DDY Review

[sadie65]

http://www.charleston.net/stories/Defau ... on=preview


10-27-05
Styx legacy lives onin DeYoung's show

BY DEVIN GRANT
Special to The Post and Courier

Back in the '80s, you could say I was a pretty big fan of the rock group Styx.

I had grown up with that band's music, including songs such as "Too Much Time On My Hands," "Fooling Yourself," and "Blue Collar Man." But while it was cool that the band featured more than one chief singer-songwriter, I always found myself gravitating toward the work of lead singer Dennis DeYoung.

How big a DeYoung fan was I in my teens? I once played "Desert Moon" to my first high school girlfriend over the phone on my Casio keyboard. Yeah, I know - cheesy. Apparently the girl (who will remain nameless since she still resides in Charleston and doesn't deserve the needless ribbing that would undoubtedly come her way) thought so too. She decided soon after that "we should just be friends." Ah, youth.

During my Styx phase, I even bought the "Kilroy Was Here" album, viewed by many as Styx's "Jump the Shark" moment. I even won tickets from 95SX in 1984 to go see Styx on the "Kilroy" tour, but couldn't go, since I was 14 and you had to be 18 to ride the radio station's party bus to Columbia. So, I never got to see one of my favorite bands as a teenager.

I must admit that when I first heard about the concept of Dennis DeYoung performing the music of Styx with a symphony orchestra, I was more than skeptical. It sounded like a bad idea all around. DeYoung, who had left Styx after "Kilroy," went on to release a few solo albums, write a musical version of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," and presumably to count his money from years of successful touring and songwriting. So why would he want to revisit the past in this fashion?

When I heard that DeYoung would be bringing his show to Charleston, I figured that I needed to go check it out. I was still on guard, despite the fact that an interview the week before the show showed DeYoung to be intelligent, witty and proud of his career thus far. It was actually a very fun interview. But still, I had no idea what to expect.

I really shouldn't have worried. Saturday night's performance by DeYoung at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center was anything but serious, but that seemed to be in keeping with DeYoung's master plan. After an overture by the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, which featured snippets of several of DeYoung's compositions, DeYoung walked onstage to sing "The Grand Illusion." If you have been to a rock concert recently, then you are no doubt familiar with the universal symbol for "you rock," the arm extended with index and pinky fingers raised. This was the first time I had ever seen it used at a symphony performance, although it should be noted that DeYoung brought his own band to add a rock 'n' roll punch to the proceedings.

After singing the Styx classic "Lady," DeYoung addressed the audience for the first of many times that evening.

"So I was wondering," he said, "How many people are seeing me perform live for the first time?" A healthy amount of applause could be heard. "Well, where the hell were you? I'm in my 50s!" From there DeYoung continued the music, as well as the clowning around. Watching him mug his way through songs such as "Lorelei," "Desert Moon," "Pieces of Eight" (which featured a bit of Bach's "Tocatta and Fugue in D Minor"), "Ave Maria" (from "Hunchback") and "Show Me the Way," it was evident that DeYoung was having a great time.

The Wando High School Choir joined DeYoung on those last two songs, and returned later in the second set for a couple of more. Broadway vocalist Amick Byram assisted DeYoung in performing songs from "Hunchback." After singing "Don't Let It End," De-Young assured the crowd that it wouldn't end just then, but that he was going to take a short intermission. As he explained later, his beloved Chicago White Sox were playing the first game of this year's World Series, and he was popping offstage during guitar solos to check on the score (the Sox would end up winning that night).

After the break, DeYoung returned with "Mr. Roboto," which received one of the night's biggest rounds of applause. Other songs included in the second set were "Rockin' the Paradise," "Suite Madame Blue," "The Best of Times," and "Babe." At one point, someone in the audience yelled out "Freebird," and

DeYoung humored them by picking out a few bars of "Sweet Home Alabama" on his keyboard. Finally, DeYoung ended the night with an encore that featured what was probably the most anticipated song of the night, "Come Sail Away," even allowing the audience to sing the first few lines in unison.

I am happy to say that Saturday night's show makes up for missing that show in 1984. If you were at the Charleston show, then you know exactly what I am talking about. The ages of audience members seemed to range from 6 to 60, with parents and their kids singing along with most of the songs.

DeYoung is definitely on to something here, and while I am sure there are people who are as skeptical as I was before the show, if they will just go see the show (or watch the televised version that still plays on PBS), they will see DeYoung has taken the essence of Styx, and used the symphony to enhance the experience. For a couple of hours, I was 14 years old again. I might have to get that keyboard back out again. Then again, maybe not.

[styxfanNH]

Great review for Dennis. He gets not only the essence of the show, but whether he realizes it or not, is at the heart of why we all are here. As you listen to the music of Styx, you identified with the writing/songs of one of the members.

I know he hasn't done well with his rock show here, but I sure would hope that he can find a way to bring the symphony show here.

[SuiteMadameBlue]

styxfanNH says:

I know he hasn't done well with his rock show here, but I sure would hope that he can find a way to bring the symphony show here.

I'm pretty sure that he'll be back up by you with a symphony. I'm not sure when. I hope he does, for you

I would love to see his rock show again. I'm dying to hear "Queen of Spades" live, oh and "Borrowed Time".

With the symphony, I love to hear "Suite Madame Blue", "Castle Walls" and "Pieces of Eight" which is one of the BEST songs that I ever heard with a symphony.

Sadie, thanks for posting You know me, I love reading the articles (of either "side").

After the break, DeYoung returned with "Mr. Roboto," which received one of the night's biggest rounds of applause.

LOL, I love this part. It's funny, for a song that the "others" hate so much, it receives one of the biggest rounds of applause. That's how it is at most of his concerts. When I saw Carrot Styx the few times, there were quite a lot of people that were yelling "Mr. Roboto". They played a "teaser" in the medley.

Why is it at a lot of concerts that I go to, that people yell "Freebird"? LOL, Even at the Michael Bolton concert, I thought that was funny.

[bugsymalone]

Great review for Dennis. He gets not only the essence of the show, but whether he realizes it or not, is at the heart of why we all are here. As you listen to the music of Styx, you identified with the writing/songs of one of the members.

.

Perfectly said, NH! I think many of the "first timers" are just amazed at what a great show this symphony show is. And the long-time fans, like this guy, are pleasantly surprised.

And the part the reviewer refers to about the kids at the concerts is SO true. I have seen this at every Dennis show I have attended.

And thanks for posting the review, Sadie.

Bugsy

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Bugsy says:

And the part the reviewer refers to about the kids at the concerts is SO true. I have seen this at every Dennis show I have attended.

It's amazing to see how young these kids are at the shows. I couldn't believe how most of them knew the words to the songs, even songs like "Castle Walls". But then again, if the parents are playing the music 24/7 (like someone I know) how could they not know - LOL My kids have been listening to "Pieces of Eight" over and over in the van now. LOL

Even at Summerfest at the Carrot Styx concert, there were a TON of kids. Mostly young teenagers that were singing to almost every song.

I'm glad that the music of STYX will hopefully keep going generation to generation and to "carry on"..........................

[LordofDaRing]

Great review. And yes isn't it amazing that the song from the album that "tore the band apart" gets the biggest applause of the night. Another victory for the good guys.