Crystal Ball (styx Album) Article Index for
Crystal Ball
Limousines in
Crystal
Website Links For
Crystal
 

Information About

Crystal Ball (styx Album)





Album Information

  Name Crystal Ball
  Type Album
  Artist Styx
  Cover Styx - Crystal Balljpg
  Released October 1, 1976
  Recorded 1976 at Paragon Recording Studios, Chicago
  Genre Progressive Rock <br> Hard Rock
  Length 34:45
  Label A&M
  Producer Styx
  Last Album '' Equinox '' <br /> (1975)
  This Album '''''Crystal Ball''''' <br /> (1976)
  Next Album '' The Grand Illusion '' <br /> (1977)


''Crystal Ball'' is the sixth Album by Styx , released in 1976 (see 1976 In Music ).

This album marked the recording debut of new guitarist Tommy Shaw . The track " Mademoiselle " was Tommy Shaw's vocal debut and the album's Top 40 hit.

The album's title track would become a concert staple for the band as it was performed on every subsequent Styx tour that Shaw was involved with.

"Shooz" was co-written by Shaw and James Young. The bluesy rocker had Shaw on slide guitar while Young contributed a Hendrix-like solo to the middle of the track after Shaw's slide solo.

"This Old Man" was a song that DeYoung wrote for his father and the impact his dad had on his life.

Debussy's classical piece "Clair De Lune" was served as the intro to the album's closing track Ballerina. The version of "Clair De Lune" on Crystal Ball just had DeYoung on piano and changed the key from D flat to C as the next track ("Ballerina") started in C minor.

Although the album stalled at #66 upon its 1976 release, it would go Gold in 1978 after the success of the next album '' The Grand Illusion ''.


TRACK LISTING

#"Put Me On" (DeYoung, Shaw, Young) – 4:56

  • ''Lead vocals: Tommy Shaw , harmony lead guitar solos: Tommy Shaw and James Young

  • #"Jennifer" (DeYoung) – 4:16

  • ''Lead vocals: Dennis DeYoung, lead guitar: James Young

  • #" Crystal Ball " (Shaw) – 4:32

  • ''Lead vocals and lead guitar: Tommy Shaw, synthesizer solo: Dennis DeYoung

  • #"Shooz" (Shaw, Young) – 4:44

  • ''Lead vocals and slide guitar: Tommy Shaw, second guitar solo in middle of song: James Young

  • #"This Old Man" (DeYoung) – 5:11

  • ''Lead vocals: Dennis DeYoung, lead guitar: Tommy Shaw

  • #"Clair de Lune/ Ballerina " ( Claude Debussy /DeYoung/Shaw) – 7:09

  • ''Instrumental/Lead vocals: Dennis DeYoung, lead guitar solos: James Young (wah-wah induced solos) and Tommy Shaw



PERSONNEL



PRODUCTION

  • Producer: Styx

  • Engineer: Barry Mraz



CHARTS

Album - Billboard (North America)

Singles - Billboard (North America)