STYX – Live: The Grand Illusion/Pieces of Eight

A double live CD featuring the band's current line-up plus original bass player Chuck Panozzo, performing the whole of tow of their classic 1970's albums – 'The Grand Illusion' and 'Pieces Of Eight'. There are also a DVD and BluRay versions of this album as well.

Taking 'The Grand Illusion' first you have many songs on here that are still live set staples like 'Fooling Yourself', 'Miss America' and 'Come Sail Away' (drummer Todd Sucherman has a ball on this one!). The real interest lies in the lesser performed numbers such as 'Superstars' – a chance for the band to show off their harmonies and the pomptastic 'The Grand Finale'.

The second disc though is the one that really sees the pomp rock quota set to max. Lawrence Gowan ably sings the Dennis de Young songs and also really adds some showmanship to the keyboard parts on the instrumental piece 'The Message' and 'Lords Of The Ring'. Again the band leave the listener marveling at their harmony vocals on 'I'm Okay', a song that defines all that is good in pomp rock for me. The title track is the only song that doesn't seem to come alive on the stage, sounding as though it is outlasting its welcome.

It's not another live Styx album (along with REO Speedwagon, Styx were releasing live albums on a regular basis from the mid-90's onwards) as it has the current (and arguably one of the best) line-up performing two of the band's classic albums that made their name back in the day. Unlikely they will ever do this over here in the UK so a real treat and an essential album for all the band's many fans.

Jason Ritchie


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

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Power Plays w/c 18 March 2024

GYPSY’S KISS We’ve Come To Play
FM Out Of The Blue (Frontiers)
SHOTGUN MISTRESS Shot Down (indie)
ATTIC THEORY Violent Delight (indie)
FLOYA Yume (FiXT)
SAHAJI Tell Me All Your Feelings (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 18 March 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 LEAVES’ EYES Myths Of Fate (AFM Records)
14:00-16:00 HOLLY LERSKI Sweet Decline (indie)


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One Response to STYX – Live: The Grand Illusion/Pieces of Eight

  1. Anonymous says:

    A great double Album for sure, but the drums are recorded too “hot” and as a result there is a lot of distortion when Todd is going crazy. You can really notice on Track 1 Grand Illusion.

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