Crystal Ball Review

by **sadie65** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 12:57 am

Some of you may have seen this, but I found it rather interesting.

http://www.connollyco.com/discography/styx/crystal.html

by **classicstyxfan** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 7:04 am

Well, I certainly get that the writer thinks Styx takes a back seat to Queen......

Personally, I prefer CB to any single ( excluding greatest hits ) Queen release.

by **SuiteMadameBlue** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 7:19 am

Thanks for the article Sadie

I didn't see this one before :shock:

by **bugsymalone** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 10:05 am

I wonder why the reviewer could not review the recording on its own merits and leave out the Queen comparisions?

When the reviewer got down to it, he/she seemed to actually like some of the songs on this album.

I listened to CB the other day and I really like several of the songs on it. Love how Put Me On fast forwards into Madamoiselle. Very cool.

Ballerina is simply a lovely song.

Bugsy

by **ek88** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 11:23 am

I wonder why the reviewer could not review the recording on its own merits and leave out the Queen comparisions?

When I read reviews, I always feel like the critics or writers have a subtle, hidden agenda. In some extreme cases, reviewing the featured album is often treated like an afterthought. Small wonder I give most reviews so little credibility.

by **Abitaman** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 8:16 pm

I always thought Crystal Ball was weak. Other than the title track, being the only great song on it, Put Me On, and MAdemosellia (i donot think I speeled that right) were ok. rest of it was very very weak.-ERIC

by **ek88** » Fri Apr 29, 2005 8:18 am

I like Crystal Ball. It has grown on me as the years have passed.

by **Guest** » Fri Apr 29, 2005 10:35 am

ek88 wrote:I like Crystal Ball. It has grown on me as the years have passed.

I prefer Equinox... much superior album.

by **ek88** » Fri Apr 29, 2005 12:05 pm

I prefer Equinox... much superior album.

I like Equinox a lot, too. It has grown on me as well. I also think This Old Man and Suite Madame Blue sound very similar. Good tunes, either way.

by **bugsymalone** » Fri Apr 29, 2005 11:25 pm

I also think This Old Man and Suite Madame Blue sound very similar. Good tunes, either way.

This is so interesting to me and gives me a bit of insight into how differently we all hear things. To me, This Old Man and Suite Madame Blue could not be MORE different. In every way -- lyrics, music, tone, you name it.

This Old Man is a song that took me a long time to get to really like, but now I love it.

Bugsy

by **Abitaman** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 9:11 am

bugsymalone wrote:

This Old Man is a song that took me a long time to get to really like, but now I love it.

Bugsy

Still do not like it-ERIC

by **onestilllearning** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 10:09 am

[quote="bugsymalone"]Quote:

This Old Man is a song that took me a long time to get to really like, but now I love it.

Bugsy

Still do not like it-ERIC

Eric I don't know if DDY is writing this song from any direct experience but the lyrics tell such a powerfull and sensitive story about the the love between a father and son and to me the message is that many fathers and sons feel awkward expressing this love and the message is that you should express this love. I wonder if Dennis was close to his father and was not able to express himself? I have never felt comfortable saying "I love you Dad", If I did I imagine he would feel very uncomfortable. So I listen to the song and quietly cry becouse I am too afraid to tell the man who I respect so much that I love him.

by **bugsymalone** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 10:51 am

Eric I don't know if DDY is writing this song from any direct experience but the lyrics tell such a powerfull and sensitive story about the the love between a father and son and to me the message is that many fathers and sons feel awkward expressing this love and the message is that you should express this love. I wonder if Dennis was close to his father and was not able to express himself? I have never felt comfortable saying "I love you Dad", If I did I imagine he would feel very uncomfortable. So I listen to the song and quietly cry becouse I am too afraid to tell the man who I respect so much that I love him

Hammered it HOME, OSL. This is why I love the song. It is such a personal message. And it is a testament to the blue collar workers in the neighborhood where Dennis grew up. My favorite part of the song, without a doubt, is the wonderful "sounds of the factory" that Dennis recreates with his voice and the instruments.

The lyrics are VERY personal and touching. No question they were a testament of his love for his father the best way he knew how to deliver it -- in song.

Bugsy

by **onestilllearning** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 12:01 pm

Thanks Bugsy - I think this is what makes a song great when it can affect you in such a personal and profond way. "This old man, he worked for thirty years. In the factory light his lunch box held all his needs.. with coffee, sandwiches and dreams ...for me" I do not currently have a cd with this song and have not heard it in many years but I will never forget the lyrics. In fact I think I have just tapped into something, an issue I need to resolve. I am being very honest and sincere here I need to talk to my dad before he is gone and it scares me - that my friends is a testament to how a song can move a person. God bless DDY for that and many other beautifull songs/stories.

by **sadie65** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 12:23 pm

onestilllearning wrote:Thanks Bugsy - I think this is what makes a song great when it can affect you in such a personal and profond way. "This old man, he worked for thirty years. In the factory light his lunch box held all his needs.. with coffee, sandwiches and dreams ...for me" I do not currently have a cd with this song and have not heard it in many years but I will never forget the lyrics. In fact I think I have just tapped into something, an issue I need to resolve. I am being very honest and sincere here I need to talk to my dad before he is gone and it scares me - that my friends is a testament to how a song can move a person. God bless DDY for that and many other beautifull songs/stories.

I sincerely hope you can talk to your dad. I was very blessed to have a very tight relationship with my dad before he died. One of the things he did that I miss was play the accordion. My friends would actually come over to listen to him play when they were teens. Now that's a tough thing to accomplish! :lol:

Make the effort. It will be worth it in the long run. Wishing you all the best with it

by **onestilllearning** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 12:47 pm

Thanks for that - for a classic rock Styx BB I must say it is surprising how many really nice people are to be found here - and I do hope ItsMyLife remains here - anyone big enough to apologize in they way he did is Ok with me. Takes character to admit your wrong and i am willing to admit I had a knee jerk reaction that was also innapropriate in my resonse back to him. - Lets move on..............

Side note Zan I really like you. You strike me as really fun but well grounded person who knows how to stay out of the BS that some of us get caught in.

by **Guest** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 12:55 pm

onestilllearning wrote:I sincerely hope you can talk to your dad. I was very blessed to have a very tight relationship with my dad before he died. One of the things he did that I miss was play the accordion. My friends would actually come over to listen to him play when they were teens. Now that's a tough thing to accomplish! Laughing

My Dad passed away almost exactly a year ago. During his last few weeks of failing health I was able to tell him I loved him and he told me he loved me... it's one of the memories I'll cherish for the rest of my life.

By all means tell your Dad what your feelings are before it's too late... I'm sure he will appreciate that.

by **onestilllearning** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 1:11 pm

Thank you Life - Dads 82 now in good health but ya never know when it will be too late. Sorry I misjudged you.

by **Guest** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 1:19 pm

onestilllearning wrote:Thank you Life - Dads 82 now in good health but ya never know when it will be too late. Sorry I misjudged you.

It's ok... I didn't exactly show my best side so not your fault...

by **Zan** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 2:20 pm

onestilllearning wrote:Side note Zan I really like you. You strike me as really fun but well grounded person who knows how to stay out of the BS that some of us get caught in.

You really need to get out more. lol

Seriously tho, thanks. You seem pretty cool yourself.

by **bugsymalone** » Sun May 01, 2005 12:58 am

Not to get too all-mushy here, but always, ALWAYS tell the ones you love that you love them. Out LOUD! You never know when that last "I love you" might the the final time you get to say it, or that they will hear it from you.

What started this is the appreciation for the lyrics Dennis wrote in "This Old Man." I think the mark of a great songwriter is if the lyrics and music touch someone in a personal way.

I will say that "Desert Moon" struck a deep chord in me and I never tire of hearing it. I feel it is "my" song, so that is pretty special.

I read many, many times how the music of Styx helped someone through a rough time and how deeply personal the lyrics seemed to them.

That is not a bad legacy for a band.

That said, I don't think "Locomotive Breath" will be one of those songs!!! (Couldn't resist that one!!:D )

Bugsy

by **Abitaman** » Sun May 01, 2005 1:55 am

onestilllearning wrote:
bugsymalone wrote:Quote:

This Old Man is a song that took me a long time to get to really like, but now I love it.

Bugsy

Still do not like it-ERIC

Eric I don't know if DDY is writing this song from any direct experience but the lyrics tell such a powerfull and sensitive story about the the love between a father and son and to me the message is that many fathers and sons feel awkward expressing this love and the message is that you should express this love. I wonder if Dennis was close to his father and was not able to express himself? I have never felt comfortable saying "I love you Dad", If I did I imagine he would feel very uncomfortable. So I listen to the song and quietly cry becouse I am too afraid to tell the man who I respect so much that I love him.

It's not that I don't like what Dennis is writing about. I really for some odd reason, don't care for the music to this song. I think Crystal Ball is Dennis' worst Styx cd. Jennifer was awfull. Ballerina was ok.-ERIC

by **sadie65** » Sun May 01, 2005 6:04 am

Abitaman wrote:
onestilllearning wrote:
bugsymalone wrote:Quote:

This Old Man is a song that took me a long time to get to really like, but now I love it.

Bugsy

Still do not like it-ERIC

Eric I don't know if DDY is writing this song from any direct experience but the lyrics tell such a powerfull and sensitive story about the the love between a father and son and to me the message is that many fathers and sons feel awkward expressing this love and the message is that you should express this love. I wonder if Dennis was close to his father and was not able to express himself? I have never felt comfortable saying "I love you Dad", If I did I imagine he would feel very uncomfortable. So I listen to the song and quietly cry becouse I am too afraid to tell the man who I respect so much that I love him.

It's not that I don't like what Dennis is writing about. I really for some odd reason, don't care for the music to this song. I think Crystal Ball is Dennis' worst Styx cd. Jennifer was awfull. Ballerina was ok.-ERIC

Jennifer is NOT one of his better efforts. I think that album was sort of an identity "crisis" for the band. Not bad, but only an inkling of what they go on to achieve in their music.

MR

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