Styx Album: “One with Everything [DVD]”

I saw this concert aired on HD Net a few days ago, and since I was not at MY house when I saw it, I decided to see if it is available on DVD...and to my delight it IS!!!! This was a fantabulous show! The band has not lost even the slightest bit of their performing edge...if anything they've become better with age. But one of the more astounding aspects of this show is how fantastic those young people in the Cleveland Youth Orchestra were in every sense of the word. They played very well, and they appeared to be having the time of their lives sharing the stage with some of Rock Music's finer icons! I know I would have been if I were in their shoes. I don't wish to go into anymore detail about this so as not to spoil it somehow for those who may not have seen it yet. But I will say this DVD is certainly worth getting because this performance is PRICELESS!

First thing i need to get off my chest: will you people get over the fact that Dennis DeYoung isn't in the band anymore? It's been played to death, and he's not coming back. I compare it to Steve Perry and Journey and Peter Gabriel and Genesis. Yes, they all made some amazing music together. And no, they're not getting back together again. It's as simple as that. The nice part about gabriel leaving genesis is that we got more music out of the whole deal...from him, from them, and from Phil Collins. Dennis DeYoung has some great solo work, and Steve Perry, if he'd go back into the studio and record something new after all this time, is an equally great talent.

Now...having said that, I myself was cynical about Styx without dennis at first...then something told me to give the new lineup a chance. Let me tell you, I'm really glad I went. The band is getting along, they're enjoying doing what they do, and it shows onstage. Lawrence Gowan is every bit the dynamic keyboardist-vocalist he's always been on his dozen or so Canadian albums prior to joining Styx. Todd Sucherman is an amazing drummer, who by the way, was a Styx fan at age 11 when he was first learning to drum, Tommy & JY are as comfortable onstage together as they've always been, and Ricky Phillips is is a master on the bass. The vocal harmonies are right there like always, they put on a fan-friendly show, and to see them up there onstage together, it's blatantly obvious that this is what they love to do.

You want to hear Dennis DeYoung? Go see one of his shows. Very entertaining, he's done at least a couple tours with a full symphony orchestra thwat rival the Moody Blues for pure enjoyment...he's still got one hell of a great voice and can he play that keyboard? Definitely. But if you want to see a Styx lineup that's out there night after night having an absolute blast onstage...they're still doing it year after year, and this summer, they're bringing along REO Speedwagon and 38 Special for a full night of rock & roll classics. they're all fans of each other's music, and the mutual respect is something awesome to see between them. To say that Styx is still missing Dennis is missing the point...that was over ten years ago. Getting to this concert performance, it's an amazing piece of work that had some great involvement between the band and the youth orchestra that proves we need to make sure that music survives in our kids' school curriculum. This is a prime example that kids care about it and are very much into creating and performing, and it is very much to Styx' credit that they paire dup with this talented group of young people to create a fantastic night of music. The energy is contagious and the quality is perfect. This is a show to enjoy from start to finish!

Amazing clarity. Everything it was said to be. The CYO is an unbelievable group of kids. As far as Styx, you can tell by watching them that they are really enjoying playing with the CYO. At one time I could take or leave Styx, now I can say I am a fan. Well worth the money! I really can not say enough about it. WONDERFUL! FANTASTIC! AWESOME! AMAZING! The best way to find out is to buy this DVD and see for yourself.

What do you get when you combine the rock band "Styx" and a 171 piece orchestra? You get to experience one magical evening with one of rocks best bands and Cleveland's Contemporary Youth Orchestra comprised of young musicians and singers aged 13-19. I recently caught part of this concert from (May 25, 2006) on a PBS television broadcast and knew I had to have it. Accompanied by the orchestra the Band plays a variety of selections from the "Styx" catalog and everyone involved seems to be having a great time. I realize that for fans of Dennis De Young things will never be the same and I really miss seeing him in the band, it just doesn't feel right. For fans of this newer "Styx" lineup make no mistake, these guy's are here to entertain you and Gowan is at his very best.

It's clear from the beginning of the concert that fans are seeing something that may never happen again and they really soak it up. The orchestra comprised of 115 players and 60 singers under the direction of Liza Grossman seem out of place at times but their enthusiasm seems to bring the best out of Tommy Shaw, James Young and the rest of the band.

This "Styx" concert DVD released in 16:9 format from Eagle Vision has a fantastic picture and incredible 5.1 and DTS sound. It was nice to see Chuck Panozzo on the Bass for a couple songs. One last thing, If you ever wanted to see and hear what its like to be a drummer then click on the Quake Cam feature and ride along with Todd Sucherman as he pounds the skins.

Track Listing:

1.Blue Collar Man

2.Lorelei

3.One With Everything

4.It Don't Make Sense (You Can't Make Peace)

5.I Am The Walrus

6.Just Be

7.Everything All the Time

8.Crystal Ball

9.Miss America

10.Criminal Mind

11.Too Much Time On My Hands

12.Boat on the River

13.I Don't Need No Doctor

14.Styx and CYO Medley

15.Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)

16.Renegade

Bonus Material Includes:

Two new Styx Christmas songs

Performed by Styx and CYO

All I Want and Ring the Bells

Interviews

Photo Slideshow

The Quake Cam

If you own the CD you must have this DVD in order to have the full experience. When I listen to the CD in my car, I relive the DVD just as if I was at a live Styx concert. It seemed at times the band was overpowering the orchestra and the camera persons didn't spend enough time on Tommy's sweet face, otherwise it ROCKED!