John Curulewski or J.Y.

[BlackWall]

I've recently had the chance to listen to a little bit of music at work and last week ended up being Styx week. I took their first four albums with me, since I've never listened to those albums so much from start to finish; plus, the whole Wooden Nickel collection that just came out had me a little inspired(but I just can't talk myself into buying all of those songs I already have, for just one track).

Anyway, it's obvious, as I'm sure everyone knows, that J.Y. was originally the lead singer, but.. why? Dennis sounds awesome on "What Has Come Between Us" and when Curulewski finally gets to do some lead on "Styx II", he sounds great.

While I'm not crazy about the lyrics or the vocals for "As Bad As This", he makes a comeback with his gritty vocals on "The Serpent Is Rising".. Why, after this, was he not featured at all on "Man Of Miracles"? I hate to say this, I think J.Y. is a talented guitar player, and sometimes songwriter, but I've never been too crazy about his vox.

I keep thinking of the first album and the words "Right Away, Right Away" keep echoing through my mind.. Don't get me wrong, there are moments when he sounds good- "Southern Woman" "22 Years", "Miss America", and "Double Life", but does anyone else agree that Curulewski maybe should have been given more time on lead? No, maybe he didn't have the best range(then again, he did pretty good with "A Day"), but I just find his vocals more enjoyable than the whining or screaming of Mr. Young. I love the song "Young Man", and I keep wondering what J.C. would have sounded like on lead.

Does anyone else agree that J.C. should have been allowed more time on lead? I still think Dennis is obviously the best voice, but I think it would have been more interesting to go between Dennis and Curulewski, and only feature J.Y. in small doses.

[DarrenUK]

DDY better voice than JY ?.........Are you serious ???????









Only kidding Froy...

[classicstyxfan]

I always liked the majority of JC's work.........And I wonder why, with the
re-release of all of the Wooden Nickle era material, NO ONE.....especially DDY and JY has even mentioned his name in efforts to promote the release....this seems odd to me.

I Don't know if his vocal style would have fit many of the songs JY sang lead on though....

[Hippie]

That's actually my complaint about later Styx albums; not enough JY.
I've always been a big JY fan. I like the more hard rock sound they had when he was the front man. No disrespect to DDY. His early stuff was great too (but even he was more hard rock then).

Curuleski I saw as somewhat hit and miss. He had a great voice, but his style was WAY out there! (Krakatoa and SIR come to mind).

A Day was awesome though; one of my favs in "WN Styx" catalog. If he had more songs like that, I would've loved to hear them.

[Abitaman]

Never really cared for JC's vocals or songwritting! JY was awesome in the early years, with Witch Wolf, Southern Woman, Man of Mircales, Young MAn, Rock-n-Roll Feeling, Quick is the Beat of My Heart, and so on and so on......... To bad Jy fell into a rut with A&M, Miss America, Half Penny, Two Penny, Snow Blind were the only great standouts from that era. JC's only somg I like was A DAY.-ERIC

[yogi]

The Serpent Is Rising, and You Better Ask were both AWESOME!!!!! Equinox was the best EVER!!!!!JC was GREAT!!!! Rest in Peace!!!!!!!

[ek88]

I really prefer the DDY and JY tracks from the WN years. I also thought JY's vocals on those albums were terrific (although not a virtuoso by any means). Hippie, I agree. I would've liked a little more JY on later albums, and I also agree that JC's style was out there