Lost/Forgotten Album #59

[Jon]

 

 

Still back in the 70's this week!

 

With this week's pick and last week's pick, it's kinda like a "albums before they hit it big" type of thing. Not that I meant to do that, it just turned out that way.

 

This week's pick is from 1974 and is the third album from Styx titled "The Serpent Is Rising". It's also by request and I honor all requests, at least when I feel like it.

 

Dig the picture?  Check for the price tag. Look how the album is a bit worn at the top and right side. It's classic, man!

 

Anyway, this album came out months after Styx II (remember "Lady") but I don't recall hearing anything from this album then or now. And I probably wouldn't have heard it on the radio when it came out anyway since I was listening to other stuff.

 

This isn't a bad album at all, typical (not in a bad way) hard rock/prog from Styx as well as baroque music. That's right, baroque music. Cool word. Just say it over and over. That's what everyone on this site is after buying all this music people keep on bringing up.

 

Baroque.

 

There's also something here that sounds really familiar. Think George Lucas. 

 

A couple album after this Tommy Shaw joined the band and things starting turning around.......

 

 

The Serpent Is Rising

1. Witch Wolf

2. The Grove Of Eglantine

3. Young Man

4. As Bad As This

5. Winner Takes All

6. 22 Years

7. Jonas Psalter

8. The Serpent Is Rising

9. Krakatoa

10. Hallelujah Chorus (From Handel's "Messiah")

 

 

 

Availability: Well, the single CD is going for $30 since it's OOP. So, why not just purchase "The Complete Wooden Nickel Recording" which has the first 4 Styx albums nicely remastered and at a bargain price of around $16?

 

MSoTW: Niels won last week! This week I just grabbed something. Nothing special, was going to do something else and forgot about it. 

 

 

 

 

[RJhog (Admin)]

I have the Wooden Nickel recordings, which of course includes this album.  I listened to it again, but I must say I remembered correctly.  There's really only two songs here that have any remote value to me, and those are Witch Wolf and As Bad As This.  The song about the plexiglass toilet, although I'm sure it was done as a joke, is really just terrible.

 

I do like Styx (the debut) and Styx II.  I'd say the debut is as good as a couple of the later recordings.

[RJhog (Admin)]

Regarding the mystery song, my first guess is Charlie Daniels.  I think it sounds like him vocally, but not necessarily musically.  So, if that's not right, here are my questions:

 

1. Is the band American?

2. Are they considered Southern Rock?

3. Is the vocalist still alive?

[Jon]

Yes, Yes, Yes.

[RJhog (Admin)]

1. What decade is the song from?

2. Does the band's name end in "Band"?

[Jon]

It's from the 80's.

 

Yes.

[RJhog (Admin)]

Marshall Tucker Band?

[Scott]

doesnt sound like them to me...  Im sticking with the Chuck Daniels Band

[RJhog (Admin)]

In my first reply, I said if it's not CDB, and asked 3 questions, which he answered, so it can't be CDB. 

 

Of course, Jon could be effing with me.

[Scott]

OK, well, Ive comitted myself (stupidly or not) so Im going to claim Jon misread your reply as did I... 

[Jon]

I'm effing. I just decided to go with the questions, see what came from them. So, Rjhog wins!!!!!

[Scott]

Im going with Charlie Daniels as well...

[Scott]

I first heard this album cranked high at my olders brothers friends apartment, I think I was 12 or 13.  Of course that atmosphere and my age were heavy influences in why I thought this was cool.  And the album cover as well.  All kidding aside I loved this listen.  My brother bought me Man of Miracles for Christmas around that same time and I remember being disappointed because I thought it would be as cool as this.  Long story short, I do love Man or Miracels now...

 

I am adding the Wooden Nickels collection to my wish list!

 

Thanks Jon!