Review of Dennis Show

[sadie65]

http://www.tnonline.com/node/414070



Joe Plasko/TIMES NEWS Dennis DeYoung performs the Music of Styx at Penn's Peak during a Valentine's Day concert at Penn's Peak Saturday night.

Dennis DeYoung and "The Music of Styx" are virtually synonymous.

While no longer with the Chicago-based hard rock band he helped form, DeYoung wrote and sang many of the group's biggest hits during its mega-platinum zenith of the 1970's and early '80's.

Former bandmates James Young and Tommy Shaw and company carry on under the Styx monicker, but DeYoung has his imprint on many of its signature tunes and was happy to perform them in front of a packed Penn's Peak Saturday night.

Since he penned Styx's best known love ballads, Valentine's Day is a special time for DeYoung, who wrote hits like "Lady" and "Babe" to his wife of 39 years, Suzanne, who joined him on stage at The Peak as a back-up singer.

The romantic side of DeYoung was on display, of course. The silver-haired vocalist and keyboardist, who turns 62 on Wednesday, is singing as well as ever, as his distinctive voice can still scale the heights his material demands.

"Babe", "Lady", "Don't Let It End", the wistful solo ballad "Desert Moon" and an a cappella rendition of "Show Me The Way", which DeYoung dedicated to the U.S. military, were appropriate fare for the Valentine's occasion.

DeYoung's contributions to Styx extended beyond the ballads, however, and, backed by a five-piece band, he demonstrated he remains in command of his rock side as well.

Taking the stage to "The Grand Illusion", DeYoung displayed his more progressive trademarks: dramatic flourishes, classical-sounding synthesizers, and high harmonies as needed, all fronted by that still-remarkable voice.

DeYoung wasn't afraid to dip a little deeper into his back catalogue, going all the way back to the pre-Tommy Shaw Equinox album for bright versions of "Light Up", "Lorelei" and magnum opus "Suite Madame Blue", and he pulled "Castle Walls" from The Grand Illusion album.

The sci-fi flavored "Mr. Roboto" is also a DeYoung centerpiece and is almost impossible to get out of one's head, as anyone who remembers it from the radio or the Volkswagen commercial knows, and it gave DeYoung a chance to display his penchant for the theatrical, singing it while holding up the Roboto mask.

Another Styx concept album, Paradise Theater, provided DeYoung's upbeat "Rockin' the Paradise" and "The Best of Times", the latter often converted into class songs during the '80's and which could serve as a note of encouragement for these economically-troubling times.

DeYoung also took the opportunity to showcase some new music, performing three songs from his latest album, One Hundred Years From Now, which hit number one on the pop charts in Canada and is due to be released here in the U.S. in April.

The new numbers, including the title song, "Rain" and "This Time Next Year" are on par with the best of his Styx rockers and were a nice change of pace, proving DeYoung hasn't lost his touch.

After avoiding the usually obligatory leaving the stage before the encore maneuver, DeYoung brought the crowd to its feet with "Come Sail Away", the song that probably best capsulizes what he does best, beginning as a piano ballad and evolving into a soaring, sing along chorus that put Styx on the rock map to stay.

While he revels in his hit-filled past, DeYoung showed a glimpse that he still has a lot more of the same to offer in his future.

[bugsymalone]

I would like to hear "Rain" live. Pretty cool he put that one in the set.


Bugsy

[Abitaman]

I would like to hear everything form the new cd live!!!!

[Mr JY Roboto]

I can't say that I agree with this... "On par with the best of his Styx rockers". Was the author of this article a family friend?



The new numbers, including the title song, "Rain" and "This Time Next Year" are on par with the best of his Styx rockers and were a nice change of pace, proving DeYoung hasn't lost his touch.

[StyxCollector]

"Rain" is a good addition, but I'd love to see "Rubicon" live.

Maybe I'll travel again once the new version of the album is out ...

[froy]

I can't say that I agree with this... "On par with the best of his Styx rockers". Was the author of this article a family friend?



The new numbers, including the title song, "Rain" and "This Time Next Year" are on par with the best of his Styx rockers and were a nice change of pace, proving DeYoung hasn't lost his touch.

Sounds dead on to me

This Time is a STYX rocker for sure same with Rain that songs ROCKS
No family friend or paid article here
Solid review,

[Toph]

I can't say that I agree with this... "On par with the best of his Styx rockers". Was the author of this article a family friend?



[/b]

No, he was just accurate.