Kansas

[Nick]

While the Steve Morse era certainly wasn't great, it was a huge step up from the low-point they had reached with Drastic Measures. Not all that surprising since it's almost a completely different band, but I give Walsh, Morse, and Greer a lot of credit for sort of turning the ship around.

I actually loved the 1986 release, Power.  "Silhouettes In Disguise"
 was awesome!

I have Power on vinyl and really enjoy it as well.

[KevShmev]

Agreed about "Grand Fun Alley" being the only weak song on STE; that song is definitely a WTF were they thinking.  "Not Man Big" is good, especially that awesome outro.

And in some ironic timing, I was at a friend's last night, and he has the new Kansas concert video, There's Know Place Like Home, on Blu-Ray, so we watched it, and it was pretty awesome.  Steve Walsh sounded surprisingly good (not as powerful as in the old days, but not as raspy and shaky as in the 90s or even on their last DVD, Device, Voice, Drum), the set list was terrific, and former members Kerry Livgren and Steve Morse both had guest spots.  Pretty cool overall, and definitely recommended for any fan of the band.

[ytserush]

While the Steve Morse era certainly wasn't great, it was a huge step up from the low-point they had reached with Drastic Measures. Not all that surprising since it's almost a completely different band, but I give Walsh, Morse, and Greer a lot of credit for sort of turning the ship around.

I'm glad they turned the ship around too. I'm a fan, but not as big a fan as some others here.


It's been a while since I spun the Elefante-era records. I should do that again soon. Whenever I do though, there's nothing that really resonates with me other than the tracks that were on the radio and MTV.

I really like the Morse-era, maybe not as much as the new and old classics, but I'll reach for Power or In The Spirit Of Things almost as much as the '70s or more modern work.

[carl320]

I only know two albums. their good albums

Leftoverture and Song for America 

[ytserush]

I put on Drastic Measures over the weekend and remembered right away why most of it never stays with me. The production is so dated. I remember it sounding great at the time, but it does not hold up at all.

I think Mainstream stands out as being different, but a lot of the multi-instrumentation, while interesting, sounds very dated.

I'd agree this was rock bottom.


I also put on Audio-Visions and that wasn't as bad, but you could see the direction things were going in.

I'll always love Hold On, Curtain Of Iron, No One Together and Relentless.

I was also planning to give Vinyl Confessions a spin too, but a friend dropped by and I didn't want to subject him to it.

[KevShmev]

That was nice of you.  

And I think "Loner" and "Got to Rock On" are also good from Audio-Visions.  There are definitely three or four stinkers on it, though.

[El Barto]

Listening to Song For America now.  There good song.

[Orbert]

Been checking out the re-release of Two for the Show lately, and I my impression is very similar to my impression when I first got it on vinyl: These guys are so good, but their music is so well-arranged and well-produced that it doesn't always translate well to the live setting.  The same things afflict Kansas as many other bands, the tendency to speed things up when played live, the tendency for the lead singer to take liberties with the melodies, the tendency for everyone else to loosen up a bit and sacrifice balance and decorum for a bit of flash.  That seems to work more often with straight-on rock and roll; with prog, the musicians have to be really, really tight to pull it off.  I don't know if they've succeeded here.

I can appreciate the energy of a great live performance, and it's not a bad album overall, plus it's cool to hear live versions of some great songs.  But so much of Kansas, to me, is their intricate arrangements and production, and that just gets lost here.

[Orbert]

Okay, I will now take back most of what I said above.  Disc Two has almost completely changed my mind about Two for the Show.  "Cheyenne Anthem" was awesome, "Miracles out of Nowhere", "The Spider", "Belexes", heck even "Lonely Street" which I don't really care for had that great guitar break with the duelling guitars.  Amazing what made the cut and what did not.

I still think Steve Walsh spends too much time wailing uncontrollably, but Disc Two blows away Disc One.

[Tick]

Okay, I will now take back most of what I said above.  Disc Two has almost completely changed my mind about Two for the Show.  "Cheyenne Anthem" was awesome, "Miracles out of Nowhere", "The Spider", "Belexes", heck even "Lonely Street" which I don't really care for had that great guitar break with the duelling guitars.  Amazing what made the cut and what did not.

I still think Steve Walsh spends too much time wailing uncontrollably, but Disc Two blows away Disc One.

You have seen the light my son!

[Beowulf]

Freaks of Nature is rather good, too.  Walsh's vocals are pretty raspy on that record, but songs like "Hope Once Again," "Desperate Times," "Peaceful and Warm" and "Under the Knife" are very worthy.  Not a top notch Kansas record, but still very solid, and definitely a bit underrated.
[/quote]


The one great thing on Freaks is the ending of "Peaceful and Warm".  Sounds like classic Kansas.

They are my all-time favorite bands!!!  I have a lot of memorabilia from them, ranging from a 4-foot cardboard cutout of the indian from Monolith and a puzzle of Leftoverture, to several signed albums (some of which I personally got signed) and the PoKR picture disc.  I also have a tattoo of the K on my upper arm!  How's that for fandom?!

All the albums 74-80 are fantastic.  The two with John Elefante singing are good, but I really don't consider that band to be "Kansas".  Good stuff, tho.  But the subsequent 2 albums with Steve Morse are decent.  But nothing will compare to the classic Kansas of 74-80. 
Some of my favorite tunes to check out are:
-Journey from Mariabronn (especially the 2ftS version)
-Magnum Opus ("man overboard!!!!)
-All The World
-How My Soul Cries Out For You
-Angels Have Fallen
-Hopelessly Human
The Spider (my ringtone!)

[pogoowner]

The one great thing on Freaks is the ending of "Peaceful and Warm".  Sounds like classic Kansas.

Very true, and that's of course because Kerry Livgren wrote it.

[Beowulf]

The one great thing on Freaks is the ending of "Peaceful and Warm".  Sounds like classic Kansas.

Very true, and that's of course because Kerry Livgren wrote it.

Sorry, but Steve Walsh wrote that one.  Nothing on FoN was written by Kerry.  He wrote everything on StE.

[KevShmev]

Actually, "Cold Grey Morning," the penultimate song on FoN, was written by Kerry Livgren. 

That aside, great bump.  Kansas is one of the best bands ever, and we can never talk about them enough.

[Beowulf]

Okay, Kev.  I stand corrected.  I forgot about that one.  I actually love the beginning "movement" of "I Can Fly".  Originally, Steve and David Ragsdale were working on that, and it was looking like it was going to be a 20-minute plus multi-movement song.  Guess they shortened it down.  That info was from the now-defunct Closet Chronicles newsletter. 

Here's a question for Kansas fans: in regards to the violin, who is better: Robby or Rags?

[pogoowner]

Okay, Kev.  I stand corrected.  I forgot about that one.  I actually love the beginning "movement" of "I Can Fly".  Originally, Steve and David Ragsdale were working on that, and it was looking like it was going to be a 20-minute plus multi-movement song.  Guess they shortened it down.  That info was from the now-defunct Closet Chronicles newsletter.  

Here's a question for Kansas fans: in regards to the violin, who is better: Robby or Rags?

Whoops, completely mixed those up. Yeah, "Cold Grey Morning" is what I was thinking of, and it has that distinct Kerry sound to it.

As far as violinists go, having seen them both live, I'm of the opinion that Ragsdale is the better player. Robby tended to be a bit sloppier.

[PlaysLikeMyung]

lolwrath

[King Postwhore]

I love Robbie's harmonies but I think Rags is a better violinist.  Saw them on the Freaks of Nature tour in a small club nect to a bech in NH.  Great show.

[KevShmev]

Here's a question for Kansas fans: in regards to the violin, who is better: Robby or Rags?

I honestly have no idea, but Steinhardt is a great number two lead singer, so I will always take him as the better overall musician. 

[Orbert]

Ditto.  Steinhardt sang harmony and a lot of lead (probably more than most people realize) on early Kansas albums, so that plus his violin skills give him the edge.

[chknptpie]

Kansas friggin rocks! Seeing them with Foreigner and Styx was amazing.

[Beowulf]

I saw them with Foreigner and Styx, and honestly it was one of the worst Kansas shows.  It seemed that they were simply "going through the motions" (pun intended, for the die-hard fans!).  I've seen them about a dozen times in Dallas over the years.  I've seen some outstanding shows, more fan-driven as far as setlists go.

I do like Rags, and he is definitely a more dynamic player than Robby.  But they have very distinct, unique sounds.  As far as second singers, obviously Rags doesn't sing, but boy does Billy!  I was glad that the boys got Rags back after Robby left again.  It helps fill in gaps when Rags picks up the guitar. 

[KevShmev]

What's funny is, when Queensryche released their Hear in the Now Frontier CD, the first single was "Sign of the Times," and it had a very short violin outro.  First time I heard it, I actually thought, "Wow, that sounds like the guy who is in Kansas now."  Imagine my surprise when I realized that in fact was David Ragsdale.  So, yeah, I guess you could say that his playing is pretty unique.

[Orbert]

Or you have a really good ear.

[EstyMaJ]

I love Robbie's harmonies but I think Rags is a better violinist.  Saw them on the Freaks of Nature tour in a small club nect to a bech in NH.  Great show.

Casino Ballroom Hampton beach NH ?
Hey I was at that Show Freeekin great wasn't it? , i still talk about it now !!!

[KevShmev]

Or you have a really good ear.

Or that.

[King Postwhore]

I love Robbie's harmonies but I think Rags is a better violinist.  Saw them on the Freaks of Nature tour in a small club nect to a bech in NH.  Great show.

Casino Ballroom Hampton beach NH ?
Hey I was at that Show Freeekin great wasn't it? , i still talk about it now !!!

Yes it is Esty!!  I've seen some great shows there.

[pogoowner]

I wonder how Kerry Livgren's doing these days. It's been about a year since his stroke, if I remember correctly. I know he was taking baby steps in trying to re-learn piano, but I don't know if he's regained full motor function or not.

[Beowulf]

According to his website,

8/26/10: "Kerry continues to work in the studio. Health wise, he's probably in the best physical condition he's been in since the 80s....he works out at the gym on almost a daily basis and has dropped a considerable amount of weight, returning to his "skinny guitar player" roots!

Musically, he continues to struggle with loss of feeling in his hands...he mentioned that it felt like he was trying to play guitar with "rubber gloves" on. But its only been about 12 months since the stroke...he could barely walk and talk a year ago...there's still ample time for more recovery to happen. My theory is that he has worked so long on the "Cantata" and the raising of Lazarus, that God wanted to give him a bird's-eye experience of what being raised from the dead was all about!"

[pogoowner]

According to his website,

8/26/10: "Kerry continues to work in the studio. Health wise, he's probably in the best physical condition he's been in since the 80s....he works out at the gym on almost a daily basis and has dropped a considerable amount of weight, returning to his "skinny guitar player" roots!

Musically, he continues to struggle with loss of feeling in his hands...he mentioned that it felt like he was trying to play guitar with "rubber gloves" on. But its only been about 12 months since the stroke...he could barely walk and talk a year ago...there's still ample time for more recovery to happen. My theory is that he has worked so long on the "Cantata" and the raising of Lazarus, that God wanted to give him a bird's-eye experience of what being raised from the dead was all about!"

It's really great to hear that he's doing well. And looking at his website, I found this, which makes me even more excited:

10/17/10: Well....after having announced the demise of Proto-Kaw, we are very pleased to say that the band has re-united and is presently at work on their unfinished (and presently untitled) studio album. It is scheduled for release this coming January.

Proto-Kaw is fantastic, and I'm always excited to hear anything new from them.

[jammindude]

BUMP!

Listening to Two For the Show for the first time ever tonight. I'm only on side one (vinyl) but the first thing I've noticed is that the performance so far has beeb a bit too close to the studio versions for my taste. I hope they play with the songs a bit more as it goes on. Love the setlist though, so it's not possible for it to be disappointing in that respect.

[Pols Voice]

Two for the Show is the best live album ever. Also, there's a newer Kansas thread here, linked in the A-Z index of bands thread (I should know, because I'm mentioned in the title).

[r0cken]

Love Leftoverture and Point of Know Return. Sorta like Masque. But that's about as far as I got.

[Nel]

Try Song For America. that's around that era and "Incomudro - Hymn to the Atman" is an awesome closing song.

[black_biff_stadler]

I remember a long time ago someone commented on how some Kansas song either vaguely sounded like Metropolis or had a similar vibe. Can someone help me out here cuz I really wanna check it out again.