Album review: DENNIS DEYOUNG – The Music of Styx : Live in Los Angeles

Frontiers Records [Release date 20.10.14]

Styx are one of my all time favourite bands and Dennis DeYoung was the vocalist, keyboard maestro and genius behind some of their biggest hits…but their biggest hit Babe, which is obviously featured on here, is just too soppy for my tastes…but then again it was never meant to be a Styx song being written for his wife Suzanne.

First and foremost it’s great to hear Dennis singing his Styx songs again. My main problem with this release however is that when Blue Collar Man, Foolin’ Yourself, Renegade, Crystal Ball and Too Much Time On My Hands are aired, Dennis hands over lead vocals to one of his anonymous backing band and it just doesn’t work…Tommy Shaw’s vocals are sorely missed and it just sounds like a tribute band…albeit one with a great keyboard player!!

The other classics are all here…Grand Illusion, Lady, Mr. Roboto, Rockin’ The Paradise and Come Sail Away. Dennis sounds like he’s thoroughly enjoying the evening and for a 67 year old his voice still sounds like it did some 40 years ago!

The classic Suite Madam Blue, from the pre-Tommy Shaw Equinox album, is introduced by Dennis as one of his favourite Styx numbers.

The one song that does outstay its welcome is Dennis’s solo hit Desert Moon…an extended guitar solo adds nothing to the song except for length.

I just wish there was more of Dennis singing his Styx numbers rather than trying to cover all of the big hits by using another vocalist. How about some of the lesser heard classics like Castle Walls, Ballerina, I’m OK, Queen Of Spades, First Time or Nothing Ever Goes As Planned…all of which Dennis sang leads vocals on.

Definitely an album of two halves…originals and effectively “covers”! Enjoyable on the whole… ***

Review by Phil Berisford

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