Can some more Kansas be added?

[ProgressiveEars]

Seems you all just have the first eight with the original lineup and the reunion CD Somewhere To Elsewhere (and some Proto Kaw). All excellent and must haves, but can some others be added?

Vinyl Confessions is a really good one from the time when Walsh was replaced by John Elefante. This CD is actually more solid than the kinda spotty Audio-Visions that came right before it.

Power is the first of two from the Steve Morse era. I know there's a ton of Morse fans that listen that would enjoy this and the more progressive follow up (well, at least 1/2 of it) In The Spirit of Things. I'd love to request something like Rainmaker from that one... That CD is Steve Walsh's vocal peak.

Freaks of Nature from the early 90s features the amazing violin work of David Ragsdale, a guy that I know AM listeners would just love. He has a Ponty vibe. This album is one of their heaviest and a return an album with no commercial agenda, just good prog rock Kansas style.

The symphonic Always Never The Same is worth adding too, it features symph meets rock band reworkings of many Kansas greats and three originals.

Have a Happy New Year!

-Sean

[Rick and Roll]

I have and really like Freaks of Nature, especially "Cold Grey Morning". Walsh's voice is shot on that record, but that's ok. I can get that up to the station if ok'd. The others I don't have and don't remember them being that vibrant, but it may be just a matter of Jim not having them.

I'm glad Somewhere is here, wonderful disc. I have to listen to the symphonic again. I played a cut or two on the show but I wasn't sure if the whole thing was worth the add.

[ProgressiveEars]

Sounds good, the addition of Freaks alone would offer up eight or so good "new" tracks to play and request and let you all hear Mr Ragsdale as well.

The rest have their proggy songs and their not prog songs, true. Not unlike 80s Yes, really.

[gr8sho92]

Kansas to me will always be the quintessential symphonic progressive rock band from good ole USA. To go back and relisten to their 70s albums reinforces that.

One record that's badly needed in the AM library is Two For The Show. If you haven't listened to this in a while, it's worth dusting off (pun intended).

The one mistake that Kansas made with this particular disc was the album art cover. It just sticks out like a sore thumb, and while appropriate for a live album, it wasn't right for their awesome album covers from that period.

Thanks and Cheers,
Carl

[Rick and Roll]

Originally Posted by gr8sho92

One record that's badly needed in the AM library is Two For The Show. If you haven't listened to this in a while, it's worth dusting off (pun intended).

Thanks and Cheers,
Carl

Did this just get re released?

[progdirjim(Admin)]

well coincidentally enough I just discovered this thread and just picked up Freaks Of Nature. So yes, that can be added. I had Vinyl Confessions on LP a long time ago, and IIRC, traded it in at the local used record store. I'm going to have to be sold on that one, I remember it being very commercial.

The Steve Morse stuff I'll think about it. I kind of remember Power not being particularly progressive, but I guess that Morse guy can play a little guitar

[OverHillandDale(Admin)]

Originally Posted by Rick and Roll

Did this just get re released?

If it isn't out tomorrow, it will be soon. New and improved with extra tracks.

[gr8sho92]

It does appear that several Kansas albums are being reissued/remastered in 2008. The ones I have are good, but I'm biased.

I can't speak for the 80s stuff as I haven't reached them in my relisten effort (at the rate I'm going it will take a while and am just reaching Monolith now). Progarchives has some incredibly harsh reviews of the 80s albums if you're really interested. I personally fell off the bandwagon after AudioVisions.

The thing about albums like Two For The Show is that it puts a big ole historical spotlight on a great progressive rock band that peaked just as prog was on the decline. A truly great piece of work IMNSHO.

P.S. I still can't believe that people that were listening to music in 77-78 would actually spin a prog record like Leftoverture. Backstreet Boys anyone?

[Rick and Roll]

Originally Posted by gr8sho92

(at the rate I'm going it will take a while and am just reaching Monolith now)

There are about 40-50 discs that I play much more often than any other. Monolith is in that group. All before that are classics for sure, but Monolith is just awesome.

[darksideof]

Originally Posted by OverHillandDale

If it isn't out tomorrow, it will be soon. New and improved with extra tracks.

I can't wait until it comes out!
I had it on vinyl and the last song didn't make it into the cd version. this is going to be album to get again I hope all the photos that the album had will be included. Such an awesome concert. I even like Kansas more live than their studio albums. To me there are louder and more powerful.

[roger]

Originally Posted by Rick and Roll

There are about 40-50 discs that I play much more often than any other. Monolith is in that group. All before that are classics for sure, but Monolith is just awesome.

for some reason I don't have this, and I'm not sure I have ever heard it in its entirety.

probably about time, eh?

[Mike413]

Monolith is better than most of what came after it(the one possible exception imo being "somewhere to elsewhere." However, there are about two mediocre tracks on there("stay out of trouble" and one other one iirc). Kansas usually had at least one or two throw away tracks on every album but this time they are worse than usual. I can understand mixing things up with the boogie rock or mainstream rock stuff("down the road," "what's on my mind," "lightning's hand" and "it takes a woman's love" to name a few other than the obvious radio hits. So despite Monolith's weaknesses there are some really strong tracks on there as well. However, I'll take anything that came before it over it especially their first album(which has no filler), Song for America, and Leftoverature.