Classical Composer Reacts to Father O.S.A. (Styx) | The Daily Doug (Episode 451)
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- Опубліковано 30 сер 2022
- #styx #styxreaction #FatherOSA
In this episode of #thedailydoug, I'm returning to music by Styx with their song Father O.S.A. Special thanks goes to our friend Russ, who is serving as Guest DJ on today's episode! This song is from their 2nd album, and I had not heard it previously. I hope you enjoy as much as I did!
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anyone else agree that Doug should do a full album listen of Grand Illusion? Yes? No? Just me?
Indeed
Or Pieces of Eight
I agree.
Grand Illusion, Pieces of Eight, Paradise Theater, etc., etc.
Grand Illusion, yes, although for me I'd love to hear Doug do an analysis of all of Crystal Ball
Oh my... I never thought anyone other than myself ever appreciated this, my favorite Styx tune. An incredible piece of music. Thank you for your appreciation and review.
Dennis DeYoung the vocalist has such a timbre and so in tune that his voice shines through the rest of the sounds.
I’ve been a Styx fan since the ‘70s. This is not a well known song from them, but in my mind it is one of their most beautiful one. Thanks for reacting to it!
“A Day” is another obscure but great song from this album……
STYX was an amazing band! In my opinion, the sound was mainly shaped by Dennis de Young! his voice and the skills on the keyboards were and still are unique!
Pretty confident this song was written about my high school principal. He was a Jesuit priest that spent several years in Chicago in the mid 60's to the mid 70's. And yes, he liked his booz! He passed away just a few years ago. But he talked about how he knew Styx and DDY. He actually turned me on to the early Styx stuff in the mid 80s when he came to my high school. No internet back then, so I wasn't aware Styx had albums pre Tommy Shaw!
RIP Father Francis Landwermeier!
How cool was the music scene in 1973, amazing.
Styx’s early “prog” sound was akin to nascent prog metal - think bands like Uriah Heep, or even Deep Purple. Over the years they began producing more of a big “stadium rock” sound but with a lot of prog elements, mostly due to DeYoung’s keys and his theatrical background. The pinnacle was “Paradise Theater”, a concept album that crosses all genres and is absolutely brilliant.
Def Uriah Heepish from their beginning
Paradise Theater is fantastic. Doug should do an extended listen to the entire album.
"You Need Love," the first track on this album, is a hidden gem.
Doug, the song "A Day," also from Styx II would be a great song to review if you ever get bored. LOL. Always been one of my most favorite Styx tunes.
You should do "Movement For The Common Man" from their first album - 13 minutes of proggy goodness!
I always interpreted "the bottle that surrounds your life" to be an allusion to the priest's alcoholism.
the priest could also be viewed as a person without life experience the Church be the bottle and the sailing ship within sitting on a shelf as a trinket
I think the song is sympathetic, not mocking, not lamenting. As an Augustine monk he's probably devoted his life to the service of others. And the song is honoring him for his sacrifice.
Well Doug's take is significantly different from mine 🙃
I have loved this song since I found the record in the early 80's. I used to sneak into my older sister's room to listen to her records, and there was plenty of Styx in her collection.
I always found this song to be a commentary on a man who had lived a life devoid of adventure, and ultimately leaving little, or no impact on the world around him. "Your life's a ship that's never been to sea. The bottle that surrounds your life, you'll sail eternally." says to me that he hasn't really lived. Somewhat a song lamenting the man's life, but also perhaps mocking him for being oblivious to the nothing that he is leaving behind.
Thank you for featuring a little known song from the early years of a prolific band.
Yes, that is exactly the interpretation of the song.
I've always considered it a prog tune as well regardless of any lack of complexity. It's got a prog feel to it for sure.
Freaking love Styx. Cool to have some pre-Tommy Shaw era stuff on the channel! Nice pick Russ! Dennis sings like an angel on this one! Their sound is SO BIG too.
Thanks Doug! 😊 appreciate all you do! ❤️
as Radar once said "ah Bach"
OMG, I won this album at Union Jacks music wheel in Sea Side NJ, and because my dad was a pianist I fell in love with it and my drumming benefited for it. I didn't know STYX from Adam, but I loved it none the same and yet they were superstars I found by accentually. I'm not proud of that because I felt at the time they were one hit wonders with "Lady". but damned good learning text for a budding drummer.
Wow, so they were giving this album away on the boardwalk at Seaside back in the 70s?? These first 4 wooden nickel albums I thought didn't sell well at all either.
Wooden Nickel Styx, a lot of good stuff pre Tommy Shaw who they brought in to replace John Curewelski for the high harmony. A great pick Russ, and Doug you should go back one more album and check out "Street collage/Fanfare for the common man/Mother Nature matinee"🤠👍👍👍
Big fan of the Wooden Nickel era Styx.
It's crazy that the people who hate Wooden Nickel Styx the most are the members of Styx. There's a lot of gems from that era.
@@fatlahbazooka I think it's because of the friction between Tommy Shaw and Dennis DeYoung, and I know Dennis has a larger than life ego, but I guess he's entitled seeing as he can still belt out a tune in his 70's. Not a big fan of Shaw, but that's just me. I see him as similar to Michael McDonald ruining the Doobie brothers.
Yes! Tommy Shaw did help them become a financial success, but at the price of musical/instrumental growth. Nearly everything became rock, not prog after Tommy got on board.
Come Sail Away is a glorious exception.
One of Styx's most underrated songs (and one I think you'd be very interested in) is Suite Madame Blue.
Yes, with the 12-string intro Prelude 12!
Has he done “A Day”, also from Styx II? Now THAT is prog rock bliss! Love playing it for my musician friends - and letting them know at the end - “btw - that was Styx.”
Great album,great song ,one of Styx gems.
I never heard this before but it was beautiful 😊
Its great to see youre enjoying my all time favorite band. Styx was always a mix of prog and hard rock, never too proggy. However, if you want some of their more proggier stuff, check out songs like Fooling Yourself, Red Storm, One With Everything, or A Day.
"A Day" is also on "Styx II" and was the work of the late John Curulewski, who probably died from complications of Marfan syndrome. (He was about a foot taller than his bandmates, and died from a dissecting aneurysm.)
‘A Day’ is very ELP like.
Yes, yes, yes, and fucking YES!!!
Cool to see you mentioned Red Storm, from their 2017 album The Mission. In my opinion, one of their best! Also, their latest from 2021 called Crash of the Crown is also great! Lawrence Gowan on Vocals and Keys was a great replacement for Dennis DeYoung.
It's My Favourite Song since 1974... Hallo Indonesia🇮🇩
I hope Doug does the entire Grand Illusion.
I know this isn't on topic, but I really love the Lucky Man lyrics on the wall to the left. ELP is my all time favorite band and I just love seeing others enjoying their music too. :)
Looks like it's signed by Greg Lake, too.
Terrific job, Doug. You probably already know Antonio Carlos Jobim. A powerful song, full of modulations and chromatic scales that you might not know is Retrato em Branco e Preto (Black and White Photograph), by the voice of Elis Regina with Jobim playing the piano. Another Jobim's beautiful song is Beatriz, with the voice of Milton Nascimento. It would be great to watch you react to both. Thanks and keep the great work!
Dennis DeYoung is full of surprises.
Great choice, Doug. Takes me back to the days when Styx were not yet nationally known and were still a bit of a Chicago secret.
Papa Joe's in Park Ridge 😎
And on Wooden Nickel records, not on A&M yet.
@@waynevanstanley3795 I still have all 4 of the original Wooden Nickel vinyls, including both WN releases of Styx II (the 1st pressing had the band name die cut and was a gatefold, with the "river Styx" painting behind the cutouts). (Also have the RCA reissues, which renamed II "Lady.") As well as the Lady and You Need Love 45s on WN.
Oh heck yes. My favorite Styx song. The meaning has changed for me over the years and as I had kids. Thank you. (Yeah I always took the meaning in a less religious way)
It's fascinating to hear tracks like this. I grew up in Scotland in the '70s and my friends and I were all into Yes and/or Genesis and/or Floyd and/or ELP (we were teenage boys, we were tribal :-) ). But, the nature of the UK at that time was that we rarely heard anything like this from the USA, we just got the mainstream pop and a few big names. It wasn't until I went to a Scout camp in Switzerland in 1979 that I started to hear more US bands. Oddly enough, Styx was one band that was on rotation in the bar (ahem) that we used to sneak out to every night. So thanks for reminding me of the good times.
I think it was more sad than mocking. I don't know I was 4 when it came out.
this song is about an alcoholic priest that would stop by the bands reheasal studio two blocks from where he taught high school. and repeat the same story everytime as if he was telling it for the first time. alocoholism and dementia.
THE ENTIRETY OF STYX 2 IS MAGNIFICENT! This is such an amazing song 🤘 thanks to the guest dj and of course thank you Doug for this awesome episode ❤❤❤
You are welcome. 🙂
Amen to that! Such an overshadowed (not underrated) album in the catalog! I love this track and this entire album!
@@russellcraft7269 A Day is also such a gem.
I had this 8-track in High School, haven't heard this since then...talk about time travel...........
Hi Doug, new subscriber here, you hooked me in with Pink Floyd 😄Styx grand illusion was my first concert. Love your work!!
Father OSA is about his father old sad and angry
If you like this one try a day off the same album it's great
Wonderful song !
Hugs from Brazil 🎉
It is interesting with your reference to Hey Jude that Dennis DeYoung has made it clear that his biggest influence is the Beatles.
I would guess that 90%…maybe more???… of Styx fans have not even heard of the first four albums they released. All seem to know the song ‘Lady’ but could not tell which album it is from. It’s definitely a far cry from the work they are most well know for… but still excellent music.
I love the early Styx! Pre-Tommy Shaw.
Another album I had to get on import in the UK. As I have said before, we called this 'almost' prog style POMP ROCK 🙂
One more Styx song to check out would be the JC penned A Day. It has multiple movements and really shows their breadth as a band.
thanks Doug ! enjoy Styx !
The bottle... look at the previous line: You're life's a ship that's never been to sea. It's comparing his life to a ship in a bottle.
It's a great song. Prog rock is thought of a lot more than just constant key changes or complexity but but also for the kind of instrument tones and style riffs used in it. And this song is certainly full of those things generally associated with prog rock. Styx has the perfect balance of music including prog rock elements without requiring an audience who has acquired a developed taste for that. Their music is a lot easier for a general radio listening audience to appreciate (well, in the 70s & 80s) than some of the music from bands like Yes or ELP, but yet includes a lot elements of those bands. Most of the music I listen to is associated with prog rock in some way, and Styx is probably my favorite band of all. My next favorite bands are Genesis, Kanasas, Yes, ELP, The Moody Blues & Rush. See the connection between them? There is no denying Styx has a strong connection to prog rock, no matter what category people want to lump them under. They are their own music, as each of these bands has their own unique style and you'll hear pop songs from Genesis, Yes, ELP, Pink Floyd & Rush plenty. It comes down to, if your a famous band with music people will recognize from the radio, you broke out of the purely prog rock category on some level. None of these bands are pure prog rock, so why does Styx need to be for some to associate them to it? And while there are plenty of people that love or hate Styx, what bands does everyone love? I can't think of any. There are lovers and hater for all bands.
Dennis can play in whatever damn key he wants. Who cares, it sounds good!
The bottle is his message.
Nice taste, thank you for reacting to my fave song
Dennis used an abbreviated version of the same Bach intro in their 1991 concert tour for the song called "Love is the Ritual". I believe it was played in C for this tour. Check it out: ua-cam.com/video/vpkTNgATR1g/v-deo.html
A day on that same album I like a lot
Never heard this one before. Sounds like something for Church. Check out Crystal Ball, Suite Madam Blue, Blue Collar Man, Pieces of Eight, Queen of Spades and Miss America.
It's actually Bach's original Fugue that's in the wrong key, this cover is in the right key.
😂🤣😂
That is a well-known problem that Bach had. I think he only composed in the right key once or twice in his entire life.
I thought so too! The title is actually something of a misnomer. Right?
Very minor correction… it’s not in the “wrong key”. If you know the history of this band, they’re quite respectful to the source material. So, doing this in a different key is almost certainly intentional. Why? I don’t know (perhaps for the transition into Father OSA?). But it’s intentional. As such, it’s not the “wrong” key. It’s their alternative interpretation, for better or for worse. The original key is, IMO, better… but for their purposes here (if it’s for the transition), it works.
Side note: a million kudos to whoever recommended this. Virtually no one knows these early Styx songs (except Babe… ot transcended). Forgivably, they didn’t have a lot of epic pieces in their early days. BUT… there were some. And I think they’re one of the most underrated bands of all time. THIS is one of their superb early pieces. Maybe it didn’t get proper recognition because it’s too short. Or maybe critics didn’t like that the intro part wasn’t in the “right” key. I don’t know. But this is a fabulous song. A million kudos to whoever recommended this!!!
Definitely not in the wrong key. Dennis has said that for whatever reason, his voice always sounded good in D so many of their songs (Lady, Lorelei etc) are in that key by design.
@@rtobin1374 totally concur. I get why some may assess it that way, as it’s a DIFFERENT key. That doesn’t equal “wrong”. It’s an adaptation. You replied so long after I commented that I don’t even remember what my comment was in reference to. Lol. I’m guessing the reactor commented that it was in the wrong key. It’s not. Frankly, and I’m going to sound a little TOO “out there” with this, but… there’s no such thing as a “wrong key”. It’s music. It’s art. Do whatever you feel. We may end up disagreeing. Maybe I’ll feel like it’s not the best key for this song. But it’s my opinion only. There’s no such thing as a wrong key. It’s all personal preference.
And, bluntly, the key works here. As I noted, the transition is smooooooooooooth. Great key choice. Absolutely nothing wrong here. But I’ll also say that if you disagree, I respect that. Just don’t call it the “wrong” key. Call it “bad”. Say you don’t like it. That’s all fine. It’s opinion. That’s fair. Calling it the “wrong” key is just flatly terrible. There’s no such thing. You could do it in F#minor (is that even a thing… I’m musically inclined, but not an expert, lol) and that’s okay if that’s what you prefer. It’s ART. There’s no “WRONG” key.
…moreover, this key works.
Styx doing the twin lead guitar that Thin Lizzy made famous a few years later
This isn’t what I would consider one of Styx’s prog songs, it has always reminded me more of a Grand Funk Railroad or other early ‘70s American band. The pipe organ adds a bit of a prog window dressing, but that’s about it.
In terms of whether any Styx is prog, I think they certainly have their elements, however what I think really set them apart was Dennis DeYoung’s penchant for Broadway/theatrical styles.
That’s not to say they never wrote more complex pieces, but I think the most prog American band was Kerry Livgren/Steve Walsh era Kansas.
First time listen, keys were boss.
About the lyrics, I would not have described them as either lamenting or mocking. I think they are just straightforwardly offering a criticism. I don't think the words "you're a sad old man" are something you can say to someone sympathetically, but it feels more like they are giving him a reality check than they are ridiculing him.
Yes. To me “a ship that’s never been to sea” and “the bottle that surrounds your life you’ll sail eternally” implies the priest is a barely-functioning alcoholic.
@@philsmith2444 maybe, but I think of it more as being a captive or “artificial” life, the way a ship in a bottle is trapped in a simulation of “ship-dom”.
@@ukecycle298 You could very well be right, it could be a metaphoric bottle.
Speaking of recording this in Chicago…, you still need to analyze Chicago’s ‘Introduction’.
Todays Styx without Dennis IS NOT STYX! Period, his voice is what makes the music! Been a fan growing up in Chicago since 1970, deep dive into Paradise Theater
As far as what this song is really about, I have no idea either and I've been listening to it for about 45 years. But I love it all the same. I've always thought "Styx II" was an underrated album.
I've always considered Styx "prog-adjacent". They had a lot of element of prog music in some of their songs, but weren't as adventurous as actual prog acts. They often had an "epic" on their albums, and "Father" was the epic for this album. Is it complex and sophisticated? No, but it's a great song with an excellent arrangement. Most of the album is definitely not progressive rock, but it's still an excellent album. Plus, I first heard this when I was about 12, and it's been a favorite of mine ever since.
Maybe Father needs Dream Theatre's 12 Step Suite.
OSA stands for the Order of Saint Augustine
BS"D
Reminded me of Dear Mr Fantasy
👏👏👏👏👏 fiesta time i see New band react
Try Claire de Lune/Ballerina from Crystal Ball. Beautiful
Now that is a beautiful song that Dog would appreciate.
Styx at their Progressive Best.
Before all that ballag schmaltz.
Nice Doug!! I'd suggest to react on Eloy as well, colours or time to turn are both great albums! Keep up the good job.
I'm glad you enjoyed a Wooden Nickel era Styx song. Styx can make almost any song sound good, and there are many songs from this era I'd consider significantly better than this one. I gave you a couple of examples in the comments to your reaction to "Renegade" ("Young Man", "A Day"); and here are a few more from this era I'd recommend:
"Man Of Miracles", "Best Thing", "The Serpent Is Rising", "The Grove Of Eglantine".
For more Dennis on an organ listen to "Krakatoa/Hallelujah Chorus" after "The Serpent Is Rising". Note that all the vocals of the chorus are just the members of Styx(I think it was over 1000 - not bad for analog tape).
I heard Dennis De Young studied accordion but was shocked to hear he never studied piano ! As far as this organ music goes, organs have foot pedals and did Dennis use them for this song and if so how ? How did he know how to use them ?
Doug I’d like to compliment you and this channel. I get goose bumps when I listen to you illustrate music I love. It reminds me of the scene in Amadeus where Salieri takes dictation from Mozart or just the gorgeous words Salieri uses to describe Mozart music. I’m not sure how to suggest numbers to you so I’ll just do it here. I mean no disrespect. 1000 Umbrellas by XTC or Wrapped in Grey.
Wooden Nickle on Oak Park and 95th Street.
Slightly reminiscent of Led Zeppelin 's Thank You in parts.
Good call
Also styx does another "classical song going into their own song" Claire de Lune/Ballerina
I find that American prog focuses less on extreme instrumental technicality, and more on the exuberant production and less conventional (non-verse/chorus/verse) song structures. That said, a lot of these bands, like Styx and Kansas and Boston aren't really universally considered "prog", but sort of "prog-adjacent".
I get Styx and Boston not being prog, but Kansas?
@@twelveeighteenofficial7487 I guess that's mostly from people who just don't know anything but the singles or their more popular tunes. I mean, Boston and Styx can get downright prog in their arrangements at times too. Kansas's deeper cuts are definitely more in the extreme but you wouldn't know it from just "Dust in the Wind" or "Carry On Wayward Son".
@@lauscho Carry On Wayward Son is a prog epic - one of the few that actually had mainstream success. Styx's proggiest moment IMO was the Pieces of Eight record. Boston... nah... lots of musicianship, but I never heard anything that wasn't standard pop arrangements from that band. There are only four albums to choose from, it's not like they have a huge catalog to explore.
reminds me of 4 horseman by Aphrodite's Child
Sounds like Fooling Yourself meets Thank You by Zeppelin.
"One With Everything" by Styx may be an interesting listen.
nice video! you should listen to the sound of perseverance by death
I would strongly recommend that you listen to, In The Region Of The Summer Stars by The Enid, Ommadawn by Mike Oldfield, China by Vangelis, and Tangram by Tangerine Dream.
Tangram was the very first Tangerine Dream album I ever listened to, and it still remains one of my favorites (along with Force Majeure, Rubycon, and LeParc).
Vangelis is really hit or miss for me. Some of his stuff is among the greatest music ever recorded, and some of it is borderline unlistenable. My absolutely favorite album of his has always been _Direct_. _Oceanic_ is underrated.
@@mournblade1066 Johannes Schmoelling was integral to the new warm melodious sound of Tangerine Dream in the 80s. I bought Tangram on it's release and have been listening regularly to this beautiful, peerless album ever since. Interestingly, I always draw parallels between the closing passage of Set 2 and the coda of Shine on you crazy diamond. I echo your admiration of Force Majeure (Cloudburst Flight) and recommend Logos ( Part 1), and Exit ( Pilots of the Purple Twilight).
Your critique of Vangelis is valid - Spiral, and Opera Sauvage are the only other albums that resonated with me and thus possess.
I would suggest you try The Seed and the Sower by The Enid, the track Reverberations shares DNA with Vangelis and Tangerine Dream.
Deus ex Machina, Italian prog rock.
Try "Macte Aequitatem" or " Foederis Aequas Dicamus Leges"
Prog Rock with operatic vocals sung in Latin.
Also anything from Ozric Tentacles.
Jurassic Shift is a good entry album
Lastly Dixie Dregs Oddessy
Seems kind if obvious that what dennis was getting at was how the priest turned to alcohol in lieu of having taken a vow of chastity
I think you should react to Ice by Crack The Sky. Their debut album, an strong representation of American prog, was selected debut album of the year in 1975 by Rolling Stone Magazine. Unfortunately, Crack The Sky was never big nationally because of poor management and recording label mistakes. I really think you will get a kick out of Ice.
You need to listen to Madame Blue from STYX
The song has two parts - the first part is about a missionary of the Catholic Order of Saint Augustine, trying to spread the word. He's a pityful man who thinks he has sailed the seas of life - however, he hasn't realized his ship's in a bottle.
The second part is the real message; that you can't just rely on a Jesus to carry you, but that you must stand strong in a world that is, and will always be, not entirely known.
Could you react to Insomnia by Faithless? Would really be interesting what you got to say to the atmospheric verses and the iconic riff!
Styx we’re certainly influenced by prog bands. A couple of their early tracks are very ELP-esque.
Manowar-Heart of steel (with orchestra or not)
I wish someone online would analyze the haunting lyrics from this piece. The first 2 verses are... nasty. Personal attacks that would leave any father shaken to have their son say that to them. But then the 3rd verse starts with "Children, please understand..." as if its the father singing now... and he defends himself from their rebellion by taking their criticism and explaining when you become a man and accept responsibilities of adulthood the world you live in... is no longer for you. You won't understand the music, the art, the movies, culture will move past you because its the next generations turn... and a man has to stand strong against this fact for his children. That's... wow...
Well, coming from 1973, this is not Pop, nor Rock. As said below, Prog comes in many forms, it doesn’t necessarily mean lots of key changes.
May I suggest Soft Machine Third and Todd Rundgren A Wizard a True Star
I love Styx but don't believe I have ever heard this. Their best music was the early years. Most of the members were very upset with Dennis De Young when he set up the theater type productions for their shows with the Mr. Roboto tour. They wanted to maintain their heavier rock sound but eventually went too commercial.
check mgła - exercises in futility V
If possible you should do Motörhead's "Damage Case". Also I know these two songs don't match, but if you could do Ernst Mosch's "Der Amboss Polka" (The Anvil Polka).
Please and Thank You.
hey doug, I'd be very interested in a reaction to Arctic Monkeys “There’d Better Be A Mirrorball”, they have ripened like old cheese, it's fantastic and musically interesting (love the E flat over Bb, so heartbreaking in context)
Russ is cool
Thanks 🙂
Please dip into 'Crack The Sky' (albums 1+2 in particular) I'd like to know what ye make of it
ooh . . Crack the Sky . . yes! But I would pick "Nuclear Apathy" (must go listen to it now) for the introduction to CTS. Granted, that is without John Palumbo singing, which is a coin toss really if good or bad.
For this particular song, symphonic rock may have been a better descriptor than prog.
PLEASE PLEASE react to David Gilmour - Then I Close My Eyes (Live In Gdańsk) version.
Anything David Gilmour!!!!!
Here's my interpretation:
Father O.S.A. is probably about a priest or monk of the Order of St. Augustine. He is apparently still living in the past, and he is mocked by those around him as a result. He is an old man, and when talking with those around him can only relate to their lives based on long past memories of his life before dedicating his life to the priesthood. Outside of his presence, he is a laughingstock among the people, who see him and his office as out of touch with the times. As a priest who has dedicated his life to service, including a vow of celibacy, the old priest has missed so much in life that others experience. Instead, he has chosen a life isolated in this world as an outcast, while maintaining a view of the eternity to come. The youth may not understand things from Father's perspective or the sacrifices he is making, but as a priest, he deserves respect.