Return to Paradise CD

[Blue Falcon]

Just got this one from a used CD store, and I must say it's a FAR better live album than that turd called Caught In the Act. Maybe the performances sound more inspired, since the sound quality is about the same. There's just something missing from CITA...

[Jodes]

It's called bitter hatred of being on stage together. lol

[Rockwriter]

[quote="Blue Falcon"]Just got this one from a used CD store, and I must say it's a FAR better live album than that turd called Caught In the Act. Maybe the performances sound more inspired, since the sound quality is about the same. There's just something missing from CITA... [/quote

Well, the thing with CITA is that it's not a proper Styx live album made in the way it should have been. The band had no intention of making a live album at that time, but Tommy freaked out on stage and quit the band mid-tour, and he agreed to stay to finish the tour before beginning a solo album. So in order to fulfill some contract obligations, as well as have product out to cover the fact that they were apart and making solo albums, Styx wound up acquiring the tapes from a Superstars of Rock concert radio show that the band had performed for Westwood One Radio Network. The tapes, if you can go back and find the original live un-retouched broadcast, were sub-standard. Tommy was at a low point to put it mildly, and his performance in particular was not so great. Overall it was sub-par because the band simply was not at its peak on that tour. So they took this crappy performance, went into the studio and overdubbed onto it to create a less-then-stellar "live" record. That's why it is the way it is.
Incidentally, RTP has some overdubs as well, but nowhere near as much or as obvious. I agree it is WAY better, but still not representative of the true Styx live experience. The band has never been captured live the way it could be in my opinion.

I hope all is well.

Sterling

[ek88]

I agree RTP is much better than CITA, but I do like the CITA versions of Come Sail Away and Best Of Times.

[pinkfloyd1973]

Just got this one from a used CD store, and I must say it's a FAR better live album than that turd called Caught In the Act. Maybe the performances sound more inspired, since the sound quality is about the same. There's just something missing from CITA... [/quote

Well, the thing with CITA is that it's not a proper Styx live album made in the way it should have been. The band had no intention of making a live album at that time, but Tommy freaked out on stage and quit the band mid-tour, and he agreed to stay to finish the tour before beginning a solo album. So in order to fulfill some contract obligations, as well as have product out to cover the fact that they were apart and making solo albums, Styx wound up acquiring the tapes from a Superstars of Rock concert radio show that the band had performed for Westwood One Radio Network. The tapes, if you can go back and find the original live un-retouched broadcast, were sub-standard. Tommy was at a low point to put it mildly, and his performance in particular was not so great. Overall it was sub-par because the band simply was not at its peak on that tour. So they took this crappy performance, went into the studio and overdubbed onto it to create a less-then-stellar "live" record. That's why it is the way it is.
Incidentally, RTP has some overdubs as well, but nowhere near as much or as obvious. I agree it is WAY better, but still not representative of the true Styx live experience. The band has never been captured live the way it could be in my opinion.

I hope all is well.

Sterling

I was there at the RTP concert in Chicago where it was taped.....most of it was indeed the original from what you hear on the album and see and hear on the DVD/Tape



Robin