Dennis DeYoung - 26 East, Vol. 2

[Stefan]

 

New album out June 11th through Frontiers. 

Edited April 7, 2021 by Stefan

[Stefan]

New video for 'Isle of Misanthrope'.

From grande-rock.com:

Former Styx frontman Dennis DeYoung is back with the second volume of his fond farewell to recorded music, “26 East, Vol. 2”, due out on June 11th, 2021. As with the preceding volume, “26 East, Vol. 2” once again hints strongly at DeYoung’s rock roots with Styx. The production and musicianship are EPIC, and those timeless vocal arrangements get delivered in spades. A fitting goodbye and a final signature on an outstanding body of work which will stand the test of time!

DeYoung has previously stated that “26 East” will mark his retirement from the world of recorded music. It was thanks to Frontiers CEO, Serafino Perugino, that given the abundance of material, Dennis agreed to split the album in two parts. This second half starts where the previous one left off and sees DeYoung collaborate again with the awesome Jim Peterik, a fellow Chicagoan and nearby neighbor, for the songwriting on select tracks.

“The last album was supposed to be my final album, but there were so many songs written that Serafino Perugino, CEO of Frontiers, suggested dividing it into two albums rather than one”, DeYoung states.

“26 East” was the address where DeYoung grew up in Roseland, IL on the far south side of Chicago. This is where the band was formed in his basement in 1962. Across the street lived the Panozzo twins, John and Chuck, who along with DeYoung would go on to form the nucleus of Styx.

The process that brought forth the album beginning in the first place started when Jim Peterik, a fellow Chicagoan and nearby neighbor, sent a song to Dennis. “If not for Jim Peterik’s encouragement, talent and prodding I would not have recorded this music”, says DeYoung. “He once told me the world needed my music; to which I replied "have the world text me for verification". We collaborated from the get go, happily and seamlessly and at this time we have written 9 songs together of which five will be on Volume 1. Just two Chicago guys doing what they do best, making music and having a laugh”.

Line-up:
Vocals: Dennis DeYoung
Drums: Mike Morales, Ed Breckenfeld, Matthew DeYoung & The Late Khari Parker
Guitar: Jim Peterik, Mike Aquino, August Zadra, Jim Leahey
Solo on “Last Guitar Hero”: Tom Morello “The Great Houdini”
Bass: Jim Peterik, Jim Majors, Me on Synth Bass.
Keyboards: Me & Why Not?
Horns on “Hello Goodbye”, “The Ides of March”: Tim Bales, Steve Eisen & Henry Delgado
Accordion: Mr.Tacit
Background Vocals: Jim Peterik, August Zadra, Kevin Chalfant, Suzanne Deyoung, Tito Gobi, Craig Carter, Mike Morales & Me. Mostly Me, I Work Cheap And Was Always Available. Besides My Voice Always Reminds People Of A Very Popular ’70s And ’80s Group. No, Not The Pointer Sisters.
Michael Manson Gospel Group on Your Saving Grace
Matthew DeYoung would like to dedicate his performance on the Grand Finale to his mentor John Panozzo. The ride cymbal Matthew used was given to him by John.

 

www.dennisdeyoung.com

www.facebook.com/DennisDeYoungOfficial

 

 

[Jez]

First Volume was great, Looking forward to number 2

[Stefan]

 

[Stefan]

New lyric video for 'The Last Guitar Hero'.

 

 

[Stefan]

New song 'There's No Turning Back Time'.

 

 

[Jez]

This is a really strong and varied album stylistically and a touch better than the first volume. So good to hear that even at 70 years old, his voice has hardly lost anything.  If this is to be his curtain call, it's a fabulous way to bow out.