| | Styx Complete Wooden Nickel Recordings CD Styx Discography of CDs
 (11 Customer Reviews)
Though Styx became known as purveyors of seamless AOR power ballads in the late 1970s, few recall that they spent the early part of that decade working a grittier, more complex format. Before
singer/songwriter/guitarist Tommy Shaw arrived to aid Styx in their
pursuit of the mainstream, they released four albums on indie label
Wooden Nickel between 1972 and 1974. With original guitarist John
Curulewski still on board, Styx had a harder edge and a more eclectic
sound. Those four albums are neatly compiled here on two discs.
The stylistic spectrum traversed therein encompasses prog-rock epics,
Lynyrd Skynyrd-like blues-rockers, classical flourishes, metal-tinged
hard rock, and even the occasional touch of jazz fusion. Of course, the
hook-heavy songwriting and spotless vocal harmonies that would later
make Styx superstars are present throughout, as is the early sleeper hit
"Lady," a foreshadowing of things to come. For those who think the story
of Styx began with "Come Sail Away," THE COMPLETE WOODEN NICKEL RECORDINGS will be an education.
2cds Incl."Styx","Styx II", "Serpent Is Rising","Man Of Mi
Audio Mixers: John Ryan ; Barry Mraz.
Liner Note Author: Martin Huxley.
Recording information: Golden Voice Studios, South Pekin, IL; Paragon Recording Studios, Chicago, IL.
Photographers: Murray Laden; Dave Hecht.
Arranger: Barry Fasman.
Styx: James Young (vocals, guitar); Dennis DeYoung, John Curulewski, John Panozzo, Chuck Panozzo.
Personnel: John Curulewski (vocals, guitar, synthesizer); James "Jockey" Young (vocals, guitar); Dennis DeYoung (vocals, keyboards, synthesizer); Chuck Panozzo (vocals, bass guitar); John Panozzo (vocals, drums, percussion).
Additional personnel: Bill Traut (saxophone).
Complete Wooden Nickel Recordings Music | List Price | $20.92 (You save $3.23) | | Category | Rock/Pop Albums, Rock CDs, Hard Rock, Progressive | | Label | Hip-O | | Orig Year | 2005 | | All Time Sales Rank |  2890  | | CD Universe Part number | 6821815 | | Catalog number | 000392202 | | Discs | 2 | | Release Date | Feb 15, 2005 | | Studio/Live | Studio | | Mono/Stereo | Stereo | | Producer | Bill Traut; John Ryan; Barry Mraz; Styx; Bill Traut; John Ryan; Barry Mraz; Bill Levenson (Compilation) | | Engineer | Barry Mraz; Gary Loizzo; Marty Feldman | | Personnel | James "Jockey" Young - vocals, guitar
Dennis Deyoung - vocals, keyboards, synthesizer
Chuck Panozzo - vocals, bass guitar
John Panozzo - vocals, drums, percussion
John Curulewski - vocals, guitar, synthesizer
Also: Bill Traut | | Additional Info | Remastered |
Styx Complete Wooden Nickel Recordings Songs Complete Wooden Nickel Recordings Music Review Average Rating: (4.7 out of 5 stars)   List All Reviews A Styx fan's must-have!
Finally the first four Styx albums available on CD after various budget discs that really didn't do the band or the catalog justice. This is Styx in their earliest form before Tommy Shaw joined the band. Comlpete with liners notes and great shots of the band, this is a must-have for all Styx fanatics.
A great buy.
Submitted by chazmix1 (bedford, texas, USA) 
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 Progressive rock at it's finest
These CD's should let everybody know just how much Styx should be credited for progressive rock.Was there any better of a group in the early seventies from America,John Curulewski,has to be given credit for a lot of this,after his sudden departure after Equinox,the band slowly left this mode and went to more of pop band.Tommy Shaw was good,but John Curulewski should be remembered as one of the Band Mates of Styx that help make them last as long as they did,and lets not forget Equinox did go platinum,if your a fan of ROCK buy this collection,you won't be sorry.Long Live Rock
Submitted by chrispackers (Texas)
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These guys really rocked
I had no idea Styx was ever this good. I was used to hearing their wimp rock fruity stuff from the late 70's and always dismissed them as stupid, overblown fluff. But this cd shows they really did rock at one time. I agree with one of the other reviewers that if you buy this collection and Equinox your all set.
Submitted by sharqcr (San Clemente, Ca)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No Awesome Remastered Set
I was amazed at the sound quality of this remastered 2CD set featuring Styx's early work. This 2CD set is a MUST have for all Styx fans that appreciate the pre Tommy Shaw days. I am enjoying these new songs, as the first Styx LP I ever bought was The Grand Illusion. I highly recommend this remastered set to all Styx fans everywhere.
Submitted by Rick (Greensboro,NC,USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No Early stuff is better
No it isn't the Styx of Mr. Roboto. This is the early band I grew up with in Chicago. They played the clubs and country clubs and they were not superstars. They just went out and rocked. I give this cd set a 5 because these tunes to me are their best. Get this and Equinox and that's all the Styx you need.
Submitted by gary (newburgh, IN)
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