Dennis DeYoung Turning Stone Casino Verona NY April 22, 2010

[styxfanNH]

http://www.backstageaxxess.com/index.ph ... young-show

Dennis DeYoung's set at Turning Stone focused on Styx's heyday, with only one song coming from DeYoung's solo years, "Desert Moon" and three from before 1977, "Lady," "Suite Madame Blue" and "Lorelei." It was the first time DeYoung's band played this set acoustically, featuring DeYoung on the grand piano accompanied by bass player Craig Carter and guitarists August Zadra and Jimmy Leahey. Considering how big a sound Styx had, with synthesizers and powerful harmonies, playing Styx songs without a full band was no easy task, but DeYoung and company tried it, and pulled it off extremely well.
DeYoung opened the show with "State Street Sadie" followed by "AD 1928/Rockin' the Paradise." The trademark harmonies on "Paradise" were spot on, and the unplugged version was just as powerful as the original. DeYoung followed up with splendid versions of "Lady" and "Lorelei."
Then DeYoung mentioned to the crowd that a good song was like "yellow cake." he went on to say, "If you made a good enough yellow cake, you could frost it any way you want." DeYoung also noted, "If you take away the amplifiers and the drums you see what you've got." The band launched into "Blue Collar Man" with Zadra handling lead vocals. The crowd seemed surprised and delighted that the show included songs former band mate Tommy Shaw originally sang on.
Highlights of the show included "Desert Moon," the only offering from DeYoung's solo years. That song was worth the price of admission alone. The band truly captured the raw beauty of "Desert Moon." "Babe," one of the greatest ballads in arena rock history and winner of a People's Choice award, sounded much better on piano than on organ. Other highlights included an impressive version of "Mr. Roboto" a song that was quite a challenge to play acoustically, and an impromptu section from the Beatles song, "When I'm Sixty-Four."
Even though DeYoung joked about not being able to hit the high notes, there was not even a hint of deterioration of his vocal ability. On many of the songs, his voice sounded stronger than on the original versions, especially on "Suite Madame Blue," and "The Best of Times."
With Styx performing DeYoung songs, it was a real treat to hear Tommy Shaw songs with DeYoung adding background vocals and piano parts. Because Shaw and Young have tried to downplay the DeYoung influence, DeYoungs versions of the Shaw offerings actually sound truer to the original than what Styx is playing now. This is due to the obvious respect and love of the music by DeYoung's guitarist duo, whose looks and stage antics even resemble Young and Shaw's from of Styx's golden era. Craig Carter's bass playing was even more prevalent due to the lack of a drummer. His harmonies were a nice touch too.
The show ended with "AD 1958" from 'Paradise Theater' and a cover of the Beatles song, 'The End.' Instead of leaving the stage, DeYoung told the crowd to "pretend" that the band left the stage and came back for the encores. The band then launched into show stopping versions of "Renegade" and "Come Sail Away."
Overall, the show as close to a genuine Styx concert experience as you could get. DeYoung was relaxed and obviously still loves performing these songs. The arrangements were creative and even though there are many versions of these songs out there, hopefully the acoustic show will be recorded and offered commercially.

Set List:

State Street Sadie
AD 1928/Rockin' the Paradise
Lady
Lorelei
Blue Collar Man
Don't Let it End
Desert Moon
Too Much Time on My Hands
Mr. Roboto
Babe
When I'm Sixty Four (Beatles cover, opening verse)
The Grand Illusion
Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)
Suite Madame Blue
The Best of Times
AD 1958
The End (Beatles cover)

Encores:

Renegade
Come Sail Away

We would like to thank the Dennis DeYoung camp for allowing us to cover the show.

[bugsymalone]

He's been getting several of these positives lately. Nice to read them.

Bugsy

[chowhall]

Obviously, Dennis is going to be truer to most Styx songs than Tommy or JY could be. The point is not a flame war or to deliniate sides again, but which is the bigger travesty? Two unknowns doing a couple of Tommy songs or Gowan doing 3 or 4 Dennis songs?

If they both had equal access to the name, which would be better received? As a fan of the current Styx, I'd have a hard time saying Dennis's version wasn't better or definitely closer to what I saw in 1997 or 1978. If Dennis marketed and toured a little more consistently, He'd have an excellent chance of eclipsing what current Styx is doing.

Of course, You don't know what you're going to get from Dennis, 50 shows a year, some accoustic, some symphonic, some broadway show tunes. I hope he comes near enough to see this version of his show.

[Everett]

I've got nothing against august but imo he's trying to hard to be like tommy

[SuiteMadameBlue]

I've got nothing against august but imo he's trying to hard to be like tommy

Seriously?? How is he trying to be like Tommy, in what ways? Did you ever see him perform before joining with Dennis?

Oh and I'm curious to know what Tommy does different from other rockers ? Nothing against Tommy, he's still one of my favorite singers / songwriters, I just want to know what August is doing to be just like him.

[Toph]

Show Me out again? Froy I thought you had gotten them to put back the plugged in version!

[StyxCollector]

Obviously, Dennis is going to be truer to most Styx songs than Tommy or JY could be. The point is not a flame war or to deliniate sides again, but which is the bigger travesty? Two unknowns doing a couple of Tommy songs or Gowan doing 3 or 4 Dennis songs?

If they both had equal access to the name, which would be better received? As a fan of the current Styx, I'd have a hard time saying Dennis's version wasn't better or definitely closer to what I saw in 1997 or 1978. If Dennis marketed and toured a little more consistently, He'd have an excellent chance of eclipsing what current Styx is doing.

Of course, You don't know what you're going to get from Dennis, 50 shows a year, some accoustic, some symphonic, some broadway show tunes. I hope he comes near enough to see this version of his show.

As I've pointed out in another thread comparing some setlists, Dennis' show hasn't changed much from 2001, but adding 3 or 4 Tommy songs strengthens his set as he was already doing most of the hits. With Styx, sure, you get CSA, Lady, GI, SMB (those are the constants), but miss out on a ton of other hits because Styx does not do more Dennis tunes. Where Tommy's songs expand the vocabulary for Dennis' shows, Styx is putting limitations on their show by not doing Dennis' tunes - right or wrong. Not passing any judgement on that.

He does NOT do any of the Broadway/Hunchback tunes and hasn't for a good 3 or 4 years.

I do think mixing it up (rock/acoustic/symphonic) keeps it interesting for the band and the fans. How many of us have bitched about set lists and keeping it fresh? Styx has made some changes recently so I'm more curious to see them again, but I haven't had that desire for awhile.

Let's face reality, too: Dennis does not need to tour if he doesn't want to. I'm sure maybe he'd need to do the odd date, but it's not like he'll be needing a job at McDonald's tomorrow if he stopped playing live. I have no idea of his financial status nor would I ever ask, but I would say he makes a decent income just on songwriting royalties alone. He tours when he wants because for the most part he wants to. And yeah, he gets paid. I would be stupid if I didn't think that the financia aspect didn't mean anything, but I think it's only a portion.

[Everett]

I've got nothing against august but imo he's trying to hard to be like tommy

Seriously?? How is he trying to be like Tommy, in what ways? Did you ever see him perform before joining with Dennis?

Oh and I'm curious to know what Tommy does different from other rockers ? Nothing against Tommy, he's still one of my favorite singers / songwriters, I just want to know what August is doing to be just like him.

I don't have to explain myself it's just my opinion

[styxfanNH]

I've got nothing against august but imo he's trying to hard to be like tommy

Seriously?? How is he trying to be like Tommy, in what ways? Did you ever see him perform before joining with Dennis?

Oh and I'm curious to know what Tommy does different from other rockers ? Nothing against Tommy, he's still one of my favorite singers / songwriters, I just want to know what August is doing to be just like him.

I don't have to explain myself it's just my opinion

And this is why you have no credibility!!!!!

[Everett]

I've got nothing against august but imo he's trying to hard to be like tommy

Seriously?? How is he trying to be like Tommy, in what ways? Did you ever see him perform before joining with Dennis?

Oh and I'm curious to know what Tommy does different from other rockers ? Nothing against Tommy, he's still one of my favorite singers / songwriters, I just want to know what August is doing to be just like him.

I don't have to explain myself it's just my opinion

And this is why you have no credibility!!!!!

I never said i did

[brywool]

... and he's doing NOTHING from his new album??
why?

[StyxCollector]

... and he's doing NOTHING from his new album??
why?

WHen I saw him in Feb he did. He's selectively doing stuff.

[Everett]

... and he's doing NOTHING from his new album??
why?

Cause this is the U.S. not canada err i mean qubec....

[Monker]

... and he's doing NOTHING from his new album??
why?

According to an article, it's because he knows this is what the fans want to hear.

[brywool]

... and he's doing NOTHING from his new album??
why?

According to an article, it's because he knows this is what the fans want to hear.

That's lame. Most DON'T KNOW he has a new album out because the record companies today don't promote.
REAL fans would want to hear the new stuff too, I would think.
He really should be doing some stuff off of the new album. Otherwise, you might as well go see Styx.
Same with them, if they're just going to play old stuff, then it doesn't really matter which of the two you see.

Hearing Rubicon or Private Jones would ROCK.
Come on Dennis, put Roboto and Blue Collar Man away and play some of these great cuts from the new record....

[froy]

... and he's doing NOTHING from his new album??
why?

According to an article, it's because he knows this is what the fans want to hear.

That's lame. Most DON'T KNOW he has a new album out because the record companies today don't promote.
REAL fans would want to hear the new stuff too, I would think.
He really should be doing some stuff off of the new album. Otherwise, you might as well go see Styx.
Same with them, if they're just going to play old stuff, then it doesn't really matter which of the two you see.

Hearing Rubicon or Private Jones would ROCK.
Come on Dennis, put Roboto and Blue Collar Man away and play some of these great cuts from the new record....

He played Private Jones in Chicago it did not work at all.
Rubicon and This Time Next Year would work for sure.

[Monker]

... and he's doing NOTHING from his new album??
why?

According to an article, it's because he knows this is what the fans want to hear.

That's lame. Most DON'T KNOW he has a new album out because the record companies today don't promote.
REAL fans would want to hear the new stuff too, I would think.
He really should be doing some stuff off of the new album. Otherwise, you might as well go see Styx.
Same with them, if they're just going to play old stuff, then it doesn't really matter which of the two you see.

Hearing Rubicon or Private Jones would ROCK.
Come on Dennis, put Roboto and Blue Collar Man away and play some of these great cuts from the new record....

He played Private Jones in Chicago it did not work at all.
Rubicon and This Time Next Year would work for sure.

Won't happen...cuz he knows people would rather hear Tommy's songs then his own solo work. He himself has basically admitted that.

[Everett]

... and he's doing NOTHING from his new album??
why?

According to an article, it's because he knows this is what the fans want to hear.

That's lame. Most DON'T KNOW he has a new album out because the record companies today don't promote.
REAL fans would want to hear the new stuff too, I would think.
He really should be doing some stuff off of the new album. Otherwise, you might as well go see Styx.
Same with them, if they're just going to play old stuff, then it doesn't really matter which of the two you see.

Hearing Rubicon or Private Jones would ROCK.
Come on Dennis, put Roboto and Blue Collar Man away and play some of these great cuts from the new record....

He played Private Jones in Chicago it did not work at all.
Rubicon and This Time Next Year would work for sure.

Won't happen...cuz he knows people would rather hear Tommy's songs then his own solo work. He himself has basically admitted that.

Exactly he also knows that people were tiring of him as well so that's why he put in tommy's stuff.

[pinkfloyd1973]

Won't happen...cuz he knows people would rather hear Tommy's songs then his own solo work. He himself has basically admitted that.

Not really....if I never have to hear "Blue Collar Man" again, i'll die a happy woman

[Everett]

Won't happen...cuz he knows people would rather hear Tommy's songs then his own solo work. He himself has basically admitted that.

Not really....if I never have to hear "Blue Collar Man" again, i'll die a happy woman

But i thought everyone liked blue collar man???

[pinkfloyd1973]

Won't happen...cuz he knows people would rather hear Tommy's songs then his own solo work. He himself has basically admitted that.

Not really....if I never have to hear "Blue Collar Man" again, i'll die a happy woman

But i thought everyone liked blue collar man???

Not if they have to make like 20 different versions of it

[Rockwriter]

... and he's doing NOTHING from his new album??
why?

According to an article, it's because he knows this is what the fans want to hear.

That's lame. Most DON'T KNOW he has a new album out because the record companies today don't promote.
REAL fans would want to hear the new stuff too, I would think.
He really should be doing some stuff off of the new album. Otherwise, you might as well go see Styx.
Same with them, if they're just going to play old stuff, then it doesn't really matter which of the two you see.

Hearing Rubicon or Private Jones would ROCK.
Come on Dennis, put Roboto and Blue Collar Man away and play some of these great cuts from the new record....

A tiny handful of people would really, really love that, but dropping two career-making hits to stick in two unknown tracks is NOT what sells tickets or gets repeat business. What we're not factoring in, as well, is that DDY has to answer to promoters and what THEY want to see in a show they want to book. What does some promoter care about some unknown song? It's the hard reality of classic rock acts across the board. They don't have to like it, they just have to live with it.

Sterling

[sniper16]

[qurepeat business. What we're not factoring in, as well, is that DDY has to answer to promoters and what THEY want to see in a show they want to book. What does some promoter care about some unknown song? It's the hard reality of classic rock acts across the board. They don't have to like it, they just have to live with it.

Sterling[/quote]
promoters book bands and agree on set lengths, most do not have a say in set lists(maybe an occasional one might request a song, but really have no control over the set

[Rockwriter]

[qurepeat business. What we're not factoring in, as well, is that DDY has to answer to promoters and what THEY want to see in a show they want to book. What does some promoter care about some unknown song? It's the hard reality of classic rock acts across the board. They don't have to like it, they just have to live with it.

Sterling

promoters book bands and agree on set lengths, most do not have a say in set lists(maybe an occasional one might request a song, but really have no control over the set[/quote]

That's not really true. Promoters want hits, naturally, and if Dennis is offering more hits than he used to, he will stand a chance of getting more bookings at a higher level. That's a financial reality. He who pays, gets to dictate to a certain extent.


Sterling

[bugsymalone]

He is playing what the people want (promoters and audiences alike) and he is by no means the only one doing this on these tours. From the biggest names to the littlest ones, you gotta play the hits or you don't get to go on tour. Styx, fortunately, has a nice, large catalog to choose from. Dennis had two solo hits and they both get played depending upon the venue.

I have no doubt at all he will slot in some fan favorites, as this new group gets them sounding properly, here and there, depending upon where is is playing and who he is playing for. But they will be from Styx albums.

Sadly, for the hard core fans, the new stuff gets left in the dust of the familiar stuff, likely never to be heard live again. Again, Dennis is not, and will not be, the only one doing this as long as there is a demand for acts to play to audiences who are there for the music they know.

Bugsy

[yogi]

So if all of us 'hardcare fans'( all 20) got to together each threw in a grand or so we could pick what Dennis or Styx played??

AWESOME!!!

I can get us the Carthage High School Football Stadiun for free. It is beautiful and holds approximately 7,000. No alcohol we are a dry county. We can pre party at my place. Carthage, TX is located 25 miles southwest of Shreveport. We are currently the home of the 2008 & 2009 Class AAA State Football Champion and the 2009 Class AAA State Baseball Champions. With the baseball playoffs about to start we are gunning for becoming the first school in Texas to ever go back to back in football & baseball in the same years.

DDY's setlist would be: One Hundred Years From Now, Golden Lark, Wont Go Wasted, Lady, This Time Next Year, Born For Adventure, Queen Of Spades, Suite Madame Blue, Pieces Of Eight, Rubicon, Castle Walls, Come Sail Away, Paradise, Love At First Sight, Mr. Roboto & The Best Of Times.

Styx's set would be: Put Me On, Lights, On My Way, Little Suzie, Young Man, Criminal Mind, These Are The Times, Blue Collar Man, Crystal Ball, Midnight Ride, Walrus, Yes I Can, Man In The Wilderness, Love In The Midnight, Fooling Yourself, One With Everything, Dear John & Renegade.

[chickenbeef]

So if all of us 'hardcare fans'( all 20) got to together each threw in a grand or so we could pick what Dennis or Styx played??

AWESOME!!!

I can get us the Carthage High School Football Stadiun for free. It is beautiful and holds approximately 7,000. It is located 25 miles from Shreveport in beautiful Carthage, TX. Home of the 2008 & 2009 AAA State Football Champion and the 2009 AAA State Baseball Champions. With the baseball playoffs about to start we are gunning for becoming the first school in Texas to ever go back to back in football & baseball in the same years.

DDY's setlist would be: One Hundred Years From Now, Golden Lark, Wont Go Wasted, Lady, This Time Next Year, Born For Adventure, Queen Of Spades, Suite Madame Blue, Pieces Of Eight, Rubicon, Castle Walls, Come Sail Away, Paradise, Love At First Sight, Mr. Roboto & The Best Of Times.

Styx's set would be: Put Me On, Lights, On My Way, Little Suzie, Young Man, Criminal Mind, These Are The Times, Blue Collar Man, Crystal Ball, Midnight Ride, Walrus, Yes I Can, Man In The Wilderness, Love In The Midnight, Fooling Yourself, One With Everything, Dear John & Renegade.

that pretty well is both their set lists already

[bugsymalone]

So if all of us 'hardcare fans'( all 20) got to together each threw in a grand or so we could pick what Dennis or Styx played??

AWESOME!!!

I can get us the Carthage High School Football Stadiun for free. It is beautiful and holds approximately 7,000. No alcohol we are a dry county. We can pre party at my place. Carthage, TX is located 25 miles southwest of Shreveport. We are currently the home of the 2008 & 2009 Class AAA State Football Champion and the 2009 Class AAA State Baseball Champions. With the baseball playoffs about to start we are gunning for becoming the first school in Texas to ever go back to back in football & baseball in the same years.

DDY's setlist would be: One Hundred Years From Now, Golden Lark, Wont Go Wasted, Lady, This Time Next Year, Born For Adventure, Queen Of Spades, Suite Madame Blue, Pieces Of Eight, Rubicon, Castle Walls, Come Sail Away, Paradise, Love At First Sight, Mr. Roboto & The Best Of Times.

Styx's set would be: Put Me On, Lights, On My Way, Little Suzie, Young Man, Criminal Mind, These Are The Times, Blue Collar Man, Crystal Ball, Midnight Ride, Walrus, Yes I Can, Man In The Wilderness, Love In The Midnight, Fooling Yourself, One With Everything, Dear John & Renegade.

Let's do this! Ok, except for the inviting Current Styx part. We will make Dennis sing a 3 hour set. Maybe you could throw in a championship jacket or something to sweeten the pot. I am removing Mr. Roboto, though. In goes "Save Me." Also have to keep "Desert Moon" in there with that nice acoustic piano closing he uses in some shows.

Rock on, Carthage!

Bugsy

[Everett]

Can we have larry sing babe? He's awesome on that one imo

[LtVanish]

So if all of us 'hardcare fans'( all 20) got to together each threw in a grand or so we could pick what Dennis or Styx played??

AWESOME!!!

I can get us the Carthage High School Football Stadiun for free. It is beautiful and holds approximately 7,000. No alcohol we are a dry county. We can pre party at my place. Carthage, TX is located 25 miles southwest of Shreveport. We are currently the home of the 2008 & 2009 Class AAA State Football Champion and the 2009 Class AAA State Baseball Champions. With the baseball playoffs about to start we are gunning for becoming the first school in Texas to ever go back to back in football & baseball in the same years.

DDY's setlist would be: One Hundred Years From Now, Golden Lark, Wont Go Wasted, Lady, This Time Next Year, Born For Adventure, Queen Of Spades, Suite Madame Blue, Pieces Of Eight, Rubicon, Castle Walls, Come Sail Away, Paradise, Love At First Sight, Mr. Roboto & The Best Of Times.

Styx's set would be: Put Me On, Lights, On My Way, Little Suzie, Young Man, Criminal Mind, These Are The Times, Blue Collar Man, Crystal Ball, Midnight Ride, Walrus, Yes I Can, Man In The Wilderness, Love In The Midnight, Fooling Yourself, One With Everything, Dear John & Renegade.

You book this show in the middle of the Sahara Desert I will be there. It would be cool if Dennis did more of the Lost Treasures show, or just a one off Super Fan show, probably be a decent turn out, I know I would travel to see it.