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Valentines Day concert Penns Peak


Ron

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What a great show! The best part- After starting with Grand Illusion, they went right into Rain. It sounded wonderful. I think it takes a lot of confidence to play a song that most of the audience has never heard for your second number, and the response for the song was very good. It probably had the best reception of the three songs from "100 Years..." (the other two being the title track and This Time Next Year), but I would guess that is because Rain is such a high-energy song. I was sitting near people that were at their first Dennis show, and they were really enjoying the new material.

The set list is what we all know and enjoy, but the order was quite different, which was a bit of a refreshing change. They didn't bother leaving the stage and come back for Come Sail Away, I would guess because the stage only had one place you could enter/exit. Dennis just said "Let's pretend we just did that."

A LOT of energy on stage. Jimmy, Tommy, Hank, and Dennis would line up for some parts, and Rockin' the Paradise ended with a Jimmy/Tommy trade-off guitar solo.

The lighting was top-notch as always, although personally I'm not a fan of the use of strobe lights. Matt only used them in three or four spots, and I know that it is a personal taste issue that I didn't care for it.

Right before The Best of Times when Suzanne comes up front to give the acknowledgments that need to be given, it was thanks to DDY Talk and myself for all of the support that is given to Dennis. While unnecessary, her acknowledgment is appreciated. Everyone here deserves to share the credit for making this the wonderful place that it is.

 

After the show I was given the chance to interview Dennis. I will be going through the audio this week, and transcribing and editing it if needed. Since I have never done this type of thing before, I'm not sure how it turned out. If the quality of the recorded interview is acceptable, I will have that posted, along with the transcription. I think that everyone will enjoy it, as Dennis was quite frank and honest with his answers. I tried to ask questions that weren't the "same old thing". Some of the things we talked about were the US release of "100 Years from Now", his song writing, and the true story about how First Time was to be released as a single. Thanks to Dennis, Suzanne, and Tim for allowing me the chance to have this interview.

 

 

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Can't wait to see the new and improved show!!! :-)

 

Any pics other than the three I've already seen??

 

Looking forward to the interview transcript ....

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I forgot to mention that is was another sold out show for Dennis. The last two shows in Eastern PA have been sellouts.

Also, Penn's Peak is located "in the middle of nowhere" on top of a mountain in the Allegheny Mountains. It has a rustic cabin-like atmosphere, with the entire hall being wooden. If you've ever watched the movie The Country Bears, the interior looks a lot like Country Bear Hall.

 

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Another thing I forgot (maybe I should completely wake up before posting a review)-

This was the first show that I have seen with Tom Sharpe on percussion instead of Kyle. While I can't say that one is better than the other (I can't because they're both excellent) they each have different styles. I was impressed how Tom brought elements from his style and works to the performance.Thirty years ago you wouldn't have thought of someone using a rainstick in a Styx song, but there it was. If you're the type of person that watches all of the performers on stage, and have only seen Dennis with only Kyle or Tom, I highly suggest that you see a show with the other person, if you can.

Ron

 

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Interview!! Good for you... I couldn't do an interview w/Dennis... I'd probably just sit there stammering the whole time...

 

The interview would go:

 

Dennis: Hey how are ya

 

Rubulator2k: (blank stare)

 

Dennis: Did you have any questions?

 

Rubulator2k: Homina Homina Homina Homina... (thud)

 

Dennis: Anyone got any smelling salts?

 

End of interview

---------------------------------------------------

 

I got into a meet and greet in 96 when Styx came to Jersey and I was able to say hi to James and Chuck (Tommy didnt come out, nor Todd) but when I got in front of Dennis I had no words... not any I remember anyway... I pushed my picture of the band over to him and he graciously signed it and thats all I really re-call... Ya know how you would like 5 minutes of your life back at times to chart a different course.... thats one of mine... lol

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Interview!! Good for you... I couldn't do an interview w/Dennis... I'd probably just sit there stammering the whole time...

 

The interview would go:

 

Dennis: Hey how are ya

 

Rubulator2k: (blank stare)

 

Dennis: Did you have any questions?

 

Rubulator2k: Homina Homina Homina Homina... (thud)

 

Dennis: Anyone got any smelling salts?

 

End of interview

---------------------------------------------------

 

I got into a meet and greet in 96 when Styx came to Jersey and I was able to say hi to James and Chuck (Tommy didnt come out, nor Todd) but when I got in front of Dennis I had no words... not any I remember anyway... I pushed my picture of the band over to him and he graciously signed it and thats all I really re-call... Ya know how you would like 5 minutes of your life back at times to chart a different course.... thats one of mine... lol

 

 

LOL! It can be disconcerting meeting someone you admire.

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