Review of new show - GREAT

[Ron]

http://www.examiner.com/x-18012-Phoenix-Co...r---Feb-14-2010

 

It is always a pleasure to be able to hear some of Rock’s greatest voices live—people like Paul Rodgers, Steve Perry, Ann Wilson, the late Freddie Mercury and so many more…Last night at the Celebrity Theatre, I was treated to a great one-- the brilliant voice of Dennis DeYoung. At 63 years old (he’ll turn 63 on Feb. 18), the guy can still sing beautifully.

 

The night was billed as Dennis DeYoung-The Music of Styx, but I was still surprised when he did songs that were not “his” – songs he did not usually sing with Styx-- tunes like “Blue Collar Man” and “Too Much Time on My Hands”; both quintessential Tommy Shaw tunes. The last time DeYoung was in Phoenix, he played a small venue in Scottsdale, with really nothing much more than his voice and a baby grand piano, he wowed with his perfect pitch and rich vocals, but never touched Styx songs that didn’t feature him singing. Not so last night.

 

With a full band in tow that featured two stellar guitar players, the band tackled those Styx tunes with a fire and verve that really rocked the house. In fact the combo of the two guitar players; Jimmy who sort of channels James “JY” Young of Styx and August, who for all intents and purposes could have been Tommy Shaw’s double both in his looks and voice, added an extra dimension of all out rock n’ roll jamming that was a real crowd pleaser. August’s guitar playing was one thing that did not double Shaw, sure he could play his tunes, but this guys guitar work was stellar, wowing the crowd on almost every tune—even Shaw would have been impressed.

 

The duo poked some fun at the obvious comparisons that were going on in the crowd’s mind during “Too Much time on My Hands”. When performed live by the Tommy Shaw version of Styx, the lyric changes from “I’ve got dozens of friends and the fun never ends, that is a long as I’m buying” to Shaw saying “…as long as JY is buying…”—the Jimmy & August duo, with August on vocals sang...as long as Jimmy is buying…” – fun stuff!

 

The show itself was well-paced and DeYoung was clearly having fun. The show opened big with “Grand Illusion”, “Lady” and “Lorelei”. "Blue Collar Man”, the super fun, “Light Up” and the very camp “Mr. Roboto” filled the middle of the set, along with the huge DeYoung solo tune, “Desert Moon” that allowed him to showcase his amazing voice.

 

A great lineup of Styx songs followed, “Don’t Let It End”, “Too Much Time”, “Babe” (dedicated to his wife of 40 years, Suzanne, who joins him on stage on backing vocals), “Rockin’ the Paradise”, “Suite Madame Blue”, another tune where his voice just wowed us all, “Renegade” (August on vocals), “Best of Times” and the show-ending icon, “Come Sail Away”.

 

Of note was a newer tune that DeYoung treated us to, “100 Years” from his latest solo release—a great, dramatic tune that was well-executed by the band and that showcased DeYoung at his best. He even did that little bit of the Beatles medley that goes “…and in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make”. Kind of fitting as DeYoung has indeed made love out of singing and making music for over 40 years...

 

This was a fun show, made even a little bit sweeter by all the Valentine’s in the crowd…DeYoung even presented his sweetheart Suzanne with a dozen roses as the show ended. Good times…I might even say…The Best of Times.

 

 

[Rubulator2k]

Great review! makes me want to see this show!!!