Conference mr1pst::music

    Be warned, this turned out to be VERY long...
    
    Kansas has long been one of my very favorite bands.
    
    I became familiar with them in a strange way:  I had called my college
    radio station and requested "Bringing Home the Bacon" by ?Procol
    Harem? because I had heard piece of it and wanted to tape the whole
    thing.
    
    Well it came on, but all of a sudden it went into a very different
    section.
    
    Well I listened to that over and over again and I started telling my
    friends how much I liked the song, especially the "second section".
    Eventually, someone familiar with the song asked "What second section?"
    
    I said, "The one where the lyric goes 'Virgin land of forest green..."
    
    Eventually I played the tape for him.   Turns out that at the end
    of "Bacon" the DJ had segued so smoothly into "Song for America"
    that I thought it was part of the same song.
    
    My friend recognized it as Kansas and I ran across the street to the
    record store and IMMEDIATELY bought "Song for America" and "Masque".
    
    "Masque", although being perhaps their least successful album, has
    always been my favorite. 
    
    Since then, I've been a die-hard Kansas fan.  I've even been in Kansas
    cover bands (some of the most satisfying musical experiences I've had),
    I even had the interesting opportunity to see my all-time favorite
    musician, Steve Morse of the Dregs, join Kansas for two albums and a
    tour.
    
    In general, I regard Kansas to be exceptional songwriters both
    musically and lyrically.  Their lyrics stand up even without the
    music as poetry (how many other bands write lyrics that could pass 
    that test), and their music is... "ambitious" both technically and
    in terms of musical sophistication.
    
    They are solidly in the area of "progressive rock" - i.e. people who
    write "serious" music.
    
    I had a chance to see them during their heydey (when both Walsh and
    Livgren where still with the band) and blew it.
    
    I did see them a few years ago when Steve Morse was with the band.
    That was an incredible concert, but they stuck to mostly material
    from "Power" which in my opinion was great music, but not "Kansas"
    (more sorta halfway between Morse and Kansas).
    
    When I heard they were playing the Hampton Beach Casino on Aug 23
    I was somewhat dubious about going.  First of all, who was still
    in the band? 
    
    Well, I got the tickets anyway.
    
    Now let me tell you something.  If you had asked me before they came
    on if I was going to enjoy the show, I'd say "almost certainly not".
    So many things were working against me having a good time:
    
    1) I really doubted that many of the original members would be there
       (and I was right).
    
    2) I had gotten up at 5am that morning and drove to the NH Speedway
       to play an all day gig in the hot sun.
    
    3) My ears were ringing both from my band playing AND from the noise
       of the race cars
    
    4) I had a massive cold (and have been out sick ever since, I'm dialed
       in now.
    
    5) I've never liked the Casino.  
    
    6) I had to drive all the way from Loudin to Hampton Beach and faced
       the prospect of driving home late at night after such a long day
       on a road that is so dangerous that they've put crosses up every
       place there's been a fatality (Route 101)
    
    And you know what?  It was one of the most enjoyable shows I've been
    to in a long time.
    
    Things started to look up when despite getting there late (first band,
    "West", was already on) we were escorted to seats about 8 feet from
    the stage.  For reasons I will give later, I wouldn't have wanted
    to be any closer.
    
    I wasn't really crazy about "West".  They had a pretty good guitar
    player, and did some interesting things, but when you there with
    expectations set for the sophistication of Kansas music, "yet another
    radio band" just doesn't get a fair shot.
    
    Fortunately the set change was brief and Kansas came out barely
    20 minutes after West finished.
    
    The band as it stands includes original members Steve Walsh, Rich
    Williams and Phil Ehart.  Billy Greer (who played during the Morse
    era) was also back.  And there were two new guys, a keyboard player
    who handled most of the keyboards and a fantastic violinist who
    also played guitar (also a fantastic guitar player).  Unfortunately
    I didn't get their names, I think the violinist's first name was
    Derek.
    
    Phil Eharts hair was longer than ever, Rich Williams is larger than
    ever (easily 300 lbs now, big enough that you couldn't help but stare
    at him if you walked past him on the street).
    
    And Steve Walsh...  what can you say about this guy?  It's no wonder
    that so many musicians cite him as someone they'd want in their band.
    The man is just oozing with talent.  His voice was somewhat hoarse,
    probably from singing so much on tour, but despite that, his
    performance was still in the exceptional category.
    
    This man can write incredible music and lyrics, is a phenomenal
    keyboard player, but until you've seen him live you may never realize
    waht an incredible stage performer he is.
    
    Steve puts at least two times energy into a show than anyone else I
    know of.  He is always shaking, jumping, emoting, and doing HANDSTANDS
    ON THE KEYBOARD!  Halfway thru the first song he was dripping with
    sweat.   Every time he turned around on stage a pint of sweat would
    fly off (which is why I suggest sitting no closer than 8-10 feet).
    
    I noticed that there was no microphone near his keyboards.  He only
    played keys when he wasn't singing and they were usually lost in the
    mix.  When he was playing keys he was jumping all over the place and
    you had to wonder if he was really playing anything.  It's hard to
    play keys while you're doing that (I know, I'm a keyboard player).
    
    And just when I thought we would never hear his keys he played an
    incredible solo with an ostinato bass figure in the left hand and
    improving on the right.  A level of "hand independence" I thought only
    Keith Emerson was capable of.
    
    They did all the radio hits and some of my personal favorites although
    I was EXTREMELY dissapointed that they didn't do "Icarus" which is my
    favorite.
    
    Some of the tunes I recall them doing: "Song for Amercia", "Mysteries
    and Mayhem", "Dust in the Wind", "Carry on my Wayward Son", "Down the
    Road", "People of the South Wind", "The Wall", "Point of Know Return"
    and a new song that hasn't been recorded yet.
    
    All were performed impeccably.
    
    They have a new live album out, and an accompanying video of that
    concert that includes an appearance by Kerry Livgren.  I'm buying
    it as soon as I can find it.
    
    Closing thoughts:
    
    Well, when I first saw the lineup, and how few original members it had. 
    I sorta was thinking that this really isn't Kansas, this is sorta
    the remnants of Kansas.  But I will always remember this show. 
    
    I left the show with one very strong conclusion: the strength of this
    band has always been its songs.  It really doesn't matter who plays
    them as long as they are played well.  The songs are just that good.
    

So Dave, get to the point.  Did youlike the show.   ;*)

Now I expect to see those kind of keyboard antics from you at the next 
gig!

	WW

    Willy,
    
    In case I wasn't clear: I loved this show.  It reminded me that
    there is another level you can take music to.
    
    And if you even only semi-serious about our band doing a Kansas tune,
    I say "YES!!!!!".   It would make me very very happy and would cover
    an area we currently don't have anything for.
    
    In fact, I was just listening to "Point of Know Return" (which I've
    done with another band) and was thinking, we could pull that one of
    with our instrumentation.

    
    dB...
    
    If you want to cover a great Kansas tune, try 'The Devil Game', and
    speed it up just a touch. Guaranteed to raise a sweat. (Used to work
    back in '77-'78, anyway.)
    
    Peter

    As an aside, I was watching TV during the insomniac zone and VH1 had an
    ad for a Kansas video recorded in '92 at the Whiskey in LA. Kerry
    Livgren (sp?) apparently joined them for this one gig...
    
    There was also a guitar player with a patch over one eye who was HUGE.
    He was wearing what appeared to be a tarp. You could have smuggled
    illegal aliens in under his clothes!
    
    They all looked *very* old and extremely out of place (and, I might
    add, extremely out of shape). Even though I like the band overall, it
    was a pretty sad sight.
    
    Favorite Kansas album (hands down): The one with "Song for America"
    on it (I'm too lazy to go look up the title in my record collection
    ... so sue me).
    
    Brian

    re: .5
    
>    As an aside, I was watching TV during the insomniac zone and VH1 had an
>    ad for a Kansas video recorded in '92 at the Whiskey in LA. Kerry
>    Livgren (sp?) apparently joined them for this one gig...
    
    Yes, I mentioned that in .1 (which WAS rather long).
    
>    There was also a guitar player with a patch over one eye who was HUGE.
>    He was wearing what appeared to be a tarp. You could have smuggled
>    illegal aliens in under his clothes!
    
    That's Rich Williams, an original member.  He IS amazingly large
    now.  Frankly, I can't imagine him even fitting into most cars.
    
>    They all looked *very* old and extremely out of place (and, I might
>    add, extremely out of shape).
    
    Hmmm... wonder if what you saw was a different formation.  This band
    had three young guys in it in great shape.  Good enough to wear
    spandex. 
    
>    Favorite Kansas album (hands down): The one with "Song for America"
>    on it (I'm too lazy to go look up the title in my record collection
>    ... so sue me).
    
    THat the title track from the album.  Have you heard "Masque"?  It's
    probably their least known and least available album but it's my
    favorite (SFA is my 2nd choice, then "Point of Know Return").
    
    Almost evrery serious Kansas fan I know of cites "Icarus - Borne on
    Wings of Steel" as their favorite tune, which is on "Masque". 
    
    I was even going to BEG the other guys in Citadel (you saw us at
    Ralph's once, we did at least 3 Kansas tunes) to do that one.
    
    	db

    Dave,
    
    I based my comments on the Kanas lineup shown in the ad for the
    video... Rich Williams sort of "dominated" the screen, if you know what
    I mean, so I suppose it's possible that the thin guys who could wear
    spandex were hidden behind him! :-)
    
    The person I assume is Kerry Livgren (blonde hair, played guitar) also
    looked pretty old and worn out. The 30 seconds of tv ad suggested they
    all still played well, however.
    
    I have three Kansas albums (I've since checked my collection). I have
    "Song for America", Masque and "Point of Know Return". For some reason,
    I can't remember the song you mentioned though. I haven't listened to my
    Kansas records for at least... lemme see... 10 years. Maybe more.
    
    It might be time to fire up the old turn-table...
    
    Brian

>    I based my comments on the Kanas lineup shown in the ad for the
>    video... Rich Williams sort of "dominated" the screen, if you know what
>    I mean, so I suppose it's possible that the thin guys who could wear
>    spandex were hidden behind him! :-)
    
    You would think that anyone standing next to Williams in a picture
    would look "thin".
    
>    The person I assume is Kerry Livgren (blonde hair, played guitar) also
>    looked pretty old and worn out. The 30 seconds of tv ad suggested they
>    all still played well, however.
    
    That's probably him.
    
    BTW, I have to tell you that he has a (somewhat hard to find) biography
    out that I found absolutely fascinating reading.  It's called "Seeds
    of Change" and it seems like you can only get it at Christian book
    stores : (Do you know how awkward I felt going into one of those,
    having them take the order for the book and when they asked my
    name giving a nice christian name like "Blickstein"  ;-)))
    
>    It might be time to fire up the old turn-table...
    
    I think you'd appreciate it.
    
    Let's put it this way, if they had Karaoke for that "Icarus" tune,
    I'd probably go and sing it.  ;-) ;-)  ;-)
    

>>    BTW, I have to tell you that he has a (somewhat hard to find) biography
>>    out that I found absolutely fascinating reading.  It's called "Seeds
>>    of Change" and it seems like you can only get it at Christian book
>>    stores : (Do you know how awkward I felt going into one of those,
>>    having them take the order for the book and when they asked my
>>    name giving a nice christian name like "Blickstein"  ;-)))
    
	There's a fairly active Christian organization known as
    	"Jews for Jesus". So, you probably didn't phase them too 
    	much. I had forgotten that Kerry had turned his focus to
    	Christian music. He's in some pretty interesting company
    	though, along with Mark Farner of Grand Funk fame and
    	Kerry Minnear of Gentle Giant (you think it's something
    	with guys named "Kerry"?). :-)
    
>>    Let's put it this way, if they had Karaoke for that "Icarus" tune,
>>    I'd probably go and sing it.  ;-) ;-)  ;-)
    
	And I'd probably miss it just the same, thanks... :-)
    
    Brian

    >  There's a fairly active Christian organization known as
    >  "Jews for Jesus". 
    
    Yes, I am quite familiar with them.  I formed the sister organization
    "Christians for Moses"
    
    No funny faces.
    
    	db

    "Christians for Moses"...
    
    Good one db
    

    In both bands that I played in from '80-'84, by my insistance we did
    quite a bit of Kansas, I've always loved their material.  Besides, any band 
    with two keyboardists and a guy named Steinhardt in it can't possibly be
    bad...  From recollection, we played Carry On Wayward Son, Lightning's
    Hand, Point of Know Return, Hold On, and my favorite (for which one of
    the band's was named), Portrait.  We used to segue directly from the
    double speed instrumental end of Portrait into Tom Sawyer by Rush,
    great stuff.  I've made feeble attempts at doing "Spider", but as the
    only keyboardist in the band, the attempt was truly feeble...
    
    Cheers,
    Ken
    
    

    
     I went to see/hear Kansas this past Friday at a nearby club. They
    played really well. The vocalist, lead guitarist and bass guitarist
    were all from the original band, the remaining members were new.
     A very enjoyable evening. The vocalist mentioned that a boxed set
    is going to be released in July (he also said "please buy it") with
    some new material included.
    
     RG

Any idea what the "new material" consists of?  Is it new songs (like from the
last year or two) or old stuff from the archives that just never got released?

-Lance-

    
    Well, he didn't give any detail, but from what he said I took it to
    mean that this was recently written, new material.
    
    But there again, that's just my impression. Looking forward to the
    boxed set regardless.
    
    RG
    

    
    	I was just going to mention that I picked up a Kansas CD out of
    	the bargain bin with none other than Steve Morse on guitar, but
    	I got in here to find that you-know-who had already mentioned
    	it.
    
    	8^)
    
    							GTI

    There's two Kansas albums with Morse:  "Power" which is pretty good
    IMHO, and "In the Spirit of Things" which I didn't really like.

    Has anyone seen or heard the new album, "Freaks of Nature"?
    
    From the talk on the Internet mailing list it seems clear that it is
    out and that many people have it, but all the stores around here are
    telling me it will be out this coming Tuesday.
    
    Usually it's impossible to get any store to give you an album before
    it's official release date so that fact that so very many people have
    it seems to indicate to me that it's been released at least in some
    limited capacity.
    
    	db