CAUGHT IN THE ACT LIVE

As far as live albums go, Styx does a fairly decent job on this one (much better than on the many live albums to follow later in their career). The near-hit "Music Time" starts the album off, but what follows ranges from either fantastic or mediocre, depending on the track. Standout live tracks include: "Too Much Time on My Hands," "Snowblind," and probably the best-EVER version of "Come Sail Away." (Yes, even better than the studio version that everyone knows).

I thought "Crystal Ball" was an exceptional performance, and other Shaw numbers like "Fooling Yourself" were very energetic. Someone I read complained that the older tunes, which he liked, were handled "with kid gloves instead of with chainsaws as they should be". He wanted more heavy-metal guitar and pounding rhythms. I cannot say that I agree with that. That would have made the dramatic climaxes less powerful. Styx is one of those bands that are best in the recording studio. All "progressive" music is best when it is approached as studio art. I think the live album by Kansas 'Two For The Show' is better than it's studio counterparts.

STYX is excellent live! Don't let anyone tell you differently. Past or present, they rock! My favorite tracks are Snowblind, Too Much Time On My Hands, Sweet Madame Blue...forget it I love them all, even Babe and Mr. Roboto. This is a great addition to any collection, along with Return to Paradise and any other STYX cd.

It's been quite a long time I don't spin this CD and last night I did. My reaction whenever listening to this CD is the laser disc version of this album where I got long before I got the CD. In fact I purchased the CD because I enjoyed the LD. It's one of excellent shows that the band should consider to release the DVD version. Watching the LD version there are two things that I need to put notes. First the stage act and singing style of Tomy Shaw and James Young. I remember vividly how James Young gave good introduction just before he sung "Snowblind" and also how he provided backing with Tomy Shaw and Dennis De Young. Tomy Shaw also gave his powerful voice while playing his guitar. They are not boring on stage at all. Only Chuck Panozzo who seemed pretty quiet - as usual with his style as well Paradise Theater concert.

Second, I like the songs selection as it contains almost all excellent tracks the band has ever created through their previous albums. Actually I expected the band to play "Christopher Mr. Christopher" - a song that colored my childhood but it seems that this song is not popular to Styx. Oh yeah there is another great track by the band from Equinox album: "Born for The Adventure". It's really a cool rock song with tight basslines.

My best favorite track of this performance is "Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)" as it's really rockin' - combining excellent efforts of Tomy Shaw and James Young. It's really cool. Other interesting tracks include "Crystal Ball", "Snowblind", Suite Madame Blue" and "Mr. Roboto". "Don't Let It End" is another excellent track with ballad style.

Overall, this is an excellent rock live album. As I said that this live set comprises excellent selections of the band's previous albums.

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

I listened to this album in 1986 or in 1987, being broadcasted in Stereo by a FM Radio station in my city, now defunct and called "Rock 101". This very missed radio station was the best choice for Rock listeners here. They broadcasted in those years (between 1984 and 1995) special programmes dedicated to very different styles of music, including Progressive Rock (with series of programmes dedicated to the discographies of YES, Genesis, ELO, etc.), Heavy Metal, Rock Oldies, Christian Rock, Reggae, and even music not related to Rock, like Afro-American music! They also broadcasted, almost at midnight some days, complete live albums like this Styx album. I recorded it on a cassette because I liked some parts of it (maybe I`m going to buy the CD one day).

Despite not being a fan of Styx`s music, I think that this band has some quality in their playing and in some of their compositions. I think that Dennis DeYoung, in particular, is a very good keyboard player and singer, and he deserves to be considered as the "main force" in this band. While some of his music is mellow, some other songs like "Come Sail Away" are very good. The live version of this song included in this album, is very good, with the audience singing along with DeYoung, and with a very good guitar solo at the end of the song. Guitarists Tommy Shaw and James Young brought a balance to DeYoung`s style, playing and singing energetic Rock songs like "Miss America". "Crystal Ball" is also a very good live version, one of my favourites from this album. "Babe" is one example of DeYoung`s mellow ballads which some Styx`s Fans like. A real bad song is, IMO, "Mr. Roboto", which was also played a lot in the Radio.

This is a good live album to listen even if you are not a Fan of Styx. The recording and mixing are good too.