That's where I have to say I'd much prefer to have Beth reacting to the original (and this holds true for all reactors), particularly when the "Live" version is from 30 years after the song was released). You're just not getting the true impact of the song. Do they sound phenomenal for guys in their 60s? Absolutely, but the original recording is on the short list of greatest songs ever. Occasionally there's instances where the live version is better, but those are rarities and almost always within a few years of the original's release.
@@HeavyTopspin Yeah. Without the original to compare this live performance to, it's hard to appreciate how the vocals have changed (because of age) and the studio version is just a production masterpiece. It's like listening to a live Boston song as opposed to the album (which I've seen reactors do unfortunately). While Kansas wasn't a studio band like Boston, there's nothing that going to match the multitrack harmonies and fidelity of the album version.
@Sword Monkey And of course, analog vs the limited sound quality of digital. Analog has the warmth and presence that I don't see digital ever achieving. A master cut on vinyl.. No auto-tune mess, that sterilizes the music.
I understand why so many reactors choose live versions, but it's a shame we can't see them react to the same things we heard on the radio and albums growing up that captured our youth.
Seems you've hit a certain demographic with this one. (Hello, fellow mid-seventies teens! 😉) I couldn't pass up watching you experience this and I won't lie, I was disappointed when I saw it was a live version from 2009, thinking you weren't going to hear them at their best, but this performance was awesome! That was an extremely pleasant surprise and I'm so happy to find that they sounded so amazing 33 years after they released it. That really was as good as you would have heard live in concert back in the day. So impressive! Do yourself a favor and go listen to the 1976 studio version and then imagine turning on your 1969 Nova and hearing this song on the radio everytime you got in the car. (And your parents yelling at you to turn it down because it's impossible not to want want to hear it at top volume. Lol) Those of us who are ... a little more seasoned ... really did have great music to grow up with! Thanks for this one, it was fun to see you appreciating their talent. ❤🎵🎼
As a fellow mid seventies teen I also was surprised at how awesome they still are. But yes, I agree that Beth should listen to the original vinyl release! One of my top ten favorites of that era! ✌🇨🇦🎸🎸👍💯
You exactly expressed my thoughts! Boy, was I pleasantly surprised! This was a great live version, but I agree that she needs to hear the studio version.
As a supernatural fan, this song means a lot to me. All season finales used to start with this song. This song is what's left of all the seasons and adventures. I get goosebumps whenever I hear it. Thank you so much Kansas for this great song.
The guy playing lead, with the green guitar wrote this song. His name is Kerry Livgren. He hasn't been with the band in a long time, but he happened to make a guest appearance with them at this show. He also wrote their other big hit called "Dust in the Wind". Billy Greer wasn't in the original band and didn't contribute to any of the albums from Kansas before 1986. The band during the height of their success, which was from around 1973 until the early 1980's, consisted of Steve Walsh (Lead Vocals, Keyboards), Kerry Livgren (Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals), Rich Williams (Rhythm Guitar, Lead Guitar), Dave Hope (Bass, Backing Vocals), Phil Ehart (Drums), and Robbie Steinhardt (Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Violin). Dave Hope, and Robbie Steinhardt aren't in this video. Definitely the best band to ever come out of Kansas, and in my opinion one of the best American bands ever.
Billy Greer joined the band in their 1985 reformation, making his debut appearance on Power. He had previously worked with Kansas keyboardist/vocalist Steve Walsh in the band Streets, and works with his own band Seventh Key when not performing with Kansas. He also was a member of the 2009 Kansas side project Native Window along with Kansas members Phil Ehart, Richard Williams, and David Ragsdale. (Wiki)
Robbie was a great guy. He used to come in the Free State Brewery in Lawrence and buy rounds for the house. Which was a couple hundred beers at a time.
ROBBY DOING HIS THING ON THE MIC,LISTEN TO[ DOWN THE ROAD 1976] get a glimpse of the first time i heard them from 6 feet away,i worked with STEVES DAD, this band is THE band OF OUR YOUTH
Beth, I am surprised you haven't heard this band. One of their most famous songs is "Dust in the Wind", highly recommended for a reaction if you haven't heard it. A beautiful, exquisite song which I am sure you will enjoy very much, as we all do. 💯💫🤘
Any Supernatural fan will immediately recognize this hit.... meanwhile, those of us who lived in that era realize what a monster it was. It make me realize what we've lost in modern music melody ability. The music of this era spoke to our soul.
To be able to still carry those high notes at this point in their careers is a testament to their longevity. This song was something that blew me away as a young teen when I first heard it and still does because of those harmonies and those time changes all coming together in a rock n roll classic.
Saw Kansas live in 2010...right before Steve Walsh retired from the band. What I saw was, in essence, this presentation of the band...one of the absolute BEST concerts I've ever been to. So, SO good that I couldn't believe it. Seeing Kansas live was a 'bucket list' item, which is complete, I'm happy to say.
This is a perfect example of the difference between a modern day concert, which is typically a full theatrical production, and when the band just comes out and the music is everything.
I love the way you analyse songs that I’ve known, and loved, for years, but you describe things that I wasn’t aware of. You add another layer that makes me listen even closer and that gives me a different perspective and whole new appreciation for it.
@@orangeandblackattack New Years Eve '77 -'78 they broke into the opening harmony at midnight, one of my favorite concert memories! Has to be my favorite version👍👍
I too have seen Kansas twice. I saw them first in 1975 on their tour to promote their second album, “Song For America”. It was then more than thirty years until I saw them again in the mid two thousands. The first time in 75 they were the opening act for ZZTop on their “Fandango” tour, and the second time it was REO Speedwagon, Kansas, and Styx. ♥️✌🏼😎
Kerry Livgren (along with Carry On Wayward Son), and Steve Morse guest and play on a couple of tracks :). The DVD and Album is called "No Place Like Home".
I am struggling with which do I love more 1. observing Beth thoroughly enjoying the thick power cords and soudscapes of this loved old piece 2. or, listening to Beth enjoying the beautiful harmonies of a band whose music filled the spaces that friends and I would enjoy in our younger years, e.g., forest bonfires, home parties which featured friends covering Rock classics, and/or impromptu meetups at a water's edge with our acoustics, just to name a few. Thank you Beth for covering a loved band and one of their ferocious pieces. 🌺
@@martin6181 You have to bear in mind that how folk experience music now is very different from how we did. The availability of literally everything on streaming services means that people search for what they know and do it as individual tracks - so if they haven't heard of it, they never find it. I encountered this at a party when I was in Sixth Form at school (so I was seventeen :)) and a mate of mine put it on the turntable ... and so I found Kansas. I'd no idea they existed until that moment.
I remember this song because I was in my 20's when it hit..and it's been a real effort to keep up with music over the last 50 years. Beth and her younger generation probably feels the same going backwards. Just saying.
Given the time frame of this recording I'm flat amazed at how good Steve sounds. I saw the band a few times in the years prior to his retirement in 2014, and his voice was getting pretty ragged. He had unfortunately given himself to some of the traditional rock star excesses, and unfortunately the human voice is not a very forgiving instrument when the body is abused.
@@mrz80 I saw them after their heyday in the early 80's when they were still touring "Hold On... Baby Hold On..." was a hit.... then again in the mid-90s at a Mardi Gras festival when most of those era bands were doing things like that and Casino's...... I must say... both shows were good, good voices still. But I can see how time drags on and is not kind to all singers.
I've been a Kansas fan from the 70's...they are, in my opinion, the greatest rock band of all time. Listen to their first 3 albums...absolute masterpieces! 🙂
Kerry (lead guitarist) wrote this song (Billy has only been with Kansas for about 25 years) and is an original founder though Rich (rhythm guitar) and Phil (drummer) are the only remaining original members still playing. This year their going on a 50th anniversary tour! ☺ Btw, the band has had many splits and returns since Kerry and Dave (the original bass player) became Christians (of whom I am also) in 1978; Kerry is undoubtedly one of the greatest song writers of all time! Although he doesn't sing you should check out his solo albums especially "When Things Get Electric". Thanks for reviewing this great song and my favorite band! ❤
@@todddale7041 So totally agree. Saw them on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert and went out and bought their debut album the next day. Then kept up with their albums into the '80s.
Kansas is very good...but the best......They broke up in 1970, and they are the best that ever was, or ever will be....without question THE BEATLES !!!
I seen Kansas in 1978. It was my first concert. Heart opened. It was Incredible for a young kid to watch these guys live. It's even more a thrill now to see they still are Great.
Every single person in the band was a virtuoso when they originally recorded this back in 1976. They have continued to craft this performance and know what the audience is waiting for. It is truly a magical experience to hear them perform live.
After just a few seconds into the song Beth says, "I already love it." This is a common reaction to a great song that you know will become huge, and maybe even reach classic status someday. This song came out when I was 16, which meant there were already a huge number of great songs competing for our attention in 1976, so this type of reaction was common back then.
I saw Kansas (along with The Alan Parsons Project) open for Yes in the late 90's or early 2000's. It was my first (and only) time seeing Kansas live. They were tight and sounded amazing.
This was written by Kerry Livgren. At the time he wrote it just because the record company said the record they were working on _("Leftoverture')_ needed at least one more song - something which sounded more like a hit. He didn't intend to write an autobiographical song, he just needed something that sounded hit-ish. Looking back on it *later,* he realized the lyrics really did fit with his state of mind at the time, He's also the writer of the major hit song of _"Dust in the Wind",_ which was part of the album after this one.
And I'm not sure without looking into it more, I know he and one of the other members left the band to persue solo Christian Rock careers. I actually own the original vinyl of Livgren's stuff, which wasn't bad - but wasn't Kansas. And, though I never followed Kansas after this, I've heard it said they were not as good without these two chaps. I'm of no real opinion on that.
@@whoaaanelly65 - Some of Kerry's post-Kansas work was released in a band named 'AD''. I also have a few of the solo albums he released under his own name.
@@garanceadrosehn9691 Been a while, but I "think" (gotta go look through my - massive - album collection to be sure of this, but I think AD was his first album, then there was one I have called recollections and one called Tineline. But I think AD was just the name of the album. But I was much younger then and I've not looked at them in a while. BUT! I was at an estate sale a few weeks back and bought another set of all three. Not sure why. 🤔
@@garanceadrosehn9691 I stand corrected. AD was the band and TimeLine his first AD album followed by Art Of The State, Reconstructions and Prime Mover, which I now have 2 copies of each. I stopped buying his stuff at that point, but it appears he made a lot more after and one before as a solo artist. It was John Elefante who also left Kansas with Livgren's and was the singer in the group with the highest vocal range. I never got into his solo stuff, but a friend I had at the time did. Anyway, just correcting myself.
I met Kerry Livgren in mid-March 2010, just a few months after his stroke and not long after this special show was recorded. Having conversed by e-mail a few times, he said "Drop by if you're in the neighborhood", so I did. I was at the tail end of a 9 week, 12,000 km solo road trip and just happened to be driving through Topeka, KS on my way home to Ontario, Canada. As I made my way up the driveway I was greeted by a couple of friendly dogs and a lady in a housecoat. We introduced ourselves, it was his lovely wife, Vicky. She remembered me from my e-mails and asked me to wait a few minutes as Kerry was just getting dressed. It was a bit of a struggle as he was still recovering. And, they were busy doing their taxes on the kitchen table. He met me at the front door, graciously invited me in and led me upstairs to show me his guitars and keyboards, gold records and all. He explained he was unable to play due to the stroke but was busy writing new material and remastering some of his previous work as part of his therapy. We had a nice chat, and all too soon it was time to go. As I walked down the stairs I couldn't help but notice a large, colourful picture above the front door - the original artwork from his 1980 solo album, Seeds of Change (a truly magnificent record, by the way. Check it out.). Goosebumps. All along the wall by the stairs were the typical family photos, but something stopped me at the bottom, causing me to look closer - a framed piece of 3-ring binder paper with some scribbled text written in pen and pencil - the original lyrics for Carry On Wayward Son. His son had found it amongst stuff in the attic. Let's just say there was a very strong mix of tears and even more goosebumps. His words and music have been a large part of the soundtrack of my life. I had Leftoverture and Point of Know Return on the two sides of a cassette (still have it, somewhere). I played that tape in my car over and over again on autoreverse for many years. This experience was the capstone of a marvelous journey, meeting Kerry was a thrill of a lifetime.
I love Kansas! However, I think this must have been a performance when they weren't on tour, with Steve Walsh's voice rested and ready to go. I saw them just a couple years before this performance, and Walsh's voice was nowhere near as good as it is in this video. He was very nasally and sounded strained at times; but hey, he was still the original and I wouldn't have it any other way! This is extra cool because Kerry Livgren(the guy with the long mustache) their original guitarist and chief songwriter, joined them on stage.
After just comparing this back to back with the original, I have to actually admit they may be even BETTER now than they were back then, and that's just so hard to even contemplate!
This takes me back. Bought this album back in high school. While I was stationed at Camp Lejeune in '77 I bought tickets to see them. As we loaded up, bought supplies (beer), and headed out we heard on the radio the show had been canceled.
Thank you, Beth, for reacting to my favorite Kansas song of all time (they are from my home state). Fun fact: there was a VH1 documentary about them several years ago. It talked about a lot of the bands they opened for not wanting them to open for them again. The reason; their performances blew the headliners off the stage!!
This one is a classic by them, as is, "Dust in the Wind". Thanks for checking them out. They are still banging at their age, remarkable. Possibly, the reason the audience isn't jumping around is because they are pensioners as well. We don't jump as well as we did.
You should have reacted to the live version they did at Canada Jam in 1978, and just seeing Steve Walsh banging those conga drums during the song and jumping around while playing his organ, not something you see in this day and age. His voice is also at the top of his game during that performance.
Beth, These guys were known for tight harmonies and soaring guitars!!!! They had great keyboards too... I adore your passion for music! This was one of their top songs..... Speaking of harmonies & pitch, may I suggest you locate and review Crosby, Stills, Nash. And later Neil Young. Their music is timeless.!!!! YES -- WOW!!!!! I shall state it once again -- you would have been a great Hippie chick... You are so wonderful....... Thank you....... Take care.... One thing that is super cool is that many in this audience were not born, when this was released......
You're quite young and I am delighted that you greatly appreciate this song, even live. I am grateful. In the 1970s, there were about 20 songs that defined the time. This is one of them. Thanks for watching and listening to a hallmark of my childhood.
@@SelectCircle Gotcha. For me, the lyrics were everything. If it was poetry, I remembered it. Just like in this song (Carry on my Wayward Son). There's a line where he says: I pretend to be a person of importance, as if I have a legit motivation to do what I do....but it's a total lie. It's the act of all acts. I'm really nothing at all. = "Masquerading as a man with a reason, my charade is the event of the season."
Beth what is so cool, David Ragsdale the youngest of the guitarist, attended the same high school I did in Columbus Georgia. When I was a senior he was a freshman and he was a one-man show during the talent contest. We remained friends for a good while but he went off to make a great name and Fortune for himself with this awesome rock group!!!! He's a star amongst Stars 🤩 love your reaction 💕
I looooove this song! I've been loving this for decades. And when it became the "Supernatural" anthem song it became even more special to all of us fans of the series.🤘
It's always great to hear when a song has a special meaning to someone, and even more so when it's a beloved part of a show or other media that we enjoy. The power of music to bring people together and create shared experiences is truly amazing!
Welcome to the age of true American rock stars! We are so pleased you reacted to Kansas. Perfect heads, hands and hearts for your eyes and ears. Thanks!
Your choice to analyze this song has been greatly appreciated. Now it's time for the Doobie Brothers' "Long Train Running" or (even better) "What a fool Believes"! :)
Saw them live 3xs..Last time was about 5 yrs ago.. When they sing " I was soaring ever higher " , the whole audience chimes in " But I FLEW TO HIGH" The band loved it!!!! Great concert , outstanding musicians!!!
This was actually toward the end of Steve being able to sing the full song without his voice breaking. Not too many years later he couldn’t reach the high notes anymore but still could sound great on everything else before he retired in 2014. My all time favorite band!!
I agree with you. They are legends and they still rock. This song is timeless and they perform it with so much energy and passion. Thank you for watching and commenting. 😊
I know you like the live performances for the reasons of analysis, but watch the "official" video for this song to compare their "younger" voices. It'll be worth it 🙌🏼
This came out when I was in high school. The author of the song and pretty much all of their songs is Mr Kerry Livgren. He is the gent that was playing the teal guitar in the middle with the sunglasses and long mustache. Their form of rock was compared to classical music with its time signatures. Glad you enjoyed it.
One of my favourite bands!! Steve Walsh's voice is so brilliant! I recommend: On The Other Side (official video) and The Pinnacle (70's version). Two amazing songs with incredible vocals, believe it.
This song always gets to me, i never forget the very first time i heard it. It was when watching one of my favorite shows of all time Supernatural, for the very first time as well. They do still rock, even though they are alot older now. You are such a great vocal coach Beth, and always a joy to watch your reactions, they are always so fun and genuine. :)
At this point in their history, the composer and multi-instrumentalist Kerry Livgren, had been away from the band for quite some time. I believe he is guesting here, or it was during his brief return. He is the lead guitarist for this song, has the wild beard. Steve Walsh, the singer, was one of the greatest voices in the business, and an under-rated wizard on keyboards. He and Kerry shared Keyboard duties. Another singer in the band, Robby Steinhardt, who also played violin, had left at this point, but was a great harmonic singer, plus could sing lead. He was replaced by David Ragsdale, then he came back and left again, and Ragsdale returned. Billy Greer came in on bass after Dave Hope left the original band. Drummer, Phil Erhart has been their only drummer, and Richard Williams as guitarist, both lead and rhythm, been a constant since the founding. Their catalog is incredible, many masterpieces, but the truly best of the best, in my opinion, has Kerry's touch on them. Even the band members talk about his great compositions. Nicely done, Beth!
Kerry Livgren is the man - the guitar man! His exodus to Christian rock really got our notice back then! Listen to him on 2nd Chapter of Acts "Rejoice" album plus so much more.
Yeah you should have heard Steve Walsh - the keys guy & lead singer - when he was young! He and Steve Perry and Lou Gramm were just the best - Perry was ethereal, Gramm bluesy & gritty, and Walsh was earth & sky power. Dust in the Wind is a great vocals showcase of Walsh & violinist Robbie Steinhardt… but you’ll be amazed at Steve on Icarus or Journey from Mariabronn! Enjoy one of the best 5 bands I’ve ever heard - and I’m nearly 65!
Kansas is one of the greatest bands of all time, and has been my favorite band since high school (oddly, I was introduced to them because I played clarinet in high school band, and Carry On Wayward Son was one of our pep band tunes. It wasn't until I was a junior in high school that I heard the song on the radio for the first time. I had to check them out and I was hooked ever since -- that was around 1998). There are really just two time signatures in this song. It starts in 4/4, moves to 12/8, and then back and forth throughout. But yeah, they're a progressive rock band, so multiple time signature changes are common in their music. As a classically-trained musician, it's one of the things I enjoy most about them. Also, Billy Greer didn't write this song. Kerry Livgren did. People assume it's about the prodigal son story from the Bible, but Livgren didn't actually become a Christian until around five years after this song was recorded and released on this album. Much of his music has been about his search through religion and philosophy for truth and he finally settled on Christianity. Other people have given background information on this song and the band, so I'll just mention that this song is actually the third song of a trilogy. This song appeared on Leftoverture, probably their most iconic album. Their prior album was called Masque. The last two songs on it are called Mysteries and Mayhem and The Pinnacle (The Pinnacle is probably my favorite Kansas song of all time). Mysteries and Mayhem ends with a melody line that fades out and starts The Pinnacle, albeit at a slower tempo. The last stanza of The Pinnacle says "I stood where no man goes/Above the din I rose/Life is amusing/Though we are losing/Drowned in tears of awe". And of course, Carry On Wayward Son's first verse begins "Once I rose above the noise and confusion", and "noise and confusion" is just a synonym for "din". So the song picks up where The Pinnacle left off.
I discovered Kansas way back when they released their first album and I've been listening to them ever since. My all time favourite song of theirs is "Incomudro-Hymn To The Atman". It's mostly instrumental and it's, in my opinion, a truly fabulous song. It was bands like Kansas, YES and ELP that made me love "long" songs.
Most guys lose their range as they get older, these guys haven't lost much of anything, it's really amazing. They're just as good as they were back in the day. I'm only 51 and I've already lost all of my falsetto, and about an octave and a half of my natural range. These guys are absolute legends!
Most of the band members here aren't the original members....including the lead singer. I'm not sure of anyone's ages but the lead vocalist MIGHT be a fair bit younger than the others. Somebody else should correct me if I'm wrong (and will, I'm sure...lol).
@@Pixelologist He's the same age and he is the original lead singer. I don't recognize a few of the guys, but the two guitarists on the left are original members too, so the core of the original band is still there, and they still rock.
@@Pixelologist Ok, since you asked :) You are way off. There are more members of the original lineup on stage than not. You have Rich Williams and Kerry Livgren on guitar (the latter wrote the song). Then Steve Walsh (original singer/keyboardist) and Phil Ehart (founder of the band on drums). The other 2 guys are not original but have been with the band for decades.
I got to see this Band live in the Chicago area many years ago and in a smaller indoor theater. So I was sitting up close to the stage watching their performance. This is one of their Signature songs for Kansas and to hear them do this song just blows your mind away. When they did this song, it was one of the last songs of the evening. You picked a good song to analyze. Thank you and take care.
That was Kerry Livgren with the long mustaches in center stage. He left the band in the late 80's (they had their day in the 70's and just had lost their audience so band members wandered off into solo projects). So it was good to see him back. He was the main songwriter and tells the story of this song often. He often feels there is divine intervention in his music because these amazing songs seem to write themselves. He's a very spiritual man. He's also an astoundingly amazing musician and song writer. So good to see them jamming together all of these years. I know vocal coaches like to watch the live versions, but you have to hear the studio version and Steve Walsh's sustain on that "No more!" line near the end. It is one of the most astounding rock vocal performances ever.
Beth, if you want to hear them in their younger years for comparison you should really check out a late 70s live version... Kansas - Carry On Wayward Son (Live from Canada Jam) is a fun, high energy performance!
I didn’t know how you were going to pull off another great song review. I love Kansas. Heard this power ballad, Carry on My Wayward Son, live in concert in the 70s. Listening to this great radio staple play was just something you took for granted back in the day. Kansas was just one of many great arena rock bands from the 70s. Keep it going with your joyful song reviews of great 70s and 80s classical great songs.
Kansas is something special. What are the chances that six world class musicians came out of a tiny town in Kansas called Topeka. I recommend anyone that is interested to look up the documentary “Miracles out of nowhere “. The story is quite amazing.😊
Under the category of "this is kind of a big deal", this song is KOABD. It's been played around the world for 45 years as it's one of the biggest rock songs of the 70's. I get that was five decades ago, but there has not been a day since that this song hasn't been played on rock stations all over the world and literally no one who listens to rock music who doesn't know this song. Kerry Livengren wrote this song. Kansas recorded two of the best rock albums of the late 70s, "Leftoverture", which this is off of, and "Point of know return", which features the world wide hit "Dust in the wind" which I'm sure you've heard and is equally deserving of a critique. The lead singer is Steve Walsh, who is flat out legend.
Just as a comparison, check out a live performance from the 1970s. This was surprisingly fantastic. Please do the earlier one and let us know what you think. Btw, many great songs to listen to, from this band. 🙂
Beth u really need to hit tge documentary Miracls Out Of Nowhere. Thstsvanother tremendous song to do as well. Kerry Livgren is the composer of this one. And Steve Walsh is in the Brad Delph, Steve Perry class.
Great reaction Beth to an immortal classic from the incredible prog rock virtuosos Kansas.Kerry Livgren their compositional genius left the band in the 80's wrote this song & many more of their classics. Steve Walsh here though damn good is a shadow of the singer he was in their heyday which is extraordinary. Would try finding some live footage from the 70's for their great classic from the same album "The Wall" another of Kerry's masterpieces. The late Robby Steinhardt who was their original violinist for decades also harmonised with Steve beautifully in a lower register & sang lead on a number songs. Billy took over the main back up vocalist job when Robby left but in a higher register. You should search for Billy singing lead solo, he is a fantastic singer. All the best.
The primary writer of this piece is Kerry Livgren, who wasn’t a member of the band at the time of this recording but appears in this anniversary performance with them (along with other past members like Steve Morse). He’s the middle guitarist on stage, with the long mustache and blue PRS.
Steve Walsh had to leave the group several years ago because his voice was shot. He was replaced by a good singer but they are almost a tribute band now. P.S. Kansas is one my fave bands of all time. Such complex, intricate music.
Although Ronnie Platt is not quite up to the level of Steve they have actually made a couple of really good albums with him. The Absence Of Presence from 2020 and The Prelude Implicit from 2016 are pretty good.
Maybve so, but most bands from the 60's and 70's that are still performing have all lost original members over the years. Phil Ehart and Rich Williams have kept Kansas going. Steve retired because I believe he was tired of touring and didn't want to record new music as obviously the other band members did. And yes, The Prelude Implicit and Absence of Presence are excellent albums. Although, when Steve retired he came out with the album 'Black Butterfly' with Jerome Mazza which is stellar.
The studio version of this song is terrifying. A masterclass of 70s composition and production.
Kansas were a pioneering band in prog rock, for sure. Every bit of their music and vocals are so wonderful to listen to.
That's where I have to say I'd much prefer to have Beth reacting to the original (and this holds true for all reactors), particularly when the "Live" version is from 30 years after the song was released). You're just not getting the true impact of the song. Do they sound phenomenal for guys in their 60s? Absolutely, but the original recording is on the short list of greatest songs ever. Occasionally there's instances where the live version is better, but those are rarities and almost always within a few years of the original's release.
@@HeavyTopspin Yeah. Without the original to compare this live performance to, it's hard to appreciate how the vocals have changed (because of age) and the studio version is just a production masterpiece.
It's like listening to a live Boston song as opposed to the album (which I've seen reactors do unfortunately). While Kansas wasn't a studio band like Boston, there's nothing that going to match the multitrack harmonies and fidelity of the album version.
@Sword Monkey And of course, analog vs the limited sound quality of digital. Analog has the warmth and presence that I don't see digital ever achieving. A master cut on vinyl.. No auto-tune mess, that sterilizes the music.
I understand why so many reactors choose live versions, but it's a shame we can't see them react to the same things we heard on the radio and albums growing up that captured our youth.
Steve Walsh of Kansas and Brad Delp of Boston are two of my all time fave Rock vocalists.
You are right. ....... and Lou Gramm.
Lou Graham too
And Steve Perry too 😊
You have good taste Mauro. Throw in Paul Rodgers and you have a trifecta.
RIP Brad Delp. Miss those angelic high notes he could hit
Wow, wasn't expecting them them to be able to "Carry On" this well into their age. This band has always been fantastic!
They really have held it together better than most haven't they? Wow...
I've seen them even more recently than this performance. (2011 to be exact)
@@MycontentisgoldJerryGold They had a tour in 2019-2020 - Point of Know Return Live & Beyond.
one of the best
Technically they haven’t. None of these guys sang on the original recording.
Seems you've hit a certain demographic with this one. (Hello, fellow mid-seventies teens! 😉) I couldn't pass up watching you experience this and I won't lie, I was disappointed when I saw it was a live version from 2009, thinking you weren't going to hear them at their best, but this performance was awesome! That was an extremely pleasant surprise and I'm so happy to find that they sounded so amazing 33 years after they released it. That really was as good as you would have heard live in concert back in the day. So impressive! Do yourself a favor and go listen to the 1976 studio version and then imagine turning on your 1969 Nova and hearing this song on the radio everytime you got in the car. (And your parents yelling at you to turn it down because it's impossible not to want want to hear it at top volume. Lol) Those of us who are ... a little more seasoned ... really did have great music to grow up with! Thanks for this one, it was fun to see you appreciating their talent. ❤🎵🎼
Fellow mid-seventies teen here! I introduced this song to my nephews and now my sister gets to yell at them to turn the music down! LOL!
As a fellow mid seventies teen I also was surprised at how awesome they still are. But yes, I agree that Beth should listen to the original vinyl release! One of my top ten favorites of that era! ✌🇨🇦🎸🎸👍💯
@@trfatman Excellent! Only the best uncles can do their nephews a favor and torture their sister at the same time! You multi-tasker, you! 🤣
You exactly expressed my thoughts! Boy, was I pleasantly surprised! This was a great live version, but I agree that she needs to hear the studio version.
'Nuther mid-seventies teen here. I'm *blown away* at how good this sounded in 2009. Wow!
Supernatural really did bring back this classic.Like a fine wine they just get better with age. Amazing reaction Beth!
Supernatural brought back a lot of old rock classics! One of the thing that made the show good.
The Supernatural tracklist is just gold beginning to end. Have to wonder how much money they must've spent getting the rights.
As a supernatural fan, this song means a lot to me. All season finales used to start with this song. This song is what's left of all the seasons and adventures. I get goosebumps whenever I hear it. Thank you so much Kansas for this great song.
Me too I dedicate this song to Sam, Dean, and Castiel. Continue fighting the good fight boys
@@McGeek82 Wasn't easy to still hit those high notes at their ages as the voice deepens with time !
The guy playing lead, with the green guitar wrote this song. His name is Kerry Livgren. He hasn't been with the band in a long time, but he happened to make a guest appearance with them at this show. He also wrote their other big hit called "Dust in the Wind". Billy Greer wasn't in the original band and didn't contribute to any of the albums from Kansas before 1986. The band during the height of their success, which was from around 1973 until the early 1980's, consisted of Steve Walsh (Lead Vocals, Keyboards), Kerry Livgren (Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals), Rich Williams (Rhythm Guitar, Lead Guitar), Dave Hope (Bass, Backing Vocals), Phil Ehart (Drums), and Robbie Steinhardt (Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Violin). Dave Hope, and Robbie Steinhardt aren't in this video. Definitely the best band to ever come out of Kansas, and in my opinion one of the best American bands ever.
Thanks for taking the time to mention each by name and honor them, they absolutely deserve it! Rock on 🤘😎🤘
@@cryptoking7093 R.I.P. Robby Steinhardt.
@@lensnart1303 absolutely 🙏
If you want to listen to music like Kansas, try Livgren's off-shoot band, Proto-Kaw.
Billy Greer joined the band in their 1985 reformation, making his debut appearance on Power. He had previously worked with Kansas keyboardist/vocalist Steve Walsh in the band Streets, and works with his own band Seventh Key when not performing with Kansas. He also was a member of the 2009 Kansas side project Native Window along with Kansas members Phil Ehart, Richard Williams, and David Ragsdale. (Wiki)
This and Dust In The Wind are still two of my all time favourite songs. RIP Robby Steinhardt.
Point of Know Return, great song, also
Robbie was a great guy. He used to come in the Free State Brewery in Lawrence and buy rounds for the house. Which was a couple hundred beers at a time.
ROBBY DOING HIS THING ON THE MIC,LISTEN TO[ DOWN THE ROAD 1976] get a glimpse of the first time i heard them from 6 feet away,i worked with STEVES DAD, this band is THE band OF OUR YOUTH
Beth, I am surprised you haven't heard this band. One of their most famous songs is "Dust in the Wind", highly recommended for a reaction if you haven't heard it. A beautiful, exquisite song which I am sure you will enjoy very much, as we all do. 💯💫🤘
Also a beautifully often covered song, by Sarah Brightman, Daria Zaritskaya and many other wonderful voices.
Any Supernatural fan will immediately recognize this hit.... meanwhile, those of us who lived in that era realize what a monster it was.
It make me realize what we've lost in modern music melody ability. The music of this era spoke to our soul.
You know what happened at the Supernatural panel at San Diego Comic Con in 2017, right? :D
ua-cam.com/video/hDzKP61mXXs/v-deo.html
I've done both lol
Both here, and this song just never gets old...
Add that Supernatural is directly responsible for two covers to this beautiful song just shows how much much the two are intertwined
To be able to still carry those high notes at this point in their careers is a testament to their longevity. This song was something that blew me away as a young teen when I first heard it and still does because of those harmonies and those time changes all coming together in a rock n roll classic.
Top five all time song for me.
Saw Kansas live in 2010...right before Steve Walsh retired from the band. What I saw was, in essence, this presentation of the band...one of the absolute BEST concerts I've ever been to. So, SO good that I couldn't believe it. Seeing Kansas live was a 'bucket list' item, which is complete, I'm happy to say.
Couldn’t agree more, Father!
Caught them in Atlantic City in 2005😅It was my long dream to see them live.
This is a perfect example of the difference between a modern day concert, which is typically a full theatrical production, and when the band just comes out and the music is everything.
No Click Tracks or Auto Tune Here, Beth Just pure talent.
I love the way you analyse songs that I’ve known, and loved, for years, but you describe things that I wasn’t aware of. You add another layer that makes me listen even closer and that gives me a different perspective and whole new appreciation for it.
Really well said. Yeah! I feel the same. 😊
This is probably the best live version of Carry On Wayward Son I've ever heard.
I saw them in 1987 and ?I couldnt agree more.
Original lineup live 1976: ua-cam.com/video/ldDZSVkN2Yo/v-deo.html song at 43:53
@@orangeandblackattack New Years Eve '77 -'78 they broke into the opening harmony at midnight, one of my favorite concert memories! Has to be my favorite version👍👍
Indeed. What is this recording from? Somebody say it!
Why? 70's live versions are thousand times better
That's why we had THE BEST music in the 70's! Rock on people!
I've seen Kansas twice, 40 years apart. In the 1970's, I saw them in Lakeland; in the early 2000's, in St. Pete. In both shows, they were flawless.:)
I too have seen Kansas twice. I saw them first in 1975 on their tour to promote their second album, “Song For America”. It was then more than thirty years until I saw them again in the mid two thousands.
The first time in 75 they were the opening act for ZZTop on their “Fandango” tour, and the second time it was REO Speedwagon, Kansas, and Styx.
♥️✌🏼😎
@@randyhochstein8455 that sounds like an awesome show! I miss the festival days. Maybe they will come back!:)
@@jasonbean2764 unfortunately, even if they did all those great artists are either pretty old, or even passed on.
✌🏼😎
Never seen this live version before. Very cool. This was one of THE iconic rock songs of the '70s.
Kerry Livgren (along with Carry On Wayward Son), and Steve Morse guest and play on a couple of tracks :). The DVD and Album is called "No Place Like Home".
Know Place like Home
@@guykriz2597 I guess the whole title is; "There's Know Place Like Home" 😉.
It still is
I am struggling with which do I love more 1. observing Beth thoroughly enjoying the thick power cords and soudscapes of this loved old piece 2. or, listening to Beth enjoying the beautiful harmonies of a band whose music filled the spaces that friends and I would enjoy in our younger years, e.g., forest bonfires, home parties which featured friends covering Rock classics, and/or impromptu meetups at a water's edge with our acoustics, just to name a few. Thank you Beth for covering a loved band and one of their ferocious pieces. 🌺
I'll admit it was Supernatural that initially made me like this band but it's brilliant to see how great they still are.
How have you missed this epic song? This one is so iconic, thought everyone had heard it. Glad you like it.
Likely because it was a classic well before her time?
@@JohnDoe-ff2fc Yeah because noone listens to songs that were made before they were born...
@@martin6181 You have to bear in mind that how folk experience music now is very different from how we did. The availability of literally everything on streaming services means that people search for what they know and do it as individual tracks - so if they haven't heard of it, they never find it.
I encountered this at a party when I was in Sixth Form at school (so I was seventeen :)) and a mate of mine put it on the turntable ... and so I found Kansas. I'd no idea they existed until that moment.
I remember this song because I was in my 20's when it hit..and it's been a real effort to keep up with music over the last 50 years. Beth and her younger generation probably feels the same going backwards. Just saying.
They're an American rock band and it's before her time. With that said so is Meatloaf so I don't really know lol
That's a great live version.. Thank you Beth..
Lead singer and kb player is Steve Walsh... MASSIVE talent.
When he was younger in the 1970's he could do a HANDSTAND on his keys and NOT MISS A NOTE
@@axandio In the video based on the original track he also plays bongos like a demon as well as rocking the keyboards and singing like a god.
Given the time frame of this recording I'm flat amazed at how good Steve sounds. I saw the band a few times in the years prior to his retirement in 2014, and his voice was getting pretty ragged. He had unfortunately given himself to some of the traditional rock star excesses, and unfortunately the human voice is not a very forgiving instrument when the body is abused.
@@mrz80 I saw them after their heyday in the early 80's when they were still touring "Hold On... Baby Hold On..." was a hit.... then again in the mid-90s at a Mardi Gras festival when most of those era bands were doing things like that and Casino's...... I must say... both shows were good, good voices still. But I can see how time drags on and is not kind to all singers.
I've been a Kansas fan from the 70's...they are, in my opinion, the greatest rock band of all time. Listen to their first 3 albums...absolute masterpieces! 🙂
Kerry (lead guitarist) wrote this song (Billy has only been with Kansas for about 25 years) and is an original founder though Rich (rhythm guitar) and Phil (drummer) are the only remaining original members still playing. This year their going on a 50th anniversary tour! ☺ Btw, the band has had many splits and returns since Kerry and Dave (the original bass player) became Christians (of whom I am also) in 1978; Kerry is undoubtedly one of the greatest song writers of all time! Although he doesn't sing you should check out his solo albums especially "When Things Get Electric". Thanks for reviewing this great song and my favorite band! ❤
@@todddale7041 So totally agree. Saw them on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert and went out and bought their debut album the next day. Then kept up with their albums into the '80s.
Kansas is very good...but the best......They broke up in 1970, and they are the best that ever was, or ever will be....without question THE BEATLES !!!
I seen Kansas in 1978. It was my first concert. Heart opened. It was Incredible for a young kid to watch these guys live. It's even more a thrill now to see they still are Great.
I saw them back then too. The live show oozed testosterone and power as well as tight, musical skill.
Every single person in the band was a virtuoso when they originally recorded this back in 1976. They have continued to craft this performance and know what the audience is waiting for. It is truly a magical experience to hear them perform live.
After just a few seconds into the song Beth says, "I already love it." This is a common reaction to a great song that you know will become huge, and maybe even reach classic status someday. This song came out when I was 16, which meant there were already a huge number of great songs competing for our attention in 1976, so this type of reaction was common back then.
I saw Kansas (along with The Alan Parsons Project) open for Yes in the late 90's or early 2000's. It was my first (and only) time seeing Kansas live. They were tight and sounded amazing.
This was written by Kerry Livgren. At the time he wrote it just because the record company said the record they were working on _("Leftoverture')_ needed at least one more song - something which sounded more like a hit. He didn't intend to write an autobiographical song, he just needed something that sounded hit-ish. Looking back on it *later,* he realized the lyrics really did fit with his state of mind at the time, He's also the writer of the major hit song of _"Dust in the Wind",_ which was part of the album after this one.
And I'm not sure without looking into it more, I know he and one of the other members left the band to persue solo Christian Rock careers. I actually own the original vinyl of Livgren's stuff, which wasn't bad - but wasn't Kansas. And, though I never followed Kansas after this, I've heard it said they were not as good without these two chaps. I'm of no real opinion on that.
@@whoaaanelly65 - Some of Kerry's post-Kansas work was released in a band named 'AD''. I also have a few of the solo albums he released under his own name.
@@garanceadrosehn9691 Been a while, but I "think" (gotta go look through my - massive - album collection to be sure of this, but I think AD was his first album, then there was one I have called recollections and one called Tineline. But I think AD was just the name of the album. But I was much younger then and I've not looked at them in a while. BUT! I was at an estate sale a few weeks back and bought another set of all three. Not sure why. 🤔
@@garanceadrosehn9691 I stand corrected. AD was the band and TimeLine his first AD album followed by Art Of The State, Reconstructions and Prime Mover, which I now have 2 copies of each. I stopped buying his stuff at that point, but it appears he made a lot more after and one before as a solo artist.
It was John Elefante who also left Kansas with Livgren's and was the singer in the group with the highest vocal range. I never got into his solo stuff, but a friend I had at the time did.
Anyway, just correcting myself.
I met Kerry Livgren in mid-March 2010, just a few months after his stroke and not long after this special show was recorded. Having conversed by e-mail a few times, he said "Drop by if you're in the neighborhood", so I did. I was at the tail end of a 9 week, 12,000 km solo road trip and just happened to be driving through Topeka, KS on my way home to Ontario, Canada. As I made my way up the driveway I was greeted by a couple of friendly dogs and a lady in a housecoat. We introduced ourselves, it was his lovely wife, Vicky. She remembered me from my e-mails and asked me to wait a few minutes as Kerry was just getting dressed. It was a bit of a struggle as he was still recovering. And, they were busy doing their taxes on the kitchen table. He met me at the front door, graciously invited me in and led me upstairs to show me his guitars and keyboards, gold records and all. He explained he was unable to play due to the stroke but was busy writing new material and remastering some of his previous work as part of his therapy. We had a nice chat, and all too soon it was time to go. As I walked down the stairs I couldn't help but notice a large, colourful picture above the front door - the original artwork from his 1980 solo album, Seeds of Change (a truly magnificent record, by the way. Check it out.). Goosebumps. All along the wall by the stairs were the typical family photos, but something stopped me at the bottom, causing me to look closer - a framed piece of 3-ring binder paper with some scribbled text written in pen and pencil - the original lyrics for Carry On Wayward Son. His son had found it amongst stuff in the attic. Let's just say there was a very strong mix of tears and even more goosebumps. His words and music have been a large part of the soundtrack of my life. I had Leftoverture and Point of Know Return on the two sides of a cassette (still have it, somewhere). I played that tape in my car over and over again on autoreverse for many years. This experience was the capstone of a marvelous journey, meeting Kerry was a thrill of a lifetime.
Great rendition. But man you have to hear them in their prime. Powerhouse voice.
Amazing how they can sound like that after so many years. Their voices sound so young. Almost on par with the 1976 studio recording.
I just played this track and the original at the same time on UA-cam and it blew me away.
I love Kansas! However, I think this must have been a performance when they weren't on tour, with Steve Walsh's voice rested and ready to go. I saw them just a couple years before this performance, and Walsh's voice was nowhere near as good as it is in this video. He was very nasally and sounded strained at times; but hey, he was still the original and I wouldn't have it any other way!
This is extra cool because Kerry Livgren(the guy with the long mustache) their original guitarist and chief songwriter, joined them on stage.
After just comparing this back to back with the original, I have to actually admit they may be even BETTER now than they were back then, and that's just so hard to even contemplate!
This takes me back. Bought this album back in high school.
While I was stationed at Camp Lejeune in '77 I bought tickets to see them. As we loaded up, bought supplies (beer), and headed out we heard on the radio the show had been canceled.
Hope you didn't drink the water 💦🤠
Thank you, Beth, for reacting to my favorite Kansas song of all time (they are from my home state). Fun fact: there was a VH1 documentary about them several years ago. It talked about a lot of the bands they opened for not wanting them to open for them again. The reason; their performances blew the headliners off the stage!!
Aerosmith pulled the plug on their set because the were stealing the show.
This one is a classic by them, as is, "Dust in the Wind". Thanks for checking them out. They are still banging at their age, remarkable. Possibly, the reason the audience isn't jumping around is because they are pensioners as well. We don't jump as well as we did.
You should have reacted to the live version they did at Canada Jam in 1978, and just seeing Steve Walsh banging those conga drums during the song and jumping around while playing his organ, not something you see in this day and age. His voice is also at the top of his game during that performance.
Yup, this is musician miracle.
Such a great band. Their song "The Wall" is a festival of great melodic vocal lines.
Beth,
These guys were known for tight harmonies and soaring guitars!!!! They had great keyboards too... I adore your passion for music! This was one of their top songs..... Speaking of harmonies & pitch, may I suggest you locate and review Crosby, Stills, Nash. And later Neil Young. Their music is timeless.!!!! YES -- WOW!!!!!
I shall state it once again -- you would have been a great Hippie chick... You are so wonderful....... Thank you....... Take care....
One thing that is super cool is that many in this audience were not born, when this was released......
I love how the music took you away and you had to remind yourself to put your vocal coach hat back on - great reaction!
One of my very favorite songs. Incredibly well written and performed. Classic!!!
You're quite young and I am delighted that you greatly appreciate this song, even live. I am grateful. In the 1970s, there were about 20 songs that defined the time. This is one of them. Thanks for watching and listening to a hallmark of my childhood.
Shoot. Back in the day there was a new classic song on the radio to wow us every dang night! And we thought it would go on like this forever. 8 /
@@SelectCircle It was our form of poetry committed to amazing music - wasn't it?
@@carlrosa1130 Lyrics never much affected me. I was an unhappy kid - looking for riffs to send me elsewhere.
@@SelectCircle Gotcha. For me, the lyrics were everything. If it was poetry, I remembered it. Just like in this song (Carry on my Wayward Son). There's a line where he says: I pretend to be a person of importance, as if I have a legit motivation to do what I do....but it's a total lie. It's the act of all acts. I'm really nothing at all. = "Masquerading as a man with a reason, my charade is the event of the season."
LOVE your enthusiastic reaction to a classic rock song!
Every member of this band is heavily underrated! Kerry is never mentioned among guitar shredders and the dude absolutely shreds!!!!
Beth what is so cool, David Ragsdale the youngest of the guitarist, attended the same high school I did in Columbus Georgia. When I was a senior he was a freshman and he was a one-man show during the talent contest. We remained friends for a good while but he went off to make a great name and Fortune for himself with this awesome rock group!!!! He's a star amongst Stars 🤩 love your reaction 💕
I looooove this song! I've been loving this for decades. And when it became the "Supernatural" anthem song it became even more special to all of us fans of the series.🤘
It's always great to hear when a song has a special meaning to someone, and even more so when it's a beloved part of a show or other media that we enjoy. The power of music to bring people together and create shared experiences is truly amazing!
Welcome to the age of true American rock stars! We are so pleased you reacted to Kansas. Perfect heads, hands and hearts for your eyes and ears. Thanks!
Your choice to analyze this song has been greatly appreciated. Now it's time for the Doobie Brothers' "Long Train Running" or (even better) "What a fool Believes"! :)
Saw them live 3xs..Last time was about 5 yrs ago.. When they sing " I was soaring ever higher " , the whole audience chimes in " But I FLEW TO HIGH" The band loved it!!!! Great concert , outstanding musicians!!!
Holy Cow!! Had no idea you haven't done these guys. You MUST do "Dust In The Wind" asap. The harmonizing will give you goosebumps! Promise
They really do sound great after all these years! ✌
And I appreciate that they resisted speeding up the tempo as some bands will do live.
These dude’s have been rocking forever
Love how you come into these songs with little to no previous experience of them and still have very intelligent and insightful comments.
This was actually toward the end of Steve being able to sing the full song without his voice breaking. Not too many years later he couldn’t reach the high notes anymore but still could sound great on everything else before he retired in 2014. My all time favorite band!!
After all these years, these guys still got it. Always loved this song, and they still do it justice after all of these decades. Carry on gentlemen!
I agree with you. They are legends and they still rock. This song is timeless and they perform it with so much energy and passion. Thank you for watching and commenting. 😊
I know you like the live performances for the reasons of analysis, but watch the "official" video for this song to compare their "younger" voices. It'll be worth it 🙌🏼
Wow they slayed this song! It's incredible they are both still able to hit those notes after nearly 50 years.
This is a perfect song in so many ways!
Glad you had a chance to reveal it.
This came out when I was in high school. The author of the song and pretty much all of their songs is Mr Kerry Livgren. He is the gent that was playing the teal guitar in the middle with the sunglasses and long mustache. Their form of rock was compared to classical music with its time signatures. Glad you enjoyed it.
They were a progressive rock band. Probably THE progressive rock band in the US. Ever.
One of my favourite bands!! Steve Walsh's voice is so brilliant! I recommend: On The Other Side (official video) and The Pinnacle (70's version). Two amazing songs with incredible vocals, believe it.
Walsh was starting to lose his voice at this time … when healthy he was one of the best
I agree 100%! His highlights was in the 70's. But I think he always be remembered as one of the best singers in the history of Progressive Rock.
His voice was amazing when they first started the band and was considered one of the best voices in rock and his voice at this show is still so good.
Supernatural revived this song.
This song always gets to me, i never forget the very first time i heard it. It was when watching one of my favorite shows of all time Supernatural, for the very first time as well. They do still rock, even though they are alot older now. You are such a great vocal coach Beth, and always a joy to watch your reactions, they are always so fun and genuine. :)
At this point in their history, the composer and multi-instrumentalist Kerry Livgren, had been away from the band for quite some time. I believe he is guesting here, or it was during his brief return. He is the lead guitarist for this song, has the wild beard. Steve Walsh, the singer, was one of the greatest voices in the business, and an under-rated wizard on keyboards. He and Kerry shared Keyboard duties. Another singer in the band, Robby Steinhardt, who also played violin, had left at this point, but was a great harmonic singer, plus could sing lead. He was replaced by David Ragsdale, then he came back and left again, and Ragsdale returned. Billy Greer came in on bass after Dave Hope left the original band. Drummer, Phil Erhart has been their only drummer, and Richard Williams as guitarist, both lead and rhythm, been a constant since the founding. Their catalog is incredible, many masterpieces, but the truly best of the best, in my opinion, has Kerry's touch on them. Even the band members talk about his great compositions. Nicely done, Beth!
I love to see her rocking out to it. And she's spot on, I never heard those vocals like this. I usually don't like live but this is great!
Kerry Livgren is the man - the guitar man! His exodus to Christian rock really got our notice back then! Listen to him on 2nd Chapter of Acts "Rejoice" album plus so much more.
"High on a Hill" "Up from the Wasteland" and many more!
Kansas was my son's first concert in 1998 at a local casino........ he's my 70's rock loving kid✌️
Yeah you should have heard Steve Walsh - the keys guy & lead singer - when he was young! He and Steve Perry and Lou Gramm were just the best - Perry was ethereal, Gramm bluesy & gritty, and Walsh was earth & sky power.
Dust in the Wind is a great vocals showcase of Walsh & violinist Robbie Steinhardt… but you’ll be amazed at Steve on Icarus or Journey from Mariabronn! Enjoy one of the best 5 bands I’ve ever heard - and I’m nearly 65!
Most of the original members are in their early to mid 70's now. Pretty amazing to still be able to crank out this complex progressive 70s hit.
Kansas is one of the greatest bands of all time, and has been my favorite band since high school (oddly, I was introduced to them because I played clarinet in high school band, and Carry On Wayward Son was one of our pep band tunes. It wasn't until I was a junior in high school that I heard the song on the radio for the first time. I had to check them out and I was hooked ever since -- that was around 1998). There are really just two time signatures in this song. It starts in 4/4, moves to 12/8, and then back and forth throughout. But yeah, they're a progressive rock band, so multiple time signature changes are common in their music. As a classically-trained musician, it's one of the things I enjoy most about them. Also, Billy Greer didn't write this song. Kerry Livgren did. People assume it's about the prodigal son story from the Bible, but Livgren didn't actually become a Christian until around five years after this song was recorded and released on this album. Much of his music has been about his search through religion and philosophy for truth and he finally settled on Christianity.
Other people have given background information on this song and the band, so I'll just mention that this song is actually the third song of a trilogy. This song appeared on Leftoverture, probably their most iconic album. Their prior album was called Masque. The last two songs on it are called Mysteries and Mayhem and The Pinnacle (The Pinnacle is probably my favorite Kansas song of all time). Mysteries and Mayhem ends with a melody line that fades out and starts The Pinnacle, albeit at a slower tempo. The last stanza of The Pinnacle says "I stood where no man goes/Above the din I rose/Life is amusing/Though we are losing/Drowned in tears of awe". And of course, Carry On Wayward Son's first verse begins "Once I rose above the noise and confusion", and "noise and confusion" is just a synonym for "din". So the song picks up where The Pinnacle left off.
This one is among the best classic rock songs EVER. For sure.
I discovered Kansas way back when they released their first album and I've been listening to them ever since. My all time favourite song of theirs is "Incomudro-Hymn To The Atman". It's mostly instrumental and it's, in my opinion, a truly fabulous song. It was bands like Kansas, YES and ELP that made me love "long" songs.
Im glad to have been around for the 60,70 and 80's to hear great music! let us not forget the 50's I had many 45's but was a very young lad!
I recommend Dust in the Wind as your next Kansas song. Great vocal performance and it's probably they next best known song.
Beth, the way you express joy is contagious.
Most guys lose their range as they get older, these guys haven't lost much of anything, it's really amazing. They're just as good as they were back in the day. I'm only 51 and I've already lost all of my falsetto, and about an octave and a half of my natural range. These guys are absolute legends!
Most of the band members here aren't the original members....including the lead singer. I'm not sure of anyone's ages but the lead vocalist MIGHT be a fair bit younger than the others. Somebody else should correct me if I'm wrong (and will, I'm sure...lol).
@@Pixelologist He's the same age and he is the original lead singer. I don't recognize a few of the guys, but the two guitarists on the left are original members too, so the core of the original band is still there, and they still rock.
@@Pixelologist Ok, since you asked :) You are way off. There are more members of the original lineup on stage than not. You have Rich Williams and Kerry Livgren on guitar (the latter wrote the song). Then Steve Walsh (original singer/keyboardist) and Phil Ehart (founder of the band on drums). The other 2 guys are not original but have been with the band for decades.
I got to see this Band live in the Chicago area many years ago and in a smaller indoor theater. So I was sitting up close to the stage watching their performance. This is one of their Signature songs for Kansas and to hear them do this song just blows your mind away. When they did this song, it was one of the last songs of the evening.
You picked a good song to analyze. Thank you and take care.
A great Kansas song. Also check out The Point of No Return and their iconic song Dust in the Wind if you haven't heard them before.
That was Kerry Livgren with the long mustaches in center stage. He left the band in the late 80's (they had their day in the 70's and just had lost their audience so band members wandered off into solo projects). So it was good to see him back. He was the main songwriter and tells the story of this song often. He often feels there is divine intervention in his music because these amazing songs seem to write themselves. He's a very spiritual man. He's also an astoundingly amazing musician and song writer. So good to see them jamming together all of these years.
I know vocal coaches like to watch the live versions, but you have to hear the studio version and Steve Walsh's sustain on that "No more!" line near the end. It is one of the most astounding rock vocal performances ever.
Arena rock at it's finest. Saw them just a few years ago opening for Jethro Tull, both bands are still great.
I saw them in 1977 and front row. Most amazing concert of my life. Such incredible musicians.
Beth, I suggest that you get the album "Leftoverture" and listen to the entire thing, a true piece of "ear candy!"
You are great Beth, listen this band when they were young, it will really blow you away. Greetings from Southern California.
Beth, if you want to hear them in their younger years for comparison you should really check out a late 70s live version... Kansas - Carry On Wayward Son (Live from Canada Jam) is a fun, high energy performance!
I didn’t know how you were going to pull off another great song review. I love Kansas. Heard this power ballad, Carry on My Wayward Son, live in concert in the 70s. Listening to this great radio staple play was just something you took for granted back in the day.
Kansas was just one of many great arena rock bands from the 70s. Keep it going with your joyful song reviews of great 70s and 80s classical great songs.
Música que emociona y nos emociona tus reacciones con mucha alegría bien Beth 👏👏🍀🍀 pequitas hermosa ❤
Unbelievable how great their voices are. I was cranking this tune on my AM radio in the 70’s and trying work out the guitar parts.
Terrific band, terrific song. Steve Walsh was a great vocalist. The great Kerry Livgren on guitar and he wrote most of the songs.
the song is from the seventies, more precise 1976, written by Kelly Livgren. Billy Greer joined them somewhere in the eighties as bass player.
Kansas is something special. What are the chances that six world class musicians came out of a tiny town in Kansas called Topeka. I recommend anyone that is interested to look up the documentary “Miracles out of nowhere “. The story is quite amazing.😊
I was lucky enough to have seen them in concert in 1978. They stand the test of time very well
Under the category of "this is kind of a big deal", this song is KOABD. It's been played around the world for 45 years as it's one of the biggest rock songs of the 70's. I get that was five decades ago, but there has not been a day since that this song hasn't been played on rock stations all over the world and literally no one who listens to rock music who doesn't know this song. Kerry Livengren wrote this song. Kansas recorded two of the best rock albums of the late 70s, "Leftoverture", which this is off of, and "Point of know return", which features the world wide hit "Dust in the wind" which I'm sure you've heard and is equally deserving of a critique. The lead singer is Steve Walsh, who is flat out legend.
Just as a comparison, check out a live performance from the 1970s. This was surprisingly fantastic. Please do the earlier one and let us know what you think. Btw, many great songs to listen to, from this band. 🙂
Those guys are still singing and playing their asses off. A great tune played with great chops and passion! OMG, those great guitar hook.,
Beth u really need to hit tge documentary Miracls Out Of Nowhere. Thstsvanother tremendous song to do as well. Kerry Livgren is the composer of this one. And Steve Walsh is in the Brad Delph, Steve Perry class.
Great reaction Beth to an immortal classic from the incredible prog rock virtuosos Kansas.Kerry Livgren their compositional genius left the band in the 80's wrote this song & many more of their classics. Steve Walsh here though damn good is a shadow of the singer he was in their heyday which is extraordinary. Would try finding some live footage from the 70's for their great classic from the same album "The Wall" another of Kerry's masterpieces. The late Robby Steinhardt who was their original violinist for decades also harmonised with Steve beautifully in a lower register & sang lead on a number songs. Billy took over the main back up vocalist job when Robby left but in a higher register. You should search for Billy singing lead solo, he is a fantastic singer. All the best.
I’m sure it’s been commented but Kerry Livgren wrote this masterpiece.
The primary writer of this piece is Kerry Livgren, who wasn’t a member of the band at the time of this recording but appears in this anniversary performance with them (along with other past members like Steve Morse). He’s the middle guitarist on stage, with the long mustache and blue PRS.
Stryper did a cover of this masterpiece and it's pretty amazing, especially Michael's voice throughout.
Did you notice the orchestra in the background? When I was a much younger man got to see them live, always awesome!
Steve Walsh had to leave the group several years ago because his voice was shot. He was replaced by a good singer but they are almost a tribute band now. P.S. Kansas is one my fave bands of all time. Such complex, intricate music.
Although Ronnie Platt is not quite up to the level of Steve they have actually made a couple of really good albums with him. The Absence Of Presence from 2020 and The Prelude Implicit from 2016 are pretty good.
Maybve so, but most bands from the 60's and 70's that are still performing have all lost original members over the years. Phil Ehart and Rich Williams have kept Kansas going. Steve retired because I believe he was tired of touring and didn't want to record new music as obviously the other band members did. And yes, The Prelude Implicit and Absence of Presence are excellent albums. Although, when Steve retired he came out with the album 'Black Butterfly' with Jerome Mazza which is stellar.