Coffer Illusion

The practice of performing albums in their entirety gives both artists and their fans the chance to hear the hits and underappreciated deep cuts as well. However, in many cases, most of a classic album is in the set anyway. Styx's 2012 three-disc (two CDs and one DVD) release The Grand Illusion/Pieces of Eight Live is a fine example of giving casual fans and diehards the best of both worlds, and there's certainly an audience for this, since both 1977's The Grand Illusion and 1978's Pieces of Eight went triple-platinum in the United States…

Out of the Mist (1977). Esoteric Recordings follow the successful reissues of the first two Renaissance albums with the re-mastered edition of this classic debut album by Illusion. Featuring original Renaissance members Jane Relf (Vocals), Jim Mccarty (Vocals, Guitar, Percussion), John Hawken (Keyboards) and Louis Cennamo (Bass), Illusion came together in 1976 following the death of original Renaissance vocalist Keith Relf (originally vocalist with The Yardbirds). Recruiting Lead Guitarist John Knightsbridge and drummer and percussionist Eddie Mcneil, the band assumed the name of Illusion (taken from the title of the second Renaissance album) and signed to Island Records…

Other than being their first platinum-selling album, The Grand Illusion led Styx steadfastly into the domain of AOR rock. Built on the strengths of "Come Sail Away"'s ballad-to-rock metamorphosis, which gained them their second Top Ten hit, and on the high harmonies of newcomer Tommy Shaw throughout "Fooling Yourself," The Grand Illusion introduced Styx to the gates of commercial stardom…

This Long Island quintet tried to simultaneously fly their freak flag and sweet-talk the teenyboppers, and the results were lopsided but strong enough to shine years later. The Illusion scored a Top 40 hit in 1969 with a truncated version of the opening track from this debut LP, "Did You See Her Eyes."…

By some standards, the Illusion were one of the most successful unknown psychedelic bands of their generation – unknown, yes, but with three LPs to their credit on the Steed label…