Ken, just saw this for the first Time. I am the biggest Walsh fan on the planet. The magic is when you listened to the talent live; how his vocals pierced thru the arena with crazy accuracy and dynamic range. Very few could do what he did. A ridiculous artist.
I'm not a huge Kansas fan. So, when I read your post, I thought you were implying Joe Walsh, and it floored. That said, Steve Walsh, is a great singer.
Been on a huge Kansas listening binge lately. Such an incredible and underrated band. Kansas are right up there with all the progressive rock giants of the 70s imo. Steve Walsh is an amazing singer and keyboard player. His voice is easy to love. He could sing the phonebook and I'd love it. There aren't many singers I can say that about.
Ken, I think this would be a great thing to do: Have interviews with these guys where u focus on technical questions with them. In the usual interviews they just talk about touring and song writing. Interview Mickey Thomas, Steve Walsh, Steve Perry, Tommy Shaw, etc. Let's hear what they have to say about singing from their own experience. Love this video and love Walsh!! Great job, Ken!
A UA-cam person named professor of Rock does this sort of thing. He interviews and that's not something that Ken does. Not his focus so check out Adam reader professor of Rock
They just don't make music like this anymore, love Kansas, Journey, Eagles, Chicago, Styx, Foreigner so many great great Rock bands back in the day. Rock on Ken 🤘love it 💜🎙🎶🎵🎶👍
Wayward Son is my favorite of theirs. I was also just cranking "Hold On" and "Fight Fire with Fire" in the car yesterday. Two of my other favorite Kansas songs. They had such a powerful sound.
Wow. Just wow. Steve singing 'acapella' gives me chills. He was a 'kid' when he recorded that and it's timeless. I'm so glad the young people get to hear his singing and their music today. Hope it inspires them.
I was 16 way back when this song came out. The voice, the melody, the lyrics. To this day, it's still my favorite Kansas song. Thank you so much for sharing ❤
ME TOO ! Wanna come over tonite and listen to 45s?..LOL..OMG! ,we had EAGLES, BAD CO, BTO , GFR, 3DN, STYX, HEART, LINDA R, YES, DOOBIES, TOM P, OZZY , ZEP, FOGHAT, SKYNYRD , many more,and many 60 bands were still relevent in OUR decade. I dont think there was a BETTER YR to be 16!
When I think of Kansas I think of one of the most professional rock bands that ever existed. Mozart would be impressed with their musical composition. Steve Walsh's voice was the icing on the cake.
Wayward son is an epic, powerful, and iconic song that helps to encapsulate the great rock era of the 1970s- Thanks Ken for the awesome analysis- hearing Steve’s vocals isolated was a-mazing and beautiful to hear!
as i said before in previous posts, Steve is a true bel canto singer! Maybe the only one in the rock genre. and thru all of the years I have know Steve, thru thick n thin, worst times when his voice was totally reduced to a whisper - he NEVER ever was out of tune! Uncanny! Much thanks Master Ken ....
THERE ARE FIVE SUPER GENIUS VOCALISTS IN ROCK,GRAMM WALSH PERRY FARNER RIVERA AND THEN ERIC BURDON,WALSH IS HIS OWN MAN,he's teamed with a super group who everyone in the band was just brilliant,musicians with vocals,you emulate perfectly,carry on KEN
You run a great page...I feel like you have a soft spot for these so called "corp rock " bands. I do too...yes that southern rock meets prog vibe is alive. Poco meets Gentle Giant ! SW voice is in my DNA. Glixman was a big part of the production...bless you Ken. I'll let you give us the science behind it. I wondered about the Channing Broadway tone effect...never realized. Very Jesus Christ Superstar of him.
I've been a fan of Kansas most of my life and "Carry On Wayward Son" is an absolute classic. The lyrics, the vocals, the guitars, drums, the entire songs is timeless. Besides this song, I also like their song "Fight Fire With Fire". I am only disappointed that I've not seen them live.
This will forever be the theme song from the TV show "Supernatural" to me. The music in that show in general is incredible, if any of you haven't watched it you should go check it out.
I'm glad you did the vocal analysis on this song. One of my bands tried covering this song. The other musicians had a lot of fun learning the music. But they weren't able to pull off the vocal lines. I had issues because I was trying to sing it so much like Steve Walsh. Your analysis shows me why I struggled with this song the way I did. His range wasn't the issue. It was the annunciation of his consonants that were the issue. I can also hear how his vowel sounds changing so drastically also created some problems. I bet if I go back and listen to other Kansas songs and maybe even songs by other artists I'll be able to identify some of these areas and why they were problems for me to cover. Again range was not my issue. I could sing pretty much the phone book. But I struggled covering certain songs and never knew why. Now I'm starting to understand. Thanks Ken for all you do.
I never listened to Kansas that much or Steve Walsh Ken awesome intro love those rocking voices in the intro I'll definitely needs to listen to more of Kansas awesome vocals awesome singing voice he is great Steve Walsh is drugs alcohol it always ruins those singers and bands drugs isn't the way to go or alcohol thanks for sharing Ken enjoy hearing the stories Steve Walsh has a great voice he rocks I'll check them out some more Ken awesome vocals👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
TIGHT! EPIC Kansas tune that instantly compels you into a fantasy of being on stage, playing EVERY instrument and belting all vocals! (yes, while you are simultaneously air-jamming each part - in particular the keyboards!) Whew!... whoa, ok, I'm back.
My twin and I were infatuated with Johnny and Edgar Winter’s style as teens. Our dad -a studio drummer, got his hands on an old B3 (mine … _ALL_ mine) and a ‘70s Flying V. This was one of the first songs we tore into, and to this day, I use the same licks on so many other songs. With pops at the trap, we were ready to go! Thanks, Ken!! I needed this 🤠👍
I saw Kansas…maybe 3 years ago at a very small venue. They still sounded so unbelievably great. When the sang Wayward son our jaws dropped…his voice was so good!
Thanks for breaking this down! I kind of grew up on Kansas music and they are one of my favorite bands. I always thought this song was great, but breaking it down like this and isolating the vocals just shows again how great the song is and how great Steve Walsh was. I say was, just because he blew his voice out, stills sings well, but not like the old Steve that we loved to hear. In that day, I am not sure there was anyone better. Certainly in my top 3 all time vocalists.
Good afternoon, Ken! I have to say I didn't realize you had close to one million subs!! It's amazing that you are able to communicate with commenters in here. You are a treasure! God bless!!
The speeding up and slight inconsistencies are what make the music good. You can sense it was made by humans recorded to tape. Played and sung until it was right. Everyone had to get it right. No auto tune,punching best takes in and no quantizing. Just a bunch of guys putting it all on the line. That's art man.
In Steve's young days with Kansas, but he did admit to years of smoking and booze, drugs, and by his early to mid 40s, his voice was beginning to sound very raspy, also like he could no longer hold enough air in his lungs to really belt out the long and high pitched. It happens to many, they were so gifted with those magnificent pipes but after years of abusing such an amazing gift, it begins to fail and you're left to struggle with your voice cracking every where just to sing , so they then try to lower the range in which they sing so they can breath and not pass out on the stage or have a heart attack from too much stress. The heart and lungs have to work together. Too much damage to one , affects the other. So anyone who has the beautiful gift of vocals, STOP SMOKING while you're young, or better yet DON'T START. It does serious damage and just might end your singing career at a young age. It's enough that singers are subjected to nodules on their vocal cords, requiring surgery, like Dave Bickler whom I don't believe ever smoked and had a beautiful high ranged pitch in the eye of the tiger with the band Survivor. But singing high can also strain and strip your vocals. Now to boot , add cigarettes and lots of booze, hard liquor to the mix. Anyway, Steve Walsh did start with a beautiful singing voice, but all abuse takes its toll on us all if you do it long enough . Plus as we get older ,it gets harder also to sing in the same pitch that you do when young. May West said that getting old ain't for sissies. She was 100% correct. ❤️
Been waiting for this one. One of my biggest influences as well Ken. But man, I wish it had been a diffferent song. I know that may not be possible. I am still blown away by his insane vocals on "Journey From Mariabronn" and "The Pinnacle."
Ken, I appreciate how respectful you are to the original artists while still demonstrating ways to learn from their strengths and weaknesses. We all have weaknesses, even our heroes.
I consider Walsh one of the top 5 rock vocalists of all time. Try dissecting "Journey From Mariabronn" sometime, even the live version from Kishners Rock concert on YT and you'll see what I mean.
I remember talking to Steve Walsh once and he mentioned that he actually had a cold when he tracked some of these songs, so that might be some of the stuffiness you are hearing. He also mentioned that he smoked quite a bit and that it sometimes helped him. Amazing that he could still sing so well.
The first band I ever went to see. Steve Walsh has always been one of my favorites too. Sweet soaring vocals with enough rock to kick your ass. A real pleasure to listen to that doesn't tire the ear. He used to literally run all over the stage, play piano and sing. Almost a one man show, but the band Was Killer too. Leftoverture & Point of Know Return really brought their genius to the mainstream. Steve reminds me of Brad Delp as far as people know the name Kansas & Boston, but not necessarily who the singers were. Garth Brooks says some really flattering things about them on the Miracles Out of Nowhere documentary too. (Other thoughts Ken: review singers who were maybe not born with incredible vocal talent but made the most of what they had, ie: Alice Cooper, Ian Anderson, Dave Mustaine for example). how about Tom Jones? Thanks, Love your channel!
Brian May, guitarist for Queen, also had great things to say about Kansas in the documentary. Everyone who loves or knows little about Kansas should make it a point to view this Blu-ray entitled "Miracles out of Nowhere." Well worth the sheckels you will spend.
You can thank Kerry Livgren for that. Not only a top-notch musician (lead guitar, synth, and piano), but an amazing composer, orchestrator, and lyricist. A true master of the art!
Real Walsh officionados head to "On the Other Side" on the "Monolith" album.The highest note that Walsh hits on that track makes it the greatest vocal ever sung.
Don't forget about "The Bells of St. James" That D5 he hits during the "Homeward Bound" lyric is mind boggling lol. That was when he was having issues with his voice too so even more impressive. Unfortunately after that "In the spirit of things" album his voice would never be the same
Yes, I know that exact note he hits at the very end of that song - the word “On”. Steve was very good a yelps and howls and a gospel feel. I can see you know your Kansas songs!
Hey Ken, will you release an analysis of "Wheel in the Sky"? You mentioned you recorded one when you did all the Journey songs. I'm still waiting for that one. I just love the song! great series btw
My girlfriend and I think you are one of the rock greats Ken, you're just amazing and because of your faith one of the most humble guys around God bless you man you're one of a kind.
My number one favorite singer. Amazing… I have loved him and Kansas for decades. I used to know Dave Hope and met Kansas. Very awesome talented band. ❤
This has really helped me. It has helped me to be able to sing along with this song when I hear it on the radio. I really liked the track with the effects.
Ken, Steve Walsh is one of my all time favorite singers and KANSAS is one of my 2 favorite bands of all time. So thanks a bunch for doing this. I know at the beginning of the video you talk about KANSAS being another one of those bands like the Eagles where everyone in the band sings.....in actuality, only Steve and violist Robby Steinhardt did all of the vocals for the band on those original albums and live as well. Now days, they do have a few more guys stepping up to the mic to help with vocals on choruses etc but back in the day it was only Steve and Robby.......their voices blended so incredibly well.
A good friend of mine was a good friend of Steve, and my buddy would bring demos that Steve recorded in his home for me to check out. Steve's voice in those demos was very raspy with grit... great power, range, and control... this was circa 1990 in Atlanta. And as Ken intimated, Steve would have been a solid broadway-style vocalist. Great walkthrough, Ken... amazing detail and commentary!
Exactly...how it sits in the track, which is how it's to be listened to, not isolated. It's not how you or anybody else thinks it should be sung. It is what it is and nobody else will ever match it.
This was actually my first ever karaoke song that I sang, though I butchered it, I still had a fun time and had others singing with me. Love this song!
Wayward Son is in my top two favorite songs ever. (Piano in the Dark by Brenda Russell is my other) not sure that fits in the rock genre LOL. Thoroughly enjoyed this! thank you.
Totally gave me the chills! Always, always enjoy your positive persona and rockin vocals, reviews and vocal expertise. Wish I cld sing, can imagine how good it is for your lungs and diaphram. . . TU for continuing to temporarily taking us all back in time to all these epic 70's and 80's live performances, the era too! 🎶🎼🎵🎙🎤🎧🎤🎙🎵🎼🎶
I also Love ALL the examples you give and when u brief is on the history of “why” or whatever lol I love it!! I really just appreciate the details you give when explaining and Examples!! Thank you so much!😄🙌🏼 ur awesome! 💕
One of the best vocalists in rock history! And you should know yourself that every single musician has their influences and it's going to come out in one way or another. So many famous bands have been known to have a riff or a solo or an intro that sounds like.... it happens. BTW your Carol Channing impression was spot on. lol Now, I like the isolated vocal series, but Ken, come on, that man had a voice that was hard to compare to anyone else and he made it work and became famous for it. So while I respect your analysis, I'm glad he didn't sing like you suggested! lol
I totally hear the theatric influence in his voice. Which is what drew me in to his voice initially. Then I listened to an interview and he said one of his earliest musical memories besides sing for his family was being in plays and such in grade school.
Awesome video Ken. Kansas is also one of my favorite bands and a big influence as well. Steve Walsh is such an amazing vocalist. One of my favorite singers. I was also and still am a big fan of John Elefante when he was in Kansas.Good stuff.
I’d love to see you do What’s On My Mind. Walsh’s vocals were out of this world on that track and it’s such a fun track to listen too. Also Cheyenne Anthem needs its own video too.
Cheyenne Anthem is my favourite Walsh track, I get goosebumps when his verses kick in. It’s absolutely exquisite. What’s On My Mind is also a favourite. That being said my all time favourite Kansas album is PoKR and the track that has the most personal meaning isn’t even a Walsh track but Fight Fire With Fire with Elefante. I think the current line up with Platt and Ragsdale is probably my favourite line up though since post AudioVision (even if Walsh had emotionally moved in by then, he just hated the way the band was changing direction). Edit : fat thumb typos.
FYI in the bio "Miracles out of nowhere" the band were not crazy about how the vocals came through in their first album so they decided to record their 2nd album at Wally Heider recording in LA. Jeff Glixman recommended it after noticing Crosby Stills and Nash's Deja vu album was recorded there. So there might be some of that influence as well.
Steve Walsh is the guy who would be singing over a trashcan fire harmonizing with his buddies on the street corner. Very natural and instinctive singer. Kansas was my first concert, only Williams Ehart and Walsh remained from original lineup at that point; Steinhardt would return later. Williams played all of Livgren's leads. Setlist contained no song released after 1980. What's amazing about this Livgren composition is that it contains no violin and yet we barely notice. When Steinhardt did return in the mid nineties, I saw Kansas twice and the setlist mainly consisted of songs that he sang lead in studio because he could still pull them off. Bassist Billy Greer was really the vocal rock of the band (for harmonies and the occasional shared lead) during that time and now as well I'm sure. Walsh, however, did get his voice back to a large degree towards the end of his time with Kansas ostensibly because he defeated many of his demons. I'm a huge Kansas fan too, obviously. Great analysis/tutorial!
My Parents used to have a liverecording of Kansas on CD (which i copied on cassett) from the era with John Elefante so i always thought it is John singing Carry on wayward son. But John is one of my maininfluences, such a amazing songwriter (also check out the petra-albums he produced with his Brother Dino). Seems i get passionate... But you are right, steve walsh is also a real great singer.
New subscriber here. Love this! This gives me chills. My dad raised me on this song along with so many others. I heard your break down of Cinderellas no odys fool. I would love to hear you do Coming home by Cinderella that's my favorite song by them.
I haven't heard a lot of Steve Walsh's songs, but I can't help but think he's a contra tenor, with that kind of clarity he has and the ease with which he can sing really hard vowel sounds like oooo and uu, vowels that aren't very open throat. Please let me know if he's a contra tenor. You might know by now that I'm obsessed with contra tenors.
Ken, just saw this for the first Time. I am the biggest Walsh fan on the planet. The magic is when you listened to the talent live; how his vocals pierced thru the arena with crazy accuracy and dynamic range. Very few could do what he did. A ridiculous artist.
I'm not a huge Kansas fan. So, when I read your post, I thought you were implying Joe Walsh, and it floored.
That said, Steve Walsh, is a great singer.
Totally agree. I saw Kansas in Vegas on my honeymoon years ago in one of the casino clubs. He was simply amazing.
Rob, Steve was a one my biggest vocal influences.
Walsh had an unnerving bite to his voice that had few peers.
Walsh was amazing!
I don't care what kind of music you listen to, everyone likes this song. It's iconic, a true classic. Thanks Ken, great stuff!
He certainly was!
another singer that has golden vocals and range. The guy seems very aware of pitch and tone...the entire package. Great band as well.
I agree, Heather!
Been on a huge Kansas listening binge lately. Such an incredible and underrated band. Kansas are right up there with all the progressive rock giants of the 70s imo. Steve Walsh is an amazing singer and keyboard player. His voice is easy to love. He could sing the phonebook and I'd love it. There aren't many singers I can say that about.
Leftoverture one of the greatest rock albums ever written.
I agree!
Kerry Livgren from heaven....
I don’t hear any stuffiness in Steve Walsh’s voice.. I just hear crisp clear vocals and a beautiful perfect voice.
Ken, I think this would be a great thing to do:
Have interviews with these guys where u focus on technical questions with them. In the usual interviews they just talk about touring and song writing.
Interview Mickey Thomas, Steve Walsh, Steve Perry, Tommy Shaw, etc. Let's hear what they have to say about singing from their own experience. Love this video and love Walsh!! Great job, Ken!
A UA-cam person named professor of Rock does this sort of thing. He interviews and that's not something that Ken does. Not his focus so check out Adam reader professor of Rock
@@l.t.w8985 saw it before.I will!Reconnect to him.
This would be super great!
Love Tommy Shaw and Steve Walsh
great idea and a new avenue for Ken to pursue. we can really benefit from this.
I feel so blessed to be growing up with all these outstanding artists of the 70’s and 80’s!
They just don't make music like this anymore, love Kansas, Journey, Eagles, Chicago, Styx, Foreigner so many great great Rock bands back in the day. Rock on Ken 🤘love it 💜🎙🎶🎵🎶👍
Sad but true, Miche!
Wayward Son is my favorite of theirs. I was also just cranking "Hold On" and "Fight Fire with Fire" in the car yesterday. Two of my other favorite Kansas songs. They had such a powerful sound.
Amazing band! Thanks for listening!
Wow. Just wow. Steve singing 'acapella' gives me chills. He was a 'kid' when he recorded that and it's timeless. I'm so glad the young people get to hear his singing and their music today. Hope it inspires them.
The first concert I ever went to was Kansas. They were playing in the alley behind a bar in MN. I stood right up next to them and it was EPIC.
Now that's a GREAT first concert!
Iconic song
It surely is!
Even mentioned in The Simpsons.
I was 16 way back when this song came out. The voice, the melody, the lyrics. To this day, it's still my favorite Kansas song. Thank you so much for sharing ❤
My pleasure, Claire!
ME TOO ! Wanna come over tonite and listen to 45s?..LOL..OMG! ,we had EAGLES, BAD CO, BTO , GFR, 3DN, STYX, HEART, LINDA R, YES, DOOBIES, TOM P, OZZY , ZEP, FOGHAT, SKYNYRD , many more,and many 60 bands were still relevent in OUR decade. I dont think there was a BETTER YR to be 16!
When I think of Kansas I think of one of the most professional rock bands that ever existed. Mozart would be impressed with their musical composition. Steve Walsh's voice was the icing on the cake.
very well put!
Wayward son is an epic, powerful, and iconic song that helps to encapsulate the great rock era of the 1970s-
Thanks Ken for the awesome analysis- hearing Steve’s vocals isolated was a-mazing and beautiful to hear!
as i said before in previous posts, Steve is a true bel canto singer! Maybe the only one in the rock genre. and thru all of the years I have know Steve, thru thick n thin, worst times when his voice was totally reduced to a whisper - he NEVER ever was out of tune! Uncanny!
Much thanks Master Ken ....
Journey before Steve Perry joined inspired this song with the break part. Journey was jazzy and progressive back in the early 1970s.
Thank you, Pedro!
@@kentamplinthank you sir! I finally got your lessons 🙂
I meant to say, the course, "How to sing better than everyone else"
THERE ARE FIVE SUPER GENIUS VOCALISTS IN ROCK,GRAMM WALSH PERRY FARNER RIVERA AND THEN ERIC BURDON,WALSH IS HIS OWN MAN,he's teamed with a super group who everyone in the band was just brilliant,musicians with vocals,you emulate perfectly,carry on KEN
You run a great page...I feel like you have a soft spot for these so called "corp rock " bands. I do too...yes that southern rock meets prog vibe is alive. Poco meets Gentle Giant ! SW voice is in my DNA. Glixman was a big part of the production...bless you Ken. I'll let you give us the science behind it. I wondered about the Channing Broadway tone effect...never realized. Very Jesus Christ Superstar of him.
I listen mostly 'Dust in the wind' but I also love this song too.
That's a great one, too.
Same from Southern Italy.Listen also to Poco "Rose of Cimarron",1978.
I would like to sing like a Steve Walsh. Great vocal in the history of Rock n' Roll.
I've been a fan of Kansas most of my life and "Carry On Wayward Son" is an absolute classic. The lyrics, the vocals, the guitars, drums, the entire songs is timeless. Besides this song, I also like their song "Fight Fire With Fire". I am only disappointed that I've not seen them live.
Thanks for listening!
Funny I will always rate Walsh as my Kansas singer but ironically Fight Fire With Fire is one of my favourite Kansas tracks.
Own 6 Kansas CDs! They have so much good stuff!
They sure do!
This will forever be the theme song from the TV show "Supernatural" to me. The music in that show in general is incredible, if any of you haven't watched it you should go check it out.
👍😊
All time favorite show
One of the things I love about this song is all the epic riffs. Your analysis of the vocals is spot on, as usual.
Thanks for the listen! Rock on!
I'm glad you did the vocal analysis on this song. One of my bands tried covering this song. The other musicians had a lot of fun learning the music. But they weren't able to pull off the vocal lines. I had issues because I was trying to sing it so much like Steve Walsh. Your analysis shows me why I struggled with this song the way I did. His range wasn't the issue. It was the annunciation of his consonants that were the issue. I can also hear how his vowel sounds changing so drastically also created some problems. I bet if I go back and listen to other Kansas songs and maybe even songs by other artists I'll be able to identify some of these areas and why they were problems for me to cover. Again range was not my issue. I could sing pretty much the phone book. But I struggled covering certain songs and never knew why. Now I'm starting to understand. Thanks Ken for all you do.
Keep on rockin'!!! Keep up the hard work!
I never listened to Kansas that much or Steve Walsh Ken awesome intro love those rocking voices in the intro I'll definitely needs to listen to more of Kansas awesome vocals awesome singing voice he is great Steve Walsh is drugs alcohol it always ruins those singers and bands drugs isn't the way to go or alcohol thanks for sharing Ken enjoy hearing the stories Steve Walsh has a great voice he rocks I'll check them out some more Ken awesome vocals👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Thanks for listening, Cade!
My pleasure Ken always glad I was listening
TIGHT! EPIC Kansas tune that instantly compels you into a fantasy of being on stage, playing EVERY instrument and belting all vocals! (yes, while you are simultaneously air-jamming each part - in particular the keyboards!) Whew!... whoa, ok, I'm back.
My twin and I were infatuated with Johnny and Edgar Winter’s style as teens. Our dad -a studio drummer, got his hands on an old B3 (mine … _ALL_ mine) and a ‘70s Flying V. This was one of the first songs we tore into, and to this day, I use the same licks on so many other songs. With pops at the trap, we were ready to go!
Thanks, Ken!! I needed this 🤠👍
I saw Kansas…maybe 3 years ago at a very small venue. They still sounded so unbelievably great. When the sang Wayward son our jaws dropped…his voice was so good!
That's fantastic!
3 years ago it was another singer: Ronnie Platt
Love Steve's voice. ❤️
Steve Walsh!!!🔥🔥🔥
Woot-woot!!!
I never want to sound condescending but, Mr. Tamplin, you are the man for doing these. Thanks, Brother, and if we ever meet the first round is on me.
I'm glad you enjoy the content, Mark! Rock on!
I love the way Steve adds the perfect amount of chest voice and thins out in some of the higher spots.
Couldn't agree more!
Thanks for breaking this down! I kind of grew up on Kansas music and they are one of my favorite bands. I always thought this song was great, but breaking it down like this and isolating the vocals just shows again how great the song is and how great Steve Walsh was. I say was, just because he blew his voice out, stills sings well, but not like the old Steve that we loved to hear. In that day, I am not sure there was anyone better. Certainly in my top 3 all time vocalists.
Good afternoon, Ken! I have to say I didn't realize you had close to one million subs!! It's amazing that you are able to communicate with commenters in here. You are a treasure! God bless!!
Thanks so much! I appreciate the listen!
The speeding up and slight inconsistencies are what make the music good. You can sense it was made by humans recorded to tape. Played and sung until it was right. Everyone had to get it right. No auto tune,punching best takes in and no quantizing. Just a bunch of guys putting it all on the line. That's art man.
👍
I played Guitar Hero when I was in high school and this song is so nostalgic 🥰 I love it.
So do I, Coach!!
Steve Walsh great singer! Perfect pitch singer, and killer pipes
In Steve's young days with Kansas, but he did admit to years of smoking and booze, drugs, and by his early to mid 40s, his voice was beginning to sound very raspy, also like he could no longer hold enough air in his lungs to really belt out the long and high pitched. It happens to many, they were so gifted with those magnificent pipes but after years of abusing such an amazing gift, it begins to fail and you're left to struggle with your voice cracking every where just to sing , so they then try to lower the range in which they sing so they can breath and not pass out on the stage or have a heart attack from too much stress. The heart and lungs have to work together. Too much damage to one , affects the other. So anyone who has the beautiful gift of vocals, STOP SMOKING while you're young, or better yet DON'T START. It does serious damage and just might end your singing career at a young age. It's enough that singers are subjected to nodules on their vocal cords, requiring surgery, like Dave Bickler whom I don't believe ever smoked and had a beautiful high ranged pitch in the eye of the tiger with the band Survivor. But singing high can also strain and strip your vocals. Now to boot , add cigarettes and lots of booze, hard liquor to the mix. Anyway, Steve Walsh did start with a beautiful singing voice, but all abuse takes its toll on us all if you do it long enough . Plus as we get older ,it gets harder also to sing in the same pitch that you do when young. May West said that getting old ain't for sissies. She was 100% correct. ❤️
Walsh is criminally underrated. He was great in the band Streets also. 2 great albums. Ken your great at breaking this stuff down, great job!
Been waiting for this one. One of my biggest influences as well Ken. But man, I wish it had been a diffferent song. I know that may not be possible. I am still blown away by his insane vocals on "Journey From Mariabronn" and "The Pinnacle."
Rock on!
Ken, I appreciate how respectful you are to the original artists while still demonstrating ways to learn from their strengths and weaknesses. We all have weaknesses, even our heroes.
Yes we do!
I consider Walsh one of the top 5 rock vocalists of all time.
Try dissecting "Journey From Mariabronn" sometime, even the live version from Kishners Rock concert on YT and you'll see what I mean.
I remember talking to Steve Walsh once and he mentioned that he actually had a cold when he tracked some of these songs, so that might be some of the stuffiness you are hearing. He also mentioned that he smoked quite a bit and that it sometimes helped him. Amazing that he could still sing so well.
God given and very practiced talent. Steve Walsh and Kansas were fantastic.
Love this song! Your add on was good too and your version is stellar, you have a great voice!
Enjoy this channel so much.❤
Glad you enjoy it!
The first band I ever went to see. Steve Walsh has always been one of my favorites too. Sweet soaring vocals with enough rock to kick your ass. A real pleasure to listen to that doesn't tire the ear. He used to literally run all over the stage, play piano and sing. Almost a one man show, but the band Was Killer too. Leftoverture & Point of Know Return really brought their genius to the mainstream. Steve reminds me of Brad Delp as far as people know the name Kansas & Boston, but not necessarily who the singers were. Garth Brooks says some really flattering things about them on the Miracles Out of Nowhere documentary too. (Other thoughts Ken: review singers who were maybe not born with incredible vocal talent but made the most of what they had, ie: Alice Cooper, Ian Anderson, Dave Mustaine for example). how about Tom Jones? Thanks, Love your channel!
Thanks for the thoughts!
Brian May, guitarist for Queen, also had great things to say about Kansas in the documentary. Everyone who loves or knows little about Kansas should make it a point to view this Blu-ray entitled "Miracles out of Nowhere." Well worth the sheckels you will spend.
That "lift" part "Carry on, you will always remember..." gives me goosebumps. Amazing! High-level songwriting!
The best!
You can thank Kerry Livgren for that. Not only a top-notch musician (lead guitar, synth, and piano), but an amazing composer, orchestrator, and lyricist. A true master of the art!
here here!
@@katesjanice
Steve Walsh one of the BEST
Real Walsh officionados head to "On the Other Side" on the "Monolith" album.The highest note that Walsh hits on that track makes it the greatest vocal ever sung.
Don't forget about "The Bells of St. James" That D5 he hits during the "Homeward Bound" lyric is mind boggling lol. That was when he was having issues with his voice too so even more impressive. Unfortunately after that "In the spirit of things" album his voice would never be the same
that was an Eb.
Yes, I know that exact note he hits at the very end of that song - the word “On”. Steve was very good a yelps and howls and a gospel feel. I can see you know your Kansas songs!
Hey Ken, will you release an analysis of "Wheel in the Sky"?
You mentioned you recorded one when you did all the Journey songs.
I'm still waiting for that one. I just love the song!
great series btw
Possibly!
Wheel in the sky would be nice. Even Winds of March.
@@Journeyman83, I think Winds of March is Steve Perry's greatest vocal recorded.
My girlfriend and I think you are one of the rock greats Ken, you're just amazing and because of your faith one of the most humble guys around God bless you man you're one of a kind.
Thank you so much Luke!
Also I LOVE your passion for vocals and music in general. It makes me so excited to see and share in the admiration and fascination
My number one favorite singer. Amazing… I have loved him and Kansas for decades. I used to know Dave Hope and met Kansas. Very awesome talented band. ❤
Yes! My favorite rock song of all time! I was hoping you'd get to this once you started doing Styx.
Ta da!!
This has really helped me. It has helped me to be able to sing along with this song when I hear it on the radio. I really liked the track with the effects.
Ken, Steve Walsh is one of my all time favorite singers and KANSAS is one of my 2 favorite bands of all time. So thanks a bunch for doing this. I know at the beginning of the video you talk about KANSAS being another one of those bands like the Eagles where everyone in the band sings.....in actuality, only Steve and violist Robby Steinhardt did all of the vocals for the band on those original albums and live as well. Now days, they do have a few more guys stepping up to the mic to help with vocals on choruses etc but back in the day it was only Steve and Robby.......their voices blended so incredibly well.
Thanks for weighing in!
If I could sing like anyone it would be Steve Walsh. Always been one of my favorite singers. Thank you for this Ken!!!!
My pleasure, Jim!
Thank you for this awesome one. My favorite band of all time . Love Steve’s voice and phrasing.
I agree!
A good friend of mine was a good friend of Steve, and my buddy would bring demos that Steve recorded in his home for me to check out. Steve's voice in those demos was very raspy with grit... great power, range, and control... this was circa 1990 in Atlanta. And as Ken intimated, Steve would have been a solid broadway-style vocalist. Great walkthrough, Ken... amazing detail and commentary!
I do not agree. Steve did it perfect. I love your work, Ken. Don't try to re-invent the wheel.
Walsh has a beautiful voice
Love the song ! And your t shirt is super cool
Awesome! Thanks, Shivam!
Yes I agree he always has awesome tshirts lol rock on my friend
That song had everything and more importantly it just rocks... It's a journey. Hello Ken !
Agreed!
Ken...a big Christian sister hug to you. No sooner did I ask than here it is. You're the best! God bless you.
Haha!! Hope you enjoyed it.
Love Kansas. I saw their anniversary tour of Point of Know Return album about 3 years ago. Dust in the Wind is my favorite. Makes my eyes rain …
Your love of music and your enthusiasm is contagious!
Thank you❤️
Wow, thank you!
Thanks, great song and teaching. You are amazing. God bless from se Kansas oil fields
Thanks for your hard work!
KEN!! 1 Million Subs! Kudos to you, Master!
Exactly...how it sits in the track, which is how it's to be listened to, not isolated.
It's not how you or anybody else thinks it should be sung.
It is what it is and nobody else will ever match it.
This was actually my first ever karaoke song that I sang, though I butchered it, I still had a fun time and had others singing with me. Love this song!
It's a great one!
Love this song. One of my favorite bands. Awesome
Awesome video. Steve was one of the greatest voices in rock history. Thanks, Ken.
My pleasure!
Wayward Son is in my top two favorite songs ever. (Piano in the Dark by Brenda Russell is my other) not sure that fits in the rock genre LOL. Thoroughly enjoyed this! thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Totally gave me the chills! Always, always enjoy your positive persona and rockin vocals, reviews and vocal expertise. Wish I cld sing, can imagine how good it is for your lungs and diaphram. . .
TU for continuing to temporarily taking us all back in time to all these epic 70's and 80's live performances, the era too!
🎶🎼🎵🎙🎤🎧🎤🎙🎵🎼🎶
My pleasure, Marilyn!
The choir in high school did this song and I was on guitar. It was awesome.
I also Love ALL the examples you give and when u brief is on the history of “why” or whatever lol I love it!! I really just appreciate the details you give when explaining and Examples!! Thank you so much!😄🙌🏼 ur awesome! 💕
brief Us* lol not is
I'm so glad!
One of the best vocalists in rock history! And you should know yourself that every single musician has their influences and it's going to come out in one way or another. So many famous bands have been known to have a riff or a solo or an intro that sounds like.... it happens. BTW your Carol Channing impression was spot on. lol
Now, I like the isolated vocal series, but Ken, come on, that man had a voice that was hard to compare to anyone else and he made it work and became famous for it. So while I respect your analysis, I'm glad he didn't sing like you suggested! lol
Fair enough! Rock on!
@@kentamplin Have you done a Bruno Mars Isolation?
I totally hear the theatric influence in his voice. Which is what drew me in to his voice initially. Then I listened to an interview and he said one of his earliest musical memories besides sing for his family was being in plays and such in grade school.
You should do All I Wanted which is a great tune when Steve was still great but still 80's gold.
Great idea!
Awesome video Ken. Kansas is also one of my favorite bands and a big influence as well. Steve Walsh is such an amazing vocalist. One of my favorite singers. I was also and still am a big fan of John Elefante when he was in Kansas.Good stuff.
So am I, Anthony!
Hi Ken!! You seem to have made an impact on that young lady. She is SPOT ON!!
Hey Ken I believe what you added gave it a fuller sound. But that's me it sounded great. Have a Blessed Day
Thanks for listening!
@@kentamplin always so modest
My fav secular singer! His range is fenom!
That song and Dust In The Wind are always on my road trip playlist :) Love it!
So close to a million subs! I can taste it. Congrats in advance Ken! Steve was fantastic. He's in my all-time top 10 rock vocalists.
So close!
Great observation Ken, I can definitely hear the Styx Lady in there
Rock on!
I’d love to see you do What’s On My Mind. Walsh’s vocals were out of this world on that track and it’s such a fun track to listen too. Also Cheyenne Anthem needs its own video too.
Thanks for the visit. Rock on!
Cheyenne Anthem is my favourite Walsh track, I get goosebumps when his verses kick in. It’s absolutely exquisite. What’s On My Mind is also a favourite. That being said my all time favourite Kansas album is PoKR and the track that has the most personal meaning isn’t even a Walsh track but Fight Fire With Fire with Elefante. I think the current line up with Platt and Ragsdale is probably my favourite line up though since post AudioVision (even if Walsh had emotionally moved in by then, he just hated the way the band was changing direction). Edit : fat thumb typos.
One of my favorite songs. Timeless masterpiece. Thanks Ken!
Glad you enjoyed it, Eric!
Thank you, thank you , thank you! I’ve been looking forward to this!
Definitely chills!
You spoke of click tracks and it reminds me of hearing John Bonham quantized. It’s AWFUL! No soul!
I hope you enjoyed it!
FYI in the bio "Miracles out of nowhere" the band were not crazy about how the vocals came through in their first album so they decided to record their 2nd album at Wally Heider recording in LA. Jeff Glixman recommended it after noticing Crosby Stills and Nash's Deja vu album was recorded there.
So there might be some of that influence as well.
Steve Walsh is the guy who would be singing over a trashcan fire harmonizing with his buddies on the street corner. Very natural and instinctive singer. Kansas was my first concert, only Williams Ehart and Walsh remained from original lineup at that point; Steinhardt would return later. Williams played all of Livgren's leads. Setlist contained no song released after 1980. What's amazing about this Livgren composition is that it contains no violin and yet we barely notice. When Steinhardt did return in the mid nineties, I saw Kansas twice and the setlist mainly consisted of songs that he sang lead in studio because he could still pull them off. Bassist Billy Greer was really the vocal rock of the band (for harmonies and the occasional shared lead) during that time and now as well I'm sure. Walsh, however, did get his voice back to a large degree towards the end of his time with Kansas ostensibly because he defeated many of his demons. I'm a huge Kansas fan too, obviously. Great analysis/tutorial!
Thanks for the thoughts!
Listened to this on 8 track as a kid.
It's been around a long time.
My Parents used to have a liverecording of Kansas on CD (which i copied on cassett) from the era with John Elefante so i always thought it is John singing Carry on wayward son. But John is one of my maininfluences, such a amazing songwriter (also check out the petra-albums he produced with his Brother Dino). Seems i get passionate...
But you are right, steve walsh is also a real great singer.
Both John and Steve are amazing singers.
Another great video Ken!
Congratulations in advance on the 1M subs
Thank you so much 😀
New subscriber here. Love this! This gives me chills. My dad raised me on this song along with so many others. I heard your break down of Cinderellas no odys fool. I would love to hear you do Coming home by Cinderella that's my favorite song by them.
I haven't heard a lot of Steve Walsh's songs, but I can't help but think he's a contra tenor, with that kind of clarity he has and the ease with which he can sing really hard vowel sounds like oooo and uu, vowels that aren't very open throat. Please let me know if he's a contra tenor. You might know by now that I'm obsessed with contra tenors.
Another great breakdown and analysis. This is an awesome series and look forward to more.
Thanks for the listen! Rock on!