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Styx: Styx II / The Serpent is Rising

 A l b u m   D e t a i l s


Label: Euroton Records
Released: 1973 / 1974
Time:
 73:32
Category: Hard Rock
Producer(s): See Artists ...
Rating: ****...... (4/10)
Media type: CD
Web address: www.styxworld.com
Appears with:
Purchase date: 2007.03.12
Price in €: 4,99



 S o n g s ,   T r a c k s


Styx II:

[1] You Need Love (DeYoung) - 3:44
[2] Lady (DeYoung) - 2:56
[3] A Day (Curulewski) - 8:19
[4] You Better Ask (Curulewski) - 3:54
[5] Little Fugue in "G" (Bach) - 1:17
[6] Father O.S.A. (DeYoung) - 7:08
[7] Earl of Roseland (DeYoung) - 4:39
[8] I'm Gonna Make You Feel It (DeYoung) - 2:23


Styx III - The Serpent is Rising:

[9] Witch Wolf (Brandle/Young) - 3:57
[10] The Grove of Eglantine (DeYoung) - 5:00
[11] Young Man (Young/Young) - 4:45
[12] As Bad as This (Curulewski) - 6:10
[13] Winner Take All (DeYoung/Lofrano) - 3:10
[14] 22 Years (Curulewski) - 3:39
[15] Jonas Psalter (DeYoung) - 4:41
[16] The Serpent Is Rising (Curulewski/Lofrano) - 4:55
[17] Krakatoa (Curulewski) - 1:36
[18] Hallelujah Chorus (Handel) - 2:14

 A r t i s t s ,   P e r s o n n e l


Styx II:

John Curulewski - Synthesizer, Guitar, Autoharp, Vocals
Dennis DeYoung - Organ, Synthesizer, Piano, Keyboards, Vocals, Pipe Organ
Chuck Panozzo - Bass, Vocals
John Panozzo - Percussion, Drums, Vocals
James Young - Acoustic Guitar, Guitar, Vocals

Bill Traut - Producer
Marty Feldman - Engineer
Barry Mraz - Engineer
John Ryan - Producer


Styx III - The Serpent is Rising:

John Curulewski - Acoustic, 12 String & Electric Guitar, Vocals, Moog Synthesizer, Producer
Dennis DeYoung - Organ, Piano, Keyboards, Vocals, Moog Synthesizer, Producer
Chuck Panozzo - Bass, Vocals, Producer
John Panozzo - Drums, Vocals, Producer
James Young - Guitar, Vocals, Producer

Barry Mraz - Producer, Engineer
 

 C o m m e n t s ,   N o t e s


1999 CD Euroton EUCD-0119



For Styx II (1973), the Chicago-based quintet of John Curulewski (guitar/synthesizer/vocals), Dennis DeYoung (keyboard/vocals), brothers Chuck Panozzo (bass/vocals) and John Panozzo (drums/percussion/vocals) and James "J.Y." Young (guitar/vocals) continue much in the same vein as their eponymous debut. The primary difference was the inclusion of the DeYoung power ballad "Lady" - which catapulted the combo into the Top Ten Pop Singles survey at an admirable number six. The collection was their first to rely entirely upon band-penned originals, kicking off with the rousing "You Need Love." The performance sounds similar to Queen's earliest sides, especially DeYoung's commanding vocals which provide a distinct and dramatic quality. The aforementioned "Lady" is equally dynamic, contrasting the delicate and ethereal introduction with the comparatively emphatic conclusion. The extended "A Day" is an outlet for Curulewski's underrated skills as both a composer and singer. The brooding melody is fused to an aggressive instrumental centerpiece highlighting the dual fretwork of Curulewski and Young as they rival the Allman Brothers' synchronous string-benders Duane Allman (guitar) and Dickey Betts (guitar). "You Better Ask" is a more predictable straightforward rocker, again displaying Curulewski's diversity and versatility, although beyond that the track is not really all that interesting. Conversely compelling is DeYoung's transcription of a Johann Sebastian Bach tune, titled here Little Fugue in 'G'. The overture is played to great effect on an organ in the sanctuary of the Cathedral of St. James, located just down the street from the recording studio. Engineers ran audio cables between the two, capturing the interlude live. It takes the listener into another key entry, the seven-plus-minute "Father O.S.A.," "Earl of Roseland" and "I'm Gonna Make You Feel It" suitably bring Styx II to a close with a pair of hearty up-tempo harbingers, pointing toward the AOR direction that Styx would continue to explore on subsequent albums.

Lindsay Planer - All Music Guide



With the Top Ten Pop hit "Lady" under their belts, Styx - consisting of John Curulewski (guitar/synthesizer/vocals), Dennis DeYoung (keyboard/vocals), brothers - twins no less - Chuck Panozzo (bass/vocals) and John Panozzo (drums/percussion/vocals) and James "J.Y." Young (guitar/vocals) - continued to blend interesting conceptual progressive elements into their third LP and first band-co-produced offering The Serpent Is Rising (1973). Although Young had contributed significantly to Styx' self-titled debut, his compositions were conspicuously absent from the Curulewski and DeYoung dominated Styx II (1973) , which had been issued only months earlier. Young's upbeat and commanding opener "Witch Wolf" firmly re-establishes him as a formidable writer, not to mention an intricate and skilled instrumentalist. While their progressive leanings would remain prominent in Styx' musical evolution, perhaps eager to build upon the national exposure afforded them by "Lady," much of the disc is less arty and more straight-ahead album rock. "Winner Takes All" bears some stylistic parallels to Queen as both have a flair for the dramatic. "22 Years" unquestionably foreshadows future Styx classics such as "Suite Madame Blue" and "Rockin' the Paradise." The distinctive dual-lead guitars of Curulewski and DeYoung soar on the epic tale of "Jonas Psalter," while the memorable syncopated melody from "The Serpent Is Rising" proves the quintet had not entirely abandoned their prog rock origins. Similarly effective is DeYoung's baroque-flavored introduction to the lithe and limber "Drove of Eglantine." The unusual ending is a combination of disparate elements. The electronic composition "Krakatoa" is a synthesizer progression from Paul Beaver and Bernie Kraus and was adopted by filmmaker George Lucas as the aural trademark of his THX theater sound system. It incongruously segues into a full 90 seconds of Handel's Hallelujah Chorus, proving that the combo were still willing to experiment with their identity and the expectations of their audience.

Lindsay Planer - All Music Guide
 

 L y r i c s

Styx II:

A Day

woke up in rainy autumn
morning mist beginning to wane
and the birds of the winged trees
calling my name

care less the clouds above me
the wind is gently lifting my hair
where the rivers of the wind fall light rain
now stand bare

listen to the flowing streams
golden in the shelter of my dreams
playing a song on the meadow that echoes with love

walk alone through the garden
the leaves are wet with morning's tear
and the whispering of someone
is drawing me near

content to rest awhile
pondering the motion of time
over unforgotten memories
dipped in wine

listen to the flowing streams
golden in the shelter of my dreams
playing a song on the meadow that echoes with love

[extended instrumental solos]

the god of dusk is falling around me
the night air now restless and dank
yet the fields are specked with flowers
few and rank

moon reflecting off the water
rippling an image to me
of the way that it is
and the way that it's going to be

listen to the flowing streams
golden in the shelter of my dreams
playing a song on the meadow that echoes with love


Earl Of Roseland

oh oh oh oh oh

penny pitching on the walk
waiting for the bus to arrive
me and Davy playing sport
watching for the cops to go by

spider man and the human torch
they cover Barney's newsstand
morning crowds start to gather round
fast finger steals what he can

morning leaves for the afternoon
the boys show up on time
in the streets near the people's store
below the electrical sign

catch a glimpse of a passing car
raked and ready to drag
then the skirts start to tantalize
the boys how they boast and they brag

oh the earl of Roseland
oh the earl of Roseland

where has he gone?
a memory at dawn
you're just a bit of the past

[guitar solo]

oh oh oh oh
oh the earl of Roseland
oh the earl of Roseland

me and Davy gazing back
see ourselves as we were
how we laugh when we think of things
that we did yesteryear

I can see Charlie on the porch
Johnny clicking his sticks
and two boys I don't even know
rehearsing electric string tricks
ya ya ya ya ya ya

oh the earl of Roseland
oh the earl of Roseland
oh the earl of Roseland
oh the earl of Roseland
oh the earl of Roseland
oh the earl of Roseland
oh the earl of Roseland
oh the earl of Roseland


Father O.S.A.

father
you're a sad old man
your tawdry vest is gray

memories
of a former man
are all your words convey

father
oh can't you see
the tarnished robe you wear

a crown
for fools
the people laugh
you never seem to hear

father
you're life's a ship
that's never been to sea

the bottle
that surrounds your life
you'll sail eternally

[keyboard solo]

children
please understand
a man must stand alone

and face a world
he'll never know
and never call his own

ba ba bum bum
ba ba bum bum
ba ba bum bum
ba ba bum bum
ba ba bum bum
ba ba bum bum
ba ba bum bum
ba ba bum bum
[continue echo]

father
father
father
father
father
father
[continue echo]


I'm Gonna Make You Feel It

every day I get the feeling
when you move on down the street
wondering when I'll be your lover
and you'll make my dream complete

the way you walk is so inviting
that I quiver and I shake
the way you move it makes me wonder
how much more can I take

I'm gonna make you feel it
basically that's what I say
I'm gonna make you feel it
cause you want it just that way

every time that we're together
my head starts to rock and roll
I get this strange electric feeling
that I simply can't control

I'm gonna make you feel it
basically that's what I say
I'm gonna make you feel it
cause you want it just that way

[guitar solo]

I'm gonna make you feel it
I'm gonna make you feel it
I'm gonna make you feel it


Lady

Lady, when you’re with me I’m smiling
Give me all your love
Your hands build me up when I’m sinking
Touch me and my troubles all fade.
Lady from the moment I saw you
Standing all alone
You gave all the love that I needed
So shy like a child who had grown

You’re my lady of the morning
Love shines in your eyes
Sparkling clear and lovely
You’re my lady

Lady turns me on when I’m lonely
Show me all your charms
Evenings when you lay down beside me
Take me gently into your arms

You’re my lady of the morning
Love shines in your eyes
Sparkling clear and lovely
You’re my lady

Lady of the morning
Love shines in your eyes
Sparkling clear and lovely
You’re my...LADY!


Little Fugue in "G"

Instrumental


You Better Ask

I met a little girl sittin' in the front
pardon me miss for seeming quite so blunt
but your beauty and your presence
just took me by surprise

she said there's a meaning in my sexy stare
but that's my old man that's sittin' over there
and that's not the look of love that he's got for you in his eyes

you know what you've gotta do
there's no one else to blame but you
nobody's gonna tell you so next time you just had better ask

you know what you've gotta do
there's no one else to blame but you
nobody's gonna tell you so next time you just had better ask

I took her home and we was doing nip and tuck
how was I to know that I was out of luck
and before I knew it, the devil took my soul

in two weeks time it seemed to be the steady con
she told me "you're about to be a papa, John"
and I just looked around and tried to crawl into the nearest hole

you know what you've gotta do
there's no one else to blame but you
nobody's gonna tell you so next time you just had better ask

you know what you've gotta do
there's no one else to blame but you
nobody's gonna tell you so next time you just had better ask

[instrumental solos]

well, in two more weeks I started feelin' sore
I found myself waiting at my doctor's door
he said, "son I'm sorry but I've got some slightly less than tragic news

"yeah, it seems you've been sociable with certain she's
cause you've contracted what we call a social disease
and next time you better ask and use it, no don't refuse"

you know what you've gotta do
there's no one else to blame but you
nobody's gonna tell you so next time you just had better ask

you know what you've gotta do
there's no one else to blame but you
nobody's gonna tell you so next time you just had better ask

you know what you've gotta do
there's no one else to blame but you
nobody's gonna tell you so next time you just had better ask


You Need Love

bah bah bah bah bya ba ba dada
bah bah bah bah bya ba ba dada
bah bah bah bah bya ba ba dada
bah bah bah bah bya ba ba dada da

welcome my friends
to a place that may seem
most disturbing
quite unnerving

lend me your dreams
and we'll add what we need
to be free
terminally

we'll fly to a spot
where I know there is not
any sorrow
no tomorrow

people just laugh
cause they know how it feels
to have loved
and be loved

don't you worry
ain't no need to hurry
all you really need
is love

bah bah bah bah bah

now you may say
tell me more of this place
so inviting
and exciting

here and above
children love without doubt
and can be
they can be

listen my friends
carefully to direction
to get there
and you know where

love is the place
skewed to matter and space
for us all
for us all

don't you worry
ain't no need to hurry
all you really need
is love, love, love



Styx III - The Serpent is Rising:

22 Years

I've got a crazy little mama
Lord, she's my heart and soul
I don't even have to tell ya
she knows how to rock and roll

well this crazy lovin' mama
makin' everything all right
I don't even have to tell ya
she makes things seem outta sight
all right

whenever I'm down
and nothings going right at all
I just think about my baby
and all I've got to do is call

when the evening's looking pretty
and the day's hanging out too long
I know my baby cares about me
right or wrong

it took a long time to find her
it took a lot of laughs and tears
it took a long time to find her
it took me 22 years

I've got a crazy little mama
said, Lord, she's my heart and soul
yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
I don't even have to tell ya
she know's how to rock and roll

well this crazy lovin' mama
makin' everything all right
yeah
I don't even have to tell ya
she makes things seem outta sight
all right

it took a long time to find her
it took a lot of laughs and tears
it took a long time to find her
it took me 22 years
oh my

22 years
22 years
22 years
22 years
22 years
22 years
22 years


As Bad As This

Did you ever in your life before
feel as bad as this?
Did you ever in good time think
my life had gone amiss?
Now I feel I've been unfair
'cause I catch you hanging there.
Did you ever in your life before
feel as bad as this?

God knows I tried a half a year
but it didn't do no good.
My damnedest try to make it work,
I knew it never would.
Now there's nothin' wrong with you,
and there's nothing you could ever do.
God knows I tried a half a year
but it didn't do no good.

The times were good,
but over now,
a pleasant memory.
I'm sorry, there's another face
one that's close to me.
You know 'bout what I learned
and there's no stone left unturned.
The times were good,
but over now,
a pleasant memory. (Sigh)


Hallelujah Chorus

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah,Hallelujah.
For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah,Hallelujah.
For (Hallelujah) the Lord (Hallelujah) God omnipotent reign-(Hallelujah)-eth. Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

The kingdom of this world is become.
The kingdom of our lord and of his Christ, and of his Christ.
And he shall reign for ever and ever.
For ever and ever hallelujah hallelujah

King of Kings. For ever and ever hallelujah hallelujah.
And lord of lords. For ever and ever hallelujah hallelujah.
King of Kings. For ever and ever hallelujah hallelujah.
And lord of lords. For ever and ever hallelujah hallelujah.
King of Kings. For ever and ever hallelujah hallelujah.
And lord of lords. For ever and ever hallelujah hallelujah.
King of kings and lord of lords.

And he shall reign for ever for ever and ever.
King of kings, and lord of lords. King of kings and lord of lords.
And he shall reign for ever for ever and ever.

For ever and ever. For ever and ever.
Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah.

Hallelujah.


Jonas Psalter

When Captain Jonas Psalter
Sailed his ship to sea
Anne Bonny kept him company

The skull and crossbones flew
Above the ocean blue
The captain's men where a pirate's crew

The ships they sought to take
Were of the Spanish Main
A gift from Ferdinand of Spain

And though you rob and kill to find your dream
Your crimes are hardly what they seem

Tortuga held the treasure of a thousand kings
So Jonas planned to steal everything

Two hundred men stood guard
Around the fortune's nest
But Psalter's steel slew all the rest

And when the smoke had cleared
And bloody bodies lay
Everyone could hear the minstrel play

Woo woo Jonas Psalter
You've captured every prize
There is to dream of in one life

And so we wonder why
We found you in your bed
With that bullet in your head


Krakatoa

Krakatoa you've changed your ways
from evil days.
Oh I know a once violent isle
and gentle smile.
When the dust and lava cooled
you were sterile as the rock from which the earth was tooled.
Was man's beginning a wind borne spore
to fly no more?
Nature's winning her docile spree
has set her free.
Seeds were wafted on the wind
forming heavy undergrowth for species winged and finned.
Tangled mangles rebuilt your soil
from age dead toil.
Sheltered bay coves protecting life
from Satan's knife.
Grow and island in the sun
where the hell fire belching earth had destructively left none.


Plexiglas Toilet

Don't sit on the Plexiglas toilet
Said the momma to her son
Wipe the butt clean with the paper
Make it nice for everyone
But don't sit down on the Plexiglas toilet yeah

A boy of 5 stands close to the toilet
Holds the lid up with one hand
Won't let go the lid for fear that
On his banana it will land
Don't sit down on the Plexiglas toilet yeah

Boy goes up he eats the enchilada
With the sauce that burns the heart
Family comes to visit family
Momma says don't belch and fart

Don't sit on the Plexiglas toilet
Said the momma to her son
Wipe the butt clean with the paper
Make it nice for everyone
But don't sit down on the Plexiglas toilet yeah

Everybody Sing!

Don't sit on the Plexiglas toilet
Said the momma to her son
Wipe the butt clean with the paper
Make it nice for everyone
But don't sit down on the Plexiglas toilet yeah

Don't sit on the Plexiglas toilet
Said the momma to her son
Wipe the butt clean with the paper
Make it nice for everyone
But don't sit down on the Plexiglas toilet yeah


The Grove Of Eglantine

Hey you there
Cast an eye this way
You with that young lust virgin smile
Don't pretend that you're quickly melting before my eyes
That's a lie

'Cause I see all of you
Quite clearly now
I like our looks your moves you know everything
So when I ring you up in the evening I shall meet you

In the Grove of Eglantine
Just south of man's delight
Close to a soft flowing stream

In the Grove of Eglantine
We will join as lovers might
Between the lines of a dream

Your magic lips
Have made me realize
All of the pleasures man can fantasize
So don't pretend that you're sad to see me say goodbye
That's a lie

You're a wicked wench...ha
But thanks for all the laughs
You and your young lust virgin smile
And when I'm gone for awhile
I'll once more want to meet you

In the Grove of Eglantine
Just south of man's delight
Close to a soft flowing stream

In the Grove of Eglantine
We will join as lovers might
Between the lines of a dream
In the Grove of Eglantine
Just south of man's delight
Close to a soft flowing stream

In the Grove of Eglantine
We will join as lovers might
Between the lines of a dream

In Eglantine...of a dream (fade)


The Serpent Is Rising

In the abyss of space
From the center of time
A superman race
Moves the Serpent to climb

The journey has lasted
Seven ages or more
Life after life
Must pass through the door

The secret revealed
When you leave your cave
Is a glory of thunder
And life from the grave

The Serpent is rising
Uncoiling in your spine
Bringing you light
From the depths of your mind

The people have massed
In the center of town
We drink from a glass
And the world turns around

The Serpent is rising
Uncoiling in your spine
Bringing you light
From the depths of your mind

The Serpent is rising
Uncoiling in your spine
Bringing you light
From the depths of your mind

The Serpent is rising
Uncoiling in your spine
Bringing you light
From the depths of your mind


Winner Take All

you've got to be strong
if you're going to make it baby
you've got to stand tall
if you're going to survive

so just take my hand
and I'll show you how to feel alive
yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah

winner take all
that's the way I play it
playing my cards as the world goes by
winner take all
that's the way that I get high

you live your own life
always needing someone baby
then I appear to answer your call
together I know
we can ride the highway past them all
yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah

winner take all
that's the way I play it
playing my cards as the world goes by
winner take all
that's the way that I get high
high high

winner take all
that's the way I play it
playing my cards as the world goes by
winner take all
that's the way that I get high


Witch Wolf

Reoccurring symptoms
Answer the baleful howl
Bringing me dreams of darkness
The doer of all that's foul
Raping the minds of infants
Sower of unplanted seeds
Full moon warrior
Doer of sordid deeds

Witch Wolf
Night Rider
Why do you call for me?

Thirteenth hour madman
Bringing my soul to fire
Visions of my sweet Beulah
To torment soon retire

Witch Wolf
Night Rider
Why do you call for me?

Got my one-way ticket
on this hell bound train
I can't seem to stop falling
I bear the wrath of Cain

Witch Wolf
Night Rider
Why do you call for me?


Young Man

people say with age there comes experience
but as soon as you are born you start to die
older men are chosen to speak wisely
but call the child to the sacrificial rite

who can we get to win the fight?
young man!
who can we get to make love all night?
young man!
who do we send away to die?
young man!
I heard a lonely woman cry for a
young man!

the fire bombs in distant lands are burning
jarring every synapse in your soul
life and death are a meaningless profession
tomorrow brings a horror yet untold

who can we get to win the fight?
young man!
who can we get to make love all night?
young man!
who do we send away to die?
young man!
I heard a lonely woman cry for a
young man!

young man!
young man!

come home my son
we'll give you a rest
welcome my son
we'll give you the best
time's stowaway
the young man
short are the days
of the young man

young man!
young man!
 

 M P 3   S a m p l e s


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