Kerry Livgren does it again! He wrote this one in his head (can’t read or write musical notation) as he flew across the country to record Kansas’ 2nd album (Song for America) in LA. What a musical genius!!! He still is.
-----challenging music that Kerry composed does not get enough for his creativity... I really can't see any other drummer with his particular skill set, who is that interwoven with his band mates. Ok ok Neal Peart
I always considered them one of the classic prog bands with Rush, Yes, Genesis, Jethro Tull, Gentle Giant, ELP, King Crimson, Camel, etc. Leftoverture and Point of Know Return are some of the best prog rock albums out there. Please react to Magnum Opus by Kansas. You won’t regret it.
Kansas continues to be the best band live that I've seen. Bryan May and Freddie Mercury said the same thing when they toured with them. I'm amazed how they can play this intricate music. My favorite song is still Lamplight Symphony: definitely prog. The River Song from the new album is great. Check out City Boy (Interrupted Melody or Day the Earth Caught Fire). They were an underrated band with some Prog. Mike Slamer is a great guitarist.
100% agree with all you comments, especially regarding City Boy! Huge fan, have everything they released on all media. Mike Slamer went in to play with Steve Walsh in Streets where they produced two fabulous albums, especially their second, ‘Crimes In Mind’. A classic! I’m probably the biggest ‘Wheathead’ in the U.K.! Kansas are top five for me and my second favourite band after…… yes you guessed it…Queen!!! I‘m of course fully aware of when Queen toured being supported by Kansas. Brian heard their soundcheck, and couldn’t believe it when he thought they were playing one of their albums! One of his favourite bands to this day and very good friends with them all.
I had a similar reaction one day 6 or 7 years ago. Everyone knows Carry On Wayward Son and Dust in the Wind, and then "Oh crap, Kansas is actually a prog band?!" Yeah. Turns out they're very much a prog band, and a good one at that.
OMG Dean, thought you would have known more of Kansas. My favorite band since 74. The 3 minute intro for Song for America (a 10 minute classic) is a song on its own. You need hear from their first album: Journey from Mariabronn and played together Apercu/Death of Mother Nature Suite. These songs hold up well today as classic Kansas. IMO Kerry Livgren is a songwriting genius. Thank you. Renaissance is spectacular. Try their live BBC TV broadcast from 1977 (Sight & Sound). You will not be disappointed. It's the classic lineup with vocalist barefoot Annie at her best.
If you dig the prog side of Kansas, give a listen to "The Pinnacle" on their album Masque. A forgotten masterpiece. I haven't seen any of the prog reactions tackle it yet. Anyways thanks for the great video as always.
"Mysteries and Mayhem "into" The Pinnacle" was originally written as one composition but due to pressure from the Record Label were split into 2 pieces because it was felt to be too long. The band was under alot of pressure at the time to write pieces (hits) to be short enough to get air time on the radio. Kansas roots are definitely in the progressive rock genre where I once heard them to be to be compared to that of being the "Aaron Copeland" of Prog to which I agree. White Clover was the original band that eventually evolved into Kansas: Progressive Rock from the heartland! A deep dive into their earlier works is much worth a listen!
They are unique, and should be considered to be one of the pioneers. Kerry Livgrin is a genius, just like Fripp or Tony Banks.Beautiful flowing melodies with majestic peaks. Awesome musucianship. Phil Ehart in particiiular should be noted. A grossly uunderrated drummer.
"Hello, and welcome to Kansas!" These guys are the progenitors of Prairie Prog and the new album "The Absence of Presence" does the home town proud! You are about to become a Wheathead!
Phil, the drummer, is not only the chief engine in the music, he's been the main engine in promoting the band. He's the guy that would meet with record execs and drop off the demos. Anyway, after one of the precursor bands called it, Phil went over to England for a time to be a prog drummer.
Veteran by attending 1008 concerts since 1973 here. Seen and heard every genre of music in a live setting. Eventhough "Progressive Rock" is not my favorite of genres, what surprises me is the fact that my top 7 shows out of the 1008, are in that genre. 1. Pink Floyd, "In the Flesh" tour (Promoting Animals) 2. Yes, "Relayer" or "Going For the One" tour. Both deserve a spot. 3. Kansas, "Left Overture" tour. 4. Rush, "2112" tour. 5. Jethro Tull, "Minstrel in the Gallery" tour. 6. Genesis, "Trick of the Tail" tour. 7. King Crimson, "Starless and Bible Black" tour. This has always proved too me where the real, truly talented musicians called "home".
That is quite the list… I have see all those bands, but not that optimum timeline. I started attending in 1978 and beyond. The Two for the Show tour by Kansas just after Point of Know Return was fantastic… I think it was their height of performance
The breakthrough album for Kansas was, of course, Leftoverture and the follow-up, Point of Know Return was a huge hit, as well. I followed them from the start as a native Kansan as they were a source of pride. Song for America tends to be overlooked and it is a superb album! In particular, Lamplight Symphony is both melodically and lyrically pure unadulterated prog magic!
The breakthrough album for Kansas was Masque. It was always very obvious to me that Kansas was prog. One of the pioneers of prog in fact. I don't get the confusion.
Kansas were my first favorite band. I'm 31. I got into them through my dad, who will be 60 in August. They were my first prog band. My didn't know the word prog. He called it "symphonic" or "classical" rock. Got teased a lot for digging this stuff. Now it's everywhere. Check out Argentine band Invisible.
Another suggestion off the 4th album LEFTOVERTURE is the last track - .Magnum Opus. A very strange,but fascinating song. All 6 members contributed to the song.
Welcome to Kansas! Here are some other cuts I think you’d like that I don’t think have been mentioned yet: Curtain Of Iron, Apercu, Miracles Out Of Nowhere, and Angels Have Fallen. They’re still putting out great music!
Many prog fans think that if you can sing along with it and it has hooks, that it cannot be prog. Their music was not Gentle Giant, Tales From Topographic Oceans or Relayer, but much of their first 5 albums was definitely progressive rock. Kansas was definitely progressive rock.
Wow I never heard this before, the bass for me really stuck out, very punchy, a treat to listen too! Thanks for sharing, never would've found it probably.
My favorite Kansas composition. I'm a bass player, so the bass in this sold it for me the first time I heard it when the album came out. I like other Kansas songs too, but this is the King for me.
3 роки тому+6
Kansas are the epitome of progressive rock. It is easy to hear the Yes and Genesis influences. Hell, they incorporatea violin into their music!! 😁 Their lyrics are so deep and spiritually driven. The music is really complex, so complex that not everyone can get into it.
I wouldn't say they're "the epitome of progressive rock". Kansas has Boogie/Country swing incorporated to their prog music, alot of their songs can seem as much rock n roll/classic rock as they are prog so people often not even put them in the prog category. They're still prog tho, just a unique "American" mix of prog.
Love your channel by the way, at least you're honest! I don't call Kansas progressive, I call them Kansas which can never be compared to any other band. There is NO comparison. When it comes to Steve Walsh there is no comparison vocal wise not their lyrics. Every song tells a story.
My older brothers were always playing Kansas when I was a preteen, some if the first progressive rock I ever heard. If you get the chance to hear more from this band, The Pinnacle was one of my favorites from them.
The great thing about Kansas that lifts them above all other bands is that no one in the group “hogs” the music - long solos, etc. Kerry always wrote prog songs with all the band members in mind. And all 6 of them were amazing musicians. Kerry wrote this song (in his head; he doesn’t read or write musical notation) while flying across the country. Then when they arrived in the studio, he taught his incredible band mates their parts.
Dean. So glad that you appreciate Kansas too. Another 2 masterpieces from Kansas are both from the album Song for America. 1) is Lamplight Symphony and 2) ia Incomudro: Hymn to the Atman. I could fill your Sundays for the next several months with great Kansas prog! Merry Christmas!!
You might want to watch Rick Beato’s Episode 80 - What Makes this Song Great, in which he analyzes and explains what makes Carry on Wayward Son so wonderful, although you would probably classify the song as pop, this Beato review might just change your mind.
That was SO much fun to watch. Rick is such a kid-in-the-candy-shop enthusiast about music and he was obviously having the time of his life digging into the song.
I usually think this is their greatest song, and one of the very few not bettered live (because they leave out a section). (Not to hear Kansas live is to miss Kansas.) Incomudro Hymn to the Atman is my personal favorite, but the drums and bass (as always) are so delicious. Thank you Phil and Dave.
I agree with those below suggesting Journey From Mariabronn, a brilliant song but I would also add Magnum Opus.....another Kansas prog classic. There's so many more.
If you don't know it....listen to Captain Beyond's debut self titled record. They were a super group of Deep Purple's first vocalist and Iron Butterfly members. Absolute seminal album of progressive hard rock/early metal. Lucifer's Friend is also an overlooked proto prog metal gem. The song "Thus Spoke Oberon"...or the album "Where the Groupies Killed the Blues".
Right on! If you check that self titled album...there are longer songs separated by tracks (tracks 1-3, 6-8, 9-13 are the 3 long songs on the album). Full album listen may be the only way.
My brother, who is eight years older than me, introduced me to progressive rock by 'forcing' me to listen to, among others, Rush and Kansas. Rush became one of my all time favorites, but Kansas also has a special place in my heart (though I don't listen to them as much nowadays)... ...and now that I know Pain of Salvation is coming up some time in the future, I'll have to ask if you have Agent Fresco on your list? Icelandic band that is sort of similar to Leprous (they've also toured together). Art rock/metal with a lot of progressive elements. I'd start with the song "Dark Water" from their album "Destrier".
Agent Fresco would be awesome! Very in vein with Leprous yes. Another marvellous band that toured with Leprous is Bent Knee. But that's all contemporary bands...
Hi Dean, Like you, many aren't aware of the early prog. Kansas.I really would like to get your opinion on thier more "symphonic" side. Please give Lamplight Symphony a listen. You will be amazed at how 6 guys can sound like a full symphony orchestra!
I've been into them since the early seventies and over the course of time have somehow managed to see them three times even though I'm in a part of the country that very seldom gets these sorts of bands. They're excellent live. They toured once with Yes during the Masterworks tour so I was able to see the two together in Denver. Kansas put some major pressure on Yes to perform well. T,V,C POINT OF KNOW RETURN C FREAKS OF NATURE C LIVE AT THE WHISKEY V,C POWER C IN THE SPIRIT OF THINGS C TWO FOR THE SHOW (and the expanded re-release) V,C AUDIO-VISIONS C MONOLITH V,C LEFTOVERTURE V,C SELF TITLED V,C SONG FOR AMERICA V,C DRASTIC MEASURES C BOXED SET (TWO DISCS) C ALWAYS NEVER THE SAME C KING BICUIT FLOWER HOUR LIVE C THE BEST OF KANSAS C DUST IN THE WIND (SAME AS LIVE AT THE WHISKEY) V,C MASQUE C SOMEWHERE TO ELSEWHERE C WORKS IN PROGRESS C/DVD MiRACLES OUT OF NOWHERE (CD & DVD SET) V/C VINYL CONFESSIONS C THE PRELUDE IMPLICIT C LEFTOVERTURE LIVE AND BEYOND C/DVD THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION C THE ABSENCE OF PRESENCE C POINT OF KNOW RETURN LIVE AND BEYOND This is what I have to date and doesn't include related group and solo albums I have. Kansas only.
Love Kansas! Have you checked out Argent? I like their song Highwire off of Circus. Definitely a prog rock highlight! As far as Kansas, their later work doesn't often get as much love. I'd recommend Iron Curtain or No One Together off of Audiovisions.
Incomudro Hymn to the Atman 1975 by KANSAS is an absolute masterpiece of a song from the same album give it a listen it's got so much musical talent written on it.
I've been a an ultimate fan of Kansas for my whole life. It seems most people growing up really only new the popular songs, 'dust in the wind' 'carryon...' , etc. Though I loved their music, I thought the lyrics of their songs were even more powerful..... I wish the people who do the "react" of their songs would spend time on the lyrics,which I thought are very profound. I wish one would react to the song on the Masque album ' All the World' with special emphasis on the lyrics of the song...
I'm a prog guy too . Check out Spock's beard, and the flower kings. There is u tube video of them doing a live video 33 minute opus. No charts..all memorized amazing...outstandibg
Hello from Liverpool UK..I'm really digging your channel. I think Kansas were definitely prog rock .. this is a very wide genre... maybe not like some of the full on prog bands like Van Der Graff Generator..King Crimson etc but they are a superb band. Some of my favourite prog albums from the 70's to check out.. Genesis...Trespass, Foxtrot, Nursery Cryme. Khan....Space Shanty. King Crimson .....Red. Hatfield and the North......self titled album. Renaissance.....Turn of a Card Caravan....... For Girls Who Grow Plump in the Night PFM........Photos of Ghosts. It will be great if you can get over to see the Beatles Museum. Looking forward to your next offering. Take care and stay safe. Peace👍✌️🤘☮️
Some may think of Kansas with their 80's radio formated songs ( in which however you also can find more than prog hints ) like some think of Genesis or Yes. Their releases from the 70's are full of prog rock gems, even shorter songs like 4:20 Belexes ! Their whole albums catalog is really a journey into prog with some english prog style hints but with a strong american culture accent which makes this group so unique. As I already said in another channel, Kerry Livgren is one of the best prog songwriter ever. Here in France (yep nobody's perfect lol) we have the same paradox (title of a 3:50 short Kansas prog song btw) with the band Ange who made a handful of prog rock treasures
Journey From Mariabronn Apercu/ Death of Mother Nature Suite( two songs meant to be one) Belexes Song For America Lamplight Symphony The Devil Game Immcommudro-Hymn to the Atman Icarus-Borne On Wings of Steel All The World Child of Innocence Mysteries and Mayhem/ The Pinnacle (two songs meant to be one) The Wall Miracles Out Of Nowhere Opus Insert Cheyenne Anthem Magnum Opus Point Of Know Return Paradox The Spider Portrait( He Knew) Closet Chronicles Lightning's Hand Hopelessly Human On The Other Side Angels Have Fallen A Glimpse of Home Away From You Reason to Be Curtain Of Iron No One Together Back Door All prog songs , all excellent....and even their big hits, Carry On Wayward Son and Dust In the Wind, can be considered prog. The albums "Vinyl Confessions" and " Somewhere To Elsewhere "( Somewhere To Elsewhere a reunion of the original band members) also have many prog cuts....as do the two latest albums( with the new, revamped lineup).... " The Prelude Implicit ", " The Absence of Prescence " Saying that Kansas isn't a prog band shows someone who has only heard "Carry On" and " Dust" without bothering to explore further( and a few snobby prog fans who claim that only Brits/certain bands can do prog). And, they feature a violin...if that isn't prog, nothing is...
Kerry Livgren is the most talented composer, orchestrator, lyricist, and multi-instrumentalist (lead guitar, piano, synth, theramin, etc.) in prog. Never took music lessons, can't read or write musical notation. Just heard these incredible songs in his head & teaches the parts to the other 5 incredible musicians. Kerry grew up listening to romantic area classical era music from childhood. When he left Kansas he started solo work, which he still does. I recommend his 1st solo album "Seeds of Change" which was remastered & rereleased as "Decade 1" which has Ronnie James Dio singing on 2 songs (the best is "The Mask of the Great Deceiver"). Kerry also started a band in the 80s called AD, of which my favorite album is "Art of the State" & favorite song "The Fury." Kerry's last group was more proggy again: Proto-Kaw. My favorites are their middle 2 albums: "Before Became After" & "The Wait of Glory." Kerry is musical genius, and that's the reason he's known as "The Maestro."
Glad he lived one for our benefit. He wrote this song in his head (as always) while flying across America & taught the parts to his bandmates after they landed. I LOVE this album.
Livgren also penned everything on Kansas' 2000 Somewhere to Elesewhere, which reunited the original six members for one last hurrah. The next two albums, The Prelude Implicit and The Absence of Presence, have really showcased the writing chops of current keyboardist Tom Brislin, and are pretty prog-heavy. Oh, and if you ever get a chance, be sure to see them live. 50 years in and they are still about the tightest live act in American rock.
For me, Kansas's prog period sounded much more like the Italian progressive scene, like PFM and Le Orme than the British acts. Also, today was the day I learned you live in a cabin out in the woods. What a gorgeous backdrop.
Kansas is prog, but the thing is that it was the 70's. It was kind of the style of all album oriented rock back then. Unless you were Sabbath, Foghat, Pat Travers, Bad Company or Trower, most bands kinda had that conceptual vibe going on.
Blue Öyster Cult is a little difficult to label, I would probably call their style psychedelic, but they can be pretty progressive too. My favourite song is the Veteran of the Psychic Wars (1981). Always check out a live version if you can and B&W period is otherwise perhaps the most interesting. BÖC is fantastic live. Buck Dharma (Donald Roeser) is a hidden gem guitar player.
You have to check out Ambrosia's first couple albums. They actually started out prog. Alan Parson's worked on those albums! Check out "Mama Frog" or "Drink of Water".
Let me start by saying Kansas is my favorite band ..so there's a lot of content from them you should be checking out.. Another favorite of mine is Uriah heap.. They have at least 25 albums to choose from and have been around since 1969..👍 You should also check out super group.. Flying Colors.. Which features Neil Morse🎸🎹, Steve Morse🎸..Not related.. Dave larue on bass🎸 And Mike Portnoy on drums🥁👍 Or even just the Neal Morse band.. which also features Portnoy on drums🥁 You should enjoy all of these🤗
@@deanwolfechannel Uriah heap is my 2nd favorite band... Started listening in the early seventies when I was a kid.. Check out demons and wizards album and Magician's birthday..👍🎶🎙🎸🎹🥁🎵
If you know KANSAS only for their "radio hits" "Carry on Wayward Son", "Dust in the Wind", "Hold On", Point of Know Return", you really don't know KANSAS 😁 Like what you are doing here.
Many of your songs don’t seem too proggy to me, but Kansas is prog from the word “go.” Your Sunday 70s show should showcase Kansas’ “Two for the Show.” A live double album with no overdubs or other electronic “fixes.” It comes directly off the sound truck just as it was recorded. They are an amazing live band!!! You should buy all their albums from Kansas to AudioVisions. All contain Kerry Livgren masterpieces.
Please react to Genesis, "The Musical Box". When they wrote their early songs none of them had girlfriends so they wrote a lot about mythology and fantasy along with the quirky but truthful song Return of the Giant Hogweed.
Wow I had no idea. Definitely heard some Genesis in there, sounds like they borrowed or were inspired by the changes from Firth of Fifth. There's too much great King Crimson to recommend anything in particular. People seem to like the album Red quite a bit. If you've heard that already I would say Larks' Tongues in Aspic part 2.
@@ba_charles I took that to mean he didn’t know the guitar parts from KC well but perhaps I was wrong. He has spoken about KC in the past so this is surprising to me
I know some 80s kc well: 3 of a perfect pair, and discipline, blue. Other than that....lots to explore still. I only know one song from red, and I found an oldie on 8 track which l will be checking out too
I wonder?. have you noticed the figures in your video?..you looked back to your left twice as if something drawed you there... look at the tree's behind you and see the wise old man.. and then start looking real hard at the monitor's that suround us everyday... they are watching our every move..
Why will no one dare to do reaction videos on the mighty King Crimson . Yeah , I would love someone play Fracture . But I guess you have to be a musician to do King Crimson.
@@deanwolfechannel I was hoping you would ask. I guess the place I would suggest were I began . Opening track of V (or Roman numeral 5)at the end of the day. It’s there fifth Album ( obviously ) and the first 4 albums are wonderful. This is just were I discovered them and so had the most impact on myself initially. They are heavily inspired by the Beatles and genesis and it shows a lot of times yet they definitely have there own style. You might be familiar with the singer / writer as he is in three other bands Transatlantic, Neil mores band ( with Mike Portnoy( former Dream Theater drummer) and flying colors ( also with Portnoy). Also I hope wasn’t sounding to demanding I’m just anxious for your review as I’m sure you will like them Thanks ( love your view from the porch on the Kansas video
You spoke in another video of classical music having greatly influenced much of Kansas’s music. That’s because Kerry Livgren, who wrote, orchestrated, and wrote lyrics to Kansas’s progressive songs never took music lessons & can’t read or write musical notation. BUT he has memories all the way back to his crib listening to the great romantic era classical composers. And as he grew a bit, his aunt would tell him the life stories of those classical composers.
What did you think they were? I always thought they were southern rock but most of their good stuff is absolutely progressive rock. Leftoverture, for example.
0:00 intro
0:47 Song for America
10:41 post song comments/ wikipedia etc
Kerry Livgren does it again! He wrote this one in his head (can’t read or write musical notation) as he flew across the country to record Kansas’ 2nd album (Song for America) in LA.
What a musical genius!!! He still is.
Kansas is an American jewel. Unfortunately, most don't know it.
I'm gonna say it again, Phil Ehart is underrated.
He's a great drummer.
He is the most underrated drummer in music history.. he is so much apart of the arrangements of the very difficult & chall
-----challenging music that Kerry composed does not get enough for his creativity... I really can't see any other drummer with his particular skill set, who is that interwoven with his band mates. Ok ok Neal Peart
And still killing it at 72 years old.
@@Debbiedolittle62 love the sound of the acoustic guitar its unique to Kansas IMO
Rest in peace Robbie Stienhardt
💟🖤
Journey From Mariabronn, from their debut album, should be the next Kansas prog song to react to, if you plan on doing more Kansas.
I always considered them one of the classic prog bands with Rush, Yes, Genesis, Jethro Tull, Gentle Giant, ELP, King Crimson, Camel, etc. Leftoverture and Point of Know Return are some of the best prog rock albums out there.
Please react to Magnum Opus by Kansas. You won’t regret it.
pink floyd
The best Prog as along with the best music ever never forgets that the melody is everything. Fantastic band.
Kansas continues to be the best band live that I've seen. Bryan May and Freddie Mercury said the same thing when they toured with them. I'm amazed how they can play this intricate music. My favorite song is still Lamplight Symphony: definitely prog. The River Song from the new album is great. Check out City Boy (Interrupted Melody or Day the Earth Caught Fire). They were an underrated band with some Prog. Mike Slamer is a great guitarist.
100% agree with all you comments, especially regarding City Boy! Huge fan, have everything they released on all media. Mike Slamer went in to play with Steve Walsh in Streets where they produced two fabulous albums, especially their second, ‘Crimes In Mind’. A classic! I’m probably the biggest ‘Wheathead’ in the U.K.! Kansas are top five for me and my second favourite band after…… yes you guessed it…Queen!!!
I‘m of course fully aware of when Queen toured being supported by Kansas. Brian heard their soundcheck, and couldn’t believe it when he thought they were playing one of their albums! One of his favourite bands to this day and very good friends with them all.
One of the first bands I saw live absolutely phenomenal.
The documentary "Miracles Out of Nowhere". Smiles 😁
Phil Ehart is definitely underrated, as is Dave Hope on bass. The whole group was just so talented.
Yes, x 1000000@@larryhagen821
I had a similar reaction one day 6 or 7 years ago. Everyone knows Carry On Wayward Son and Dust in the Wind, and then "Oh crap, Kansas is actually a prog band?!" Yeah. Turns out they're very much a prog band, and a good one at that.
Kansas is what introduced me to progressive rock, and have been my favourite ever since.
OMG Dean, thought you would have known more of Kansas. My favorite band since 74. The 3 minute intro for Song for America (a 10 minute classic) is a song on its own. You need hear from their first album: Journey from Mariabronn and played together Apercu/Death of Mother Nature Suite. These songs hold up well today as classic Kansas. IMO Kerry Livgren is a songwriting genius. Thank you. Renaissance is spectacular. Try their live BBC TV broadcast from 1977 (Sight & Sound). You will not be disappointed. It's the classic lineup with vocalist barefoot Annie at her best.
Man you should listen to "Journey from Mariabronn" another underrated Kansas prog epic from their first album, cheers.
Ok
Yes! Great Prog song from their first album.
If you dig the prog side of Kansas, give a listen to "The Pinnacle" on their album Masque. A forgotten masterpiece. I haven't seen any of the prog reactions tackle it yet. Anyways thanks for the great video as always.
Will do!
@@deanwolfechannel Make sure you listen to the preceding song, Mysteries and Mayhem, which sets up The Pinnacle and flows directly into it.
"Mysteries and Mayhem "into" The Pinnacle" was originally written as one composition but due to pressure from the Record Label were split into 2 pieces because it was felt to be too long. The band was under alot of pressure at the time to write pieces (hits) to be short enough to get air time on the radio. Kansas roots are definitely in the progressive rock genre where I once heard them to be to be compared to that of being the "Aaron Copeland" of Prog to which I agree. White Clover was the original band that eventually evolved into Kansas: Progressive Rock from the heartland! A deep dive into their earlier works is much worth a listen!
The Don Kisrchner´s 1975 live video of The Pinnacle is probably the most incredible live performance ever!
@@miguelbarahona6636 Thanks for posting that comment. I totally agree...I wish there were a HD version...
They are unique, and should be considered to be one of the pioneers. Kerry Livgrin is a genius, just like Fripp or Tony Banks.Beautiful flowing melodies with majestic peaks. Awesome musucianship. Phil Ehart in particiiular should be noted. A grossly uunderrated drummer.
Yes to Phil, and Dave.
"Hello, and welcome to Kansas!" These guys are the progenitors of Prairie Prog and the new album "The Absence of Presence" does the home town proud! You are about to become a Wheathead!
Prairie prog! That's a new one for me, very nice
@@deanwolfechannel Welcome to the wheatfields! Come on in the music's fine!
Phil, the drummer, is not only the chief engine in the music, he's been the main engine in promoting the band. He's the guy that would meet with record execs and drop off the demos. Anyway, after one of the precursor bands called it, Phil went over to England for a time to be a prog drummer.
Phil Ehart was the most underrated drummer of our time.
I glad 5 other musicians came together to highlight the amazing bass playing of Dave Hope!
No question they are prog, especially on Masque and Leftoverture.
P R O G was always in KANSAS, Dorothy 🌪
Veteran by attending 1008 concerts since 1973 here.
Seen and heard every genre of music in a live setting.
Eventhough "Progressive Rock" is not my favorite of genres, what surprises me is the fact that my top 7 shows out of the 1008, are in that genre.
1. Pink Floyd, "In the Flesh" tour (Promoting Animals)
2. Yes, "Relayer" or "Going For the One" tour. Both deserve a spot.
3. Kansas, "Left Overture" tour.
4. Rush, "2112" tour.
5. Jethro Tull, "Minstrel in the Gallery" tour.
6. Genesis, "Trick of the Tail" tour.
7. King Crimson, "Starless and Bible Black" tour.
This has always proved too me where the real, truly talented musicians called "home".
If they ever upload brains, I'd definitely want to tap into those concert memories you have
That is quite the list… I have see all those bands, but not that optimum timeline. I started attending in 1978 and beyond. The Two for the Show tour by Kansas just after Point of Know Return was fantastic… I think it was their height of performance
The breakthrough album for Kansas was, of course, Leftoverture and the follow-up, Point of Know Return was a huge hit, as well. I followed them from the start as a native Kansan as they were a source of pride. Song for America tends to be overlooked and it is a superb album! In particular, Lamplight Symphony is both melodically and lyrically pure unadulterated prog magic!
Someone gave me an older Kansas LP and I cant wait to listen
The breakthrough album for Kansas was Masque. It was always very obvious to me that Kansas was prog. One of the pioneers of prog in fact. I don't get the confusion.
Kansas is one of the most unique and talented bands in music history Their Leftoverture album is unbelievable!
A masterpiece an American treasure
Kansas were my first favorite band. I'm 31. I got into them through my dad, who will be 60 in August. They were my first prog band. My didn't know the word prog. He called it "symphonic" or "classical" rock. Got teased a lot for digging this stuff. Now it's everywhere. Check out Argentine band Invisible.
Another suggestion off the 4th album LEFTOVERTURE is the last track - .Magnum Opus. A very strange,but fascinating song. All 6 members contributed to the song.
Welcome to Kansas! Here are some other cuts I think you’d like that I don’t think have been mentioned yet: Curtain Of Iron, Apercu, Miracles Out Of Nowhere, and Angels Have Fallen. They’re still putting out great music!
yes, amazing, longevity. What pop bands last so long? prob not many. That shows you something.
No One Together, and Icarus - Borne On Wings Of Steel.
Icarus borne on wings of steel
Many prog fans think that if you can sing along with it and it has hooks, that it cannot be prog. Their music was not Gentle Giant, Tales From Topographic Oceans or Relayer, but much of their first 5 albums was definitely progressive rock.
Kansas was definitely progressive rock.
I was gifted a kansas LP recently and have been saving it. Will react to more Kansas for sure.
@@deanwolfechannel please do they are fantastic. right there among the great prog classics.
Kansas was basically prog lite, but they were definitely prog. Got to see them in '92, and was blown away by how good they were.
I've seen Kansas live five times. Excellent, excellent live band.
That
Nothing wrong with prog lite… sometime prog heavy almost gets a bit pretentious IMO. I like them both. Thanks though for that insight.
It's its own thing as far as prog goes, with a healthy slice of middle America stirred in: Prairie Prog! 😀
Wow I never heard this before, the bass for me really stuck out, very punchy, a treat to listen too! Thanks for sharing, never would've found it probably.
Cool
Dave Hope on bass in incomparable I want to say; Phil Ehart on drums too.
I was born in 1960, I grew up listening to Kansas they were my favorite band!!!
My favorite Kansas song!
thanks for this, my all time fave Kansas song !!!!!
Kind of a mix between old Genesis, ELP and Yes. But instead of hearing Peter Gabriel playing the flute, we have a violin
My favorite Kansas composition. I'm a bass player, so the bass in this sold it for me the first time I heard it when the album came out. I like other Kansas songs too, but this is the King for me.
Kansas are the epitome of progressive rock. It is easy to hear the Yes and Genesis influences. Hell, they incorporatea violin into their music!! 😁 Their lyrics are so deep and spiritually driven. The music is really complex, so complex that not everyone can get into it.
I wouldn't say they're "the epitome of progressive rock". Kansas has Boogie/Country swing incorporated to their prog music, alot of their songs can seem as much rock n roll/classic rock as they are prog so people often not even put them in the prog category.
They're still prog tho, just a unique "American" mix of prog.
Love your channel by the way, at least you're honest! I don't call Kansas progressive, I call them Kansas which can never be compared to any other band. There is NO comparison. When it comes to Steve Walsh there is no comparison vocal wise not their lyrics. Every song tells a story.
My older brothers were always playing Kansas when I was a preteen, some if the first progressive rock I ever heard. If you get the chance to hear more from this band, The Pinnacle was one of my favorites from them.
The great thing about Kansas that lifts them above all other bands is that no one in the group “hogs” the music - long solos, etc. Kerry always wrote prog songs with all the band members in mind. And all 6 of them were amazing musicians.
Kerry wrote this song (in his head; he doesn’t read or write musical notation) while flying across the country. Then when they arrived in the studio, he taught his incredible band mates their parts.
Are you able to see Kansas on their upcoming tour?
The songs Kerry Livgren wrote could get very proggy. The songs singer Steve Walsh wrote were mostly 70s rock.
Dean. So glad that you appreciate Kansas too. Another 2 masterpieces from Kansas are both from the album Song for America. 1) is Lamplight Symphony and 2) ia Incomudro: Hymn to the Atman.
I could fill your Sundays for the next several months with great Kansas prog!
Merry Christmas!!
thanks Janice, Merry Christmas!
You might want to watch Rick Beato’s Episode 80 - What Makes this Song Great, in which he analyzes and explains what makes Carry on Wayward Son so wonderful, although you would probably classify the song as pop, this Beato review might just change your mind.
That was SO much fun to watch. Rick is such a kid-in-the-candy-shop enthusiast about music and he was obviously having the time of his life digging into the song.
I usually think this is their greatest song, and one of the very few not bettered live (because they leave out a section). (Not to hear Kansas live is to miss Kansas.) Incomudro Hymn to the Atman is my personal favorite, but the drums and bass (as always) are so delicious. Thank you Phil and Dave.
Elements of Classical composition
I agree with those below suggesting Journey From Mariabronn, a brilliant song but I would also add Magnum Opus.....another Kansas prog classic. There's so many more.
planning more kansas
Might I suggest Gentle Giant. Absolutely amazing musicianship and songwriting
I see you have done oops!
yes, finally got to them
If you don't know it....listen to Captain Beyond's debut self titled record. They were a super group of Deep Purple's first vocalist and Iron Butterfly members. Absolute seminal album of progressive hard rock/early metal.
Lucifer's Friend is also an overlooked proto prog metal gem. The song "Thus Spoke Oberon"...or the album "Where the Groupies Killed the Blues".
I have reacted to one captain beyond song
Right on! If you check that self titled album...there are longer songs separated by tracks (tracks 1-3, 6-8, 9-13 are the 3 long songs on the album). Full album listen may be the only way.
They are a bit like Genesis, except their lead vocalist, Steve Walsh, is phenomenal. Try listening to 'I Just Can't Cry Anymore.
In 1978 Steve Walsh was invited, along with Kansas drummer Phil Ehart, to play on Steve Hackett's second solo album Please Don't Touch.
I've got that album!
I love Walsh’s vocals on Narnia!
My brother, who is eight years older than me, introduced me to progressive rock by 'forcing' me to listen to, among others, Rush and Kansas. Rush became one of my all time favorites, but Kansas also has a special place in my heart (though I don't listen to them as much nowadays)...
...and now that I know Pain of Salvation is coming up some time in the future, I'll have to ask if you have Agent Fresco on your list? Icelandic band that is sort of similar to Leprous (they've also toured together). Art rock/metal with a lot of progressive elements. I'd start with the song "Dark Water" from their album "Destrier".
Agent Fresco would be awesome! Very in vein with Leprous yes. Another marvellous band that toured with Leprous is Bent Knee. But that's all contemporary bands...
Journey from Mariabronn is solid as well. They have some great prog tracks and B sides.
Hi Dean, Like you, many aren't aware of the early prog. Kansas.I really would like to get your opinion on thier more "symphonic" side. Please give Lamplight Symphony a listen. You will be amazed at how 6 guys can sound like a full symphony orchestra!
I've been into them since the early seventies and over the course of time have somehow managed to see them three times even though I'm in a part of the country that very seldom gets these sorts of bands. They're excellent live. They toured once with Yes during the Masterworks tour so I was able to see the two together in Denver. Kansas put some major pressure on Yes to perform well.
T,V,C POINT OF KNOW RETURN
C FREAKS OF NATURE
C LIVE AT THE WHISKEY
V,C POWER
C IN THE SPIRIT OF THINGS
C TWO FOR THE SHOW (and the expanded re-release)
V,C AUDIO-VISIONS
C MONOLITH
V,C LEFTOVERTURE
V,C SELF TITLED
V,C SONG FOR AMERICA
V,C DRASTIC MEASURES
C BOXED SET (TWO DISCS)
C ALWAYS NEVER THE SAME
C KING BICUIT FLOWER HOUR LIVE
C THE BEST OF KANSAS
C DUST IN THE WIND (SAME AS LIVE AT THE WHISKEY)
V,C MASQUE
C SOMEWHERE TO ELSEWHERE
C WORKS IN PROGRESS
C/DVD MiRACLES OUT OF NOWHERE (CD & DVD SET)
V/C VINYL CONFESSIONS
C THE PRELUDE IMPLICIT
C LEFTOVERTURE LIVE AND BEYOND
C/DVD THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION
C THE ABSENCE OF PRESENCE
C POINT OF KNOW RETURN LIVE AND BEYOND
This is what I have to date and doesn't include related group and solo albums I have. Kansas only.
Where have these experts been living for the last 50 years. A very large rock.
Love Kansas! Have you checked out Argent? I like their song Highwire off of Circus. Definitely a prog rock highlight! As far as Kansas, their later work doesn't often get as much love. I'd recommend Iron Curtain or No One Together off of Audiovisions.
On second thought later Kansas isn't from the 1970s 🤣
I will react to argent...don't know them at all
@@deanwolfechannel Their singer and keyboard player played and wrote for the Zombies. Very talented group!
@@wesleycolemanmusic yes they are
Incomudro Hymn to the Atman 1975 by KANSAS is an absolute masterpiece of a song from the same album give it a listen it's got so much musical talent written on it.
Triumvirat ! Why not, the song Triangle on "Illusion on a Double Dimple" album.
Have a good day. ✌️👋
Aside from Opeth, Kansas is my favorite band (since my teens in the 70s).
I've been a an ultimate fan of Kansas for my whole life. It seems most people growing up really only new the popular songs, 'dust in the wind' 'carryon...' , etc. Though I loved their music, I thought the lyrics of their songs were even more powerful..... I wish the people who do the "react" of their songs would spend time on the lyrics,which I thought are very profound. I wish one would react to the song on the Masque album ' All the World' with special emphasis on the lyrics of the song...
noted. I will probably react to a whole album as that's my preference now.
Listening to Something/Anything? album by Todd Rundgren and I must say wow! 👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽 Thanks for the 70s prog dean. Discovering albums again
I'm a prog guy too . Check out Spock's beard, and the flower kings. There is u tube video of them doing a live video 33 minute opus. No charts..all memorized amazing...outstandibg
Hello from Liverpool UK..I'm really digging your channel. I think Kansas were definitely prog rock .. this is a very wide genre... maybe not like some of the full on prog bands like Van Der Graff Generator..King Crimson etc but they are a superb band.
Some of my favourite prog albums from the 70's to check out..
Genesis...Trespass, Foxtrot, Nursery Cryme.
Khan....Space Shanty.
King Crimson .....Red.
Hatfield and the North......self titled album.
Renaissance.....Turn of a Card
Caravan....... For Girls Who Grow Plump in the Night
PFM........Photos of Ghosts.
It will be great if you can get over to see the Beatles Museum.
Looking forward to your next offering.
Take care and stay safe. Peace👍✌️🤘☮️
Excellent suggestions thanks!
Leftoverature is perhaps the finest prog album ever produced.
Some may think of Kansas with their 80's radio formated songs ( in which however you also can find more than prog hints ) like some think of Genesis or Yes. Their releases from the 70's are full of prog rock gems, even shorter songs like 4:20 Belexes ! Their whole albums catalog is really a journey into prog with some english prog style hints but with a strong american culture accent which makes this group so unique. As I already said in another channel, Kerry Livgren is one of the best prog songwriter ever. Here in France (yep nobody's perfect lol) we have the same paradox (title of a 3:50 short Kansas prog song btw) with the band Ange who made a handful of prog rock treasures
looking forward to delving much more into Kansas
Journey From Mariabronn
Apercu/ Death of Mother Nature Suite( two songs meant to be one)
Belexes
Song For America
Lamplight Symphony
The Devil Game
Immcommudro-Hymn to the Atman
Icarus-Borne On Wings of Steel
All The World
Child of Innocence
Mysteries and Mayhem/ The Pinnacle (two songs meant to be one)
The Wall
Miracles Out Of Nowhere
Opus Insert
Cheyenne Anthem
Magnum Opus
Point Of Know Return
Paradox
The Spider
Portrait( He Knew)
Closet Chronicles
Lightning's Hand
Hopelessly Human
On The Other Side
Angels Have Fallen
A Glimpse of Home
Away From You
Reason to Be
Curtain Of Iron
No One Together
Back Door
All prog songs , all excellent....and even their big hits, Carry On Wayward Son and Dust In the Wind, can be considered prog. The albums "Vinyl Confessions" and " Somewhere To Elsewhere "( Somewhere To Elsewhere a reunion of the original band members) also have many prog cuts....as do the two latest albums( with the new, revamped lineup).... " The Prelude Implicit ", " The Absence of Prescence "
Saying that Kansas isn't a prog band shows someone who has only heard "Carry On" and " Dust" without bothering to explore further( and a few snobby prog fans who claim that only Brits/certain bands can do prog). And, they feature a violin...if that isn't prog, nothing is...
it's a pleasant surprise- their prog music.
Not much more to be said, my friend!!
@@markscutti9682 glad you approve(I actually beat you in commenting, for once!). Howdy!
Kerry Livgren is the most talented composer, orchestrator, lyricist, and multi-instrumentalist (lead guitar, piano, synth, theramin, etc.) in prog. Never took music lessons, can't read or write musical notation. Just heard these incredible songs in his head & teaches the parts to the other 5 incredible musicians. Kerry grew up listening to romantic area classical era music from childhood.
When he left Kansas he started solo work, which he still does. I recommend his 1st solo album "Seeds of Change" which was remastered & rereleased as "Decade 1" which has Ronnie James Dio singing on 2 songs (the best is "The Mask of the Great Deceiver").
Kerry also started a band in the 80s called AD, of which my favorite album is "Art of the State" & favorite song "The Fury."
Kerry's last group was more proggy again: Proto-Kaw. My favorites are their middle 2 albums: "Before Became After" & "The Wait of Glory."
Kerry is musical genius, and that's the reason he's known as "The Maestro."
glad he's lived a life full of music
Glad he lived one for our benefit. He wrote this song in his head (as always) while flying across America & taught the parts to his bandmates after they landed. I LOVE this album.
Livgren also penned everything on Kansas' 2000 Somewhere to Elesewhere, which reunited the original six members for one last hurrah. The next two albums, The Prelude Implicit and The Absence of Presence, have really showcased the writing chops of current keyboardist Tom Brislin, and are pretty prog-heavy. Oh, and if you ever get a chance, be sure to see them live. 50 years in and they are still about the tightest live act in American rock.
For me, Kansas's prog period sounded much more like the Italian progressive scene, like PFM and Le Orme than the British acts.
Also, today was the day I learned you live in a cabin out in the woods. What a gorgeous backdrop.
Haha I'd live here in the woods if I could
Actually yes, as I get to know more Italian prog i see how unique it is
You should do some Yezda Urfa. Maybe ´Cancer in the Band' could be a good point to start. Fairly known, nice sound from 70's. BTW great reaction!
Kansas is prog, but the thing is that it was the 70's. It was kind of the style of all album oriented rock back then. Unless you were Sabbath, Foghat, Pat Travers, Bad Company or Trower, most bands kinda had that conceptual vibe going on.
Never given them a real shot. Not bad,not bad :-)
As to requests, you should definitely react to the prog albums by Jethro Tull!
Of course!
What about Gentle Giant's "Playing the fool" live album? You can start with the first 2 songs, "Just the same" and "Proclamation"!
Blue Öyster Cult is a little difficult to label, I would probably call their style psychedelic, but they can be pretty progressive too. My favourite song is the Veteran of the Psychic Wars (1981). Always check out a live version if you can and B&W period is otherwise perhaps the most interesting. BÖC is fantastic live. Buck Dharma (Donald Roeser) is a hidden gem guitar player.
You have to check out Ambrosia's first couple albums. They actually started out prog. Alan Parson's worked on those albums! Check out "Mama Frog" or "Drink of Water".
great idea, will do
Right up there with UK.
Yes! I wrote a review of UK at my blog progdog.ca
Strawbs - Hero and Heroine
Let me start by saying Kansas is my favorite band ..so there's a lot of content from them you should be checking out.. Another favorite of mine is Uriah heap.. They have at least 25 albums to choose from and have been around since 1969..👍 You should also check out super group.. Flying Colors.. Which features Neil Morse🎸🎹, Steve Morse🎸..Not related.. Dave larue on bass🎸 And Mike Portnoy on drums🥁👍 Or even just the Neal Morse band.. which also features Portnoy on drums🥁 You should enjoy all of these🤗
flying colors and Neal morse band I have checked out....yes, Kansas is worth more and Uriah Heap- I may not know any of their stuff...
@@deanwolfechannel Uriah heap is my 2nd favorite band... Started listening in the early seventies when I was a kid.. Check out demons and wizards album and Magician's birthday..👍🎶🎙🎸🎹🥁🎵
If you know KANSAS only for their "radio hits" "Carry on Wayward Son", "Dust in the Wind", "Hold On", Point of Know Return", you really don't know KANSAS 😁 Like what you are doing here.
Kansas Does Prog?. 5 seconds in: "yeah this is very progressive".
😁
Hey Dean. What are your thoughts on thick as a brick - jethro tull? Would love a vid! Incredible concept album. This track reminded me of it.
Yes, will be doing JT soon
"The Shaggs - The Philosophy of the World" is the mother of progrock.
They are far better than the three songs they play on the radio.
😂
Many of your songs don’t seem too proggy to me, but Kansas is prog from the word “go.” Your Sunday 70s show should showcase Kansas’ “Two for the Show.” A live double album with no overdubs or other electronic “fixes.” It comes directly off the sound truck just as it was recorded. They are an amazing live band!!! You should buy all their albums from Kansas to AudioVisions. All contain Kerry Livgren masterpieces.
By my songs, you mean my original solo stuff? True! Most of it is not prog at all. It's ironic considering my channel and being a big prog fan!
Bruford 5G would be a good one to react to.
It would be great if you would react to Bad Companies "Silver, Blue and Gold." It's a great song
Don’t know Genesis! Holy moly! You need to dive in!
It's unbelievable that Kansas is not in the RRHOF..
they should be, 100%
Please react to Genesis, "The Musical Box". When they wrote their early songs none of them had girlfriends so they wrote a lot about mythology and fantasy along with the quirky but truthful song Return of the Giant Hogweed.
ok!
Wow I had no idea. Definitely heard some Genesis in there, sounds like they borrowed or were inspired by the changes from Firth of Fifth. There's too much great King Crimson to recommend anything in particular. People seem to like the album Red quite a bit. If you've heard that already I would say Larks' Tongues in Aspic part 2.
Great request! To bad KC blocks UA-cam reactions.... 😔
Dean knows KC quite well.
@@snuggilyd 12:36
@@ba_charles I took that to mean he didn’t know the guitar parts from KC well but perhaps I was wrong. He has spoken about KC in the past so this is surprising to me
I know some 80s kc well: 3 of a perfect pair, and discipline, blue. Other than that....lots to explore still. I only know one song from red, and I found an oldie on 8 track which l will be checking out too
I wonder?. have you noticed the figures in your video?..you looked back to your left twice as if something drawed you there... look at the tree's behind you and see the wise old man.. and then start looking real hard at the monitor's that suround us everyday... they are watching our every move..
Supper Prog
It's disappointing that you all hear this for the first time on headphones. It is so much more of a sensual experience on speakers and loud.
ahh, but my headphones are super high quality and they are VERY LOUD on my ears. But yes, the movement of air through a room would be better.
My standard listening setup is a pair of Adam T7V monitors and a JBL 10" studio subwoofer - the soundstage is superb and the bass is visceral...
You mentioned Yes, but you didn't say anything about Starcastle. Try Fountains by them.
Ok
First 2 Albums were their best "Prog".....3rd less so as well as Left Overture....some good songs, but no more prog IMHO.
Supertramp
Why will no one dare to do reaction videos on the mighty King Crimson .
Yeah , I would love someone play Fracture . But I guess you have to be a musician to do King Crimson.
Still waiting for some Spock’s beard
Maybe V or snow
ok- any specific tracks for a first react?
@@deanwolfechannel I was hoping you would ask. I guess the place I would suggest were I began . Opening track of V (or Roman numeral 5)at the end of the day. It’s there fifth Album ( obviously ) and the first 4 albums are wonderful. This is just were I discovered them and so had the most impact on myself initially. They are heavily inspired by the Beatles and genesis and it shows a lot of times yet they definitely have there own style. You might be familiar with the singer / writer as he is in three other bands
Transatlantic, Neil mores band ( with Mike Portnoy( former Dream Theater drummer) and flying colors ( also with Portnoy). Also I hope wasn’t sounding to demanding I’m just anxious for your review as I’m sure you will like them
Thanks
( love your view from the porch on the Kansas video
You spoke in another video of classical music having greatly influenced much of Kansas’s music. That’s because Kerry Livgren, who wrote, orchestrated, and wrote lyrics to Kansas’s progressive songs never took music lessons & can’t read or write musical notation. BUT he has memories all the way back to his crib listening to the great romantic era classical composers. And as he grew a bit, his aunt would tell him the life stories of those classical composers.
He's a natural talent and didn't need formal education. Many greats are the same.
What did you think they were? I always thought they were southern rock but most of their good stuff is absolutely progressive rock. Leftoverture, for example.
70s classic rock, bit of southern rock
The hell is that thing hanging there..?
You mean the humming bird feeder?
@@deanwolfechannel I guess so. Never saw one that looked like that.
They were kinda "southern prog rock" one could say (and wonderful!). They went on to become closer to AOR (unfortunately...)