Dennis DeYoung
DTE Energy Music Theatre
Clarkston, MI
08/28/09
By Alun Williams
Set List
Overture / Medley (Orchestra Only) | The Grand Illusion | Lady
|Desert Moon | Save Me | Show Me the Way |Lorelei | Castle Walls
| Mr. Roboto | Don’t Let It End
Intermission
Light Up | 100
Years from Now |This Time | Pieces Of Eight |Rockin’ The
Paradise |Prelude 12 / Suite Madame Blue | Babe |The Best of
Times
Encore:
Come Sail Away
Dennis DeYoung
has been plying his trade, both as a solo artist and with Styx
for years, but chances are you already know that. His 5th
solo album, 100 Years from Now, was recently released in
the US. The album has received a somewhat reserved reception.
The fact that it was released in Canada almost two years ago may
have something to do with it. The title track, a number one hit
in Canada, featured a vocal section sung in French. In the US
version, the same section is performed in English.
The DTE Energy
Music Theatre, best known to Detroit locals as the famous Pine
Knob, is where DeYoung took the stage. His show was presented
with his seven-piece backing band, two backing vocalists,
including his wife of almost 40 years, as well as the Detroit
Rock Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra played an overture/medley
of snippets from Dennis’ career, which served as a fitting
introduction. When the band appeared onstage, the crowd
received a huge bonus when they realized that former Night
Ranger guitarist, Jeff Watson, was a member of the live
band. The rest of the band was composed of Tommy Dziallo
on guitar, Hank Horton on bass, John Blaucucci on keyboards,
Kyle Woodring on drums and percussion and Kate Milan and Suzanne
DeYoung on backing vocals.
The main show
fired up with the Styx classic, “The Grand Illusion” with a full
orchestra behind them. The sound was immense, assuring all in
attendance that this would be a great show. DeYoung, is a
blessed vocalist, who has kept his voice strong and still sounds
as good today as he ever did. Perhaps that is due to the fact
that he rarely tours. “Lady,” perhaps DeYoung’s best known
vocal was next. The performance was simply stunning.
His most
successful solo album in the USA was 1984’s Desert Moon.
The song has much to offer in its structure and being performed
with a full backing orchestra allows the song to really shine.
DeYoung looked to be enjoying himself, as did the rest of the
band. A rack from his latest album, “Save Me,” was next. This
song, and the new album, are a great return to form for DeYoung,
the first half being more rock driven while the second half is
more laid back. “Save Me” features a strong chorus that keeps it
strong, despite the slower pace.
Instruments were
dispensed with as DeYoung performed a vocal performance of “Show
Me The Way.” The version proved to be very impressive. The band
rejoined DeYoung and they rocked out to the Styx classic
“Lorelei” next. The performance was good enough to make one
imagine it was the original Styx standing there before them.
While many people believe that Styx should reform, both the
current lineup of Styx and DeYoung seem to be happy with the
paths they are taking.
DeYoung returned
to the Grand Illusion album for the next song “Castle
Walls” and there was no question about how well prepared both
the band and orchestra are. The interaction between the two was
amazing and classy. The performance was grand. “Mr. Roboto”
was next, and while many Styx fans consider this the final nail
in the coffin for the original band, tonight, it worked. DeYoung
commented at the end of the tune, “I wish I’d written 10 more
like that.” Jeff Watson answered DeYoung by saying, “But you
did.” The first set closer of the evening was “Don’t Let It
End.”
“Light Up,” with
killer harmonies, opened the second set with the title track
from the new album, “100 Years from Now” up next. Jeff Watson
proved to be the perfect person to handle the complex guitar
solo featured in the song. “This Time,” also from the new album,
was next and continued to impress. Dennis said, “It can’t be
bad, no one is getting up to go to the bathroom.” “Pieces of
Eight” was a surprise addition and found the crowd sitting down
to listen and take it all in. In the middle of the song,
DeYoung took the surprise to an even deeper level by including a
portion of “In The Hall Of The Mountain King.” “Rocking The
Paradise,” included snatches of Deep Purple and Allman Brothers
licks, which everyone lapped up. It was like DeYoung was
saying, Who needs Styx now?”
When they
finished the song, DeYoung joked with Jeff Watson, asking
if he wanted to play some covers. He said that he’ll have him
play “Dust In The Wind” every night.” Watson, showed up DeYoung
and played a bit of the Kansas classic tune before going into
“Don’t Tell Me You Love Me,” from Watson’s former band, Night
Ranger. “
Jeff Watson
played the acoustic “Prelude 12” before going into “Suite Madame
Blue,” from the album Equinox. This is classic Styx and
it was clear that the older Styx fans in attendance loved it.
Babe” and “The Best Of Times” closed the second set.
When they were
done, DeYoung comented “Well, right now, we’d be walking off
stage saying goodnight and then you guys would cheer and clap …
hopefully … then we’d come back on and play something else.
Sound about right? So go then, give us some cheers and applause
and make like we just walked off …” We all obliged and he said
“Right, let’s do one more.” “Come Sail Away” closed an
absolutely great night. Dennis DeYoung is a consummate
professional, and seeing his greatest hits performed with an
orchestra was amazing. Classic Rock Revisited highly recommends
DDY in concert, with orchestra or without. Either way, one is
in for a wonderful night of music. Put simply, don’t miss this
one.
www.dennisdeyoung.com
