MR

I recently purchased a 2nd hand copy of the live album Return to Paradise. With a price a third of a new (single) album this can be considered as one of my best "value for money" ever !
Anyway as this is my first Styx record i'm not really familair with their music.
What is the deal with the first verse of Rocking the Paradise being the same as The best of times ? Is the same on the original studio albums,or did they do it only as sort of yoke on this album ? What is the connection between the songs ?

A friend of mine borrowed me Cyclorama yesterday, btw. These are the times is a monster !!!! Briliant

What should be the next Styx album i buy ?

Rgds
Ronald

You'll want to get "The Grand Illusion", "Pieces of Eight", and "Paradise Theatre"... some here would also strongly advocate "Equinox" which is a bit more progressive.

Yes, the first verse begins the same on the studio album "Paradise Theatre"..

"These Are The Times" is likely the "best" song on what is a pretty weak styx record (In my opinion and many others disagree)... but that is a decent song even if it is sung by chewbacca.

You'll want to get "The Grand Illusion", "Pieces of Eight", and "Paradise Theatre"... some here would also strongly advocate "Equinox" which is a bit more progressive.

I would agree with Ash on this point. The A&M days through Paradise Theatre you really can't go wrong with. On Crystal Ball the guys were just finding out who they were as a group and had come into their own by Grand Illusion. It should be noted in case you did not know, Tommy didn't play on Equinox. But the early A&M day albums you can't go wrong with.

Ash and I will just agree to disagree about Cyclorama. I think there are 3 or 4 songs that could be considered really good Styx songs.

RonK, welcome to this board....here you will likely get as many different opinions as there are posters to the board.

You might want to buy the best selling and most critically acclaimed Styx releases next, to see who these guys were musically at their
( commercial ) Zenith, those would be the ones StyxfanNH suggested.

After those, I recommend going back to sample their early Material, by purchasing Styx II...it has the song "Lady" their 1st hit, and some really good bare bones Rock and Roll songs on it.

OR, you might just decide you dont have enough money to take all of this advice, and if so, I'd suggest you go with Styx Greatest Hits ( there are 2 volumes )

Anyways, good luck , and let us know what you think about whatever you decide to purchase.....

Hello, RonK. The suggestions given by Ash were perfect in my book.

If you are only going to be able to buy one Styx CD for now, my personal favorite is "Equinox", but I believe your best choice would be "The Grand Illusion." This is considered by many to be Styx' greatest recording.

I also suggest that at some point you purchase the DVD of the Styx concert you already have on CD (Return to Paradise). It is one of the best concert DVD's out there in my opinion.

What is the deal with the first verse of Rocking the Paradise being the same as The best of times ? Is the same on the original studio albums,or did they do it only as sort of yoke on this album ? What is the connection between the songs ?

The album "Paradise Theater" was considered a concept album and the song, Best of Times, was a sort of an anchor point. It opened the recording and also closed it.

Hope all of us have helped, rather than hindered, your choices!

Bugsy

Get Grand Illusion next. It is their breakthrough album.

CYCLORAMA imo is a GREAT album. I can't wait to hear what they come up with next year.

I have to agree with Ash too. I'd go with Classic and purchase the Greatest Hits (Volume 1 and 2 - NOT Rockers-LOL) first and then the "Grand Illusion" cd.

"Crystal Ball" is my favorite, then "Pieces of Eight" and "Grand Illusion"

Well RonK
Better late than never.You are lucky you found Styx.Excellent band with a nice healthy catalogue.
Grand Illusion gave them mega stardom (but these days I am sick of it), BUT get it.
Equinox was the album that got me familiarized .One day I walked in to a recordshop and it was playing.I was hooked.(My favorite Styx album)
Piceses Of Eight is Styx rocking out and it is GREAT.
If you pick up any of these and like it a lot ,I know you will end up buying the rest.
Wooden Nickel years (pre Equinox) is great too.
Jump in.Lucky guy.You do not come across a band like Styx too often.
gr8dane

My personal favorites are:
5. Edge Of The Century
4. Cyclorama
3. The Grand Illusion
2. Pieces Of Eight
1. EQUINOX

The Styx CD Cornerstone has Boat On The River & Babe on it. I believe that was Styx's monster album in your neck of the woods. I spent two summers over there back in 93 & 94 in Appledorn. I Loved it!! Bon Jovi's These Days was all over your airways back then.

Thank you all, i'll let you know when i have bought something.

Rgds
Ron