Ron's NYC Experience Part 2 - the show

[Ron]

When taking a child to a show of an artist where all of their hits were recorded before the child was born, you are bound to receive a negative reaction. Starting with the one host at the club, who figured that my daughter Elisabeth had no idea who Dennis DeYoung is. When she told him that "He used to be in Styx until they threw him out" he realized she knew what she was talking about.

I have a feeling that because of the 'wonderful' NYC weather their flight was delayed, since we were not seated until 6:30 (the sound check was still going on at 6). I saw Tim Orchard before the show and said Hi, but he had no idea who I was (I had only met him once before) and reintroduced myself. Real awkward when I couldn't explain clearly our little forum over here and how I ran it. I had figured that if I was going to get to meet Dennis it would have to be before the show, but it didn't happen. Now I'm a lot passive then some other fans when they try to meet the stars, because I feel that a lot of them go over the line and have an "its all about me" attitude instead of giving the artists the respect (and space) they should receive. After all, to the artist--you're a stranger. I'm sure that has kept me from some opportunities, but I think I would rather miss the chance than be perceived as an ass.

The club had cabaret style seating, with tables to eat your meal while you waited for the show (and dessert if you wished during the show, and beverages). The hostess went to seat us and asked if we wanted to sit up front. Nope. I got here 7 hours early to sit in the back row. (here's your sign) Our table was smack against the stage, center. Dennis would be standing right in front of us. There is no way I could get a better seat anywhere. Elisabeth sat in the seat closest to the stage. My wife was worried about how loud it would be for us, but because of where the speakers were (above and behind us) I think we could hear more direct sound from the stage monitors that were right in front of us. (Note: Dennis does wear earplugs, not ear monitors, at least for this show). The stage was very wide and not too deep, so John was next to Kyle facing the audience, and Dennis' keyboard in front of him, with Dawn & Suzanne to the right and Hank & Tommy to the left.

The show begins. Now I don't remember exactly the complete set list and order, so I'll hit the highlights:

Opens with Grand Illusion, and at one part Dennis is playing with his mic cord with some little girl seated right in front of him. At the first break, he looks at her and asks what her name is, then told her it was past her bedtime. I would not be surprised if having someone so young right there made him uncomfortable (or wondered what kind of sick parents she had by bringing her) but I think that disapeared once she was singing along. Later in the show, he stood on his set list (which she could see and was reading) and he scolded her and said "No looking at the set list."

Pieces of Eight still had Pier Gynt in it, unlike Lady where Bolero disapears for band-only shows. Dennis asked if anyone knew what that piece of classical music was, and I said Greig's Pier Gynt (instead of the movement name, Hall of the Mountain King) which he added.

Dennis played the keys on almost every song (at least partially) and it was wonderful to see. In a recent interview he said how much he was enjoying playing on stage again, and it really shows.

During Castle Walls I glanced at the set list, which was done on computer, and saw that they forgot to put on Castle Walls, so it was written in to the side. I also saw that there was a line through one of the songs in the second set. I was curious to see what was cut, and shouldn't have. I was instantly bummed out. I sulked through intermission.

Second set and Dennis comes out in a white shirt and jeans (did I see that right, jeans???). Tommy started with a solo before Rockin' the Paradise. When they got to the crossed off song, Dennis went to his keyboards, and announced that he was straying from the set list, and asked his son for some light on him. He started playing. My wife asked me if this was the song I was sulking about and I said no, but I was quite pleased he was singing it. He then went into Hello God, also not on the set list. When they finished, he announced that no one knew he was going to do that, and that it was the First Time he ever performed that song live.

Lots of stories and banter with the crowd. Someone shouted out to do Harry's Hands, and he said they'd do that on Tuesday. Tonight you get Harry's Foot. Another request for Not Dead Yet and he said that he might do that again sometime in the future.

The night ended with Best of Times and Come Sail Away. When they came to bow before the crowd, Kyle gave Elisabeth one of his sticks. (the lady that sat with us saw Kyle right before the show and asked if he could do this). We hung around to see him after the show to get him to sign it, which he did, and posed for a picture with her. Also got to talk to Hank for a few minutes, and said how wonderful (and surprising) the Bethlehem show sold out in 2 days. (Note to Tim-I think a Philadelphia show would be a pretty good idea)

Given our seat location, how good everyone onstage sounded and played (I looked at Hank one time and he had his eyes closed--you could tell he was in "the zone") it had to be the best show I have ever been to.

Back home at 1:30am Sunday, exhausted but happy.

 

Ron

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Ron, thanks for your review, I'm so glad you posted it

 

It sounds like it was a great show. I'm thinking "Unfinshed Song" was crossed off the list, just a guess and then "First Time" was added at the spur of the moment (according to my brother). I'm just comparing it to the Chicago show set list.

 

Guess what, you were sitting right my brother and his date. He was in table 67 and he was talking to your daughter for sure and a couple of people by you. What are the odds of that?

 

Kyle is such a nice guy!!! I'm so glad that she received a drumstick and also had it signed. I hope you'll post the picture/s.

 

I'm pretty sure Dennis doesn't see/talk to anyone before a show. I think that goes for most artists.

 

What did you think of "Pieces of Eight"??? That's one of my favorite live songs now

 

This is the setlist from another board, it might not be in the right order:

 

Grand Illusion

Lady

Best Thing

Desert Moon

Lorelei

Pieces of Eight (with Hall of the Mountain King interlude)

Show Me The Way

Mr. Roboto

Castle Walls

Don't Let It End

Intermission

Rockin the Paradise

Queen Of Spades

Light Up

Borrowed Time

Hello God

First Time

Babe

Suite Madame Blue

Best Of Times

Encore:

Come Sail Away

[mendelstyx]

How very nice for your daughter. Hopefully you all felt the show was worth the long wait.

 

Liz

[teesa_66]

...When they came to bow before the crowd, Kyle gave Elisabeth one of his sticks. (the lady that sat with us saw Kyle right before the show and asked if he could do this). We hung around to see him after the show to get him to sign it, which he did, and posed for a picture with her....

 

That's wonderful for Elisabeth (and you)! Now she does understand that she can't actually use it herself, right?

 

Sounds like you had a great show, one worth waiting for (well, duh!). I can understand being bummed about US not being on the set list, but YOU got an acoustic performance of FT, you lucky dog!

 

And I second Laurie's question. What did you think of POE?

 

Terri

[ladybugking]

Well, I, for one, am impressed! Oh sure, sure, the show and all....I am talking about you drove into Manhattan AND you actually found a parking place . Now THAT is impressive!

 

OK, I kid.

 

Thanks for the review. Other than the looooong wait, it sounded like you all had a terrific time.

 

What IS truly impressive is this Lost Treasures show. I think Dennis is playing a winner with that show.

 

One question: How was First Time received by the audience?

 

OK, two: Were you as blown away by Best Thing as I was in Chicago?

 

 

Kathy

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Kathy says:

 

Were you as blown away by Best Thing as I was in Chicago?

 

 

I agree!! I always thought "Best Thing" was just okay, but hearing it LIVE, put the song right up there in my top 10 live songs. It sounded perfected live.

 

It would really be nice to have a cd made of the "Lost Treasures" show, but I would need to have "Pieces of Eight" done with the orchestra - GREAT song live!!!

 

[Ron]

Pieces of Eight - Unbelieveable! (or should I say the Hall of the Mountain King part). Being able to watch Dennis really give it his all on the keys as it went faster and faster was fantastic. Side note: Peer Gynt has got to be my favorite piece of classical music. I remember when I was little (probably around 4) I would listen to it, and when HOTMK came on, it was time to run around the coffee table faster and faster with the music, and fall to the floor at the end. From the angle that I was sitting, I could not see Dennis' hands while he was playing, but I could see his facial expressions, which was quite enjoyable to watch.

Best Thing - Listen to an old vinil copy and think "it's an okay song. Not great, but okay". Listen to the 2005 version and think "WOW"

Borrowed Time - Blues version a big hit. Works very nicely with that song.

Reaction to First Time - Good applause when he started the lyric, and some at the end of the song (he went right into Hello God with no break). When he announced that he had never performed FT before everyone went nuts. While I'm disapointed I didn't get to hear Unfinished Song, Hearing First Time and Hello God in it's place was worth it.

 

The set list was identical to that at the HOB Chicago show (with the exception of the change mentioned above). I finally read those reviews, and I'm glad I waited to read them.

 

Laurie was your brother sitting right behind my daughter? (I have no idea of table numbers) You should have told him to look for me and introduce himself. Elisabeth had to have been the only one under 21 at the show.

 

I did take some pictures during the show, but I had only brought a small camera with me to avoid security if need be, although the announcement was 'no audio or video recording' and nothing about photos. My problem was that I couldn't turn off the stupid automatic flash so I kept my pictures to a minimum. I just hope the one with Elisabeth and Kyle turns out, and the one with Hank wearing his Roboto shades

 

Even with all of the things that were kind of sucky that happened (the wait, etc.) is really was worth it. I'm looking forward to the show in August.

 

Ron

[Ron]

Well, I, for one, am impressed!  Oh sure, sure, the show and all....I am talking about you drove into Manhattan AND you actually found a parking place .  Now THAT is impressive!

 

Kathy

 

When you drive for a living, driving in Manhattan is a piece of cake. You just have to be patient. It's the $30 for parking that stank.

 

Ron

[man of miracles]

The entire week prior to the concert my friend and I had been talking about first time. I kept saying I would love to hear it, but that it would probably never happen. To quote Tommy "never say never again." Much to my amazement Dennis fiddled with his keyboard for a few seconds and played the whole thing by himself. There was even a funny moment where he said "whoops almost forgot" during the song.

 

Highlights

1 Best Thing: I always loved the original, but this one blew me away. Hank did the JY part exceptionally well

2 Pieces of eight: what everyone else has said and more

3 Hello God-This song seems even better live

4 Borrowed time-Dennis said "I hope you dig it" Well, I dug it

5. Queen of Spades-I was will always treasure the HAHAHAHA YOU LOSE

6. first time

 

dissapointments

1.Unfinished song-I was a little sad not to hear it, but first time made up for it

2. My friend and I were all set for the PA show, but it seems sold out

 

There were a lot of humorous comments about tommy shaw and styx in general. such as "I dont know if styx is playing this song, but who cares" and "an Anonymous band member.....Tommy Shaw" which resulted in a lot of booing on tommy's behalf

-Philip

[mendelstyx]

I really hope Dennis adds more of these Lost Treasures shows. I really agree with the comments about the songs added.

 

And Philip, you never know...Dennis turns up when you least expect him so fingers crossed that he plays in your area soon.

 

Liz (who understands parking fees all too well)