Dennis Live Album

by **BlackWall** » Sun May 23, 2004 4:02 am

Hey all, I'm new here, but have been lurking around for a while.. Anyway, I'm sure this has already been touched on, but I just recently had the chance to see Dennis live, and I picked up the new CD.. I'm just wondering, what are some thoughts on his new arrangement? Personally, I think it's a brilliant idea, and for the most part, the songs really sound fantastic with an orchestra.. Songs like "Suite Madame Blue", "Castle Walls", "Desert Moon", "Black Wall" have never sounded better(okay, maybe the original Suite Madame Blue is hard to beat, but the way the orchestra kicks in here, amazing)

As for the new tracks, what are some feelings?
Personally, I think "My God Can Beat Up Your God" is great songwriting, featuring a pretty intense message.. The song is the closest that Dennis has come to rocking in years, but, as it builds during the verses, it loses some stream with the chorus.. I'm sure it was his intention to have it sound like something a little kid would be saying, but.. for me, unfortunately, it harks back to "High Crimes & Misdemeanors"..

"Hello God" isn't a bad song, infact, it's kinda good, but.. some of the wording that Dennis went with is kinda corny.. It works as a cry of desperation, and I'm sure anyone at a lower point in life would probably be able to relate to the message.. I don't really know that I can imagine it on the radio..

"Goodnight My Love".. If one song was going to get airplay, I would put my money on this one.. Why? Yes, it's kind of simpy, but there is something about it.. Btw, when I say airplay, I'm not talking about top 40, but maybe some of the stations in the A/C market would be kind to it.. I don't know, I just feel it's the most commercial. It's not trying to make any intense statements, it's just an appealing song, and most people, at one point or another, are able to relate with it's sentiments..

All in all, Dennis proves he can still write worthwile material.. No, maybe it doesn't rock like songs from "Equinox" or "Pieces Of Eight", but Dennis can't be expected to stay in the same state of mind his whole life..

by **bugsymalone** » Sun May 23, 2004 10:55 pm

I am fairly new here myself, BW. Glad you decided to join up.

I love Dennis' double live CD, of course. I think its production values are superb.
Personally, I think that "My God Can Beat Up Your God" is one of the best things he has written in a long time. I feel he is always at his best when his mood is cynical.

His live show is really fantastic, and I am glad you got the opportunity to see him.

Bugsy

by **classicstyxfan** » Mon May 24, 2004 2:57 am

My Favorite off of the double CD is your screen name, Black Wall. the arrangement is so much.......bigger than the studio version of that song, and the power of the childrens choir and Orchestra is really cool backing the band up.

MGCBUYG, is really a cool song, Dennis best new outing in over a Decade.....and I really like Goodnight my Love, it has an almost Badfinger like sound to it, which takes me back to the days they were popular.

These new songs leave me "Jones'n" for a new DDY Studio album.....I hope he perfects and releases those 9-10 songs he supposedly has in the works !

Anyways, welcome to the Board, BW. Post again soon.

by **SuiteMadameBlue** » Thu May 27, 2004 10:45 am

Welcome Black Wall.

Where did you see Dennis perform?

I think "Suite Madame Blue", "Castle Walls", "Black Wall" and even "Rockin' The Paradise" sound much better live with an orchestra - just MY opinion. That's why I enjoy going to his concerts all the time.

"Hello God" has been recently released on over 400 AC radio stations.

I agree, there is something about "Goodnight My Love". I didn't care for it at first, but now I really like listening to it.

by **gr8dane** » Thu May 27, 2004 10:00 pm

Can anybody tell me what the songlist is on the live cd.DDY site do not seem to mention that,which is kinda strange.Thanx.
gr8dane

by **SuiteMadameBlue** » Thu May 27, 2004 11:10 pm

gr8dane, the track listings were on his site about 2 weeks ago, before they added the t-shirt sales. I couldn't find it on there either.

Here's the track listings:

The tracklisting for The Music Of Styx: Live With Symphony Orchestra includes:
Disc One: "Grand Illusion," "Lady," "Lorelei," "Light Up," "Babe," "Show Me The Way," "Ave Maria," "Castle Walls," "Don't Let It End," and "Hello God."

Disc Two: "Mr. Roboto," "Rockin' The Paradise," "Black Wall," "Desert Moon," "With Every Heartbeat," "Suite Madame Blue," "Best Of Times," "Come Sail Away," "My God (Can Beat Up Your God)," and "Goodnight My Love."

Here are some on-line reviews of the double live cd:

http://aorwebsite.bestmusicpages.com/dec03.htm

http://www.popstops.net/deyoung-orchestra.htm

http://www.therock1067.com/modules.php? ... le&sid=155

http://www.aordreamzones.com/reviews45.html

I personally think it's a great live cd

by **gr8dane** » Fri May 28, 2004 10:48 am

Sounds pretty good,though Grand Illusion is the Styx album im kind of tired of listening to with the exception of Castle Wall.But I guess with different arrangements and the symph its gotta be pretty special.
I have seen Styx a couple of times over the last few years and would just wish they would drop GI stuff and play some lesser known trax.
I am also getting tired of Blue collar man and Renegade.The last 2 trax are played in the radio enough.
I guess I should be happy they are still abouts in some form.

by **BlackWall** » Mon Jun 14, 2004 3:24 am

Well, I actually saw Dennis back in April, when he played in Fort Wayne, Indiana at the Embassy Centre.. All I can really say is that I was really blown away at what a great show he puts on.. The live CD has hardly been out of my car stereo since I picked it up that night.

I also had the chance to see Dennis about two years ago in Dayton, Ohio.. That was also a great show, at least the first set. It started to pour during the intermission, and we finally gave up and left..

Not to change gears too much, but I just saw Styx last night here in Columbus.. Anyone else catch the show?

Tommy still sounds top notch.. It's amazing how after all of this touring, he still sounds as good as ever.. Lawrence is an amazing keyboard player, but should honestly stick with singing his own songs from Cyclorama.. I absolutely hated hearing him do "Lady".. I also wouldn't mind if they had him do his Canadian hit "Criminal Mind"..

The setlist was about the same as what's been posted before, the only difference I can think of is that "Snowblind" was back in the set; I can't remember if this has been mentioned before or not.. Good show, but I have to say, I didn't walk away with quite the same satisfaction that I felt after seeing the Dennis show.. I really don't care so much for the medley.. As long as it goes on, they could do at least two other songs, and all the medley does for me is make me want to hear complete versions of most of the songs.. I'd love to hear the entire version of "Put Me On", or have Lawrence try his hand at a complete "Queen Of Spades"..

by **GaryS** » Mon Jun 14, 2004 4:06 am

When LG first joined Styx he did a complete version of QOS and it was good.

by **kiddo** » Mon Jun 14, 2004 7:04 am

"Goodnight My Love".. If one song was going to get airplay, I would put my money on this one.. Why? Yes, it's kind of simpy, but there is something about it.. Btw, when I say airplay, I'm not talking about top 40, but maybe some of the stations in the A/C market would be kind to it.. I don't know, I just feel it's the most commercial. It's not trying to make any intense statements, it's just an appealing song, and most people, at one point or another, are able to relate with it's sentiments..

Boy, I couldn't agree with you more. I love this song. Fresh and expansive in it's melody I wish it would get some radio interest. :-)

kiddo

by **styxfanNH** » Wed Jun 16, 2004 1:26 am

If you haven't heard Larry do Lady before, it is a bit different than ddy doing it. I think they feel obligated to do it because it was their break through song and casual fans might miss it. Larry use to do Crimanal Mind and Queen of Spades when they were in the set list. They just aren't currently and Jy sings the lead vocal in Lorelei. (JY does a great job on this too.)

Larry does a great job. He is not Dennis and that seems to be the problem more than how he sings it. This lineup has moved toward the songs that they created and have stepped away from what many consider Dennis' songs. Right or Wrong. But it also lets them move away from the comparisons of DDY and Larry a bit.

If they're gonna step away from them, so be it. At least Dennis is now touring so we can hear his songs with his voice.

by **classicstyxfan** » Wed Jun 16, 2004 4:02 am

It cracks me up when I read a reviewer write something to the effect of "Dennis De Young sound alike Larry Gowan".............

Yeah right ! ( it's then I wonder if they even attended the show they're reviewing !) It's like comparing Night and Day.

The next week the same reviewer probably is describing Norah Jones as a Janis Joplin sound-alike !!!

by **ek88** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 9:15 am

Finally got around to downloading a couple of DDY tracks from the live album (Desert Moon and Come Sail Away), courtesy of some Pepsi bottlecaps! I don't think the orchestra added a whole lot to either tune, and at times, it was hard to even hear them in the background. Is this typical of the live show, or was the orchestra mixed down for the CD? Just wondering. I liked Desert Moon, but Come Sail Away really was missing a lot of its punch. I much prefer the CITA and RTP versions, and in a moment of weakness, might even take the Styxworld version :shock:

. Dennis' voice sounded great, as I expected. Anyway, any suggestions on which tune to select with my next bottlecap

?

by **Abitaman** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 11:23 am

DDY's live cd, is one of my favorite live cds. Castle Walls has never sounded better!

All the songs, for the most part, have a new life to them, Lady is another good example. Rockin the Paradise, comes off bad thou

. The New songs are good, with Hello God being the best. My least fav is Goodnight my Love. Can't wait for a new DDY cd. Maybe then he will come to the Gulf Coast, I know yall will be glad to hear me stop whinning about it anyway-ERIC

by **sadie65** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 11:26 am

ek88 wrote:Finally got around to downloading a couple of DDY tracks from the live album (Desert Moon and Come Sail Away), courtesy of some Pepsi bottlecaps! I don't think the orchestra added a whole lot to either tune, and at times, it was hard to even hear them in the background. Is this typical of the live show, or was the orchestra mixed down for the CD? Just wondering. I liked Desert Moon, but Come Sail Away really was missing a lot of its punch. I much prefer the CITA and RTP versions, and in a moment of weakness, might even take the Styxworld version . Dennis' voice sounded great, as I expected. Anyway, any suggestions on which tune to select with my next bottlecap ?

Well I would have told you to not choose CSA if you were looking for orchestra interaction. Since he uses that song to close out his show, it's more of audience participation.

For orchestra, I myself recommend either Castle Walls or Suite Madame Blue.

by **Zan** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 12:22 pm

sadie65 wrote:For orchestra, I myself recommend either Castle Walls or Suite Madame Blue.

Uh huh.

by **BlackWall** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 4:30 pm

Definitely "Suite Madame Blue", this version smokes.

Even though it's not a "Styx" song, "Black Wall" is really incredible with the orchestra as well.

I think "Come Sail Away" is alright here, but I agree, it's a little limp and the orchestra doesn't really come through as much.
Personally, I don't think "Desert Moon" has ever sounded better and I think the orchestra adds a nice touch.

I would avoid.. "Babe", "Best Of Times", "Rockin' The Paradise"..
I think this might be the weakest effort of"Best Of Times" I've ever heard him do, his heart just doesn't seem to be in it and the orchestra doesn't really do very much to enhance it. "Don't Let It End" also sounded much better to me on "CITA"..
All of this said though, the songs that are on are really on and this manages to be an exceptional recording. I've had it for almost a year now and I still find myself going back to it.

by **Abitaman** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 9:08 pm

BlackWall wrote:
I would avoid.. "Babe", "Best Of Times", "Rockin' The Paradise"..
I think this might be the weakest effort of"Best Of Times" I've ever heard him do, his heart just doesn't seem to be in it and the orchestra doesn't really do very much to enhance it. "Don't Let It End" also sounded much better to me on "CITA"..
All of this said though, the songs that are on are really on and this manages to be an exceptional recording. I've had it for almost a year now and I still find myself going back to it.

I agree with Rockin the Paradise, but I thought Best of Times and Babe were good. I feel just the opposite of Don't Let It End, I think this version is better than the CITA one-ERIC

by **classicstyxfan** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 12:26 am

While I enjoy this CD very much, I chuckle to myself every time they get to the chorus of Rockin the Paradise...........cus to me, it sounds like Donny & Marie doing the backup vocals !!!!!!

by **bugsymalone** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 12:34 am

'cus to me, it sounds like Donny & Marie doing the backup vocals !!!!!!

It sounded like Donny and Marie backing up Dennis on the original Paradise Theater recording too.

I'll let you decide who was Donny and who was Marie.

Bugsy

by **classicstyxfan** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 12:45 am

the original sounds more like Barry and Maurice Gibb....

ah....hah....hah......hah STAYIN ALIVE, STAYIN ALIIIIIIIIIIIIHIIIIIIIIVE !!!!!!!

by **bugsymalone** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 12:53 am

LOL, Classic! I had not thought about that!

Bugsy

by **yogi** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 2:14 am

There is something about Goodnight My Love that does make it a very good song. As for My God Can Beat up Your God all I can say is .... at the Copa.......

Heres a question. I bought Phil Collins Face Value back in the early 1980's. I always liked the song Dont Him Steal Your Heart Away. It never was released back then, and now I am hearing it on the radio. I understand it is now a HUGE hit on the Adult Contemporary Charts. How did this happen????

Dont you think Dennis or Styx could do the same with a song like Paradise. This was an excellent ballad that was never really released to the public.

Styx is now on a major label. Could they rerelease songs such as First Time or Boat On The River to the AC radio people in the hopes of it hitting now?? I would think they could. Phil did it, why not Dennis or Styx?????

by **Zan** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 2:23 am

yogi wrote:There is something about Goodnight My Love that does make it a very good song. As for My God Can Beat up Your God all I can say is .... at the Copa.......

Styx is now on a major label. Could they rerelease songs such as First Time or Boat On The River to the AC radio people in the hopes of it hitting now?? I would think they could. Phil did it, why not Dennis or Styx?????

Oooh, I know! ...because they're Styx? LOL

(and that was 30 years ago, when they used to have a show...)

;-)

<----Barry fan

by **classicstyxfan** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 5:55 am

His name was Yogi
He was a rocker
With a good sense of humor
Unlike Monker............ :wink:

by **ek88** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 9:33 am

Thanks for the input. I think I'll go with Castle Walls and Suite Madame Blue. Now, if I could just get that next bottlecap. I'm growing tired of "please play again". :cry:

MR