I'm 60 years old now and was lucky enough to find Kansas in 75. Kerry Livgren shares his musical and lyrical genius with humility. The world is fortunate to have such greatness.
Lamplight Symphony - I heard them perform this at the old Sheridan Fieldhouse on the Fort Hays campus. I believe winter of 74-75. Last concert in that venue I believe. They were incredible live.
Jeannie, this is my prize possession of all the recordings that I have! When I got this and listened too it the 1st time, the hair stood up on the back of my neck! It is such an awesome version of a very hard to find song! I couldn't believe my good fortune!
Thanks for posting! This is great with some real spontaneity happening in parts. I've been having a resurgence of revelation of Kansas and especially Kerry Livgren lately. Probably due to the extreme negative space the world is in right now. This music is spiritually needed in the world. I'm 52 and grateful to God I was alive to hear these musical creations.
I would be able to say the same thing if I was lucky enough to have seen them. They were extremely talented, even now it’s amazing that we were so fortunate to grow up with that beautiful music with Steve Walsh, who has the most beautiful voice that I’ve ever heard, to this day!
In the top two best rock bands ever. Kansas is number one in talent, extremely intelligent lyrics, music and of course Steve Walsh’s voice is the most beautiful I’ve ever heard and I’m 61.
I was lucky to see them right after their first album came out in Indianapolis in 1974. They said this was going to be a new song off their next album. Everyone was blown away! Such incredible musicianship!
Hey Rick, Saw this live a couple of times 75-76. I was too young at the time to truly appreciate the masterpiece it is. Along with Incomudro Hymn to the Atman, for me two songs that are legendary.
I think this is my all time favourite - regardless what band. Not the one I listen to the most, need to be in the right «mood» for this one. I’m not a musician - but I think its just astonishing that someone in their 20s can come up with something like this. That ANYONE can really. And again - Steves emotion is just breathtaking, its like the words just come straight from his heart.
AN AMAZING GHOSTLY POEM...On a winter's night, stars are cold and bright in the sky, The slumber of the earth is pure and deep From a distant wood, drifts the echo of a beast The old man stirs and wakens in the night He stands before his window gazing at the grave Forgotten dreams are flashing through his weary mind And though his life is empty, he pretends that she's still there With hunger in his soul, he yearns for life and love gone by, With memories his one and only joy All he has to give, he would give to bring back the life, And raise the one who lies beneath the snow He lights a lamp and looks at pictures of the past The faces of their youth still glow with new-found love, But the picture's faded, and time has stolen youth away With a spoken word that he thought he heard from her lips, He felt another presence in the room, He was filled with fear but filled with joy he arose And turned to face the image that he knew She stood before him and her hand reached out for his A peaceful light shone in her eyes She said she'd come to soothe him, and someday they'd be as one She began to fade and her image disappeared, So he was left alone to face the night, Never in his life, had he been so held in awe, As he faced the apparition of his wife He stood before the window gazing at the grave, And with a lightened heart he saw the first of dawn, He knew that she was waiting, that someday they'd be as one
I never missed a single KANSAS concert in Jacksonville FL in the 70’s. Getting home with every new album my hands were shaking in my rush to put it on the turntable. Lamplight Symphony will always be my favorite. It brings a special memory of someone I loved more than life itself. The 30+ years that have passed since that time has seen an amazing and unexpected parade of life events... from moving to CA and beginning my career as an FX artist, plunging into the Goth Culture as it formed, creating the look of so many clubs, being chosen to star in a reality TV series by Syfy Channel... mainly cuz I looked insane and drove a hearse... up until recently when I became keyboardist for the band URN, a Gothic Metal group. I listened to some of the compositions planned for our new album. Dominic St Charles had decided to add violin to some of them. I was suddenly taken back 40 years when I heard them. While in no way comparable to the unique sound that only KANSAS could achieve, there was still enough of those vibrations that made me remember why this band was so important to me. It’s a feeling that is very difficult to put into words. So I won’t even try. Sorry for the rambling message. Cleve Hall
It’s a supernatural spiritual familiar spirit comparable to the first smell of rain with a pleasant presence of familiar old Holy reverence with honor and grace offered …. Supernatural is always hard to describe.
I just stumbled on this tonite-how do you describe how wonderful this piece is? I have watched this three times now. Each time the same result, I got chills each time, and I want to hear it yet again, just extraordinary. I saw them live twice in the mid 70's, and can imagine how mesmerized the crowd was at this particular concert. An ultra-talented band firing on all 8 cylinders, Kansas in the late 70's had few, if any equals. Performances such as this prove that point..
You should scroll through my uploads. There are hundreds of live Kansas performances on my channel. The earliest White Clover! Lot's of rare stuff. Lots of late 70s live Kansas!
rickyon ---will do, thank you. Have watched a couple White Clover, and mostly Kansas albums one through five. Just great entertainment!! Been on a Kansas kick recently. I own the first nine albums/cd's, have been listening to/watching youtube of Kansas. After a decade or so of not listening to Kansas, I am now re-aquainting myself. I am astounded again 40 plus years later at how great and profound this band was. Saw these guys in Salina, KS Halloween 1973. My buddy and I played Foosball with Robby and Rich, they we're typical down to earth Kansas boys.
You should check out the new album, The Prelude Implicit. It is astounding! You can preview the whole thing here on You-Tube. If you haven't heard , the band is currently touring for the 40th Anniversary of Leftoverture. They are playing the whole album, in order. half a dozen songs from the new album and a bunch of hits and deep cuts from others. 2 and a half hour show! With the new singer and line-up the band is sounding as good as it did back in the 70s. I am not exaggerating! With the new sound technology, new lighting and the renewed vigor of the band, the show i saw in November ranks right up in my top 5 and the other 4 were the original 6!
The track here is from an appearance at Cowtown Ballroom in Kansas City on April 22, 1974. It was scheduled as a double feature with Captain Beefheart who was recording a live album that night. The double concert was simulcast locally by the radio station KUDL FM 98.1 as part of their live Friday concert series. It was billed as “Captain Beefheart with Kansas”. It was advertised for weeks, and I am sure many people recorded it as I did. www.therealeasyed.com/kansas-citys-cowtown-ballroom-1971-1974/ windsofchangekc.com/contact_1.html www.setlist.fm/setlist/kansas/1974/cowtown-ballroom-kansas-city-mo-bc5758e.html Much of the radio broadcast was affected by a lightning storm in the KC area that evening. Lamplight Symphony was the first track and was largely unaffected. My college roommate bootleg recorded the concert for me while I was in attendance. I have listened to this recording a thousand times so I know this is the exact recording played here. Eventually my machine ate the tape, or I would send it to you. Later KUDL went out of business and the call letters were reassigned to a station in Sacramento. Prior to 1975, a search of KUDL reveals similar concerts historically, but not the Kansas concert at Cowtown, probably because Captain Beefheart got top billing. Presumably older KUDL archives belong to sister station KMBZ 98.1 FM Kansas City which survives today. Some research might turn up a Captain Beefheart recording in their archives that has the Kansas concert as part of it. It was a great concert. All the buzz that night was that it was the best show in Cowtown Ballroom since Frank Zappa. I was happy to be there. Wish I could remember the entire setlist. Hope this helps. NutherKanFan
Thanks for the info,Ken. Your correct about the show. The date,venue and Captain Beefheart are all mentioned in the Kansas tour date archive. We just didn't know that this recording came from that show. Kerry Livgren did tell the person that he gave this to that it was from the Cowtown Ballroom.
I was very fortunate to work with Kerry Livgren on my first solo album giving sight to the eye “and Geoff Glixman. In 1996 this showed me just how brilliant this group of musicians really was. To be able to work out these song structures and communicate so well .. was one part of the gift with Kerry to be able to deliver such a physically gifted singer in Steve Walsh and Robbie Steinhardt whom I also met back stage at a show in florida when I was The singer for Trans Siberian Orchestra What a humble and beautiful person he was. When I mentioned that he and Kansas were our biggest influence he smiled and said I can tell it shows. I was so honored to meet him and hear of his new life and band and how he didn’t like touring and wanted to stay home. I carried that with me. And I really do love being home. Maybe one day. But for now I look back and can relate more with those who have done it and drove through it wearing out from such a schedule and routine that bears no mistakes or flaws and all for the 2 hours a night for 30 years all over the world. I look at another person .. and respect that dude. I couldn’t do it now. Even though I have it more figured out now. I did that. What’s next. I’ll tell ya … next hail Kansas long live architects and pioneers of American music which will be lost without us keeping it alive listening to the recordings and sharing gratitude to the treasures like these and those who were fortunate to witness this great band. At the time when they were undeniably the best band on earth to those experiencing the supernatural experience Kerry Livgren imagined us to have. I feel very fortunate and privileged to have worked with him and learn from him and see how he combined parts. The song we worked on is still under construction but the newest version his son sings. This is the best version so far. But wait till we combine me newest version with the 2024 version of Waiting For Ground Zero ….. it’s been a few years. I’m not as green on guitar as I was then … we’ll see. Cheers KK 24
Great Rare Post! What's even more great too? - Ronnie & that new keyboardist helping KANSAS Continue w/"That Sound" which is so very much like old days which inspired them to write some Awesomely Great new material now "In The Same Style That KANSAS And All Of Us Thrive On! No Doubt, Steve and earlier talents Got R Done! But Now... KANSAS IS BACK!!! BACK TO THE FUTURE... With New Life & Songs and... w/a few new Awesomely Picked Talents... KANSAS WILL CONTINUE LIVING ON & We Have Our Band Back! Ronnie was a Blessing for them & us, as well as the new Keyboardist I got to hear the other night! Thanks for being such an Awesome KANSAS Fan Mr. Yon!
A great piece of music and a great performance. And this was only ONE such piece that they played in a show. It blows me away that they could even remember all this music to play it.
I'm lucky enough to have a Minimoog, an ARP Omni-1, an ARP Omni-2, an ARP Pro--Soloist, an ARP Pro-DGX, and an ARP Quadra. Kansas used all 6 of these synths and they do sound incredible. Kerry played the Omni-1 (and later the Quadra) and Steve played an Omni-2. The string sounds produced by the Omni-1 sounded more like the Solina, while the string sounds produced by the Omni-2 and Quadra sounded identical (although the Quadra contained a built-in Voltage Controlled Phase Shifter that produced some incredible phased-string sounds. In addition to the ARP string machines, Kansas also used a Korg PE-2000 (Monolith) and a Korg Lambda (Audio-Visions) for strings.
Many years ago (mid 80s) I was reading GOLDMINE magazine and someone advertised the 24track master tapes of KANSAS, and all of the bands that performed at the CANADA JAM in 78. I happened to have had several RUSH radio broadcast LPs the seller wanted, so a trade was made. I recall meeting him midway from Canada rather than pay for the huge amount of money it would have cost to ship. 3 huge reels per band, as the tapes only recorded 30 minutes per reel. I also got the TRIUMPH show (they headlined) and some soundcheck tapes with the Doobies and others. They weighed so much, my car trunk dipped! So, I have a friend who owned a 24 track machine and console and he let me mix the KANSAS show (which has floated in collector's circles for years. I wish I had it to do over, as I have always felt I could have brought Phil's drums up in the mix) I also have a private recording of JUST the keyboards. A very fun listen. So, when I finally got done with the tapes, I have a friend who is a close friend of Kerry Livgren. I had him ask Kerry if he wanted those masters. He said YES, and I sent them out to Kansas to him. I also mentioned this was my favorite song (my email since the beginning of email has been lamplightneal) and that I had seen them just before SONG FOR AMERICA was released. I mentioned that they opened with him doing a solo keyboard segment and that the guys come out and blew into LAMPLIGHT SYMPHONY. I mentioned how I hoped that one day a version would be released. Next thing I know, I have a package in the mail with THIS version from the Cow Palace!. The tape also included two unreleased songs from his work as a solo artist or with AD. I know the one song has never been released, and I have never seen it in any collector's hands. I never shared it. I DID share this after several years of keeping it under wraps, but once it's out there, it's like train on the tracks. This is amazing, and was a million times better sitting on the floor in the dark as the lone spotlight beamed straight down on Kerry as he opened the show. I hope this information gives a little background in how this track got out. I KNOW I could hear the master tape of Kerry's reel shut off before he stopped record on the cassette he sent me, so I KNOW he has the entire show. IF this was indeed a radio broadcast, I am skeptical. All of the radio shows we know of have been released at least in part. This would be the PINNACLE (pun intended) of all KANSAS live shows for me!!
Does Windows 10 have the snipping tool. It allows for a screen grab of anything on your computer screen. It's how I get 99% of my photos from the internet. You never sent me your e-mail if that's how you want the pic or pics. Are you on Facebook?
The 1st time I heard this I was with my 1st girlfriend ..Rick you just brought me back to that beautiful image ....We would discuss what we felt these songs were about .. This is without question my favorite Kansas piece..I really don't know how you found this one ...But this is a gem..
Listening to old Kansas has always been a spiritual thing for me. To me they were the class of seventies rock. The lyrics,the music....It appalls me that they may never be considered for the R-N-R HOF..NWA is in the HOF? Give me a break!! Why the fuck isn't Deep Purple,Yes,or Jethro Tull in there either? Fuck PC!! Rap groups do not belong in the Rock-N-Roll HOF!!
Prior to AOR radio, it was the magazine critics (especially those at Rolling Stone) that usually determined the success of a band. However, when AOR radio took off in the late 70's, the DJs at these AOR stations eclipsed the magazine critic because they could play entire albums on the air. Since listeners could now hear an albums in its entirety as soon as it was released, they no longer depended on the magazine critic to tell them whether a new record was good or bad. Bands like like Boston, Foreigner, and Kansas, which produced some incredible albums that resonated with the AOR radio stations and their listeners, no longer had to depend upon the NY City critics which were trying to push punk rock. (With the exception of NYC, punk rock wasn't very popular in the USA). Unfortunately, Rolling Stone, which controls the RnR HOF, has a very long memory and they love to carry grudges. This is why bands like The Clash (that had only 1 double platinum album) and The Sex Pistols and The Ramones (which had ZERO platinum albums) are in the RnR HOF whereas Kansas (which had several multiplatinum albums and total sales of 30 million albums) are not in the RnR HOF. Foreigner has sold over 80 million records worldwide (almost 40 million in the USA alone) and they aren't in the RnR HOF and probably never will be because Rolling Stone has never liked the band. UNBELIEVABLE! IMO, the current RnR HOF should be renamed the Rolling Stone HOF and someone else, who is capable of being honest and fair, should come up with an alternate RnR HOF.
Time for a listener-driven RnR HOF in my opinion. However these things are always cash-driven rather than being true reflections of the public's preference. Tho' perhaps much of the public actually PREFERS the bullshit stuff. Who knows. At least we all know what we like, and the music is still available.
The story really never ends until he meets up with his wife again.......I always thought that was the reason Kerry ended this piece with a chord that really is not what you would expect ...
Ricky, does no one have a copy of the haunting, stunning electronic medley that Kerry wrote as an intro to open the Leftoverture shows? there are some beautiful themes in there that do not exist in any Kansas tunes etc. i have, somewhere, audio from two complete shows; the infamous Capitol Theatre, Passaic NJ and the Palladium! i will be in touch...
This always was one of my favorite Kansas tunes and this version is just epic! I really wonder where you get all those rare recordings, Rick... It's like you're a wizard and just pull them out of your magic hat... lol :-) Michael.
Love the old six original Kansas-Band. They were so great and with kerry they had a big song writer. Do anybody know, what Kerry is doing? After his stroke i dont know, if he still can write songs. My big wish would be if he write a new album, mabe for Kansas again.
+Thomas Becker Not much chance of him writing an album for Kansas but he is still working on his Cantata. he just posted yesterday that he added some vocals to it.
He will join together with his fellow original members in Kansas this July 2nd in downtown Topeka Kansas for a free concert for us here in the hometown of the band... it will be a show that I will never forget just like the ones from the 70's
My question was about "all" of the original members. I hope for everyone's sake that that is true but from what I heard a couple of the originals might not be able to make it.
It's OK Brother. I saw them in 1976....it was 100 % clear.... This band is spiritual.... saw them 3 more times. Once in Vegas àt Calamity Jane's.....& In RENO at a small venue called Grand Central Sttion.... And Grand Sierra Resort.....MGM..
This GREATEST rock band About, as was said of Uriha Heep, can't argue with that but.....for us the great KANSAS Is our band... pure America, pure Soul, Pure Blues..... pure Heart.....
I think it's very simple. To me they sound like relief from an old pressure. And in contrast to the notes before the very last ones, they truly sound like dawn. Dawn of the day/newly found life in the old man
Do you have the Hoch Auditorium show with the full version of Lamplight from 1974? It's very similar to this but an audience recording. This one is from the board from a show that we think is from 1974 at The Cowtown Ballroom in Kansas City.
I saw that last original 6 member tour also(Audio-Visions tour). Yes, I loved all the members but as a musician I know Kerry was the backbone of that band even with Steve’s grade A vocals and keyboard skills. Rich Williams mentioned on video how sometimes Kerry hummed or sang the melody of songs he wrote for Steve to sing. Kerry, as I did about 6 years later, became. Christian and would no longer believe many of his own past lyrics. For example, according to the Bible, the lyrics on this song say the old man says “some day they’d be as one”. Jesus stated that in heaven we will not be married anymore to the person we were married to in life. Matthew 22: 25-30 That does not mean we won’t be with that person or feel love for them.
My favorite Kansas song, and love the addition around 4:25 or so. However, around 8:12, it cuts off to play an ad. When I click the skip ad button, it continues. So I immediately go back to the start, and it's fine. I don't know why it does that.
@rickyon Don't forget Robby Steinhardt, who left again in 2007 and was replaced by the man who originally replaced him in the early '90s ... Dave Ragsdale.
Hey Rick, where did you get the photo at 2:33 (Steve and Kerry seated at their keyboards with Robby playing his violin in between them). I'd love to have a copy of this POKR tour photo since it shows Kerry's Korg PS-3200 polyphonic synth and Steve's vibraphone. I never got to see a show where Steve played vibes. I had tickets to see them in Lexington, KY on the POKR tour in 1978 when I was 16, but my car broke down along the way and I still had 120 miles to drive. Unfortunately, I didn't make it.
I got it from a photographer's site called Philmages.com. I tried going there just now and it's gone. The best I can do is send you a link but all of his pics have a watermark.
***** If you could see me a link I would really appreciate it. I'd also like to find a real good photo showing Steve's vibraphone on stage! Thanks! (I'll send you a private message with my email address.)
That sounds good! I posted Love Is A Dream from that show about 3 years ago. You should search my channel and see if the quality compares with your copy. Let me know when you post Lamplight.
I have always been mildly confused about the unexpected tone cluster that Kerry used to end this song. Still, it's one of my favorite Kansas songs, and I think they should have played the Symphony in its entirety in live situations more often.
It's from Kerry's vault. He claims it's from a show at the Cowtown Ballroom in 1973. There is another recording (not from the board but the audience and it's not this show) from 1974 which is similar to this.
Love this song. I was under the impression that Robby Steinhardt was singing lead vocals on this song with Steve on backups. Can somebody clarify this.
+ntolabs Doesn't Robby sing the lyrics heard during the second part of the bridge before the instrumental part: "She stood before him and her hand reached out for his/A peaceful light shone in her eyes/She said she'd come to soothe him/And that someday they'd be as one"?
+ClassicTVMan1981X Yes, Robby sings that part but it is only a couple of lines. They traded lead lines in a handful of songs but that hardly means that Robby is the lead on this song, which is what the question here asks. Steve sings 95% of the lead lines.
Steve Walsh and Robbie Steinhardt sing in dialogue fashion on many Kansas songs, they call and answer. This is something very unique. They both have very characteristic voices and it appears like rock opera. There are other times in the songs where they sing together usually in harmony with each other.
This file was sent to me by someone who received it from Kerry Livgren himself. I'm not allowed to share it but if you find a way to copy it from here , help yourself.
@@vascosousa6151 No, it was never released. It is from Kerry Livgren's personal collection. The person who had it sent to me in a FLAC file. I don't know what his original source was from Kerry.
I liked when Kerry had the real long hair,and looked like a true ROCKER. Then he found God,which is all good, he cut his hair short with straight across bangs. Not good for the R&R Look. If Steve would of done this, it would of been that much worse. Just sayin. Imo ,KANSAS was/is thee very GREATIST rock band in world history ! They don't have the HUGE number of devoted fans like Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, The Who,maybe Queen, and other big acts BUT KANSAS Fans are in a league all of our own .I only wish KANSAS original members stayed together till today,and did some REAL different things like a concept album like The Wall, from Pink Floyd, The Who Tommy . No concept albums that would hurt them like that cringy album Styx did,Mr.Roboto. Still LOVE STYX though. Tommy Shaw IS DUH MAN ! I wished DeYoung worked out the differences with the rest of the band AND stopped being the leader and decision maker . His mushy love ballads he wrote was getting old. Every new album you could count on atleast 2 corny love songs. I would of been happy with only 1 per album. I also would of like to have seen them hire the singer,and guitar player ( forgot his name) who sung "Love is the Ritual " early on in STYX's run. The dude had a great voice,played guitar and would of added more dynamics to the band.1 maybe 2 songs with his lead vocals, lyrics and his style of guitar playing including acoustic. Let me research his name,be back in a few. Ok ,it was Glenn Burtnik. Tommy Shaw got the inspiration for the song "Man in the wilderness "after STYX played with KANSAS one night. Getting back to Kansas,I wish they would of tried a full album with heavy rock and roll ,some blues and matching lyrics. Another thing that would of been GREAT is if they could of added either a well-known guitar player from a well-known band, or better yet, Steve Morse who IMO is thee Greatist Guitarist EVER ! Ofcourse that is only my opinion. Once you get to a certain lever of playing guitar, there is no such thing as one guitar player is better over another. Just different styles,techniques. Top guitarist In no order Steve Morse ,Steve Vai,Joe Satriani.plus hundreds of other stud guitar players.
I'm 60 years old now and was lucky enough to find Kansas in 75. Kerry Livgren shares his musical and lyrical genius with humility. The world is fortunate to have such greatness.
Great Dreams of great him eleutt dolores
Lamplight Symphony - I heard them perform this at the old Sheridan Fieldhouse on the Fort Hays campus. I believe winter of 74-75. Last concert in that venue I believe. They were incredible live.
Hal Brandenburg I was there too.
Jeannie, this is my prize possession of all the recordings that I have! When I got this and listened too it the 1st time, the hair stood up on the back of my neck! It is such an awesome version of a very hard to find song! I couldn't believe my good fortune!
Thanks for posting! This is great with some real spontaneity happening in parts. I've been having a resurgence of revelation of Kansas and especially Kerry Livgren lately. Probably due to the extreme negative space the world is in right now. This music is spiritually needed in the world. I'm 52 and grateful to God I was alive to hear these musical creations.
You're welcome!
Well...God has nothing to do with this...
@@danielvanstichel6077 Oh ?
Maybe you should get to know God, he had a lot of influence on Kerry
@@stevef7721
👍👍👍 Right ON!
You got to wonder where some people’s heads are at these days.
In 1980 I saw Kansas with all the original members. Best concert I've seen, ever.
Thanks Rick for posting this awesome recording!
You're welcome. I saw the next to last show with the original 6 in late 1981.
I would be able to say the same thing if I was lucky enough to have seen them. They were extremely talented, even now it’s amazing that we were so fortunate to grow up with that beautiful music with Steve Walsh, who has the most beautiful voice that I’ve ever heard, to this day!
In the top two best rock bands ever. Kansas is number one in talent, extremely intelligent lyrics, music and of course Steve Walsh’s voice is the most beautiful I’ve ever heard and I’m 61.
Thank you for posting this Rick!
I was lucky enough to see them on December 17, 1980 at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. They were doing their AudioVisions tour. Original line up.
The genius of Kerry Livgren.
ua-cam.com/video/bPirvZzGFBE/v-deo.html
I was lucky to see them right after their first album came out in Indianapolis in 1974. They said this was going to be a new song off their next album. Everyone was blown away! Such incredible musicianship!
awesome arrangement , one of my favorite songs , I get chills every time I hear this awesome song. masterpiece. kerry is a miestro
Hey Rick, Saw this live a couple of times 75-76. I was too young at the time to truly appreciate the masterpiece it is. Along with Incomudro Hymn to the Atman, for me two songs that are legendary.
I think this is my all time favourite - regardless what band. Not the one I listen to the most, need to be in the right «mood» for this one. I’m not a musician - but I think its just astonishing that someone in their 20s can come up with something like this. That ANYONE can really. And again - Steves emotion is just breathtaking, its like the words just come straight from his heart.
Top five best Kansas songs ever, top 15 best songs ever. Best vocalist ever. Top three best drummers ever. I'm left speechless. Just sublime.
AN AMAZING GHOSTLY POEM...On a winter's night, stars are cold and bright in the sky,
The slumber of the earth is pure and deep
From a distant wood, drifts the echo of a beast
The old man stirs and wakens in the night
He stands before his window gazing at the grave
Forgotten dreams are flashing through his weary mind
And though his life is empty, he pretends that she's still there
With hunger in his soul, he yearns for life and love gone by,
With memories his one and only joy
All he has to give, he would give to bring back the life,
And raise the one who lies beneath the snow
He lights a lamp and looks at pictures of the past
The faces of their youth still glow with new-found love,
But the picture's faded, and time has stolen youth away
With a spoken word that he thought he heard from her lips,
He felt another presence in the room,
He was filled with fear but filled with joy he arose
And turned to face the image that he knew
She stood before him and her hand reached out for his
A peaceful light shone in her eyes
She said she'd come to soothe him, and someday they'd be as one
She began to fade and her image disappeared,
So he was left alone to face the night,
Never in his life, had he been so held in awe,
As he faced the apparition of his wife
He stood before the window gazing at the grave,
And with a lightened heart he saw the first of dawn,
He knew that she was waiting, that someday they'd be as one
Amazing!
I never missed a single KANSAS concert in Jacksonville FL in the 70’s. Getting home with every new album my hands were shaking in my rush to put it on the turntable. Lamplight Symphony will always be my favorite. It brings a special memory of someone I loved more than life itself.
The 30+ years that have passed since that time has seen an amazing and unexpected parade of life events... from moving to CA and beginning my career as an FX artist, plunging into the Goth Culture as it formed, creating the look of so many clubs, being chosen to star in a reality TV series by Syfy Channel... mainly cuz I looked insane and drove a hearse... up until recently when I became keyboardist for the band URN, a Gothic Metal group.
I listened to some of the compositions planned for our new album. Dominic St Charles had decided to add violin to some of them. I was suddenly taken back 40 years when I heard them. While in no way comparable to the unique sound that only KANSAS could achieve, there was still enough of those vibrations that made me remember why this band was so important to me. It’s a feeling that is very difficult to put into words. So I won’t even try. Sorry for the rambling message.
Cleve Hall
It’s a supernatural spiritual familiar spirit comparable to the first smell of rain with a pleasant presence of familiar old Holy reverence with honor and grace offered …. Supernatural is always hard to describe.
With respect !! 😊
I just stumbled on this tonite-how do you describe how wonderful this piece is? I have watched this three times now. Each time the same result, I got chills each time, and I want to hear it yet again, just extraordinary. I saw them live twice in the mid 70's, and can imagine how mesmerized the crowd was at this particular concert. An ultra-talented band firing on all 8 cylinders, Kansas in the late 70's had few, if any equals. Performances such as this prove that point..
You should scroll through my uploads. There are hundreds of live Kansas performances on my channel. The earliest White Clover! Lot's of rare stuff. Lots of late 70s live Kansas!
rickyon ---will do, thank you. Have watched a couple White Clover, and mostly Kansas albums one through five. Just great entertainment!! Been on a Kansas kick recently. I own the first nine albums/cd's, have been listening to/watching youtube of Kansas. After a decade or so of not listening to Kansas, I am now re-aquainting myself. I am astounded again 40 plus years later at how great and profound this band was. Saw these guys in Salina, KS Halloween 1973. My buddy and I played Foosball with Robby and Rich, they we're typical down to earth Kansas boys.
You should check out the new album, The Prelude Implicit. It is astounding! You can preview the whole thing here on You-Tube. If you haven't heard , the band is currently touring for the 40th Anniversary of Leftoverture. They are playing the whole album, in order. half a dozen songs from the new album and a bunch of hits and deep cuts from others. 2 and a half hour show! With the new singer and line-up the band is sounding as good as it did back in the 70s. I am not exaggerating! With the new sound technology, new lighting and the renewed vigor of the band, the show i saw in November ranks right up in my top 5 and the other 4 were the original 6!
@@rickyon I'll 2nd that bud!
The track here is from an appearance at Cowtown Ballroom in Kansas City on April 22, 1974. It was scheduled as a double feature with Captain Beefheart who was recording a live album that night. The double concert was simulcast locally by the radio station KUDL FM 98.1 as part of their live Friday concert series. It was billed as “Captain Beefheart with Kansas”. It was advertised for weeks, and I am sure many people recorded it as I did.
www.therealeasyed.com/kansas-citys-cowtown-ballroom-1971-1974/
windsofchangekc.com/contact_1.html
www.setlist.fm/setlist/kansas/1974/cowtown-ballroom-kansas-city-mo-bc5758e.html
Much of the radio broadcast was affected by a lightning storm in the KC area that evening. Lamplight Symphony was the first track and was largely unaffected. My college roommate bootleg recorded the concert for me while I was in attendance. I have listened to this recording a thousand times so I know this is the exact recording played here. Eventually my machine ate the tape, or I would send it to you.
Later KUDL went out of business and the call letters were reassigned to a station in Sacramento. Prior to 1975, a search of KUDL reveals similar concerts historically, but not the Kansas concert at Cowtown, probably because Captain Beefheart got top billing. Presumably older KUDL archives belong to sister station KMBZ 98.1 FM Kansas City which survives today. Some research might turn up a Captain Beefheart recording in their archives that has the Kansas concert as part of it.
It was a great concert. All the buzz that night was that it was the best show in Cowtown Ballroom since Frank Zappa. I was happy to be there. Wish I could remember the entire setlist.
Hope this helps.
NutherKanFan
Thanks for the info,Ken. Your correct about the show. The date,venue and Captain Beefheart are all mentioned in the Kansas tour date archive. We just didn't know that this recording came from that show. Kerry Livgren did tell the person that he gave this to that it was from the Cowtown Ballroom.
I was very fortunate to work with Kerry Livgren on my first solo album giving sight to the eye “and Geoff Glixman. In 1996 this showed me just how brilliant this group of musicians really was. To be able to work out these song structures and communicate so well .. was one part of the gift with Kerry to be able to deliver such a physically gifted singer in Steve Walsh and Robbie Steinhardt whom I also met back stage at a show in florida when I was The singer for Trans Siberian Orchestra What a humble and beautiful person he was. When I mentioned that he and Kansas were our biggest influence he smiled and said I can tell it shows. I was so honored to meet him and hear of his new life and band and how he didn’t like touring and wanted to stay home. I carried that with me. And I really do love being home. Maybe one day. But for now I look back and can relate more with those who have done it and drove through it wearing out from such a schedule and routine that bears no mistakes or flaws and all for the 2 hours a night for 30 years all over the world. I look at another person .. and respect that dude. I couldn’t do it now. Even though I have it more figured out now. I did that. What’s next. I’ll tell ya … next hail Kansas long live architects and pioneers of American music which will be lost without us keeping it alive listening to the recordings and sharing gratitude to the treasures like these and those who were fortunate to witness this great band. At the time when they were undeniably the best band on earth to those experiencing the supernatural experience Kerry Livgren imagined us to have. I feel very fortunate and privileged to have worked with him and learn from him and see how he combined parts. The song we worked on is still under construction but the newest version his son sings. This is the best version so far. But wait till we combine me newest version with the 2024 version of Waiting For Ground Zero ….. it’s been a few years. I’m not as green on guitar as I was then … we’ll see. Cheers KK 24
Great Rare Post! What's even more great too? - Ronnie & that new keyboardist helping KANSAS Continue w/"That Sound" which is so very much like old days which inspired them to write some Awesomely Great new material now "In The Same Style That KANSAS And All Of Us Thrive On! No Doubt, Steve and earlier talents Got R Done! But Now... KANSAS IS BACK!!! BACK TO THE FUTURE... With New Life & Songs and... w/a few new Awesomely Picked Talents... KANSAS WILL CONTINUE LIVING ON & We Have Our Band Back! Ronnie was a Blessing for them & us, as well as the new Keyboardist I got to hear the other night!
Thanks for being such an Awesome KANSAS Fan Mr. Yon!
I understand Patrick Moraz joined them
My favorite Kansas piece...
This is why I miss Public radio hearts of space. Great stuff.
Rick, this is SO fantastic. SUCH a great capture! This arrangement is one of their best. The guys at their best!
Amazing song... heard it in concert in the 70's and 80's
.. and it still brings chills up and down my spine , and a tear or two in my eyes...
A great piece of music and a great performance. And this was only ONE such piece that they played in a show. It blows me away that they could even remember all this music to play it.
Thanks for sharing Rick. Great stuff!
@@bobprice6274, you’re welcome Bob
Thanks for posting this. Awesome tune.
Sweet music....oh yah. Good production!
Thanks
You're welcome.
Wow! Talk about Rare!!! Fricken LOVE THIS!!!
This an epic for me ! Unforgettable ! Still a Kansas fan .
Amazing the great sounds Kerry could coax out of his Mini-Moog and ARP Solina/Omni with a phaser (and assuming Steve as well with his ARP Pro Soloist)
I'm lucky enough to have a Minimoog, an ARP Omni-1, an ARP Omni-2, an ARP Pro--Soloist, an ARP Pro-DGX, and an ARP Quadra. Kansas used all 6 of these synths and they do sound incredible. Kerry played the Omni-1 (and later the Quadra) and Steve played an Omni-2. The string sounds produced by the Omni-1 sounded more like the Solina, while the string sounds produced by the Omni-2 and Quadra sounded identical (although the Quadra contained a built-in Voltage Controlled Phase Shifter that produced some incredible phased-string sounds. In addition to the ARP string machines, Kansas also used a Korg PE-2000 (Monolith) and a Korg Lambda (Audio-Visions) for strings.
@@edcollins9377 the Quadra was basically an Omni/Odyssey and Base Synth all put together.
Great lyrics great song from a band way ahead of its time!!
Omg Rick! This is very rare, indeed! Thanks for posting this! :D
Many years ago (mid 80s) I was reading GOLDMINE magazine and someone advertised the 24track master tapes of KANSAS, and all of the bands that performed at the CANADA JAM in 78. I happened to have had several RUSH radio broadcast LPs the seller wanted, so a trade was made. I recall meeting him midway from Canada rather than pay for the huge amount of money it would have cost to ship. 3 huge reels per band, as the tapes only recorded 30 minutes per reel. I also got the TRIUMPH show (they headlined) and some soundcheck tapes with the Doobies and others. They weighed so much, my car trunk dipped! So, I have a friend who owned a 24 track machine and console and he let me mix the KANSAS show (which has floated in collector's circles for years. I wish I had it to do over, as I have always felt I could have brought Phil's drums up in the mix) I also have a private recording of JUST the keyboards. A very fun listen. So, when I finally got done with the tapes, I have a friend who is a close friend of Kerry Livgren. I had him ask Kerry if he wanted those masters. He said YES, and I sent them out to Kansas to him. I also mentioned this was my favorite song (my email since the beginning of email has been lamplightneal) and that I had seen them just before SONG FOR AMERICA was released. I mentioned that they opened with him doing a solo keyboard segment and that the guys come out and blew into LAMPLIGHT SYMPHONY. I mentioned how I hoped that one day a version would be released. Next thing I know, I have a package in the mail with THIS version from the Cow Palace!. The tape also included two unreleased songs from his work as a solo artist or with AD. I know the one song has never been released, and I have never seen it in any collector's hands. I never shared it. I DID share this after several years of keeping it under wraps, but once it's out there, it's like train on the tracks. This is amazing, and was a million times better sitting on the floor in the dark as the lone spotlight beamed straight down on Kerry as he opened the show. I hope this information gives a little background in how this track got out. I KNOW I could hear the master tape of Kerry's reel shut off before he stopped record on the cassette he sent me, so I KNOW he has the entire show. IF this was indeed a radio broadcast, I am skeptical. All of the radio shows we know of have been released at least in part. This would be the PINNACLE (pun intended) of all KANSAS live shows for me!!
Thanks so much for sharing this Neal! This is a masterwork and a jewel!
You're welcome Warren. I knew that you would really appreciate this!
wonderful post. thank you so much for sharing this invaluable recording in its full glory :)
I would love to have copies of the photos in this.
This band just ROCKED!
What operating system do you have on your computer? have you heard of the snipping tool?
windows 10
Does Windows 10 have the snipping tool. It allows for a screen grab of anything on your computer screen. It's how I get 99% of my photos from the internet. You never sent me your e-mail if that's how you want the pic or pics. Are you on Facebook?
srjenkins@nc.rr.com
Does your Windows 10 have a snipping tool or a screen capture program included with it?
I haven't heard this song in years and I still love it
The 1st time I heard this I was with my 1st girlfriend ..Rick you just brought me back to that beautiful image ....We would discuss what we felt these songs were about ..
This is without question my favorite Kansas piece..I really don't know how you found this one ...But this is a gem..
Listening to old Kansas has always been a spiritual thing for me. To me they were the class of seventies rock. The lyrics,the music....It appalls me that they may never be considered for the R-N-R HOF..NWA is in the HOF? Give me a break!! Why the fuck isn't Deep Purple,Yes,or Jethro Tull in there either? Fuck PC!! Rap groups do not belong in the Rock-N-Roll HOF!!
your right man rap music is fucken trash talk , not music at alll !!! this is music here. KANSAS !!!!
Prior to AOR radio, it was the magazine critics (especially those at Rolling Stone) that usually determined the success of a band. However, when AOR radio took off in the late 70's, the DJs at these AOR stations eclipsed the magazine critic because they could play entire albums on the air. Since listeners could now hear an albums in its entirety as soon as it was released, they no longer depended on the magazine critic to tell them whether a new record was good or bad. Bands like like Boston, Foreigner, and Kansas, which produced some incredible albums that resonated with the AOR radio stations and their listeners, no longer had to depend upon the NY City critics which were trying to push punk rock. (With the exception of NYC, punk rock wasn't very popular in the USA). Unfortunately, Rolling Stone, which controls the RnR HOF, has a very long memory and they love to carry grudges. This is why bands like The Clash (that had only 1 double platinum album) and The Sex Pistols and The Ramones (which had ZERO platinum albums) are in the RnR HOF whereas Kansas (which had several multiplatinum albums and total sales of 30 million albums) are not in the RnR HOF. Foreigner has sold over 80 million records worldwide (almost 40 million in the USA alone) and they aren't in the RnR HOF and probably never will be because Rolling Stone has never liked the band. UNBELIEVABLE! IMO, the current RnR HOF should be renamed the Rolling Stone HOF and someone else, who is capable of being honest and fair, should come up with an alternate RnR HOF.
Kip Lambert I agree I don't get it these guys were just as creative is Black Sabbath or Led Zeppelin and way more creative than the Rolling Stones!
You nailed it ! My feelings exactly.
Time for a listener-driven RnR HOF in my opinion. However these things are always cash-driven rather than being true reflections of the public's preference. Tho' perhaps much of the public actually PREFERS the bullshit stuff. Who knows. At least we all know what we like, and the music is still available.
You're welcome. Haven't heard from you in quite a while! Hope everything is going well for you!
Magic... a french fan!!!!
Thank you so very much for this amazing recording shared, here.
wow this is amazing!!! thanks!!!
+Dennis Aviles You're welcome!
Wow! Thanks so much for another gem!
The writer and his band pulled off a masterpiece.
It don't get much better than this my friend!
Thank you for posting this!
Epic tune!
I love this version
The story really never ends until he meets up with his wife again.......I always thought that was the reason Kerry ended this piece with a chord that really is not what you would expect ...
Hell yeah...!
Just can't hate an 11+ minute song. Don't make 'em like THIS anymore...pass me that joint, friend.
This a cool version ... Thanks for sharing
Ricky, does no one have a copy of the haunting, stunning electronic medley that Kerry wrote as an intro to open the Leftoverture shows?
there are some beautiful themes in there that do not exist in any Kansas tunes etc. i have, somewhere, audio from two complete shows; the infamous Capitol Theatre, Passaic NJ and the Palladium! i will be in touch...
great post there Rick
Amazing. Omg , the introl !
This always was one of my favorite Kansas tunes and this version is just epic! I really wonder where you get all those rare recordings, Rick... It's like you're a wizard and just pull them out of your magic hat... lol :-)
Michael.
Yeah, He's Def a True Fan!
Kansas would have never attained the heights they had without Kerry and it's all been playing catch-up since he left.
Sweet!!!!
Love the old six original Kansas-Band. They were so great and with kerry they had a big song writer.
Do anybody know, what Kerry is doing? After his stroke i dont know, if he still can write songs. My big wish would be if he write a new album, mabe for Kansas again.
+Thomas Becker Not much chance of him writing an album for Kansas but he is still working on his Cantata. he just posted yesterday that he added some vocals to it.
He will join together with his fellow original members in Kansas this July 2nd in downtown Topeka Kansas for a free concert for us here in the hometown of the band... it will be a show that I will never forget just like the ones from the 70's
Where did you get your information Janet? I am not aware that all the original members will be performing in Topeka.
My question was about "all" of the original members. I hope for everyone's sake that that is true but from what I heard a couple of the originals might not be able to make it.
Kerry was involved with Proto-Kaw for a while.
I love that album...
This and Journey From Mariabronn. Top 2 songs of all time.
very underrated band
Top five. Easy.
amazing!!!!
This is good stuff my man.
incredible song
You're welcome Jon!
During the middle eight, it sounds like Steve and Kerry are having fun with the synthesizers. You know: a bleep-bloop here and a bleep-bloop there.
Thanks Rick.
Just Amazing!
I love the sound of the ARP Omni
Memory man
It's OK Brother. I saw them in 1976....it was 100 % clear....
This band is spiritual.... saw them 3 more times. Once in Vegas àt Calamity Jane's.....& In RENO at a small venue called Grand Central Sttion....
And Grand Sierra Resort.....MGM..
This GREATEST rock band About, as was said of Uriha Heep, can't argue with that but.....for us the great KANSAS Is our band... pure America, pure Soul, Pure Blues..... pure Heart.....
I think it's very simple. To me they sound like relief from an old pressure. And in contrast to the notes before the very last ones, they truly sound like dawn. Dawn of the day/newly found life in the old man
Do you have the Hoch Auditorium show with the full version of Lamplight from 1974? It's very similar to this but an audience recording. This one is from the board from a show that we think is from 1974 at The Cowtown Ballroom in Kansas City.
That was incredible; I've never heard this before.
There are many theories as to what Kerry meant with those last notes. I agree that they should have played this much more often!
Rock on, rickyon...Awesome!!!!!
I just wish the studio version also had a keyboard lead-in before the thundering drum intro.
I like it too Anton!
You're welcome!
You're welcome!!!!!!!!!
I saw that last original 6 member tour also(Audio-Visions tour). Yes, I loved all the members but as a musician I know Kerry was the backbone of that band even with Steve’s grade A vocals and keyboard skills. Rich Williams mentioned on video how sometimes Kerry hummed or sang the melody of songs he wrote for Steve to sing. Kerry, as I did about 6 years later, became. Christian and would no longer believe many of his own past lyrics. For example, according to the Bible, the lyrics on this song say the old man says “some day they’d be as one”. Jesus stated that in heaven we will not be married anymore to the person we were married to in life. Matthew 22: 25-30 That does not mean we won’t be with that person or feel love for them.
OH RICK TOOK MY BREATH AWAY
Great!...
I'll look. Bear with me. Just had surgery.
My favorite Kansas song, and love the addition around 4:25 or so. However, around 8:12, it cuts off to play an ad. When I click the skip ad button, it continues. So I immediately go back to the start, and it's fine. I don't know why it does that.
Just another way for You-Tube to make money off of selling ads.
You're welcome.
@rickyon
Don't forget Robby Steinhardt, who left again in 2007 and was replaced by the man who originally replaced him in the early '90s ... Dave Ragsdale.
You're welcome
This may be there very best tune
Hey Rick, where did you get the photo at 2:33 (Steve and Kerry seated at their keyboards with Robby playing his violin in between them). I'd love to have a copy of this POKR tour photo since it shows Kerry's Korg PS-3200 polyphonic synth and Steve's vibraphone. I never got to see a show where Steve played vibes. I had tickets to see them in Lexington, KY on the POKR tour in 1978 when I was 16, but my car broke down along the way and I still had 120 miles to drive. Unfortunately, I didn't make it.
I got it from a photographer's site called Philmages.com. I tried going there just now and it's gone. The best I can do is send you a link but all of his pics have a watermark.
***** If you could see me a link I would really appreciate it. I'd also like to find a real good photo showing Steve's vibraphone on stage! Thanks! (I'll send you a private message with my email address.)
Send me your email and I'll send them along.
Done and thanks! I really appreciate it! :)
I never got your e-mail.
That sounds good! I posted Love Is A Dream from that show about 3 years ago. You should search my channel and see if the quality compares with your copy.
Let me know when you post Lamplight.
I have always been mildly confused about the unexpected tone cluster that Kerry used to end this song. Still, it's one of my favorite Kansas songs, and I think they should have played the Symphony in its entirety in live situations more often.
I've got that show. My friend posted it but lost his channel so it's not on You-Tube anymore. You should post it. If not I will!
That was incredible; I've never heard this before. What concert is this from?
It's from Kerry's vault. He claims it's from a show at the Cowtown Ballroom in 1973. There is another recording (not from the board but the audience and it's not this show) from 1974 which is similar to this.
It's too bad he can remaster things like this and do a release.
Love this song. I was under the impression that Robby Steinhardt was singing lead vocals on this song with Steve on backups. Can somebody clarify this.
Negative. Steve Walsh is the lead singer on this and Robby sings backing vocals.
+ntolabs Yah what he said LOL Steve lead Robbie backup, they complimented each other very well.
+ntolabs
Doesn't Robby sing the lyrics heard during the second part of the bridge before the instrumental part: "She stood before him and her hand reached out for his/A peaceful light shone in her eyes/She said she'd come to soothe him/And that someday they'd be as one"?
+ClassicTVMan1981X Yes, Robby sings that part but it is only a couple of lines. They traded lead lines in a handful of songs but that hardly means that Robby is the lead on this song, which is what the question here asks. Steve sings 95% of the lead lines.
Steve Walsh and Robbie Steinhardt sing in dialogue fashion on many Kansas songs, they call and answer. This is something very unique. They both have very characteristic voices and it appears like rock opera. There are other times in the songs where they sing together usually in harmony with each other.
You're welcome Zach. How's that "Spider" vid coming?
Hi there! Can you please inform if this a cassette or Lp? Where can I try to find this pearl?
Thanks
Br
Vasco
This file was sent to me by someone who received it from Kerry Livgren himself. I'm not allowed to share it but if you find a way to copy it from here , help yourself.
rickyon Ok! But was issued through Lp or cassette?
Thanks so much for your reply.
Best
@@vascosousa6151 No, it was never released. It is from Kerry Livgren's personal collection. The person who had it sent to me in a FLAC file. I don't know what his original source was from Kerry.
I liked when Kerry had the real long hair,and looked like a true ROCKER.
Then he found God,which is all good, he cut his hair short with straight across bangs. Not good for the R&R Look. If Steve would of done this, it would of been that much worse.
Just sayin. Imo ,KANSAS was/is thee very GREATIST rock band in world history ! They don't have the HUGE number of devoted fans like Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, The Who,maybe Queen, and other big acts BUT KANSAS Fans are in a league all of our own .I only wish KANSAS original members stayed together till today,and did some REAL different things like a concept album like The Wall, from Pink Floyd, The Who Tommy . No concept albums that would hurt them like that cringy album Styx did,Mr.Roboto.
Still LOVE STYX though. Tommy Shaw IS DUH MAN ! I wished DeYoung worked out the differences with the rest of the band AND stopped being the leader and decision maker . His mushy love ballads he wrote was getting old. Every new album you could count on atleast 2 corny love songs. I would of been happy with
only 1 per album. I also would of like to have seen them hire the singer,and guitar player ( forgot his name) who sung "Love is the Ritual " early on in STYX's run. The dude had a great voice,played guitar and would of added more dynamics to the band.1 maybe 2 songs with his lead vocals, lyrics and his style of guitar playing including acoustic. Let me research his name,be back in a few. Ok ,it was Glenn Burtnik.
Tommy Shaw got the inspiration for the song "Man in the wilderness "after STYX played with KANSAS one night.
Getting back to Kansas,I wish they would of tried a full album with heavy rock and roll ,some blues and matching lyrics. Another thing that would of been GREAT is if they could of added either a well-known guitar player from a well-known band, or better yet,
Steve Morse who IMO is thee Greatist Guitarist EVER ! Ofcourse that is only my opinion. Once you get to a certain lever of playing guitar, there is no such thing as one guitar player is better over another. Just different styles,techniques. Top guitarist
In no order Steve Morse ,Steve Vai,Joe Satriani.plus hundreds of other stud guitar players.
Another Steve…..Howe from Yes. IMO best ever with Hendrix
You're welcome!
You're welcome!
You're welcome!