2-On-1 of Styx's first two A&M records that were originally released in 1975-76. Equinox produced Styx's first single with A&M, the highly spirited 'Lorelei', which found its way to number 27 on the charts. Althoug... more »h it was the only song to chart from Equinox, the album itself is a benchmark in the band's career since it includes an instrumental nature reminiscent of their early progressive years, yet hints toward a more commercial-sounding future in its lyrics. After Equinox, guitarist John Curulewski parted ways with the band, replaced by Tommy Shaw, who debuted on 1976's Crystal Ball album. Crystal Ball wasn't as successful as Equinox, but it was a better album, showcasing Styx's increased skill for crafting simple, catchy pop hooks out of their bombastic sound. Both titles have been digitally remastered. BGO Records. 2006.« less
2-On-1 of Styx's first two A&M records that were originally released in 1975-76. Equinox produced Styx's first single with A&M, the highly spirited 'Lorelei', which found its way to number 27 on the charts. Although it was the only song to chart from Equinox, the album itself is a benchmark in the band's career since it includes an instrumental nature reminiscent of their early progressive years, yet hints toward a more commercial-sounding future in its lyrics. After Equinox, guitarist John Curulewski parted ways with the band, replaced by Tommy Shaw, who debuted on 1976's Crystal Ball album. Crystal Ball wasn't as successful as Equinox, but it was a better album, showcasing Styx's increased skill for crafting simple, catchy pop hooks out of their bombastic sound. Both titles have been digitally remastered. BGO Records. 2006.
CD Reviews
Finally...Some Re-mastered STYX
Richard Thompson | El Paso, Texas | 03/22/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am a hugh Classic Rock fan, and have been buying music since the late 70's when I was in junior high. Went from vinyl albums to cd's in the mid-80's. About 15 years after compact discs originally hit the market, consumers began to see newer "re-mastered" versions of the old classics. At first, re-mastering was usually reserved for the most popular titles, but from 2002 to 2005, there seemed to be a surge of popular titles available. Some artists, such as Rush, Elton John, and Led Zeppelin, had their entire catalogs of past albums re-mastered. Then again, some classic rock outfits seem to not know this is something the consumers want, or simply don't care.
Styx is one of those band's that are very popular, but you still can't get their early albums in the new re-mastered format. I don't understand why? They are just as popular with mainstream music buyers as KANSAS, who have almost all of their back-catalog re-mastered. Anyway, this is your opportunity to get two, early classic STYX albums on one cd, with good re-mastered sound. I bought mine when it was on sale for only $17.99 What a bargain! The London based record company, BGO Records specializes in re-issuing older music. BGO stands for the "Beat Goes On". As far as the sound goes, it's quite good. More over-all output, better bottom end, and no tape hiss!
Before this became available, I had purchased the 2-disc Styx Anthology, just to get a modern, better sounding compilation of Styx songs. It's good. Nice selection of tracks and great sound, but it still did not have all the songs I wanted. I wanted all the tracks from the Equinox album. I own an A&M copy, put out in 1987. Just has a simple gate fold insert listing the songs, production notes, and band members. That's it. This BGO version has a 14 page booklet, including all song lyrics, original album sleeve notes from 1976, and a 5 page historical review of the band by Alan Robinson (2006).
I just hope that BGO Records is planning on offering a Grand Illusion / Pieces of Eight two-for this year! That would be great, since A&M Records here in the states are too cheap to re-issue STYX's music."
Finally well deserved remastering
David Insinga | CLIFTON,NJ | 06/05/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The two albums that brought STYX to the arena rock circle they deserved the discs never sounded better. always dug LIGHT UP
LORELEI,and the enduring SUITE MADAME BLUE.The start of the STYX
as a teen i grew to love.Still with a progressive edge and the prelude to the TOMMY SHAW era.CRYSTAL BALL was another classic PUT ME ON may be the best song that the "weak link" J.Y.ever wrote probably because DENNIS sang with him.MADAMEOISELLE great
TOMMY and DENNIS collaboration a look at the great sounds to come
from SHAW and DEYOUNG.The title cut CRYSTAL BALL is a great song
one of TOMMY SHAWS best.then its all DENNIS DEYOUNG at some of his finest moments THIS OLD MAN the beautiful rendition of CLAIR DeLUNE and finally BALLERINA.The band was really working as aband together and this was just the start as there was so much more to come.Worth every penny to buy again the sound is so much better than the original lame A&M VERSIONS."
FINALLY
DANtheSTYXfan | Kalamazoo, MI USA | 09/22/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Two of Styx's best albums Equinox and Crystal Ball. Equinox being the end of the Curulewski era as we know he would leave the band to save his marriage. And Crystal Ball marks the beginning of the Tommy Shaw era. Every Song on here is awesome. The best songs off the two albums have to be "Light Up", "Lorelei", "Suite Madame Blue", "Put Me On", "Crystal Ball", "Mademoiselle", "Shooz", and "Clair De Lune / Ballerina". This is a great collection of music and any Styx fan should want to have these songs if not on this combination of the too then the individual albums. Because this some of Styx classic music."
Two Great Styx Albums On One CD
The Footpath Cowboy | Kingston, NY United States | 12/17/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"EQUINOX/CRYSTAL BALL is a reissue of two great Styx albums on one CD. EQUINOX, as we all know, was guitarist John Curulewski's last album with the band before he left and was replaced by guitarist/singer/songwriter Tommy Shaw. There are many great songs here, including Dennis DeYoung's "Suite Madame Blue" and James "JY" Young's hot rocker "Midnight Ride", which is a far cry from the territory the band would later get into, whereas CRYSTAL BALL, Shaw's first album with the band, includes the stirring Shaw-written title track, a searching ballad which inspired me to put my dreams of looking good for various pretty actresses as a higher priority than food-related functions at my old school; this song is a far cry from the Barry Manilow territory DeYoung's later ballads would explore. This CD is a must own for anyone who's even remotely interested in Styx."
Styx remaster
G. Richards | Overland Park, KS | 09/05/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This new edition, from BGO records, consists of two Styx albums on a single remastered CD. Running 77 minutes, it has superior sound quality and also features some of the band's better music. Equinox was Styx's breakthrough album, in which they perfected their vocal harmonies and honed their songwriting skills. This album is consistently strong: even the less well-known tracks are a pleasure to listen to. Crystal Ball was a bit uneven in places, but still contains some nice material. Several of the songs that did not receive much radio airplay, Jennifer, This Old Man, and Ballerina, hold up well many years later. All in all, this is a good value for the money."
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1