The organ was recorded late one wintery evening at St. James Cathedral. I remember helping run cable from the recording studio about 2 blocks to the church so Dennis could record live. I can still see the snow swirling down the street in the wind that night. Fun.
it blows me away what made it to the radio and what didn't..... Radio does nobody any favors! This weekend I'm discovering a whole side of Styx that I haven't heard before... AND I LOVE IT!
Small favors maby. Los Angeles KMET or KLOS radio in the 70s played many whole albums on Sunday nights, I was jus a kid but would spend my time listening, learning and loving it. So the radio then and there was great. And I herd many a good albums, HAPPY LISTENING. :)
Just got the complete Wooden Nickle collection of their first 4 albums on cd for xmas. What great stuff . Think the mix could have been a little better done but then we are talking about 50 year old recordings to try and master on . Much more progressive than their later offerings . Love this version of Styx .
Children, please understand, a man must stand alone. And face a world he'll never know and never call his own. Send chills down my spine and goosebumps on my arms every time.
I saw Styx in 1975, Home on leave right outa Boot Camp, In St. Louis while serving in the Marines. Brownsville Station also played same show. These band helped my maintain a level state of being and appreciate this music today. It still sounds fresh like it was jut released. Thanx Styx for II, for creating it. Makes growing old a pleasure & so much more easier! Dennis, Guys.....This was your Finest! KSHE FM, made yas, Real Rock Radio.
@@cosmosbeing2103 Yes, Dennis really played "Little Fugue in 'G,'" on the pipe organ of St. James Cathedral. The cathedral was just down the street from the recording studio; engineers Marty Feldman and Barry Mraz ran audio cables between the studio and the cathedral so they could capture the performance live.
You made a old man happy. Thank You so much I can remember when I was back in High School at Morton West in Berwyn IL. Going to see are local band Styx play at St Joes High School in Westchester. Ahh the memories Thank You.
This is my favorite song on this LP. I have the 1st pressing of this Wodden Nickel/RCA, which has the punch-out letters, and a gatefold which shows the painting of the river Styx...
Wow I never heard John Panozzo play drums like this. The man was nasty. May he rest in peace but may music like this come back. This is some fine musicianship.
I've been a Styx fan since I was a little girl when I heard Lady for the first time I was totally captured by Dennis' beautiful voice he was the light at the end of a tunnel of noise for me.
Why is this the most underrated song of Styx? This song clearly surpasses that overplayed song on my local radio station "Renegade", and yet I've never heard of this song until it played on my Styx Pandora radio station.
Styx II is still one of my favorite driving albums. I can put it on and become so engrossed in the music that 45 minutes of the drive passes by without me noticing
"O.S.A" stands for the Order of Saint Augustine -- the song is about an alcoholic Augustinian friar. Dennis DeYoung actually plays only a fragment of Bach's "Little Fugue in G'". I put an orchestral arrangement of that by Leopold Stolowski and this in my classical and prog playlist. Thanks for the upload -- this indeed is the best song on "Styx II".
Sgt. Roos, John T.(Ret.) I was born at North Memorial Med. Center, Minneapolis, MN in 1965. I spent the 1st 10 yrs in Crystal, MN. In 1975, we moved to Wadena, MN. I hated it at 1st, but the I discovered Styx! The Equinox Album. In 1976, I found the Wooden Nickel Albums, and Little Fugue in 'G'/Father O.S.A. hit me like a ton of bricks... That is my favorite song by Styx!:) Then I entered the USMC in 1987, it was in the mix tapes, for me, I know that it's obscure, but 'Styx II' is the Album that is the most important, to me... It is a too bad that Tommy and J.Y. won't let Dennis have one last gig with them! Semper Fidelis
@@worldtraveler5639 No, I meant that he didn't play the complete piece. It's actually about 4 minutes long. See my playlist for a complete performance.
Grandmaster, stranger now friend, I can't thank you enuff for going to the trouble of splicing these together. I have been searching for this f*cking song for literally, without exaggeration, for 40 goddamn years. :) My cousin Gail came from a 1 street/1 stoplight podunk town in Wyoming to live with us in SoCal. after graduation HS, with the hope of greater opportunity in her eyes. I vividly remember her having the most AWESOME record collection my young eyes and ears had ever seen and heard. She really had remarkable taste in music considering where she came from, her catalog of LP's included this album with a band named Styx (which that in itself I really thought was wicked boss and cool!). I had never heard music like this before, and lord have mercy, I LIKED it!! I had a VERY sheltered musical beginning, I'm talking all I had been exposed to was (aside from the radio of course), and I'm not kidding here: The Partridge Family, my mom from Oklahoma's gospel records (we know how 'Bringing in the Sheaf's' rocks, right?) etc, the only saving grace was when my uncle Ed bought me for Xmas my 1st Three Dog Night LP (Liar is still one of my favorite songs of all time). Anyways, I heard THIS song, and I was literally transported! I still remember thinking this was 'medieval music' because of the chillingly deep organ intro and the capo'ed acoustic guitars that sounded like lutes to me. Anyways, I forgot the name of the song, and have looked until today for this damn song!! (Here in Ca. at least for me, there were no outlets that sold or carried the damn Wooden Nickel recordings).Oh, and by the way, my cousin Gails collection turned me on to Pink Floyd Animals and Wish You Were Here, Dreamboat Annie (Roger Fisher, 1 of the most underated and sickly original HARD, and mean HARD rockers!), and several others. Thank you, Gail!!
I've always wondered who mixed this song because it is solidly balanced and innovative...like on the tail where the whole mix fades leaving a sole backup piano part....brilliant.
I grew up a huge fan of styx even though 80s stuff was mostly an embarrassment ... i forgot how good some of this early stuff really was. thanx for posting this whoever posted this.
This was my first Styx album predicated by Lady of course. I forgot how great an album this is and how amazing John Cruluski was. It is too bad Dennis can't see his way clear to rejoining the band.
AWESOME SONG AND I THINK THIS WAS RECORDED AT THE ST.JAMES CATHEDRAL IN CHICAGO...CORRECT ME IF IM WRONG OH BY THE WAY I STILL HAVE THE ORIGINAL VYNAL ALBUM
O.S.A. is an acronym for several religious orders. In this case possibly/probably Order Of Saint Augustine, a Catholic order. Thanks GrandmasterLife for putting this up, this was probably my favorite Styx album.
Loved this album! Played the hell out of it! This song is my favorite. Saw the original Styx at Quigley South High School in Chicago in 1974, right before they took off. I think the ticket was $2.50. Cheers!
The other great song pairing from Styx was on The Serpent is Rising - Krakatoa which ends on a pedal point which is the lead in to -> Hallelujah Chorus
osa most likely order of st augustine, the augustinians ran Mendel catholic high school on the south side of chicago where several members of the band attendend..
Actually, this organ prelude ("Little Fugue in "G") was originally pressed onto Styx II that was first released in 1973 on vinyl. I have both 1973 and the 1980 reissue on the RCA label (vinyl).
Styx has been my favorite band almost from the moment I first heard them back in the 70s. Their first ten albums virtually define progressive rock. This new "Styx" isn't Styx. They're just like every other band out there now. This is from back when they were still a group of artists!
I first had this album on *gasp* 8 track. That stunk. It changed tracks right in the middle of songs. I always wondered what the "O.S.A." in the title meant. I remember my little brother offering the suggestion "of south america," but honestly I have no clue.
i own all the Styx albums and this is my all time favourite Styx song. For the record, I only ever play the first 6 albums plus Cyclorama. The rest are just not as good. DDY's greatest Styx moment can be heard from 3.20 to 4.00 on this song. Grove of Eglatine is a close second.
Okay, I have a question. At one point in time, was Little Fugue missing in it's entirety on this album or was it just a portion of Little Fugue that was missing?
early postings just had Father OSA without the Little Fugue intro. The CD treats the two as separate tracks and capturing them causes a noticeable interrupt unlike the way the album pressing which flows smoothly from one to the other.
Ez meg a Stairway to Heaven-nel is jobb! A Pop classic (magyar kiado) is kiadta. 2005 ben bukkantam ra a Budaorsi Campona-ban. Kitunoen szol, es csak 1200 ft volt
Not at all. I consider myself to be a Styx fan. Admittedly, I'm not that familiar with the early stuff although I do like it. I couldn't figure it out myself but did find this on the net. net.indra.com/~eliz/Lists/styx.info IV.E. Q. What does the O.S.A. mean in the song titled "Father O.S.A."? A. It means Order of St. Augustine.
the "goth kids"@autumn noxx would not get this. as it was written a very long time ago by one of the greatest bands on earth.Who. Unlike that rap garbage, wrote their own music. and can play musical instruments. and while goth is cool. styx is not goth. Ozzy is. I would recommend for them Ozzy's Mr Crawley...
The organ was recorded late one wintery evening at St. James Cathedral. I remember helping run cable from the recording studio about 2 blocks to the church so Dennis could record live. I can still see the snow swirling down the street in the wind that night. Fun.
Sweet!
Which St. James Cathedral ? Where was it located ?
@@startnow5508 Near Michigan Ave. in downtown Chicago. On Huron St, I believe.
it blows me away what made it to the radio and what didn't..... Radio does nobody any favors! This weekend I'm discovering a whole side of Styx that I haven't heard before... AND I LOVE IT!
I've been in love with Styx music since they were Tradewinds 4.
Radio certainly does the listeners no favors.
Small favors maby. Los Angeles KMET or KLOS radio in the 70s played many whole albums on Sunday nights, I was jus a kid but would spend my time listening, learning and loving it. So the radio then and there was great. And I herd many a good albums, HAPPY LISTENING. :)
@@Scotty.S588
@@MikesMiyu
Ya, I get carried away, I did not mean to offend, but this is powerful stuf if you grew up on it. lol
It's all good.
Just got the complete Wooden Nickle collection of their first 4 albums on cd for xmas. What great stuff . Think the mix could have been a little better done but then we are talking about 50 year old recordings to try and master on . Much more progressive than their later offerings . Love this version of Styx .
Children,
please understand,
a man must stand alone.
And face a world
he'll never know
and never call his own.
Send chills down my spine and goosebumps on my arms every time.
Mike, the best Music comment on Facebook I have ever seen. You nailed it. I see you love Queen ii. You really know your shit.
I saw Styx in 1975, Home on leave right outa Boot Camp, In St. Louis while serving in the Marines. Brownsville Station also played same show. These band helped my maintain a level state of being and appreciate this music today. It still sounds fresh like it was jut released. Thanx Styx for II, for creating it. Makes growing old a pleasure & so much more easier! Dennis, Guys.....This was your Finest! KSHE FM, made yas, Real Rock Radio.
What a thrill it must have been for Dennis to play the huge St. James Cathedral pipe organ!
He said that when he was very young he hung around churches to listen to the organist and piano players
He also played it on "I'm OK".
@@randyr5328 wow I wondered where he got the inspiration from to do that and I didn't know that story before
Did he really play the organ ? Another commenter said he only played a fragment of the fugue ibdicating they had a professional at it.
@@cosmosbeing2103 Yes, Dennis really played "Little Fugue in 'G,'" on the pipe organ of St. James Cathedral. The cathedral was just down the street from the recording studio; engineers Marty Feldman and Barry Mraz ran audio cables between the studio and the cathedral so they could capture the performance live.
Whover compiled this song is a genius as they took Bach's Little Fugue in G Minor and made it rock!!!!!!!
+Mary Jo Gauthier Actually it's in D Minor
Mary Jo Gauthier
That would be Dennis DeYoung.
You made a old man happy. Thank You so much I can remember when I was back in High School at Morton West in Berwyn IL. Going to see are local band Styx play at St Joes High School in Westchester. Ahh the memories Thank You.
RIP John Curulewski, the original guitarist for Styx.
yes sadly left just before lady got airplay....greatest intro on Suite Madam Blue and then.....welcome tommy
Nothing takes me back to my childhood more than this song does.
This song just isn't the same without Little Fugue. I have the vinyl as well. Great album!
This is my favorite song on this LP. I have the 1st pressing of this Wodden Nickel/RCA, which has the punch-out letters, and a gatefold which shows the painting of the river Styx...
groundhog713 special edition red vinyl in my collection
Wow I never heard John Panozzo play drums like this. The man was nasty. May he rest in peace but may music like this come back. This is some fine musicianship.
One of the most underrated drummers ever
He could play with an intensity that rivaled Keith Moon’s.
Bonham, Moon, Panozzo. 💯🔥👌🥁
#FightMe SC: isaiahgarcia_4
RIP John Curulewski !!!! and God Bless You !!!
I didn't know he had passed :( Rest In Peace
Another band that has expanded the age of time and won. it touches the heart and soul.
Fantastic song !! it takes me back to my youth !! God bless John Curulewski !! (RIP, of course)
I've been a Styx fan since I was a little girl when I heard Lady for the first time I was totally captured by Dennis' beautiful voice he was the light at the end of a tunnel of noise for me.
Why is this the most underrated song of Styx? This song clearly surpasses that overplayed song on my local radio station "Renegade", and yet I've never heard of this song until it played on my Styx Pandora radio station.
I herd it I LA California??? Late 70s
Loved it . . . Still do.
Fuck renegade
My #1 favorite album of ALL TIME. I love every song on it!
Styx II is still one of my favorite driving albums. I can put it on and become so engrossed in the music that 45 minutes of the drive passes by without me noticing
Love playing along to this on the bass!!!! One of my favorites!!!!
"O.S.A" stands for the Order of Saint Augustine -- the song is about an alcoholic Augustinian friar. Dennis DeYoung actually plays only a fragment of Bach's "Little Fugue in G'". I put an orchestral arrangement of that by Leopold Stolowski and this in my classical and prog playlist. Thanks for the upload -- this indeed is the best song on "Styx II".
Love this song ,
Sgt. Roos, John T.(Ret.) I was born at North Memorial Med. Center, Minneapolis, MN in 1965. I spent the 1st 10 yrs in Crystal, MN. In 1975, we moved to Wadena, MN. I hated it at 1st, but the I discovered Styx! The Equinox Album. In 1976, I found the Wooden Nickel Albums, and Little Fugue in 'G'/Father O.S.A. hit me like a ton of bricks... That is my favorite song by Styx!:) Then I entered the USMC in 1987, it was in the mix tapes, for me, I know that it's obscure, but 'Styx II' is the Album that is the most important, to me... It is a too bad that Tommy and J.Y. won't let Dennis have one last gig with them! Semper Fidelis
@@johnroos5807 I know what you mean he did a show at Hot August Nights back in 2010 that I went to and it was my first Dennis DeYoung Concert
You say Dennis De Young only plays a fragment of Bach's Little Fugue in G so who played most of it ?
@@worldtraveler5639 No, I meant that he didn't play the complete piece. It's actually about 4 minutes long. See my playlist for a complete performance.
John Curulewski strong suit was giving Styx that prog edge.
My favorite Styx guitarist. As good as both Tommy Shaw and JY are, neither of them in a million years could have ever written “Prelude 12.”
Grandmaster, stranger now friend, I can't thank you enuff for going to the trouble of splicing these together. I have been searching for this f*cking song for literally, without exaggeration, for 40 goddamn years. :) My cousin Gail came from a 1 street/1 stoplight podunk town in Wyoming to live with us in SoCal. after graduation HS, with the hope of greater opportunity in her eyes. I vividly remember her having the most AWESOME record collection my young eyes and ears had ever seen and heard. She really had remarkable taste in music considering where she came from, her catalog of LP's included this album with a band named Styx (which that in itself I really thought was wicked boss and cool!).
I had never heard music like this before, and lord have mercy, I LIKED it!! I had a VERY sheltered musical beginning, I'm talking all I had been exposed to was (aside from the radio of course), and I'm not kidding here: The Partridge Family, my mom from Oklahoma's gospel records (we know how 'Bringing in the Sheaf's' rocks, right?) etc, the only saving grace was when my uncle Ed bought me for Xmas my 1st Three Dog Night LP (Liar is still one of my favorite songs of all time). Anyways, I heard THIS song, and I was literally transported! I still remember thinking this was 'medieval music' because of the chillingly deep organ intro and the capo'ed acoustic guitars that sounded like lutes to me. Anyways, I forgot the name of the song, and have looked until today for this damn song!! (Here in Ca. at least for me, there were no outlets that sold or carried the damn Wooden Nickel recordings).Oh, and by the way, my cousin Gails collection turned me on to Pink Floyd Animals and Wish You Were Here, Dreamboat Annie (Roger Fisher, 1 of the most underated and sickly original HARD, and mean HARD rockers!), and several others. Thank you, Gail!!
It sounds like your sister is a " Rocker in Good Taste "
I've got a tip for you look online for The Complete Wooden Nickel records CD collection that's how I discovered them
This is one of my Favorites From STYX! Dennis Deyoung Using an actual Pipe organ for the original sound track!
I've always wondered who mixed this song because it is solidly balanced and innovative...like on the tail where the whole mix fades leaving a sole backup piano part....brilliant.
That piano at the end is awesome.
@@1eyedjacksRwild ABSOLUTELY
Dennis DeYoung really belongs up there with Emerson, Wakeman, Downes, and Banks. It’s too bad he doesn’t get the recognition he’s due.
@@NH2112 he's also very talented with the accordion from what I know
Anything Dennis signs off on is, that is the show to see.
Styx left me after Grand Illusion.
hell yeah, that's what i'm talking about !! thank you GML. love that pipe organ intro !!
oh my Gosh this is a long forgotin tune love it!!!
St John's, a pipe organ so grand they built a cathedral around it.
I grew up a huge fan of styx even though 80s stuff was mostly an embarrassment ... i forgot how good some of this early stuff really was. thanx for posting this whoever posted this.
this is 1 of many that cannot be forgotten - awesome
STYX II IS STYX IN THEIR FINEST HOUR!!! I OWN THE ENTIRE WOODEN NICKEL COLLECTION AND ITS A GREAT LISTEN.
Yeah, that's the stuff.
SIMPLEMENTE HERMOSA CANCIÓN !!!!!
Thanks for posting this. I really love the way the piano solo at the end sounds. I would always crank up my stereo for that part. Wonderfully done.
That's how it's supposed to be, Bravo!
Saw this group at Arrowhead stadium in KCMO 1977.
Me Too !
"Bach Rock!" Love the Pipe Organ!
An epic song! You just gotta love Styx
This was my first Styx album predicated by Lady of course. I forgot how great an album this is and how amazing John Cruluski was. It is too bad Dennis can't see his way clear to rejoining the band.
true dat...
I think the blame lies on both sides.
that's true and he is the original co founder for Styx
Dennis has tried to get back with the guys for one final tour for the fans......but....
AWESOME SONG AND I THINK THIS WAS RECORDED AT THE ST.JAMES CATHEDRAL IN CHICAGO...CORRECT ME IF IM WRONG OH BY THE WAY I STILL HAVE THE ORIGINAL VYNAL ALBUM
Correct, my favorite song after they were famous and I went back and bought all the records form the Wooden Nickel era
Simply one of the best tracks ever ! Reminds me of Conemaugh dam in penna. Anybody relate ? And Tatarka's wrecking yard? Anybody remember?
Reminds me of the mountains in Penna
O.S.A. is an acronym for several religious orders. In this case possibly/probably Order Of Saint Augustine, a Catholic order.
Thanks GrandmasterLife for putting this up, this was probably my favorite Styx album.
Order of Saint Augustine is correct.
Chime @1:45. Blows me away every time!
Awesome! I haven't heard this in decades.
I thought I was the only one with this record. No Tommy Shaw. Original Styx. Nickle records
Just got the first 4 albums on Cd for xmas . How have I missed this stuff all these years ?
Loved this album! Played the hell out of it! This song is my favorite. Saw the original Styx at Quigley South High School in Chicago in 1974, right before they took off. I think the ticket was $2.50. Cheers!
@@philpartynski3125 wow would have been fun for me to get a concert ticket to see them for that much money
what a song!
GrandmasterLife, Thank you for the upload !! well worth the time sir.!
I put an orchestral version of the full Fugue and this in my "Classical and prog" playlist. Thanks for the upload!
thank you grandmaster. this takes me back to when I was like 10 years old or so : ))
Existem obras primas que so a inspiracao em deus permitem
father..father..I miss mine..pipe organ ROCKS!
Sublime
Nice song 👍 🎙️ 🎶 🎧 🎸
thanks Grandmaster
We can compare this wonderful work with the Bach´s music,it´s amazing,realy it´s hard to explain with words.
I thought "Little Fugue" would be a great intro or base of a rock song recently. Looks like Styx beat me to it.
Order of Saint Agustine
The other great song pairing from Styx was on The Serpent is Rising - Krakatoa which ends on a pedal point which is the lead in to -> Hallelujah Chorus
I was a lad who didn't know anything and my cousin told me to like STYX. So I did.
osa most likely order of st augustine, the augustinians ran Mendel catholic high school on the south side of chicago where several members of the band attendend..
In the beginning there was Styx. Nowadays, not so much.
Actually, this organ prelude ("Little Fugue in "G") was originally pressed onto Styx II that was first released in 1973 on vinyl. I have both 1973 and the 1980 reissue on the RCA label (vinyl).
I'm looking for Styx records myself recently just got my first record player a friend bought for me
Good song Great group if you like this kind of stuff.
Styx has been my favorite band almost from the moment I first heard them back in the 70s. Their first ten albums virtually define progressive rock. This new "Styx" isn't Styx. They're just like every other band out there now. This is from back when they were still a group of artists!
so true the original line up is who I grew up with
Easily the best thing Styx (a Very good band) ever did. Just wish it had video...
I heartily concur! Be neat if say,a Styx tribute band would cover this-with pipe organ of course.
I bet the goth kids would love this. :P
remember my younger year!
I first had this album on *gasp* 8 track. That stunk. It changed tracks right in the middle of songs. I always wondered what the "O.S.A." in the title meant. I remember my little brother offering the suggestion "of south america," but honestly I have no clue.
Order of St. Augustine.
Doug Helvering brought me here❤
Styx II is one of my favorites. Not a stinker on it.
Obrigado deus por criar o progressivo sinfonico fusion rock arena e tudo mais
thanks -
ttmot
1584
i own all the Styx albums and this is my all time favourite Styx song. For the record, I only ever play the first 6 albums plus Cyclorama. The rest are just not as good. DDY's greatest Styx moment can be heard from 3.20 to 4.00 on this song. Grove of Eglatine is a close second.
Ditto my fave sticks ! What's not to like of the pipe organ?
Please post the lyrics.
So..where is St James cathedral located ? Even id love to play it !
Okay, I have a question. At one point in time, was Little Fugue missing in it's entirety on this album or was it just a portion of Little Fugue that was missing?
early postings just had Father OSA without the Little Fugue intro. The CD treats the two as separate tracks and capturing them causes a noticeable interrupt unlike the way the album pressing which flows smoothly from one to the other.
For other examples of Bach Rock look up "Lover's Concerto" by The Toys and "Joy" by Apollo 100 on youtube.
Apollo 100. Now obscure, "joy" was the shit back circa 1971(!)
Ez meg a Stairway to Heaven-nel is jobb! A Pop classic (magyar kiado) is kiadta. 2005 ben bukkantam ra a Budaorsi Campona-ban. Kitunoen szol, es csak 1200 ft volt
Beethoven meets RnR!
Equals Mozart
They were awesome before they hit it big....started going down hill after Paradise Theater
Really??????
What?!?
@glen713 - yes, they do. there is so much great modern progressive rock bands that blow Styx away.
...at the risk of appearing dumb or ignorant...curious about what "O.S.A." stands for.
Not at all. I consider myself to be a Styx fan. Admittedly, I'm not that familiar with the early stuff although I do like it. I couldn't figure it out myself but did find this on the net.
net.indra.com/~eliz/Lists/styx.info
IV.E.
Q. What does the O.S.A. mean in the song titled "Father O.S.A."?
A.
It means Order of St. Augustine.
Order of St. Agustine.... Mendel Catholic Prep and St Rita Catholic HS in Chicago.
the "goth kids"@autumn noxx would not get this. as it was written a very long time ago by one of the greatest bands on earth.Who. Unlike that rap garbage, wrote their own music. and can play musical instruments. and while goth is cool. styx is not goth. Ozzy is. I would recommend for them Ozzy's Mr Crawley...
Id recommend them Evanescence instead.
gemini16th yea ! Witch wolf is great .
Never heard this, but overplayed AND cheesy Come sale away a zillion tymes.
I disliked those reissue covers. They looked like a 6 year old made them with construction paper. The original covers were awesome.
ha I know what you mean when I first got my copies they all had the original covers