Listening to Kansas: Point Of Know Return, Part 2 

This was NOT DATED at the time. It was cutting edge. Flawless production and sound quality. The double tracked, Marshall guitar tone at the end of Sparks of the Tempest blew my mind at the time. And the synth voicings were out of this world for the late 70s - really among the best of the analog synth period. Kansas was always trying to bridge what might be played on the radio. So their prog was a bit more accessible and the songs shorter.

Sparks of the Tempest is the most prescient song ever written about events that are unfolding right before our eyes. Its like opening up the Book of Revelation from a progressive rock perspective.

You need to hear the remake of ‘The Portrait (He Knew)’ on Kerry Livgren’s solo album “Prime Mover” ( I think that’s the one. Just google it). Anyway, it’s rearranged, re-recorded and much more on the side of rock and how it should’ve sounded. Bonus: now it’s about Jesus Christ instead of Albert Einstein. So good. Also, you’ll be glad you reacted to Kerry Livgren’s first solo album, ‘Seeds Of Change’. A masterpiece. Plus you can hear Dio sing on two songs…’The Mask Of The Great Deceiver’ and ‘To Live For The King’. Masterpiece of a record and it goes right along with Kansas (of course). God bless and Progressive Rock on!

Kansas is one of the most beautiful bands of the world

Thanks Jim! When you read that intro about musicianship inconsistencies blah, blah, blah I was a little worried! But I knew you would listen without that influencing your reaction. One of the first albums I bought myself for the radio hit Dust in the Wind. Upon listening I discovered the other songs on the album resulting in the beginning of my musical journey and my lifelong obsession away from what everyone else is listening to. Glad you enjoyed it.

Many more treasures to find, on all their earlier albums, as well. Thanks for allowing me to re-live hearing all of this great music for the first time through you. Love your reactions. 🎸

Definitely worth a full listen-through.

Just a phenomenal band and yea I have to say it - Dave Hope on the bass!!!

I could say something thoughtful about this album and your review thereof, but instead I think I know the ABBA song you were reminded of by that piano section: S.O.S. I remember buying this album just a day or two before moving from Maryland to Texas in 1978 the summer before starting high school. I had already heard and loved Leftoverture and Kansas was now cemented into my lineup of favorites.

I remember, back in the day trying to convince my more "snobbier" prog fan friends about how much fun this album was/is..... It didn't work. But 40 odd years later it appears I was absolutely right...... What a great record! X

Hi Jim, I see a very happy Jim so you like it 😅 Normally I prefer European progrock bands from that era, just because I like their music more, but Kansas is an exception; they are good, at least this and the previous albums.

Thank you for playing this. Been considering trying some Kansas, so the timing was just right.

Don't think you said which album is missing form your box, but you definitely need all of (at least) the first 5 Kansas albums - don't sleep on their most recent one (The Absence of Presence from 2020) either, a true late-career highlight!

Obody’s Home

I don't know if there's any truth to it, but legend has it that Dust in the Wind started off just as a guitar finger exercise to warm up before a gig. Nothing takes me back to being a six year old in the back of dad's Impala faster than that song, or maybe Carry on Wayward Son. I think something that helped Dust become so popular is it was capable of hopping several radio genres. I know I heard it on rock, pop and country stations as a kid.

❤❤❤

For some reason my comments aren't sticking. I'll try again here. Important album for 10 year old me. Still top 10 for me of 70s albums. Dust In the Wind had a long life on the radio well into the 90s.

Not too familiar with Kansas But their 70s stuff reminds me of a mix of classic rock prog and slight pop Most songs combine those elements into 5 minutes rather than 20 min epics A mix of yes ELP with a hint of free/bad company

Kansas are surely better known (in the UK at least) for Carry on Wayward Son, Jim. Having sat through this era, that was the only Kansas track to make a major impact on my brain at the time though, had they toured here more than just the odd show, I suspect that they would have been much bigger.

I agree that going backward in their discography from here is probably best. I would actually even love to see someone react to their debut - it doesn't get nearly as much attention as Leftoverture and Point. And it actually has some gems on it though it didn't generate any radio airplay. But it was a great introduction and worth a listen.

This was my fourth Kansas LP. But even though it has some great compositions it was always Nr 3 or 4 in my personal Ranking. Song for America and Leftoverture are better IMO. Another reason why I didn't listen to it too often is the Sound. My LP simply didn't have the great Sound of the other 2 records. Even the remastered CD is soundwise not so good, I don't know what the Sound engineers made different😮 All albums of the first period with Livgren and Walsh are great, but I hope for Song for America and Monolith next.

Portrait is about Einstein and Closet Chromicles is about Howard Hughes...

Kansas was not English, Canadian or Italian progressive but American progressive rock. It has its own unique sound and influences. Not better or worse just Kansas..

The review calling the sound of this album dated? They could say that about all the prog albums from the seventies.

Please continue with Monolith and Audio Visions . Then go back to their first 3 albums.

👍❤

True, it's clearly Prog, but it sounds different from the British groups of the same era. I love Kansas, but I have to admit that I cannot listen to them as often as I can listen to, e.g. Yes. But after a certain time, I enjoy them again. The material is just awesome. "Dust in the Wind" is, by the way, pretty much my least favorite song....

Kansas was part of the progressive rock wave that was the soundtrack for my high school years when it all started in the mid 70s. This, Pink Floyd (of course. “Dark Side of the Moon” was pretty new. Can you imagine?) Yes, Genesis “Seconds Out” (still in my all time top 10. PLEASE do this!) & ELPs “Brain Salad Surgery” made me who I am today musically. A Devin Townsend fanatic. )) I saw the tour for this one & “Leftoverture”. They curiously opened with “Hopelessly Human” because I remember Robby Steinhardt playing the chimes at the end. Sadly, they became kind of bloated with success after this & there was band tension so the next releases were good, but not as good for sure. So if you do more Kansas, go backwards or the “Two For The Show” live album. On “Seconds Out”, this was the first post-Gabriel release with Phil taking over as frontman for a 2 album live release. The live version of “Suppers Ready” is phenomenal. Please keep it in mind. I think it would instantly become one of your all-time faves as well. Thank you SO much for your excellent reactions. And good question - when the heck IS the revolution?? Ooh! Just had a great idea for a video for you! “Soundtrack to the Revolution”. It would get a lot of very active participation & votes for content, I can guarantee that! First ones to come to mind are “Cult of Personality”, anything Rage Against the Machine and “Lunatic Fringe” which are eerily prescient in seeing today’s toxic political environment. Sorry to go on so long. This is just one of my favorite subjects and there are few people that get it like you do. Peace, my friend.

What's the problem with fadeouts ?

Stop talking during the song. You're talking and not listening!