band that Dennis seems to have been searching for throughout the evolution of the band. While the new songs were clearly a surprise to most concert goers that have seen Dennis in the past – after Too Much Time, Dennis says it sort of like what Gomer Pyle use to say: Surprise, Surprise, Surprise – it was clear that the songs are still works in progress as Dennis was seen regularly directing various members throughout the songs. The songs were also played pretty straight up as the band feels its way through the new set list. Gone are the classical snippets that were previously an extesion fromthe orchestral show, letting the songs stand as they were written.
All in all it was a great concert, full of surprises that no one expected and loads of fun. Not to mention songs of those that have frequented recent Styx concerts haven’t heard in quite some time. Without question, Dennis has decided to amp things up between him and his old buddies. And while this salvo appears to be a “will the real Styx, please stand up”, those that have seen the two shows will see a clear difference between the two.
If Dennis is going to continue jabbing at and pushing the envelope with his old friends, the band should look at a couple of things that current members may or may not have the ability to change. 1) Give the Big, Big Man Greg Carter, the ability to move from his perch beside the drum kit. He seems to have the songs down, but he looks like he has the potential to be a member of the cast of characters instead of the bass player on the riser. 2) While it is apparent that August can pull off Tommy’s songs, someone needs to pull of JY’s range. The lower end of the harmonies seemed to lack a little. 3) This is really for the marketing of the Rock Shows – stop calling them rock shows with however many people are in the band. Refer to them as Dennis DeYoung and the music of Styx - period. Rock Show should be understood. Let the other shows stand on their own by the names that are added to them – With Orchestra, Lost Treasures , Unplugged etc.
The criticisms are minor. If addressed, they only enhance what is already a great show. Styx fans will love this show, especially those who identify more with Dennis or those that identify with Dennis and Tommy. The small faction that identifies with JY (in comparison to Dennis or Tommy) are now the only ones that might be alienated. If you love or miss Styx’s ballads or the second tier songs that Dennis wrote, then it is clear which side you will gravitate towards as one side has clearly decided that they are no longer part of their image.
It will be interesting to see what will happen in the ongoing ping pong game between Dennis and Styx. After last night, Dennis has regained the momentum and clearly has more options on the table while Styx has defined itself as the non-stop high energy rock band. One has to wonder which will survive or if they will be able to coexist independently. As was penned more than 30 years ago, “Someday soon we’ll stop to ponder what on Earth this spell we’re under; We made the grade and still we wonder who the hell we are...”
See the show, you won’t be disappointed.
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This is a really bad video from my Blackberry, but you will get the jist.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfXidc6dYpQ
how can a guy be named august?
