Kansas - 1977-12-31 - Long Beach Arena, Long Beach, CA (Millard Master Recording)

Kansas

December 31, 1977
Long Beach Arena
Long Beach, CA
Audience Recording (Mike Millard Master Tape via JEMS), Very Good Quality
The Lost and Found Mike the MICrophone Tapes Volume 56
Available in both Lossless (FLAC) and Mp3 (320 kbps) versions

Here's another great show from Kansas, this one from a little more than a year after the previous one posted, following the release of their next blockbuster album, The Point of Know Return (1977), which went on to become their highest charting and biggest selling album, and featuring the hit singles 'point of Know Return' and 'Dust in the Wind'.  Thus this show features mainly songs from Point of Know Return and Leftoverture, and fewer songs from the earlier albums. This period would mark their peak in popularity as the band headlined and sold-out major rock venues. Their live shows from this period were captured in their classic double Live album release Two For The Show in 1978.Their subsequent studio album, Monolith (1979), althought still popular, failed generate the radio airplay or sales of the previous couple albums. The 1980's saw major changes for the band, as both Kerry Livgren and David Hope became born-again Christians, with their faith now being reflected in their songs, and Audio-Visions (1980) would be the last album featuring the classic Kansas lineup. Vocalist Steve Walsh left the band in 1981. Violinist Robby Steinhardt left in 1982. Subsequent albums were more pop-oriented and less well-received, and Livgren and Hope left by 1984, leading to the disbanding of the group. But Walsh, Williams, and Ehart re-formed the band in 1985, releasing Power in 1986 and The Spirit of Things in 1988. There were various reunions, tours, and changing lineups in the subsequent years, with Steinhardt returning in 1997 and staying until 2006. The band had a bit of a resurgence in the 2010's, and to the present, as a popular touring act, often playing with symphony orchestra's and performing entire classic albums at shows. The band released new albums, The Prelude Implicit (2016) and The Absence of Presence (2020) in recent years to much acclaim, although Rich Williams and Phil Ehart are the only members remaining from the classic lineup. To be honest, I haven't really kept up with or followed the band since the seventies, but they have carried on throughout the years. But here, again, we go back to their glory days for this Point of Know Return show from 1977.    

Tracklist:
01 Magnum Opus Intro > Hopelessly Human
02 Point Of Know Return
03 Paradox
04 Icarus (Borne On Wings Of Steel)
05 Child Of Innocence
06 Closest Chronicles
07 Dust In The Wind >
08 Acoustic Guitar Solo
09 Piano Solo >
10 Lonely Wind
11 Cheyenne Anthem
12 Miracles Out Of Nowhere
13 Drum Solo >
14 The Spider
15 Portrait (He Knew)
16 Sparks Of The Tempest
17 Carry On Wayward Son
18 Down The Road
19 Violin Solo
20 Magnum Opus

Mp3 - Kansas_1977-12-31_Long Beach,CA_(Millard)_Mp3.rar

FLAC - Kansas_1977-12-31_Long Beach,CA_(Millard)_FLAC.rar
 

Kansas (with Special Guests Ambrosia) - 1976-10-31 - Syria Mosque, Pittsburgh, PA (PRRP-018 Remaster)

Kansas (With Special Guests Ambrosia)

October 31, 1976
Syria Mosque, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
PRRP018 - MAYHEM SYMPHONY
Remastered Pre-FM Broadcast Recording, Excellent quality
Available in both Lossless (FLAC) and Mp3 (320 kbps) versions

Here is a classic '70's band that I have not featured yet, the American progressive rock band Kansas. Kansas got its initial start around 1970 when two rival bands from Topeka, Kansas (Saratoga and White Clover) joined forces to become Kansas. But after much upheaval, turnover, and lack of success in those first couple years, the Kansas we came to know really got going in 1972, with the lineup of Kerry Livgren (guitars, keyboards, synthesizers), Steve Walsh (vocals, keyboards), Robby Steinhardt (vocals, violin, viola, cello), Rich Williams (guitars), Dave Hope (bass), and Phil Ehart (drums, percussion).  They received a recording contract from Don Kirschner in 1973 and released their first album (self-titled) in 1974. Their signature sound was a blend of American boogie rock with complex, symphonic arrangements, time changes, and progressive rock flourishes, and marked by the distinctive use of Steinhardt's violin as a rockin' instrument. With extensive touring and their progressive style, they built a strong cult following, that grew with each subsequent album (Song For America and Masque, both 1975). But it was with their 4th album, Leftoverture (1976), and the hit single 'Carry On Wayward Son', that they would achieve mainstream commercial success, with the album going multi-platinum and reaching the top 5 on the US albums chart. They would follow with another even bigger success with Point of Know Return (1977) the following year. These successes were well-deserved, but for many of us (and especially the more prog-oriented fans), it was those early albums and years that were most interesting. Here is a show from when they were right on the cusp of that greater success period. This was in 1976, right after the release of Leftoverture, but before it had achieved its breakthrough status. Thus, they play most of Leftoverture, but also many songs from their previous three albums (some which would not get played very often after this tour). So, this show was at a very critical point for the band, highlighting all their previous songs, but also looking ahead to their future as an in-demand headlining act.   This recording, which comes from a Pre-FM broadcast source and has been remastered by the PRRP (Progressive Rock Remasters Project) group also includes an interview with th band, as well as the opening set from another fine US progressive rock band from that time, Ambrosia (included at end of show instead of at beginning on this recording), who had just released their first (very good) album. So that is an additional treat here.

Tracklist:
1.1. Intro (3:46)
1.2. Carry On Wayward Son (5:22)
1.3. Icarus-Borne On Wings Of Steel (5:44)
1.4. Down The Road (3:29)
1.5. Good Evening Introduction (1:28)
1.6. Mysteries And Mayhem/ (4:12)
1.7. Lamplight Symphony/  (2:30)
1.8. The Wall (4:49)
1.9. Introduction (1:38)
1.10. Lonely Wind (6:55)
1.11. What's On My Mind (3:33)
1.12. Miracles Out Of Nowhere (6:44)
1.13. Guitar Solo (3:24)
1.14. Child Of Innocence (4:30)
1.15. Introduction (1:07)
1.16. Keyboard Improv/ Drum Solo/Magnum Opus (13:44)

2.1. Song For America (9:45)  
2.2. Violin Solo (4:07)
2.3. Cheyenne Anthem (Ending) (3:32)
2.4. Belexes (4:45)
Bonus Track
2.5. Interview with Band Members (7:21)
The Opening Act: Ambrosia
2.6  Make Us All Aware (6:30)
2.7. Can't Let A Women (6:38)
2.8. Holdin' On To Yesterday (6:12)
2.9  I Wanna Know (7:45)
2.10. World Leave Me Alone (4:33)

KANSAS
Steve Walsh –Lead Vocals, Keyboards
Kerry Livgren – Guitars, Keyboards
Rich Williams –Lead Guitars
Dave Hope –Bass Guitars
Phil Ehart–Drums & Percussion

Mp3 -Kansas_1976-10-31_Pittsburgh(PRRP-018)_mp3.rar 

FLAC - Kansas_1976-10-31_Pittsburgh(PRRP-018)_FLAC.rar