Hidden Treasures - The Wooden Nickel Years

[Scott]

Think we milked the replacement singer topic one too many posts.  So lets switch gears...

 

Styx's Wooden Nickel years encompass 4 albums ...

• STYX
• II
• THE SERPENT IS RISING
• MAN OF MIRACLES

 

These albums showcased a Styx much different than we would come to know with at least one similarity.  This Styx was progressive, heavy and had a tendency for concept albums much like they would release later.  These albums established the band in the Chicago area and gave them a solid fan base, but none of them provided them with the break they desired, until sometime in 1975 when a Chicago radio station began playing Lady from Styx II.  The rest as they say is history.

From a personal side, the very first Styx album I owned was Man of Miracles.  My brother gave it to me for Christmas one year.  He gave me a choice of two, and I picked this one because the cover was cool.  I gotta say, I didn't care for it when I listened to it at first, but looking back it was a wise choice.

Interesting to note that James "JY" Young has a huge presence on these early albums, much more than the A&M years. So he gets the lead vocal on 3 of the 4 songs showcased here, a much bigger ratio than he was ever allotted in their later years.

Last thought, if you take this experience and go straight to Equinox you'll get a real clear picture of how the band transitioned. Pretty cool actually to hear that evolution.  So lets take a listen at some of what shaped this bands style by reviewing 4 Wooden Nickel tracks (1 from each release) that should give you a cool feel for the band before they broke big.

 

Note:  All tracks were pulled from the compilation "The Complete Wooden Nickel Recordings"

Playlist -->  http://snack.to/au3yv808

 

	STYX 1972 1 - Quick is the Beat of my Heart
	STYX II 1973 2 - You Need Love
	THE SERPENT IS RISING 1973 3 - The Grove Of Eglantine
	MAN OF MIRACLES 1974 4 - Rock and Roll Feeling

[RJhog (Admin)]

I have these 4 in a box set, and my clear favorite is the debut.  Quite honestly, when I listen to these 4 (which I haven't done in a while), the first one sounds much more like the Styx that hit it big.  I'll listen later and see if something jars me into spinning one of the full albums.

[Mike Mills]

Musically, these are all excellent. Not really a fan of the vocal arrangement on "Quick Is the Beat Of My Heart", but that would be my only complaint. I've always liked JY's vocals, deep, dark & powerful! Of the 4 "You Need Love" is the best illustration of that. I was always a big fan of "Put Me On" which also featured JY's vocals. With the exception of the first song, it all sounds & feels like the Styx I love. My ranking would be:

1. The Grove Of Eglantine

2. You Need Love

3. Rock & Roll Feeling

4. Quick Is The Beat Of My Heart

Outstanding Post!!!

[Scott]

Put Me On is a great Styx tune!  I would love to see their A&M work remastered and even some deluxe editions put out would be awesome!  Equinox, Crystal Ball, and The Grand Illusion would top my wish list!

 

Thanks for the listen and kind response.

[RJhog (Admin)]

Okay, I just listened, here's what I think:

1. Quick Is The Beat Of My Heart - My favorite here.  I love Young's vocals on this song. I still like this album best too, but I'm about to spin all four soon.

2. You Need Love - I'll rate this 3rd overall.  Not crazy about the song as a whole, but the guitar playing is great.

3. The Grove Of Eglantine - What exactly is that anyway ("just south of man's delight")?  Actually, this is the most Styx-like song here.  I wonder why?  Does it have anything to do with Dennis DeYoung?

4. Rock And Roll Feeling - A totally rocking song, but I still don't like it.

So, for me:

1. Quick Is The Beat Of My Heart

2. The Grove Of Eglantine

3. You Need Love

4. Rock And Roll Feeling

Terrific post.  Most folks are not familiar with these first 4 Styx albums.  This post is an early nominee for Best Of SHT 2013.  I still have to post my best of lists for SHT, NVC and L/FAOTW for 2012.

[Scott]

Sweet!  Always looking to improve the context and content and so feedback like this is awesome!

[Jon]

I too have this comp (think I might have posted an album from it a while ago?) and while I was listening it dawned on me these songs would be much, MUCH better if Young, Shaw, Gowan, Sucherman and Phillips (the TRUE Styx) were to re-do these songs and give them more bite and awesomeness! 

[RJhog (Admin)]

Jon actually made me laugh out loud.

[Scott]

Shirley you cant be serious...

[Jon]

I am. And don't call me Surely.