Album review: STYX – Caught In The Act
BGO Records [Release date 09.02.18]
BGO Records are re-issuing ‘Caught In The Act’, Styx’s live album originally released in 1984, as a double CD in a slip case, remastered and with sleeve notes from Neil Daniels.
‘Caught In The Act’ marked a live swansong for Styx as they split-up in 1984, following the lukewarm reception to the previous year’s ‘Kilroy Was Here’ album and band tensions which would see Tommy Shaw bow out of the short-lived 1990 reunion and subsequent album ‘Edge Of The Century’.
The tour it was recorded on had the band adopt various characters from the ‘Kilroy Was Here’ concept album, although the original video release has more of the songs of that album than the live album has.
The live version of ‘Mr. Roboto’ is suitable rocking, whilst the second disc (sides 3 and 4 on the original vinyl release), feature plenty of classics including ‘Come Sail Away’, ‘Blue Collar Man’ and ‘Rockin’ The Paradise’. With three vocalists in the band – Dennis De Young, Tommy Shaw and for the gruffer, rockier songs James Young – Styx were always able to re-create their harmony filled songs to match the studio originals.
There was one new song, ‘Music Time’ sounding like a mash-up of Saga and the Cars, which made number 40 in the Billboard singles charts. I am with Tommy Shaw on this one who was not a fan and it hasn’t aged very well.
‘Caught In The Act’ is a fitting capture of the classic Styx line-up in action – the only official live album to do so – and many of the songs on here still feature in the band’s setlist today. ***1/2
Review by 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.
Next session: Sunday 1 December
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 20 October 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 22 October 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024
THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)
Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections