Grand Rapids Concert - WOW!

[Panjandrum]

Only have a minute right now, so if I time later I'll fill in more details. I just got back from the GR Dennis concert and WOW, it was the best of the three I've now seen him at with an orchestra (also been to the Rosemont and the Chicago). For one thing, the orchestra was much louder than in the past, which really added to the enjoyment. Also, Dennis and Dawn's voices seemed particularly good.

I got to go to the "meet and greet" afterwards and shake hands with Dennis and his wife.

The place was *packed*, and the audience participation in "Come Sail Away" was the best I've ever seen, either at STYX or Dennis concerts.

[bugsymalone]

Great news that you had such a wonderful time. Dennis appears to really be hitting his stride now. Also good news.

And apparently he is mostly packing in the crowds all by himself. Doesn't appear to need any supporting acts to help with the ticket sales.

I look forward to seeing him again.


Bugsy

[classicstyxfan]

Pan, glad you enjoyed the show. It's interesting to hear your comments about the Orchestra sounding a bit more prominent vs earlier shows.....that seemed to be a running comment through a couple of the reviews I've read about earlier shows. Perhaps Dennis and his supporting cast made note of this ? or could it be GR has a more robust group of musicians in their Orchestra ?

Another thing I wonder is if the way Dennis schedules his shows, mostly on weekends, isn't the absolute perefect way to bring out the best in him ? He has all week to prepare himself mentally and physically to go out and give the best show he can possibly do.....He seems to be having the time of his life doing it this way, wouldnt you agree ?

Any surprises in the set list ?

[Panjandrum]

Well, there isn't much more to say really. Dennis had a few new jokes, one of which was "Thanks for coming to see me, don't forget we've got a double-cd set called 'Dennis Deyoung and the music of....(long pause) Kansas.'"

In general, he was upbeat and funny as usual, maybe even a little more so.

The acoustics at DeVos Performance hall were fantastic.

I wish STYX would do a decent performance hall instead of the county fair thing. I just don't do county fairs, casinos, etc.

The Grand Rapids Symphony is a very good symphony (I'm biased, I do their web-site), and I have to say I think they did the best job yet. Then again, it may just be that I could *hear them* better.

Oh, also, I was very happy to note that Dennis played the piano more than he has been.

[SuiteMadameBlue]

I'm glad you enjoyed the show Panjandrum Do you know if he added any new songs to his setlist? I know the band is practicing a few more songs to add. I just don't know when he's adding them.

I don't mind seeing a show at our local casino. It seats about 500 people and every seat is a good seat. The only bad part is that people seated at the stage never get up and dance, which is a bummer. The only reason I like going to the county fairs, it's a chance that I can take really good outdoor pictures. Otherwise the sound is pretty bad and there are a ton more drunks out there

Did you enjoy the "meet and greet"?

[piecesofeight]

River of Styx, other tunes flowed in symphonic show


Monday, April 19, 2004

By Jeff Kaczmarczyk
The Grand Rapids Press


This is the most unlikely rock act you've ever laid eyes on. The keyboardist doesn't look old enough to drive himself to the gig, let alone buy beer afterward.

The guitarist could pass for a computer geek who wandered onstage to solve a software conflict and picked up the guitar only to move it out of his way.

Looking for long hair? Try the orchestra conductor.

Then there's the lead singer -- nattily attired in blacks and grays, he could be the best-dressed funeral director in town.

Those are looks, and looks can be deceiving, because Dennis DeYoung and company really rock. The singer, songwriter and former keyboardist with Styx was in DeVos Performance Hall on Sunday evening with the Grand Rapids Symphony for a show titled "The Music of Styx." Classic rock sprinkled with classical melodies and a bit of Broadway entertained the cheering crowd of 1,780, clapping along on "Light Up" and standing and singing "Come Sail Away" by the end of the night.

In its heyday in the late 1970s and early '80s, Styx was one of the biggest rock acts in the business, scoring four consecutive double-platinum albums with such DeYoung songs as the soothing "Babe," the quirky "Mr. Roboto" and the expansive "The Best of Times."

DeYoung no longer is working with his former bandmates, but he's carrying on, singing the hits he wrote for the group that, incidentally, also is on the road these days.

DeYoung, 57, has gray hair and cracks jokes about looking like Tony Bennett's son. But he still has his voice, still hits the high notes on "Lady" and "Desert Moon" and carries a show through two sets, each lasting more than an hour.

He's also got a great band, including a couple of local guys, more or less. Bassist Hank Horton is from Big Rapids, drummer Kyle Woodring is from Mason, and both passed through Michigan State University. The standout is guitarist Tommy Dziallo, who's been with DeYoung since 1984. His solo on "Desert Moon" was melodic while plenty more were blistering.

DeYoung has an acerbic, sometimes cocky, sometimes self-deprecating stage patter, a regular-guy-from-Chicago doing some plain talking. On Sunday, though, he frequently got sidetracked as he tried to get just one more quip in before the next song.

DeYoung has an uncommon knack among rock musicians for writing good songs, and album tunes that never cracked the Top 40 -- "Rockin' The Paradise" and "Castle Walls" were hits with Sunday's audience.

His recent work, such as the mournful "Black Wall," his 1986 salute to veterans and the Vietnam War Memorial, and the poignant "Hello God," inspired by the 9/11 terrorist attacks, is as good, if not better than his past hits.

Along with the big hits, DeYoung included three numbers from his musical "Hunchback of Notre Dame," which has been produced in Nashville, though it hasn't made it any further yet.

Featuring the superb guest vocals of Amick Bryam, star of Broadway and the singing voice of Moses in Dreamworks' animated feature "The Prince of Egypt," the three songs are well crafted. "Heartbeat," with the vocals of Bryam, DeYoung and Dawn Marie Feusi drew the first semi-standing ovation of the night.

In some respects, with full orchestra behind him, DeYoung finally is at home. Many of his songs, such as "Grand Illusion," always did have a symphonic feel to them, even when played by a five-piece band.

I can't recall a rock concert with orchestra that made full use of the ensemble on nearly every number on the program, and not just as accompaniment.

"Lady" featured a bit of Ravel's "Bolero" as a clever interlude, and Debussy's "Clair de Lune" led "Don't Let It End."

DeYoung's lucky to have Arnie Roth, as arranger and conductor, on the podium.

Violinist and longtime associate of Chip Davis and Mannheim Steamroller, Roth is one of the best in the business, and he'll be back on April 30 with both Mannheim Steamroller and the Grand Rapids Symphony.

It would be nice someday to see DeYoung and company at the symphony's Picnic Pops at Cannonsburg.


© 2004 Grand Rapids Press.

[NIGHTRANGERFAN]

NEWS FLASH

The dedicated and disillusioned Styx fan Froy hacked into the NSO's secret computer yesterday in an attempt to tell the world that, based on his experiments with his flex capacitor and utilizing the Theory of Relativity, the earth will implode at 3:42 AM on June 17th unless the DDY-less Styx either immediately and permanently disbands or Tommy Shaw crawls on his hands and knees and begs the handsome and self-effacing Dennis DeYoung to rejoin and again exercise Baby Doc Duvalier-esque dictatorial control over the classic Chicago-based band.

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Hey Nightrangerfan, not much going on the Night Ranger board hey?

[ek88]

For those who have seen the show(s), how is Dennis dealing with the light sensitivity issue? Does he have specialized lighting? Does he take frequent breaks? Or has he fully recovered from his condition? I was just curious after reading about the two sets being longer than an hour in length. Given the descriptions of his illness that I've read, it seems a 2+ hour show would be a rather exhausting for DDY. Anyway, I haven't heard anything recent about his illness and was wondering if he's fully recovered or just adjusting to it. Anybody know?

[Ash]

Well considering he's doing perhaps 1 or 2 shows a week likely means that he can withstand it. Two hours under lights isn't bad if you spend a good part of the day before the show getting adequate rest. Having dealt with people who have had the same or a similar condition to what Dennis has, I can tell you that they sleep a LOT and if they don't get adequate rest they become extremely sick.

Not that I'm saying DDY hasn't recovered because somewhere I thought I heard that he had made at least a partial recovery. Perhaps someone closer to DDY can elaborate.

[piecesofeight]

For those who have seen the show(s), how is Dennis dealing with the light sensitivity issue? Does he have specialized lighting? Does he take frequent breaks? Or has he fully recovered from his condition? I was just curious after reading about the two sets being longer than an hour in length. Given the descriptions of his illness that I've read, it seems a 2+ hour show would be a rather exhausting for DDY. Anyway, I haven't heard anything recent about his illness and was wondering if he's fully recovered or just adjusting to it. Anybody know?

I actually asked Dennis this question and having his son doing a lot of the lighting helps and he said that since he is doing better, the lights are to far away to bother him. He will wear sunglasses on stage too sometimes and not to be cool looking. There's a lot of reason he said that the lights really aren't a factor anymore.

[bugsymalone]

Somewhere I heard (read) an interview where Dennis addressed the light sensitivity problem. He is better for sure. I believe he mentioned that direct sunlight and very bright flourescent lighting still bother him, but he keeps sunglasses handy for those occasions.

He seems to be very energized onstage and I am sure a lot of it comes from doing what he loves to do.

Bugsy

[ek88]

Thanks for the info, guys. The consensus seems to be that he is feeling better and that is great to hear!

[SuiteMadameBlue]

There is a recent interview where Dennis talks about the lighting on stage, but I can't find it - ugh

Yes, he's doing better than a few years ago