Music Review: Styx, Gary Moore, Paul Rodgers, Black Label Society, and Elvenking

For reasons not that obvious to me I have decided that it might be the time to dive in the copious pile of DVDs I have to review. 

DVD Reviews

Styx & the Contemporary Youth Orchestra of Cleveland: One with Everything

Much of Styx's music is composed rather than written and has a symphonic edge to it. This is quite an impressive DVD of Styx hits with two new songs along with it being Blu-ray (previously released on normal DVD). The band seem to meld rather well with the Orchestra/Choir with none of the awkwardness that you seen on other such outings. It's quite a site to see this gig and hear it in the glory of Blu-ray and HD.

Of course there are all their great hits played with oodles of pomp and flair. Laurence Gowan continues to eradicate the memory of Dennis DeYoung with both his keyboard playing (on a rotating stand to boot) and excellent singing. Those of you into your extras will enjoy the Quake cam which follows the drummer, the extra interviews and if you watch it around Christmas time the two Xmas songs. (Thankfully not included in the proper gig to annoy at other times of year.)

If you enjoy Styx, you will enjoy this and anyone with a taste for stadium rock should have a look. Blu-ray just seems the perfect thing for the pomp of a band like Styx. If you have yet to buy a music DVD for your new player this might be a good one to enjoy your system in all its glory.

Gary Moore & Friends: One Night In Dublin

It's subtitled “A Tribute to Phil Lynott” so you quickly realize this is gonna be very Thin Lizzy heavy. Gary Moore is a cracking guitarist, no matter what he turns his fingers to, whether it be blues or heavy rock. This night saw him taking the lead vocal and the lead in paying tribute to his ole’ mucker and band-mate Phil Lynott. He was joined by ex-Lizzy types Brian Downey, Brian Robertson, Scott Gorham and Eric Bell. No sign of John Sykes who has been fronting the new version of TL currently touring (and annoying more than a few Thin Lizzy fans).

It was originally filmed on Lynott’s birthday back in 2005. Now released in glorious Blu-ray this is a great collection live Lizzy tracks. Gary Moore does an admirable job living up to the vocals in front this partisan Dublin Thin Lizzy crowd. It’s a fitting tribute to the great man and the band was on fire throughout, whomever was playing the licks with Moore. Each former member played individually with Gary. Notes on the night were written by Dave Ling.

Article Author: Marty Dodge

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