From the most famous lineup of Styx, only guitarist James “JY” Young and vocalist/guitarist Tommy Shaw remain. On this DVD, as well as on select dates, original bass player Chuck Panozzo sits in for a few songs. The rest of the band is rounded out by Todd Sucherman on drums, Ricky Phillips on bass and Lawrence Gowan on vocals and keyboards.

Back when Chuck, JY and Tommy were in Styx in the 1970’s, the band, after years of trying, finally broke into the big time with 1977’s The Grand Illusion, beginning a run of four consecutive albums that would sell in excess of three million copies each.

As bands jump on the bandwagon of playing a classic album in its entirety live, Styx went one further and played two albums, back to back. The Grand Illusion/Pieces of Eight is a great concert, performed by a tight band and is a great romp through some of the most memorable pomp rock tunes of the genre.

The Grand Illusion is not only one of the best Styx albums to ever be released it is one of the best of the 1970’s. The title, track, “Fooling Yourself,” “Superstars” and “Come Sail Away” are all classics. The rest of the album, however, contains powerful music including “Castle Walls” and “Man in the Wilderness.”

Pieces of Eight is just as enjoyable, and in some ways, more so as many of these songs are not usually included in Styx’s current set. “Great White Hope,” “I’m Okay,” “Lords of the Ring” and “Pieces of Eight” prove that Styx were a great band back in the day. The albums hit songs “Renegade,” “Blue Collar Man” and “Queen of Spades” push the performance of this album over the top.

The show was recorded at the beautiful Orpheum Theater in Memphis, Tennessee. Gowan is a born entertainer and almost makes up for the absence of Dennis DeYoung. That is no slight on Gowan as he really is a great singer and performer. Shaw and Young put on a smile and seem to be into the show, yet anyone who has seen a Styx show over the last ten years can attest to the same smiles at the same points in the show and the same stage moves making one wonder if there is not a bit of the going through the motions going on. Even if they are doing it in their sleep, it must be said they are talented and still pull it off as this is a great performance.

The band Styx are made up of talented musicians who have the ability to entertain a crowd and put on a great rock show. The songs are all there and in this special two album performance the crowd does not sit down for a second as they are on their feet singing the words throughout. The band end the show with a live fade of the song “Aku-Aku” which ends up being a very special moment as the band fades and the crowd reacts with a roar.

Congratulations to the band on a job well done, not an easy task considering the absence of former band leader and main songwriter Dennis Deyoung.