The Kansas thread

Gdub411 wrote:

The 1st three songs are unimpressive(especially that 3rd piece....pop trash that I could'vd done without)...after that the songs are all great prog

I really don't like "Can I Tell You? very much, but I disagree with you about Lonely Wind, of course it's a ballad, but a very powerful one, you have to listen the piano version of this track in "Two for the Show" to really understand what they wanted to do.

I agree with you about the rest of the songs, especially Journey to Mariabronn which became a classic still played in all their concerts, also Belexes is a song that grew on me, Phil Ehart (The most underrated drummer in history) does an excellent job, the guy is really out of this world.

Iván

Edited by ivan_2068

 

I like 'Can I Tell You' as an effective opener, just that: somewhere in the middle it would have been a filler. I enjoy its country-based spirit with a GG-ish twist in the organ-violin duets.

'Bringing it Back' is a JJ Cale cover - I read that Kansas' remastered version includes a 9 minute live rendition of bringing... I bet it's interesting, maybe a very long set of alternate solos, or an extended drum solo...

Anyway, their debut album is good but not genius... the genius started to emerge clearly in their excellent 'Song for America': What an album!! Even the more commercial tracks are full of intrincate arrangements and fine performances. 'Down the Road' is not your simple whiskey bar tune, though it's structured as such: it's got a peculiar (not symphonic) complexity of its own.

Regards.

Kansas Rule.

And about Styx, I'm related to Lawrence Gowan, their new singer. On my mother's side. I actually dont really like Styx very much at all, but I think it's pretty cool that I'm related to one of them!

gdub411 wrote: My only one complaint is their lyrics are a bit weak...Especially the Mother Nature Suite.

 

Ok I'll bite on this What do you consider strong lyrics?  DOMS was very relevant to what was going on in America the time it was written. As for Apercu (I think the bridge in there has perfect introspective lyrics), Journey to Maribronn, Song For America, Lamplight Syphony, Incomudru, Mysteries and Mayhem, The Pinnical, Child of Innocence, Carry On, The Wall, Miricales out of Nowhere etc.   In fact most of Kerry Livegrens lyrics from the first 7 albums was about a personal spirtual search.  Amazing how anyone could get that personal with his feelings like that in a public forum.  If you see something different I would really like to know what. 

Garion81 wrote: In fact most of Kerry Livegrens lyrics from the first 7 albums was about a personal spirtual search.  Amazing how anyone could get that personal with his feelings like that in a public forum.  If you see something different I would really like to know what.

I agree completely- I think it was clear in the lyrics that this was a man who was deeply spiritual, constantly questioning and investigating, and longing for a satisfying answer (very much like Peter Hammill, although the two couldn't have been more different in their approach, or their conclusions). I have to admit I was put off when the religious aspect became more obvious and less symbolic- he had been so good at metaphor and allegory. But by then the band's sound had changed enough to let the two of us go our separate ways anyway...

I have to admit I was put off when the religious aspect became more obvious and less symbolic- he had been so good at metaphor and allegory. But by then the band's sound had changed enough to let the two of us go our separate ways anyway...

A few months after Vinyl Confessions was relñeased, I was watching TV in Miami, while I was changing channels I saw Kerry Livegren and stopped there. It was the 700 Club with Pat Robertson (A program I would never normally see mostly because it's not about religion it's simply a business IMHO).

Well, Kerry was almost forced (with directed questions) to say that Kansas was evil, at first he refused to say that, but when he gained some confidence (or confused with the tendency of the questions) he said that Kansas was his worst experience, that his music was sad, depressing and negative but now he had found the Lord he was happy.

I have nothing about Religion, I'm also a religious man, but when somebody tries to make us believe every secular thing is bad, then I hate it because it reminds me of those who used to burn books.

Thanks God that Kerry saw the light and started to compose good music again, he understood you can be a reborn Christian and a great musician at the same time. If a skilful artist or professional wastes the talent God gave him, it's a sin, even if that man uses his time to pray.

Last week on a TV show I don't like very much (The King of the Hill), the father said to a Christian musician at Messiahfest "Playing that music you're not making religion better, you're making rock worst"

That's what Kansas did when tried to change into a Christian Rock Band.

Iván

James Lee wrote:

  I have to admit I was put off when the religious aspect became more obvious and less symbolic- he had been so good at metaphor and allegory. But by then the band's sound had changed enough to let the two of us go our separate ways anyway..

I couldn´t agree more James, same thing with Neal Morse

The only " Spiritual Band " I can listen to is Echolyn, they don´t try to force feed you the Spiritual Crutches that they need to get through this life.

Then try Hayseed Dixie, great band who does some AC/DC covers 

Just saw this thread (away form a couple of days at Rush in Glasgow) and have to applaud whoever started this thread. I absolutely love Kansas (from Kansas to Monolith) though I seem to be one of the few Europeans here who thinks they're cool - most of the posts have been from the Americas.

Funny, I was instroduced to them by a New Yorker (a mate of my older brother) around the time Monolith was released and got a bunch of cassettes with Leftoverture, Two For The Show and Monolith on and fell in love with the band.

Granted they're not pur prog but what constitutes 'pure prog'. Are they too melodic? Not fiddly enough in their playing?

The melodies are great, the playing is excellent, and the Keystone Cops chase bits in most of the long songs are great fun (just check 'em out if you don't believe me, Magnum Opus, Incomudro etc etc all contain a comedu chase scene!) 

From Journey From Mariabronn to Song For America, Closet Chronicles to Cheyenne Anthem, Icarus to Questions of My Childhood - they're all great.

The only caveat is the blatant evangelising on Monolith, it doesn't ruin the experience but certainly compromises it. Therefore after Monolith I lost 'em though I do believe that their reunion album Somewhere to Elsewhere has a couple of good tracks...

Other than that they rule. Top dungaree-wearing, fiddle playing, prog chaps!!

 

James Lee wrote: gdub411 wrote: Also I must add I call this music as Hick Progressive because he comes across a bit backwoodslike to me. I feel I am qualified to make a statement like this as I was raised in the backwoods of Wisconsin. Compared to the cultured and more sophisticated European bands they just don't measure up lyrically speaking. Do not get me wrong....I like Kansas Hick progressive- interesting term; I wish there were more bands like that. That's the main reason I compare Kansas to Jethro Tull (a UK hick progressive, if you follow me...I guess the Caravan end of Canterbury kinda makes them UK hick progressives too). Comes from the folk influence, and since our folk music is country, bluegrass, and blues that's what goes into the sound. I'm probably the only person in the world that would like to hear a prog bluegrass band...

James....I finally have figured you out. With permission I would love to share this with you but I do not want to offend you either and you might not take what I say too kindly. So what say you?