Their live double album "Two For The Show" is a masterpiece of brilliant production and polished performances. They performed most of their best songs since it has 2 discs. IMO One of the best live albums ever done.
Kansas is a band that sounds every bit as great live as they do in the studio. And no overdubbing or autotuning. What they play is what you get on the recording. A group of amazing musicians and a fabulous prog songwriter in Kerry Livgren. Obviously my favorite band. And I love Kerry's post-Kansas work too. Has his own state of the art studio & does all his own production work.
1. Monolith 2. Leftoverture 3. Masque 4. In the Spirit of Things - underrated 5. Song for America 6. Kansas 7. Point of Know Return - don't know why this one never hit me as hard So good, what a band and what a history of great music!
Leftoverture came out when I was in 6th grade, my brother was playing it and I walked in the door from baseball practice. I stopped dead in my tracks to hear Miracles out of nowhere for the first time. So blown away, I became a drummer because of Phil Ehart
I frankly think Kansas, Song For America, Masque, Leftoverture, all compete for #1, with Point of Know Return, Monolith trailing slightly. AudioVisions was showing the cracks already.
When you put out an album as good as Kansas for your first album, you know you are one hell of band. I mean, having three epics like Journey From Mariabronn, Aperçu and Death Of Mother Nature Suite on your debut is...mind-blowing:) and the other songs are top notch as well.
Living here in Kansas it's two thumbs up I'm 54 years old and this band changed my world probably still in the top five American rock bands of all time guaranteed
Good for you Paul W ! Right now as i text you there is this 1 song that has got me so high that i just keep hitting rewind to listen to it over & over its the 3rd song on LEFTOVERTURE " What's on my mind " Amazing song
Fantastic job ranking Kansas albums. Almost spot on with mine... I agree with you that any given week the order could vary slightly. I don't think we will ever see another group of musicians work so wonderfully together!
Windows from Vinyl Confessions is a great, overlooked slab of proggy hard rock. It is in my top 5 Kansas tunes. Mainstream is a big highlight from Drastic Measures, as well.
Monolith is woefully underrated. Leftoverture is a masterpiece, but I’ve always ranked Monolith pretty high. 1.) Leftoverture 2.) Point Of Know Return 3.) Monolith 4.) Masque 5.) Audio Visions
Exactly a year has passed and yes, the new album 'Absence Of Presence' is out.....and it is a beauty! Interesting list and your Kansas knowledge is impressive. Enjoyed this.
Going back to your TOTO episode yesterday/ I remember in 1982 when Walsh left : they held auditions and Fergie Frederiksen tried out but did not get the gig.
Who even listens to the radio anymore? I haven't listened to the radio in 20 years. There are so many great groups out there today that will never be played on the radio. As I always say the best music out there you will never find on the radio including Kansas. Yes they play their hits and that's about all they'll do staying within their limited confines and disappointing their fans. But that's radio.
@@gkirms I actually find a lot of new stuff on UA-cam. Quite a few years ago MySpace was great with new music. But that site got ruined very fast. UA-cam is much better all the time. I find new music on here all the time.
In The Spirit Of Things is actually my favorite. Steve Walsh said he thought it was their best album as well. You left off Always Never The Same from the list and it belongs there because it does introduce some new material and the added orchestral arrangements by Larry Baird were amazing. It has my favorite version of Song For America on it.
PETE- awesome show. My second concert in NYC. 1980. Just my opinion. I like the ranking of Albums better than individual songs. Maybe because I have trouble grabbing Only ten songs. But/ just my opinion. Another tremendous show. I m loving these Album rankings.
Miracles Out of Nowhere...when I discovered that song in the late ‘90s, I was simply floored. It is the perfect song...I remember standing outside my truck out in the country with the song blasting, working to sing Steve’s high notes. Even though I’m mainly a guitar player and singer, I learned how to play Phil’s drum part in the breakdown of that song...proggy, but approachable, and simply fun to play.
I Loved your ranking of Kansas and your Queen . I Saw Queen for the Sheer Heart Attack tour at the Capitol theater ,NJ and Kansas opened up for them .Song for America had just come out . Kansas was incredible as was Queen. It's was actually a triple bill the original Argent ( Hold your head up ) opened for Kansas. They don't make concerts like that anymore and I probably paid about 20 dollars for the ticket . 😃👍
My older sisters actually got me into Kansas through the Elefante albums, so they hold a really special place for me. Everything that you said about them is true, but I have spent so much time with them that they rank a bit higher for me. "Leftoverture" is probably my favorite, though. I saw them a couple of years ago and they still sounded great!
Incredible amount of talent in those albums. If you have to pick one between Yes and Kansas what would be your pick (I know is very hard to choose). Awaiting ranking the albums: SAXON!
i was 16 when Leftoverture same out... listened to it all summer of '76....will never forget how those songs shaped me and the way the sun shone upon that youthful time!! always number ONE! I did see them for the monolith tour in july '79 !
Finally !! My #4 favorite band of all time. Here goes ….. 1.Masque 2. Leftoverture 3. Kansas 4.Song For America 5. Monolith 6. Point of Know Return 7. Audio Visions 8.Power 9. Freaks of Nature 10. Vinyl Confessions 11. Somewhere to Elsewhere 12. In the Spirit of Things 13. The Prelude Implicit 14.Drastic Measures
Just listened to leftoverture for the first time tonight and frankly my first ever kansas album ive listened too, never heard any other songs before this except carry on wayward son and dust in the wind, i give it a 9.5/10, it was that good
I have tried hard to like Kansas....but ...apart from one or two songs their music does nothing for me...they just cut the mustard when compared to other prog bands eg Yes Genesis...believe me I have listened but it just does not happen......
I took a lot of heat in high school for liking Kansas. I've always stuck up for them. I'm glad to see that a rock aficionado/critic like yourself loves Kansas as well. 1. Leftoverture (this is my #2 favorite album of all time). 2. Song For America 3. Point of Know Return 4. Audio-Visions 5. Masque 6. Monolith
Aug 25th hopefully will be my 19th visit to Kansas! While my favs are the original 6’s albums,Prelude Fits right into the early works! Cannot wait for the new one!!
I love watching Pete's videos (always good!), but my favorite part is learning more about the albums that I missed or don't know quite as well. I loved Kansas (especially in the '70s) and had Left Overture, Point of Know Return, Monolith, and Audio-Visions in my constant rotation as a kid. I wasn't really familiar with Masque, but from the video and all the comments that followed, I was able to discover a really great album that I missed the first time around. Very cool... If you haven't done so already, check out the Kansas documentary "Miracles Out of Nowhere". Really, really awesome!
Thank you doing this tribute to the albums of Kansas. I caught your top albums of all time video about a month ago (I was drawn to your channel as a die hard Blackmore fan looking for all kinds of content during quarantine) but when I saw you chose Leftoverture, it reminded me how much I enjoyed that album on my 8 track player back in the day. I had never checked out any of their other albums - still don’t know why to this day. Also I knew about Kerry Livgren, Robby, and the guy in the overalls, but until a month ago I did not know who Steve Walsh was at all. Since then I’ve become obsessed with the band and Steve’s incredible singing, organ playing, songwriting, and stage acrobatics. Thanks for reintroducing and deepening my relationship with this band and their great music.
Thanks for this list. Kansas is my favorite band and they still kill it live. My top 5 are 1. Leftoverture 2. Point of No return 3. Two for the show. ( live album. Listen to Lonely Wind ) 4. Mask 5. Monolith I think a hidden gem for some Kansas fans is Two for the show. If you haven’t listened to it you are in for a treat when you do. Steve’s voice is at its best. Enjoy.
Long Time Kansas fan here...fantastic band with so many great songs...well crafted songs with deep thought-provoking lyrics...excellent musicians...and top notch vocals from Steve Walsh & Robby Steinhardt - two of the best vocalists of the classic rock age. This was hard, but this is how I ranked their first 10 albums... 1. Point of Know Return 2. Leftoverture 3. Masque 4. Kansas 5. Song for America 6. Monolith 7. Audio-Visions 8. Vinyl Confessions 9. Drastic Measures 10. Power I'm also a big fan of Kerry Livgren and his band AD 1983 - 1988 and all his solo work. Also, you should check out, if you haven't heard, Kerry Livgren's ''Seeds Of Change'' - his first solo album that features two songs with Ronnie James Dio - also featuring guest appearances by Kansas members: Steve Walsh, Phil Ehart and Robby Steinhardt & members of LeRoux, Jethro Tull, Ambrosia, and Atlanta Rhythm Section. (Released in 1980) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seeds_of_Change_(album)
1) Leftoverture 2) Point of Know Return 3) Kansas 4) Song for America 5) Masque 6) Monolith 7) Audio-Visions 8) Power 9) Freaks of Nature 10) Somewhere to Elsewhere 11) The Prelude Implicit 12) In the Spirit of Things 13) Vinyl Confessions 14) Drastic Measures
Great material as always. For me also a great source of knowledge about Kansas discography. P.S. How is that possible Pete that all those cd cases look like brand new? :) Mine are scratched as f..k
If "Song For America" was the only song on the entire SFA album... it would STILL be their finest work. I still drop to my knees in tears when I hear it. Most. Epic. Ever.
Just started listening to Kansas and thought "where would be the best place to get a good review of their albums?" Mmmmm no brainer - cheers Pete superb as usual. Peace from Glasgow 🏴
You should do your top 10 most worn/favorite t-shirts, and least worn...everybody loves em🎼🎧🎼....great list...my top 3 are the same as yours!!...thats a first, lol!
Love Kansas. Own all the studio albums and a few of the live albums. I enjoy them all, but I do have a preference for the early original 6 piece line up albums. My ranking of my top 10 favourites. 1 Leftoverture 2 Masque 3 Point of No Return 4. Monolith 5 Audio Visions 6 Song For America 7 Power 8 Kansas 9 in The Spirit of Things 10 Somewhere to Elsewhere These are my 10 favourites, but I like both the Elefante albums and the latest as well, just not as much as my top 10.
I like drastic measures and vinyl confessions. John has a hell of a voice I’m also a fan of power. Pretty poppy and just straight foward rock but still great
I thought you were right the first time in regards to Audio Visions. It was the last great album from Kansas. I love that album and it is indeed my favorite Kansas album. I used to crank side one and sing along in my room quite often when this came out. I originally had only Kansas' Greatest hits and Audio Visions. I was into greatest hits huge but, the albums they came from eluded me for a long time. There was so much new music coming out at that time and I was spending every dime I could scrape together to keep up with the burgeoning Neo-Classical scene and the Thrash Metal scene.
Saw them last fall, one of the best shows I've been to, hoping to see them again with Foreigner this summer. Kerry, Steve and Robbie may be gone, but they are still amazing live I would highly recommend
I only started getting into a lot of bands such as Kansas over the last few years, but now im obsessed. So far, i gotta go with the self titled as my favorite, but i also love the following few almost as much. I believe i have everything (or close to) up to Power. Im told i dont need to go further than that, but of course I'm still curious.
Thanks. Pete to give Vinyl Confessions a good ranking. I love that album. Some Kansas albums are a bit to "nervous" and erratic for me. I am going to see their 50 Anniversary tour, cant wait.
I have gone through the first 8 albums twice now. Imo Kansas is the first neo prog band. I am surprised there would be any question about their prog credentials. When I listen to Modern neo prog and fusion I here elements of Kansas. Was a real eye opener. Great production, complexity and heavy rock.
Thanks for opening my eyes on THIN LIZZY Pete, I’ve only owned JAILBREAK but because of your video I now know CHINATOWN ANGEL OF DEATH BAD REPUTATION etc. Oh! My KANSAS Favs are POINT-LEFT-MASQUE
I saw them in 1976 for $7.50 per ticket. If you love Kansas please check out Jerome Mazza solo album and also the band Pinnacle Point featuring Jerome Mazza. Steve Walsh's new album Black Butterfly. Kansas is and always will be Priceless.
Leftover is a masterpiece, and as an engineer, I will ask people -- "What instrument on that album don't you hear well?" Everything is perfectly balanced.
Great video, although I have the opposite view of the two Morse albums. Bob Ezrins’ production really made In the Spirit of Things a great, epic album. I will check out the Prelude Implicit based on your recommendations.
Pete, thank you for giving positive coverage/attention to Kansas, you"get " them, not all folks do. As a longtime (1975) fan, generally agree with your list, but, " Somewhere To Elsewhere"( my personal number two) should rank higher for you. All the original band members, plus all the songs written by Kerry Livgren, they did that album their way, unencumbered by studio expectations, came through strongly . " Drastic Measures" was their worst I'm with you there. You forgot an album though, " Always Never The Same", with the London Symphony Orchestra. While it does different versions of previous songs, it did have some original material ( written by Steve Walsh) on it. I place "Power" and " In the Spirit of Things" as more" Steve Morse and Kansas" than Kansas albums themselves ( no violin primary reason). Good, well made music, just not Kansas in my mind. Here goes my list 1) Song For America 2)Somewhere To Elsewhere 3)Monolith 4)Masque 5)Debut Album 6),Leftoverture 7)Point of Know Return 8)Audio-Visions 9)Always Never The Same 10) Freaks of Nature 11) Vinyl Confessions 12)Prelude Implicit 13)Drastic Measures The others listed above I'll catch hell for listing Monolith high, but, I've always loved it, always will, irrationally, just do. But as to the rest, as Pete says, some would move up/down. Too much good stuff, to understate the issue.
While I agree wholeheartedly that SFA is Kansas' best, you might be the only fan of theirs ever who would rank Leftoverture AND Point Of Know Return out of their top 5!
@@chloenoelgarner5152 As I said, too much good stuff!!! And next week, Point or Leftoverture might be in top five. ( I almost put Leftoverture ahead of Masque), but I love Masque too! Hard choices, nitpicking, all masterpieces. I've actually seen some other comments on Kansas songs here on UA-cam that echo mine, who just love the first three albums more than the later stuff, even Leftoverture and Point. Enjoy!
I would love for you to do the artwork of Kansas covers because they're so unique and they remind me so much of Yes with thematic covers and use of color.
Can't go wrong with your list. Personally like Song for America as my number one (second record I bought with my own money lol). I've also been on a Kansas "high". Flew in from Cali for the Beacon show. Was in my opinon one if the best shows I've seen in the last 5 years! Really believe their new record Absence of Presence is going to be special! Look forward to your review if that one. Really hope I get to see them in July if covid doesn't shut it down 😢. Keep up the good work Pete. "Got to Rock On"
Great discussion here. My list is different, but I'll hold it. There are two things I want to state here as observations. First, the guitar duo of Steve Morse and Rich Williams is NEVER, EVER discussed. Why? The pyrotechnics between these two in the two recordings we have is amazing. I always thought his tenure in the band was too truncated--and I don't know enough about the internal chemistry in the band to know why he left. This twin guitar attack should have been legendary. No other player could have replaced Kerry Livgren so easily--yet he did. Second, "Drastic Measures" is the least sounding Kansas album for some reason--and I'm not sure why. I remember the album well, and was sorely disappointed with it. Kerry released his second solo album under the moniker "AD" at the time called "Time Line"--and it was the better album of the two. The "Time Line" record was pulled out of distribution due to some legal issues between the label, the band and the members, with everyone involved suffering EXCEPT the recording label itself. I cannot help but think that the changes in the industry during the rise of MTV had something to do with the uncertainty that ripped this band apart--as it did so many other bands during the period. The odd thing is, when Walsh reformed the band, they took the essential formula left from "Drastic Measures" to new heights--but with the band compromising a great deal in the process. What if Kansas had not been victimized by the predatory practices of labels and industry uncertainty during this time? It's hard to say. As good as the band's collective output was after 1983 they were never given the respect due to them to record the music they wanted to record until "Somewhere to Elsewhere" and "The Prelude Implicit". The tragedy is, I do not think "Drastic Measures" was never recorded in the way the band wanted to record it. The record label was angry with Livgren's second solo album for its lyrical themes and for abandoning Kansas with his creative input in that Kansas release. The band itself had to figure out a way to soldier on when the label decided to pull the plug on both Livgren and Elefante altogether. I understand the need to sell albums--but Kansas proved they could sell without a whole lot of label interference. All that was necessary was some repositioning of dates on contracts. Sometimes the lawyers and business men need to let the artists do what they do best--and then try to figure out out of find the market they service by listening and observing rather than by selling a product no one wants. In some ways the state of the industry as it is now configured is of their own making.
Music Nerd For the record,Time Line by Livgren and AD was a great album! Rev Dave Hope’s bass lines are fantastic! In fact,all four AD albums are terrific.
Steve Morse was a great guitar player, but he was not even in the same ballpark as Kerry Livgren with regard to prog composition, orchestration, or lyricism. Walsh gets the credit for making Kansas great, but it was the humble and multitalented Livgren who made Kansas such a great prog band!
@@katesjanice I have listened to Kansas with great admiration since the 1980s. I am a huge fan of Livgren's solo work, his work with AD, his work as a session player in the Christian music community and his work with Protokaw. The problems there were never composition--but production. WIthout Livgren Kansas was never the same band, but the band continued. How do you replace Livgren? Walsh became the primary lyricist--and he was not as good at that as Livgren. Greer could pick up slack there and other writers contributed. Musically Morse brought an amazing palette to the band from arrangement. If you know the work of the Dixie Dregs and the Steve Morse Band you will see what I mean. If Morse had deficiencies in Kansas these were not his fault. I love both of these players. Every band they touched were great. Morse' tenure in Kansas was short lived-but his output was stellar. Power is a great disk, and there are moments on In the Spirit of Things were Morse's contributions were noteworthy. Steve Morse is not Kerry Livgren, but Kerry Livgren is not Steve Morse either. I love them both to death--and wish they were in the same band for more than one or two sessions. That would have been fun. (Actually, the original plan for Flying Colors was to pair Steve Morse with Kerry Livgren. When that didn't work out Neal Morse stepped in. Good choice there, too.)
I’m currently in the process of listening to every Kansas album and I will be for a while. I have too many albums to listen to by too many different bands and it’s just too difficult to get around to everything in a timely manner. Oh well, here is my current ranking of the stuff I’ve heard so far. 6. Monolith - A very good album. Unfortunately, “very good” doesn’t hold up against the greatness of the first five 5. Leftoverture - I know it’s a classic, and I must say that side one is one of my favorite album sides of all time. But side two is just good, except for “Magnum Opus” which is as great as anything from side one 4. Kansas - Love it. Everything from here on in is amazing. “Can I Tell You,” “Belexes,” “Journey from Mariabronn,” and “Death of Mother Nature Suite” are all fantastic songs. The others are great, too, but these are my standouts 3. Point of Know Return - This was my favorite up until a few months ago. I think this is their most perfect album from start to finish, but it doesn’t have the extreme highs that my top 2 do. Also, I’ve just never been a fan of “Dust in the Wind,” so that takes it down a bit for me 2. Masque - “Icarus (Borne on Wings of Steel),” “Child of Innocence,” “Mysteries and Mayhem,” and “The Pinnacle” are all 10/10 songs. I also love the boogie rock stuff, even though they’re clearly the weaker songs on the album 1. Song for America - This might just be a perfect album in my opinion. It is Kansas’ best mix of Prog and Hard Rock on a studio album. It has the lengthy, complex epics while keeping the heavy material pretty much the whole way through. I adore every song on this album and it’s hard to even pick a favorite. That said, “Incomudro - Hymn to the Atman” is my favorite and probably my favorite Kansas song overall as well.
hymn to the atman is their all time masterpiece and my favorite also also wings of steel - and carry on wayward son- and on the other side are my next favorites there will never be another prog rock band like them! love those first 6 or 7 albums.
I only got know Kansas a few months ago, so I was particularly curious about this one... I haven't heard any of their stuff beyond the 70s, so I can really only say that Masque, Song for America, Monolith and Point of Knowhere are my favorites in that order... Still, from what I've heard this is the most interesting and musically adept band I've discovered in years... Why people don't talk about them more often is beyond me...
Their live double album "Two For The Show" is a masterpiece of brilliant production and polished performances. They performed most of their best songs since it has 2 discs. IMO One of the best live albums ever done.
It sounded amazing on the radio 40 years ago, and it's aged well. Agreed.
@Donald Duck Probably one of the greatest live album. But for sure, the best live album from any prog rock band !
Not just one of the best live albums
but
t h e b e s t ....
Kansas is a band that sounds every bit as great live as they do in the studio. And no overdubbing or autotuning. What they play is what you get on the recording. A group of amazing musicians and a fabulous prog songwriter in Kerry Livgren. Obviously my favorite band. And I love Kerry's post-Kansas work too. Has his own state of the art studio & does all his own production work.
Got that album on my Birthday
1. Monolith
2. Leftoverture
3. Masque
4. In the Spirit of Things - underrated
5. Song for America
6. Kansas
7. Point of Know Return - don't know why this one never hit me as hard
So good, what a band and what a history of great music!
Leftoverture came out when I was in 6th grade, my brother was playing it and I walked in the door from baseball practice. I stopped dead in my tracks to hear Miracles out of nowhere for the first time. So blown away, I became a drummer because of Phil Ehart
“Miracles out of nowhere” from Leftoverture is Must Hear music!
Yes it is, my favourite Kansas song.
The Whole Lefoverture album is magic
One of my races also. First time in heard the song was during a Kansas concert. Also loved the vocals and presence of Steinhart.
The instrumental break at the end always blows me away.
My fave five:
5. Masque
4. Somewhere to Elsewhere
3. Point of Know Return
2. Song for America
1. Leftoverture
HM: Debut and Monolith
Song for America is incredible! I don't know why it isn't as well known. Genuinely mind boggling.
Certainly agree. Love that song completely, both in lyrics and the music, especially the long version, which is usually abridged in concert. A shame!!
I love The Pinnacle so much that Masque is my top album, it's such a music masterpiece.
Me too! Masque would be my number one as well.
Masque #1 and Song For America coming in a strong second for me,
I agree! Mysteries and Mayhem just rocks!
Thank you for your ranking the studio albums of Kansas review! 🎤🎸🎵🥁
I would go with 'Masque' as my number one. It was actually the first one that I owned. Still my favorite. Great cover art also!
Good to see some love for Kansas ! 👍
I love Kansas Audio-Vision, Point of No Return, Leftoverture and their art covers! Your shirt rocks!🎤🎸🎵🥁
Great job with the ranking. Personally, Masque is my favorite.
song for america myself.
Walsh's vocals on Masque are unequaled
I also prefer Masque over all, maybe Song For America second, otherwise a good list
I frankly think Kansas, Song For America, Masque, Leftoverture, all compete for #1, with Point of Know Return, Monolith trailing slightly. AudioVisions was showing the cracks already.
yes !
When you put out an album as good as Kansas for your first album, you know you are one hell of band. I mean, having three epics like Journey From Mariabronn, Aperçu and Death Of Mother Nature Suite on your debut is...mind-blowing:) and the other songs are top notch as well.
Their first 7 albums are absolute prog masterpieces and the first 3 are equally perfect
Living here in Kansas it's two thumbs up I'm 54 years old and this band changed my world probably still in the top five American rock bands of all time guaranteed
Only discovered this band last week and cannot stop listening to their debut album. Will get to the rest of theirs soon.
Good for you Paul W ! Right now as i text you there is this 1 song that has got me so high that i just keep hitting rewind to listen to it over & over its the 3rd song on LEFTOVERTURE " What's on my mind "
Amazing song
It's going to be a long journey to the Point of Know Return
Fantastic job ranking Kansas albums. Almost spot on with mine... I agree with you that any given week the order could vary slightly. I don't think we will ever see another group of musicians work so wonderfully together!
My first album I bought from Kansas was Power. Absolutely love that album.
Great album. All I Wanted should of been a bigger hit. Walsh once again steals the show.
Windows from Vinyl Confessions is a great, overlooked slab of proggy hard rock. It is in my top 5 Kansas tunes. Mainstream is a big highlight from Drastic Measures, as well.
Masque was the first album I ever bought. Saw them on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert.
Monolith is woefully underrated. Leftoverture is a masterpiece, but I’ve always ranked Monolith pretty high.
1.) Leftoverture
2.) Point Of Know Return
3.) Monolith
4.) Masque
5.) Audio Visions
Me too! I like Monolith a lot, as well as Masque.
Very sensible choices love it
I have to say I love in the spirit of things
Me too
great lyrics stunning guitar solos some of there best vocals and a great concept
Yo Kevin, is this the Kevin Moore of Dream Theater fame??
And allso...steve wallsh is one of the best rock vocalist of all times.
Exactly a year has passed and yes, the new album 'Absence Of Presence' is out.....and it is a beauty! Interesting list and your Kansas knowledge is impressive. Enjoyed this.
Man I love you choice of songs here... Loner is total discovery for me... That song is so influential ! Love you dude -> Best Regards!
Going back to your TOTO episode yesterday/ I remember in 1982 when Walsh left : they held auditions and Fergie Frederiksen tried out but did not get the gig.
first time we completely agree.. most exciting to guess along ! Great work Pete, thank you for this
I just wish classic Rock Radio would play "Magnum Opus" more. All they play is Carry on Wayward Son. That song has been overplayed to death.
Who even listens to the radio anymore? I haven't listened to the radio in 20 years. There are so many great groups out there today that will never be played on the radio. As I always say the best music out there you will never find on the radio including Kansas. Yes they play their hits and that's about all they'll do staying within their limited confines and disappointing their fans. But that's radio.
@@gkirms I actually find a lot of new stuff on UA-cam. Quite a few years ago MySpace was great with new music. But that site got ruined very fast. UA-cam is much better all the time. I find new music on here all the time.
@@gkirms I could have written this comment, word for word.
Donald Kennedy agreed. That whole album is radio friendly.
Donald Kennedy yeah I’m sick of hearing Carry On Wayward Son, play something else lol.
Kansas, the band that formed the same year and city I was born in. Topeka Kansas 1971.
Their first four albums are all equally amazing to me
In The Spirit Of Things is actually my favorite. Steve Walsh said he thought it was their best album as well. You left off Always Never The Same from the list and it belongs there because it does introduce some new material and the added orchestral arrangements by Larry Baird were amazing. It has my favorite version of Song For America on it.
PETE- awesome show. My second concert in NYC. 1980. Just my opinion. I like the ranking of Albums better than individual songs. Maybe because I have trouble grabbing Only ten songs. But/ just my opinion. Another tremendous show. I m loving these Album rankings.
leftoverture is a perfect album!
Miracles Out of Nowhere...when I discovered that song in the late ‘90s, I was simply floored. It is the perfect song...I remember standing outside my truck out in the country with the song blasting, working to sing Steve’s high notes. Even though I’m mainly a guitar player and singer, I learned how to play Phil’s drum part in the breakdown of that song...proggy, but approachable, and simply fun to play.
Again I got into Kansas because of you Pete. Now I think how did I not get into these guys. Thanks so much.
I Loved your ranking of Kansas and your Queen . I Saw Queen for the Sheer Heart Attack tour at the Capitol theater ,NJ and Kansas opened up for them .Song for America had just come out . Kansas was incredible as was Queen. It's was actually a triple bill the original Argent ( Hold your head up ) opened for Kansas. They don't make concerts like that anymore and I probably paid about 20 dollars for the ticket . 😃👍
My older sisters actually got me into Kansas through the Elefante albums, so they hold a really special place for me. Everything that you said about them is true, but I have spent so much time with them that they rank a bit higher for me. "Leftoverture" is probably my favorite, though. I saw them a couple of years ago and they still sounded great!
Incredible amount of talent in those albums. If you have to pick one between Yes and Kansas what would be your pick (I know is very hard to choose). Awaiting ranking the albums: SAXON!
As much as Pete loves Kansas, I bet that he would choose Yes. Just my opinion...
i was 16 when Leftoverture same out... listened to it all summer of '76....will never forget how those songs shaped me and the way the sun shone upon that youthful time!! always number ONE! I did see them for the monolith tour in july '79 !
Finally !! My #4 favorite band of all time. Here goes ….. 1.Masque 2. Leftoverture 3. Kansas 4.Song For America 5. Monolith 6. Point of Know Return 7. Audio Visions 8.Power 9. Freaks of Nature 10. Vinyl Confessions 11. Somewhere to Elsewhere 12. In the Spirit of Things 13. The Prelude Implicit 14.Drastic Measures
Pete, another great show. I love Song for America as the top. My old man played the hell out of Point which got me into them. Great band!
Leftoverture is a once in a lifetime album.
Point of No Return is better but it’s indisputable that Leftoverture is right behind it
Just listened to leftoverture for the first time tonight and frankly my first ever kansas album ive listened too, never heard any other songs before this except carry on wayward son and dust in the wind, i give it a 9.5/10, it was that good
@Rob S Masque is much better IMHO.
I have tried hard to like Kansas....but ...apart from one or two songs their music does nothing for me...they just cut the mustard when compared to other prog bands eg Yes Genesis...believe me I have listened but it just does not happen......
Kentland no it isn't its just a commercial product!!!!!!
I took a lot of heat in high school for liking Kansas. I've always stuck up for them. I'm glad to see that a rock aficionado/critic like yourself loves Kansas as well.
1. Leftoverture (this is my #2 favorite album of all time).
2. Song For America
3. Point of Know Return
4. Audio-Visions
5. Masque
6. Monolith
Aug 25th hopefully will be my 19th visit to Kansas! While my favs are the original 6’s albums,Prelude Fits right into the early works! Cannot wait for the new one!!
I love watching Pete's videos (always good!), but my favorite part is learning more about the albums that I missed or don't know quite as well. I loved Kansas (especially in the '70s) and had Left Overture, Point of Know Return, Monolith, and Audio-Visions in my constant rotation as a kid. I wasn't really familiar with Masque, but from the video and all the comments that followed, I was able to discover a really great album that I missed the first time around. Very cool...
If you haven't done so already, check out the Kansas documentary "Miracles Out of Nowhere". Really, really awesome!
Thank you doing this tribute to the albums of Kansas. I caught your top albums of all time video about a month ago (I was drawn to your channel as a die hard Blackmore fan looking for all kinds of content during quarantine) but when I saw you chose Leftoverture, it reminded me how much I enjoyed that album on my 8 track player back in the day. I had never checked out any of their other albums - still don’t know why to this day. Also I knew about Kerry Livgren, Robby, and the guy in the overalls, but until a month ago I did not know who Steve Walsh was at all. Since then I’ve become obsessed with the band and Steve’s incredible singing, organ playing, songwriting, and stage acrobatics. Thanks for reintroducing and deepening my relationship with this band and their great music.
You nailed it my Kansas brother! Been on them since the very first one. One of the very best ever!🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀
1. Kansas
2. Song for America
3. Point of know return
4. Masque
5. Leftoverture
6. Monolith
7. Audiovisions
Thanks for this list. Kansas is my favorite band and they still kill it live. My top 5 are
1. Leftoverture
2. Point of No return
3. Two for the show. ( live album. Listen to Lonely Wind )
4. Mask
5. Monolith
I think a hidden gem for some Kansas fans is Two for the show. If you haven’t listened to it you are in for a treat when you do. Steve’s voice is at its best. Enjoy.
Long Time Kansas fan here...fantastic band with so many great songs...well crafted songs with deep thought-provoking lyrics...excellent musicians...and top notch vocals from Steve Walsh & Robby Steinhardt - two of the best vocalists of the classic rock age.
This was hard, but this is how I ranked their first 10 albums...
1. Point of Know Return
2. Leftoverture
3. Masque
4. Kansas
5. Song for America
6. Monolith
7. Audio-Visions
8. Vinyl Confessions
9. Drastic Measures
10. Power
I'm also a big fan of Kerry Livgren and his band AD 1983 - 1988 and all his solo work.
Also, you should check out, if you haven't heard, Kerry Livgren's ''Seeds Of Change'' - his first solo album that features two songs with Ronnie James Dio - also featuring guest appearances by Kansas members: Steve Walsh, Phil Ehart and Robby Steinhardt & members of LeRoux, Jethro Tull, Ambrosia, and Atlanta Rhythm Section. (Released in 1980)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seeds_of_Change_(album)
Love Seeds of Change
1) Leftoverture
2) Point of Know Return
3) Kansas
4) Song for America
5) Masque
6) Monolith
7) Audio-Visions
8) Power
9) Freaks of Nature
10) Somewhere to Elsewhere
11) The Prelude Implicit
12) In the Spirit of Things
13) Vinyl Confessions
14) Drastic Measures
Man that shirt is awesome. You nailed the top 5 each one is incredible.
Great material as always. For me also a great source of knowledge about Kansas discography. P.S. How is that possible Pete that all those cd cases look like brand new? :) Mine are scratched as f..k
Because I take good care of them and don't throw and leave them all around the house or car.
@@seaoftranquilityprog me neither, in my case I think I blame poor storage. Quite squeezed in drawers at the moment. Need to build stack like yours.
Thanks for the video.i love Kansas.my top 10 is very close to yours.a few later albums I haven't heard but will check out.
If "Song For America" was the only song on the entire SFA album... it would STILL be their finest work. I still drop to my knees in tears when I hear it. Most. Epic. Ever.
Just started listening to Kansas and thought "where would be the best place to get a good review of their albums?" Mmmmm no brainer - cheers Pete superb as usual. Peace from Glasgow 🏴
Nice singing dude... Loner!! 😀... Your videos are amazing... Hope for new once in the future
Damn brother....the love is in your eyes for the band know as ........ KANSAS....amen!!!!
I love how when you do these album rankings, the ones at the bottom always have "some strong tracks."
Song: Play the Game Tonight ( turn up the volume ) on that one !!! As far as Album = Leftoverture was their Masterpiece.
You should do your top 10 most worn/favorite t-shirts, and least worn...everybody loves em🎼🎧🎼....great list...my top 3 are the same as yours!!...thats a first, lol!
Pete, another great run down. Again learning about albums I didn’t know existed. Could you please do your top ten Jethro Tull albums ?
Love Kansas. Own all the studio albums and a few of the live albums. I enjoy them all, but I do have a preference for the early original 6 piece line up albums. My ranking of my top 10 favourites.
1 Leftoverture
2 Masque
3 Point of No Return
4. Monolith
5 Audio Visions
6 Song For America
7 Power
8 Kansas
9 in The Spirit of Things
10 Somewhere to Elsewhere
These are my 10 favourites, but I like both the Elefante albums and the latest as well, just not as much as my top 10.
Leftoveeture is clearly the ir worst album!!!
I like drastic measures and vinyl confessions. John has a hell of a voice I’m also a fan of power. Pretty poppy and just straight foward rock but still great
I thought you were right the first time in regards to Audio Visions. It was the last great album from Kansas. I love that album and it is indeed my favorite Kansas album. I used to crank side one and sing along in my room quite often when this came out. I originally had only Kansas' Greatest hits and Audio Visions. I was into greatest hits huge but, the albums they came from eluded me for a long time. There was so much new music coming out at that time and I was spending every dime I could scrape together to keep up with the burgeoning Neo-Classical scene and the Thrash Metal scene.
Love the song Mainstream! On Drastic, Kind of made fun of the album itself. Lol
Their first five albums are their strongest, in my opinion.
The first 7 are
Saw them last fall, one of the best shows I've been to, hoping to see them again with Foreigner this summer. Kerry, Steve and Robbie may be gone, but they are still amazing live I would highly recommend
Excellent stuff Pete!
1) Leftoverture
2) Point of no Return
3) A Song for America
4) Kansas
5) Masque
I only started getting into a lot of bands such as Kansas over the last few years, but now im obsessed. So far, i gotta go with the self titled as my favorite, but i also love the following few almost as much. I believe i have everything (or close to) up to Power. Im told i dont need to go further than that, but of course I'm still curious.
The debut is my favorite. Awesome symphonic prog
Leftoverture is also my favorite. You can hear Steve Walsh on Steve Hackett’s Please Don’t Touch album with the songs Narnia and Racing in A
I'll have to check that out.
“No One Together” is a HUGE favorite for me. You can hear that they still have their prog influences even on that album
My comment to him was to listen to that song again. He's forgotten. That song is so mega-mindblowing.
Kerry wrote some amazing material, but "No One Together" is one of his very best.
When I saw Kansas back in May the started with People of the South Wind
One of my 3 favorite Kansas songs!
People of the southwind was too short!!! I want to be at least 8 minutes.
Thanks. Pete to give Vinyl Confessions a good ranking. I love that album. Some Kansas albums are a bit to "nervous" and erratic for me. I am going to see their 50 Anniversary tour, cant wait.
My introduction to rock music as a kid. What a great band and sound. Unique and so good. My favorite.
I have gone through the first 8 albums twice now. Imo Kansas is the first neo prog band. I am surprised there would be any question about their prog credentials. When I listen to Modern neo prog and fusion I here elements of Kansas. Was a real eye opener. Great production, complexity and heavy rock.
1.) Monolith
2.) Left Overture
3.) Audio-visions
4.) Song for America
5.) Point of No Return
Top 5
The Kansas albums I listen to the most and are ranked accordingly are....
1. Leftoverture
2. Song for America
3. Monolith
Very good list sir.
Thanks for opening my eyes on THIN LIZZY Pete, I’ve only owned JAILBREAK but because of your video I now know CHINATOWN ANGEL OF DEATH BAD REPUTATION etc. Oh! My KANSAS Favs are POINT-LEFT-MASQUE
Great video!
My top 5:
5 - Kansas
4 - Point of Know Return
3 - Masque
2 - Song for America
1 - Leftoverture
I saw them in 1976 for $7.50 per ticket. If you love Kansas please check out Jerome Mazza solo album and also the band Pinnacle Point featuring Jerome Mazza. Steve Walsh's new album Black Butterfly. Kansas is and always will be Priceless.
Great t-shirt!
Well done. Livgren is my songwriter hero. What an astonishing body of work. Ty for sharing your opinions.
My top five:
1. Drastic Measures
2. Vinyl Confessions
3. Audio Visions
4. In The Spirit Of Things
5. Monolith
That debut album. "Journey From Mariabronn" absolute killer!
the absence of presence tops them all. i'd like to hear more like this.
Leftover is a masterpiece, and as an engineer, I will ask people -- "What instrument on that album don't you hear well?" Everything is perfectly balanced.
Great video, although I have the opposite view of the two Morse albums. Bob Ezrins’ production really made In the Spirit of Things a great, epic album. I will check out the Prelude Implicit based on your recommendations.
Would you consider ranking Riot's discography? Love the band and I think it's very consistent in quality. Great album countdown.
Pete, thank you for giving positive coverage/attention to Kansas, you"get " them, not all folks do. As a longtime (1975) fan, generally agree with your list, but, " Somewhere To Elsewhere"( my personal number two) should rank higher for you. All the original band members, plus all the songs written by Kerry Livgren, they did that album their way, unencumbered by studio expectations, came through strongly . " Drastic Measures" was their worst I'm with you there.
You forgot an album though, " Always Never The Same", with the London Symphony Orchestra. While it does different versions of previous songs, it did have some original material ( written by Steve Walsh) on it.
I place "Power" and " In the Spirit of Things" as more" Steve Morse and Kansas" than Kansas albums themselves ( no violin primary reason). Good, well made music, just not Kansas in my mind.
Here goes my list
1) Song For America
2)Somewhere To Elsewhere
3)Monolith
4)Masque
5)Debut Album
6),Leftoverture
7)Point of Know Return
8)Audio-Visions
9)Always Never The Same
10) Freaks of Nature
11) Vinyl Confessions
12)Prelude Implicit
13)Drastic Measures
The others listed above
I'll catch hell for listing Monolith high, but, I've always loved it, always will, irrationally, just do. But as to the rest, as Pete says, some would move up/down. Too much good stuff, to understate the issue.
While I agree wholeheartedly that SFA is Kansas' best, you might be the only fan of theirs ever who would rank Leftoverture AND Point Of Know Return out of their top 5!
@@chloenoelgarner5152 As I said, too much good stuff!!! And next week, Point or Leftoverture might be in top five. ( I almost put Leftoverture ahead of Masque), but I love Masque too! Hard choices, nitpicking, all masterpieces.
I've actually seen some other comments on Kansas songs here on UA-cam that echo mine, who just love the first three albums more than the later stuff, even Leftoverture and Point. Enjoy!
I would love for you to do the artwork of Kansas covers because they're so unique and they remind me so much of Yes with thematic covers and use of color.
Can't go wrong with your list. Personally like Song for America as my number one (second record I bought with my own money lol). I've also been on a Kansas "high". Flew in from Cali for the Beacon show. Was in my opinon one if the best shows I've seen in the last 5 years!
Really believe their new record Absence of Presence is going to be special! Look forward to your review if that one.
Really hope I get to see them in July if covid doesn't shut it down 😢. Keep up the good work Pete. "Got to Rock On"
I bought the "Power" album mainly because of the song "All I Wanted" loved that song back then. Good album though all together
That's funny! That is why I bought "Power" too!
Great ranking! Love this channel!
Great discussion here. My list is different, but I'll hold it. There are two things I want to state here as observations. First, the guitar duo of Steve Morse and Rich Williams is NEVER, EVER discussed. Why? The pyrotechnics between these two in the two recordings we have is amazing. I always thought his tenure in the band was too truncated--and I don't know enough about the internal chemistry in the band to know why he left. This twin guitar attack should have been legendary. No other player could have replaced Kerry Livgren so easily--yet he did.
Second, "Drastic Measures" is the least sounding Kansas album for some reason--and I'm not sure why. I remember the album well, and was sorely disappointed with it. Kerry released his second solo album under the moniker "AD" at the time called "Time Line"--and it was the better album of the two. The "Time Line" record was pulled out of distribution due to some legal issues between the label, the band and the members, with everyone involved suffering EXCEPT the recording label itself. I cannot help but think that the changes in the industry during the rise of MTV had something to do with the uncertainty that ripped this band apart--as it did so many other bands during the period. The odd thing is, when Walsh reformed the band, they took the essential formula left from "Drastic Measures" to new heights--but with the band compromising a great deal in the process.
What if Kansas had not been victimized by the predatory practices of labels and industry uncertainty during this time? It's hard to say. As good as the band's collective output was after 1983 they were never given the respect due to them to record the music they wanted to record until "Somewhere to Elsewhere" and "The Prelude Implicit". The tragedy is, I do not think "Drastic Measures" was never recorded in the way the band wanted to record it. The record label was angry with Livgren's second solo album for its lyrical themes and for abandoning Kansas with his creative input in that Kansas release. The band itself had to figure out a way to soldier on when the label decided to pull the plug on both Livgren and Elefante altogether. I understand the need to sell albums--but Kansas proved they could sell without a whole lot of label interference. All that was necessary was some repositioning of dates on contracts. Sometimes the lawyers and business men need to let the artists do what they do best--and then try to figure out out of find the market they service by listening and observing rather than by selling a product no one wants. In some ways the state of the industry as it is now configured is of their own making.
Music Nerd For the record,Time Line by Livgren and AD was a great album! Rev Dave Hope’s bass lines are fantastic! In fact,all four AD albums are terrific.
Steve Morse was a great guitar player, but he was not even in the same ballpark as Kerry Livgren with regard to prog composition, orchestration, or lyricism. Walsh gets the credit for making Kansas great, but it was the humble and multitalented Livgren who made Kansas such a great prog band!
@@katesjanice I have listened to Kansas with great admiration since the 1980s. I am a huge fan of Livgren's solo work, his work with AD, his work as a session player in the Christian music community and his work with Protokaw. The problems there were never composition--but production. WIthout Livgren Kansas was never the same band, but the band continued. How do you replace Livgren? Walsh became the primary lyricist--and he was not as good at that as Livgren. Greer could pick up slack there and other writers contributed. Musically Morse brought an amazing palette to the band from arrangement. If you know the work of the Dixie Dregs and the Steve Morse Band you will see what I mean. If Morse had deficiencies in Kansas these were not his fault. I love both of these players. Every band they touched were great. Morse' tenure in Kansas was short lived-but his output was stellar. Power is a great disk, and there are moments on In the Spirit of Things were Morse's contributions were noteworthy. Steve Morse is not Kerry Livgren, but Kerry Livgren is not Steve Morse either. I love them both to death--and wish they were in the same band for more than one or two sessions. That would have been fun. (Actually, the original plan for Flying Colors was to pair Steve Morse with Kerry Livgren. When that didn't work out Neal Morse stepped in. Good choice there, too.)
Whats On My Mind...thats one song you put on repeat...at least once when your driveing....saw Kansas in early 70's...they were great.
In every way
Great ordering! Leftoverture comes out on top for me as well.
I’m currently in the process of listening to every Kansas album and I will be for a while. I have too many albums to listen to by too many different bands and it’s just too difficult to get around to everything in a timely manner. Oh well, here is my current ranking of the stuff I’ve heard so far.
6. Monolith - A very good album. Unfortunately, “very good” doesn’t hold up against the greatness of the first five
5. Leftoverture - I know it’s a classic, and I must say that side one is one of my favorite album sides of all time. But side two is just good, except for “Magnum Opus” which is as great as anything from side one
4. Kansas - Love it. Everything from here on in is amazing. “Can I Tell You,” “Belexes,” “Journey from Mariabronn,” and “Death of Mother Nature Suite” are all fantastic songs. The others are great, too, but these are my standouts
3. Point of Know Return - This was my favorite up until a few months ago. I think this is their most perfect album from start to finish, but it doesn’t have the extreme highs that my top 2 do. Also, I’ve just never been a fan of “Dust in the Wind,” so that takes it down a bit for me
2. Masque - “Icarus (Borne on Wings of Steel),” “Child of Innocence,” “Mysteries and Mayhem,” and “The Pinnacle” are all 10/10 songs. I also love the boogie rock stuff, even though they’re clearly the weaker songs on the album
1. Song for America - This might just be a perfect album in my opinion. It is Kansas’ best mix of Prog and Hard Rock on a studio album. It has the lengthy, complex epics while keeping the heavy material pretty much the whole way through. I adore every song on this album and it’s hard to even pick a favorite. That said, “Incomudro - Hymn to the Atman” is my favorite and probably my favorite Kansas song overall as well.
hymn to the atman is their all time masterpiece and my favorite also
also wings of steel - and carry on wayward son- and on the other side are my next favorites
there will never be another prog rock band like them!
love those first 6 or 7 albums.
I only got know Kansas a few months ago, so I was particularly curious about this one... I haven't heard any of their stuff beyond the 70s, so I can really only say that Masque, Song for America, Monolith and Point of Knowhere are my favorites in that order... Still, from what I've heard this is the most interesting and musically adept band I've discovered in years... Why people don't talk about them more often is beyond me...