Artist: Kansas
Title: Kansas-Kansas / Song For America
Genre: Progressive Rock
Label: Sony/Legacy
Kansas Website
I remember watching Don Kirshner's Rock Concert in the early 70's and seeing a band called Kansas playing a song I loved; it was "Can I Tell You." I recall that night as if it was yesterday. They were different, unlike anything I had ever heard before, although I did not truly discover the power of Kansas until their fourth album Leftoverture. What a mistake it was for me to wait and pass on Kansas and Song For America. Thanks to the incredibly successful remasters market I get second chances all the time, and this is one of those sweet returns to the past.
Kansas was playing bars in their home state looking for a break before Don Kirschner gave them a shot at stardom. The famous music man that made the Monkees a household name, could see the potential in their marketability beyond the borders of one state, particularly with lead off track on their soon to be debut album "Can I Tell You." He was right. Although their entrance into the music buying public's consciousness happened over a few years, the ultimate commercial success came with the smash "Carry On My Wayward Son" from Leftoverture, yet these two albums served as the cornerstones of a long and successful career. While "Can I Tell You" was full of violin and driving keyboards unfound on the top 40 charts, it was a viable radio ready tune set for cross over success; however, that was the only song on the album with that potential. Two songs that clocked in over seven minutes, "Journey from Mariabronn" and "Death of Mother Nature Suite," which are now considered prog-rock classics and a part of the Kansas signature sound, would clearly define them as progressive rockers.
Kansas sounds as vital and fresh today with these newly remastered discs as they did 30 years ago, and not just because of the great sound, because they were original and there was no other band recording music like them. There is a luster and clarity that is hard to ignore with these time tested recordings. Notably, the voice of Steve Walsh is absolutely soaring. Kansas was an excellent debut, although I think Song For America served as their calling card, whether it was recognized as such or not at the time-it is indeed a landmark release for the band that would set the table for further triumphs. They were a step ahead of the rest with the artwork presented on their album covers as well. How could you not notice the eye-catching artwork on these two albums? Their music would follow suit and keep listeners' attention.
Article comments
1 - Kevin
Although I am glad to see them releasing the first two records remastered, it can't compare to the joy I felt when they put out the remastered "Masque" a few years ago.