In Equestrian Arenas Newmarket , a little-known band through the Topeka, Kansas area signed along with Kirshner Records and even recorded their first, self-titled album, Kansas. Thanks to very good marketing by the particular Kirshner label in addition to a fair quantity of airtime on innovative album-oriented rock Radio stations, Kansas quickly became quite well-liked. Sadly, when many people think of Kansas, they think of little more compared to Dust in typically the Wind or Carry On, Wayward Boy, the group's a couple of most popular tunes. This can be a grave blunder, as being the music involving Kansas has much more to provide than just the important tunes of those two songs. Within fact, both those songs were extra to their respected albums almost because afterthoughts. For example of this, Dust in the particular Wind was initially just a chord-progression guitar exercise of which Kerry Livgren, some sort of band member, accustomed to practice! Nonetheless, the very first three Kansas lps, Kansas, Song with regard to America, and Masque, demonstrated an excellent deal of rich musical talent that numerous do not hear.
This is due, throughout part, to the experience and influences involving the band associates. Robby Steinhardt (violin, vocals) was taught from an earlier age in time-honored music. Kerry Livgren, the band's main songwriter, was trained in classical plus jazz music. Typically the band as the whole was inspired by early 70s prog-rock groups many of these as Genesis plus ELP (Emerson, Pond, and Palmer). These factors contributed to design for Kansas, although the unique arrangement of the strap also played a role. The first record, Kansas, contained 1 of the band's more well-known pieces, Journey from Mariabronn. YouTube a live life version of that (link at bottom). This song, through the very beginning, will be prog-rock all the way through. The particular introduction can be a synthesizer/violin-heavy segment within an unusual meter with, actually, no discernible moment signature which segues into the launch of another style through a violin solo. By through of being the six-piece band with the time, a large number of complex layering occurs in this tune. Just like one might find in a orchestral piece, melodies proceed smoothly from tool to instrument and even different lines emerge from beneath other "flighting, " repeating outlines. It's almost just like hearing modernized chamber music! What's more, the lyrics to be able to Journey from Mariabronn are intriguing, for any woman. Livgren wrote these people, following closely the storyplot of famous Spanish poet/author Hermann Hesse's Narcissus and Goldmund.
Kansas' second record Song for America, and specifically the title track of stated album, followed closely taking after the actions of Trip from Mariabronn plus the first album. It is seen as a a number of signature violin solos from Steinhardt and a lyrical hunt for one of the particular band's favorite themes, mother nature in addition to man's treatment associated with the entire world. Album a few, Masque, contains prog-rock gems such as Mysteries and Madness, Icarus, and The Top, but also indicates a turn toward more radio-friendly songs such as Kid of Innocence and even It Needs a Female's Love (to Help to make a Man).
Kansas' next few lps were also wonderful in their musicality, although most agree that will the early runs of Kansas have been, musically, the best. They stimulated guests in many ways through their own music and words. Therefore , next period you find on your own bored on a cool evening, get through your ancient vinyl and " spin " up some old Kansas tunes. Listen for the delicate things, and you won't be dissatisfy.