Kansas .. the long story

[trackstoni]

Kansas , A Long Story of ....Success & excellent releases




Original members Kerry LIVGREN (guitar) and Phil EHART (drums) combined their two separate bands into one large band. Kerry's band was called SARATOGA, and Phil's was called WHITE CLOVER. The band changed its name to KANSAS. They were from the beginning just an ordinary rock band, but were quickly compared to other progressive bands in the 70's like GENESIS, YES and KING CRIMSON. Combining the musical complexities of British prog-rock with the soul and instrumentation of the American heartland, KANSAS became one of the biggest selling and most successful touring acts of the 1970s. With huge hits like "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust In The Wind", they helped define the sound of "classic rock". They are loved all over the world.

I- THE 1970s
The Early Days: Their self-titled debut album was released in 1974, but nationwide response was slow. Their second album, "Song For America", saw a softening of KANSAS' sound, with more classical influences evident. The third album, "Masque", featured more pop songs and lyrically quite dark. They suffered ridicule from people around the world, because they wore overalls and had a violonist, which made people think that they were a country music group.
The Best of Times: "Leftoverture", with the popular single "Carry On Wayward Son", became a signature piece and pushed the album to platinum success. The followup, "Point Of Know Return" (1977) contained the ever-popular acoustic "Dust In The Wind". During their tour, they recorded their first live album, "Two For The Show" (1978) and the next studio album "Monolith" (1979).

II- THE 1980s
Seeds Of Change: A year later, the band followed up with "Audio Visions", the last production of the original band lineup. WALSH left the band due to creative differences. "Vinyl Confessions" had Christian lyrical content. The next album, "Drastic Measures" (1983), had some hard rock material on it, including the song "Mainstream". In 1984, the band released a greatest hits compilation, "The Best Of Kansas", which featured one new song, "Perfect Lover".
The Second Generation: The group split in 1983, only to reform in 1986 with the albums "Power" and with "The Spirit Of Things" (1988). Sales of these two albums were not very strong. Thus, the second generation of KANSAS had come to an abrupt end.

III- THE 1990s: The Third Generation
The new lineup released their second live album, "Live At The Whiskey", and featured live renditions of their classics. In 1995, the "Freak Of Nature" album featured some powerful new studio tracks. "Always Never The Same" featured old classics and new material, done with the London Symphony Orchestra.

IV- The 2000s
Seeing the return of founder singer/songwriter Kerry LIVGREN, "Somewhere To Elsewhere" was released in the summer of 2000. "Early Recordings From Kansas 1971-1973" is a true gem. Another live album, titled "Device Voice Drum", is different from their earlier live albums.

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Trackstoni's review on progarchives , 5/22/2008 (about Leftoverture)
Some people said that Kansas can be easily recognized by Carry on , or Dust in the wind , or many other successful songs during the 70's . But this was completely wrong , Kansas was the only , and i MEAN the only band TO BUILD a bridge for progressive rock to cross over the atlantic & vice versa . Just to give you dear proggers the right idea about this fact from my archieve , kept since 1970 for this purpose . Leftoverture was released in 1976 , Carry on was released two month earlier in 45 single version , and hit the top 100 in USA , the album wasn't able to do so . CBS , knew this fact , the european market was different in his reaction . Kansas supplied the european market with new blood , a new blend of heavy symphonic progressive rock , that could not be found in these markets easily , not even by YES & ELP . this reaction was in immediate basis in europe , but took more time for the americans to accept it . In 1976 , while visiting my brother in San Francisco , i couldn't find any tracks of progressive rock music in music stores , with the exception of some European bands . All albums imported from Europe for high price . That's why Kansas was accepted as a progressive rock band at the end of the 70's . I can't simply review a pop song like Dust in the wind , and avoid one of the best tracks ever Magnum Opus or cheyenne anthem to feel the difference . Historical & Magical Masterpiece to cross the atlantic & the mediterrenean to introduce a new blend of progressive ,,,,,,,,,,,,, Bravo Kansas & CBS , also Epic for remastering this excellent work ................................... not to mention the attractive cover full of meaning ........ Posted in Progarchives on 5/22/2008