Ron Posted July 19, 2009 Report Share Posted July 19, 2009 http://www.examiner.com/x-17121-Chicago-Li...-lost-his-voice Next ArticleChicago Live Music Examiner Dennis DeYoung - Exiled from Styx - Drank from the water, but never lost his voice July 18, 7:23 PM In the winter of 1978, St. James Cathedral allowed a special recording session to be done in the church. Microphone cables stretched from the cathedral for 2 blocks, up 3 flights of stairs, to Paragon Recording Studios which was just around the corner. The music echoed through the church hall and the control room simultaneously as the magic flew from his fingers tips. Dennis DeYoung recalled the moment with humor, “Everyone was looking at me telling me to play the damn thing right already.” He further explains that all that extra leg work that had to be done then would not have to be done now. Technology has advanced so far over the years and there are many devices to make things easier. The success of the group Styx had really just begun and Dennis was the heart, flesh, and bones of the success of the rock – pop group. Over 30 years later, with 4 consecutive multi platinum albums, a dozen songs that appeared in the top 40, and 17 million albums sold for Styx, where is Dennis DeYoung now? After his departure from Styx in 1999, Dennis has been experiencing quite a successful career as a solo artist. He started out doing some live shows with an orchestra performing the music he had done with Styx, songs from his solo career, and material from his musical The Hunchback of Notre Dame. He completed a jaw dropping PBS special of one of the live performances with the orchestra. His musical premiered in Chicago during 2008 at the Bailiwick Repertory Theater and received a Jefferson Award nomination. DeYoung’s greatest success came in 2007 when he released his newest solo album in Canada and apparently they appreciated his talent. The CD 100 Years from Now had the title track and album reach # 1 up North, sparking yet another feather in his hat. To add to the list of accolades, he had beaten out Justin Timberlake; DeYoung was # 1 and Timberlake was # 2 in the Canadian charts. The CD 100 Years from Now was finally released in the US in April of 2009 and it is a must have for the music library. Rounder Records backed Dennis on this release and it was an intelligent move on their part. The CD had been remixed in parts, a song was re-recorded, and the track list had changed making the album more appealing for the American market. From the opening title track “100 Years from Now” it proves that this 62 year old man still has the ability to write a good rock song. His keyboard work and vocals move in such a soothing way DeYoung should be proud to add this CD to his portfolio. The musicians that perform on this collection of gems are truly the cream of the crop and outshine some of the musicians he has worked with in the past. The tough guitar performances flow through every piece of work with supremacy. One of the guitarists that appear on the album is Tom Dziallo who has been with Dennis since Desert Moon came out in 1984. His flashy licks are something to be heard and add an intricate feel to these masterpieces. The funkadelic bass style is produced by the one and only Hank Horton. The Mad Hatter of the bass guitar has abilities to play with finesse and creates the solid bottom end. Both Dziallo and Horton add warm feelings to the new DeYoung CD. The ditty “I Don’t Believe In Anything” has a delicious taste for your ears. A sense of gratification runs through your mind as you are treated to the soulful, country, bluesy, guitar riffs. The drips of honey that come from the slide guitar are bonbons of musical notes. This piece feels like it was fused with chocolate pudding because of its creamy effortless feel. The message it sends is powerful and cynical without a doubt. All of the songs on this CD are extraordinarily well written, performed, and the melodies are similar to Styx albums. These original pieces have familiar beats, sounds, and styles to the forgotten band. Heavy beefy ideas are well complimented with certain DeYoung style softness in a way that makes it a joy to open your ears and listen. The anthem “Rain” has a surprisingly heavy bridge giving you a moment of déjà vu. “Crossing the Rubicon” has a certain psychedelic guitar accent at the beginning that is very reminiscent of music from the past. Closing the collection of compositions out is “Turn off CNN.” Good rock song with a stuttering rhythmic feel to the chorus. Well Done!! With Dennis being a songwriter first and a rock star second, this middle aged white man has more jobs than he ever thought he would have at his age in music. DeYoung has a great musical talent to reach into all genres of music and produce wonderful melodic pieces. Everything he writes is done with a certain style and grace that can rank up with the greatest composers in music history. Dennis jokes about writing everything while he stood on one leg. His Favorite albums that he ever composed on are The Grand Illusion and his newest creation, 100 Years from Now. Both albums are something to listen to and with 30 years between them, they show how this musician has advanced through the years. DeYoung is performing shows mostly with just a rock band these days. The entire orchestral production gets to be quite expensive to produce, but is well worth the intermission to see. Dennis currently uses a Yamaha Motif and has all the old sounds programmed into this exceptional keyboard. A grand piano is also in concert with him at all times for the old classics he has to muster up for the crowd. For Chicago area shows he will bring out the old Oberheim OBX which he can’t drag on the road with him anymore due to its size and bulk. His keyboard setup has changed since the analog days of rock music, but the sound is still the same. DeYoung talked briefly about Styx and he clarified, “I haven’t talked with them since they told me they were going on tour without me. They told me they were replacing me.” He continued, “The way I look at things is I open up the news paper. I’m better off than him and better off than her. My music has stood the test of time. I’m very fortunate.” Dennis still suffers from sensitivity to light. During a recent phone interview stated, “Right now I’m sitting in the dark.” His health is great otherwise. Physically DeYoung is in great shape, doesn’t eat beef, and is as sharp as can be. Some of the older musicians killed themselves mentally with all the toxins they pumped in their bodies. This young man, originally from the south-side of Chicago, still has a certain charm about him and enjoys rooting on The Chicago White Sox. For pizza in Chicago, his slice of choice is Vito and Nick’s. Bob Chinn’s is always a favorite for seafood and Topo Gigio for Italian food. Dennis recently asked the question, “Why do I have a record contract?” He continued in a very humble way, “The United States is tough to crack. There isn’t an audience for me.” Not and audience? With the success you had in Canada? Hello? Dennis? You reached # 1 in Canada!! Some kind of success should be expected in the US and Dennis will fly again just like Sparky the flying dog. After all he is a music legend, but Dennis clearly states, “Being a legend means you are old and still breathing.” He has crossed the river Styx, drank from it, but never lost his voice. Although he has been exiled from the band – they are not Gods, do not have miraculous powers, and are not immortal. Dennis DeYoung will have success in the world after Styx. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtlfan Posted July 20, 2009 Report Share Posted July 20, 2009 Wow. Great article! It made me hungry when I got halfway through it, but great!! :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rubulator2k Posted July 21, 2009 Report Share Posted July 21, 2009 Wow. Great article! It made me hungry when I got halfway through it, but great!! :-) LOL yea I'm going to make some pudding myself... and listen to the CD again... Very nice article... thanks for posting Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BorrowedTime Posted July 22, 2009 Report Share Posted July 22, 2009 LOL yea I'm going to make some pudding myself... and listen to the CD again... Very nice article... thanks for posting Ron A little over-board on the food analogy, but a very flattering review indeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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