Here's a complete head scratcher; back in 2015 Eagle Rock released the very fine Live at the Orleans Arena Las Vegas CD from legendary rock act Styx, which was a fantastic live document of their full show from July 2014 in Sin City. Featuring 12 classic cuts, it was another stellar live album from a band that just keeps on chugging along on the live circuit. Now, a year later, the Blu-ray release of the concert appears, but wait, something's not right...
For starters, 4 of the songs from the original CD have been omitted, and in their place we have extensive interviews with the band, management, and crew woven into the performance. So, no "Grand Illusion", "Suite Madame Blue", "Lady", or "Come Sail Away", which really leaves a strange taste in your mouth and makes for a super short concert presentation. This is Blu-ray right? There should have been plenty of room for the entire concert, but the focus here seems to have been on the interview segments, and less on the actual live footage from the Orleans Arena. Not that the interview segments aren't informative and enjoyable, as they certainly are, and give some great behind the scenes insight into the band and their musical family. However, there is no doubt plenty of room on a Blu-ray to fit all that as a special feature documentary, and still include the whole concert. That aside, the footage that is complete and included here is excellent, with some of the noteworthy highlights including Tommy Shaw walking around the arena while playing a blistering extended guitar solo during the dramatic "Superstars", Eagle guitar legend Don Felder joining the band for "Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)" and shredding alongside Shaw and James Young, and a passionate rendition of "Crystal Ball". Through it all, the ageless wonder and true star of the band, Tommy Shaw, just never ceases to amaze with his still powerful vocals and tasty guitar playing.
While what's on display here is obviously excellent, I still can't help but feel that this was a complete missed opportunity by not including the full show and changing the overall formatting of the presentation to allow for easier viewing. It's all professionally done however, with great sound and picture quality, something the folks at Eagle Rock always excel at.
See more about this release on our recent YouTube show!
Track Listing
1) Too Much Time on My Hands
2) Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)
3) Light Up
4) Crystal Ball
5) Superstars
6) Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)
7) Rockin' the Paradise
8) Renegade
9) Genki Desu Ka (credits)
Bonus Features-concert without interviews, bonus interviews, photo gallery
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