KANSAS - Song for America REACTION | WIFE REACTS FOR FIRST TIME
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- čas přidán 28. 07. 2021
- See how Nick (🇩🇪) shows Lex (🇺🇸/🇲🇽) this song that he’s had on his list to show her for months since the channel startde and now we treated as a Tribute Reaction and a Celebration of Life: Rest In Peace, Mr. Robby Steinhardt.
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This is from the album Song for America (1975) by Kansas.
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#Kansas #RobbySteinhardt #reaction - Hudba
I've listened to over four decades of music. Nothing compares to the quantity and quality of the 70s.
The absolute pinnacle of Rock music. Period
I would say Dream Theater has done a great job of carrying the torch for playing this level of creative music.
That's what I tell everybody, who wants to tell me, how great new music is; yes there are some good ones, but the 70s where full of creativity and quality
This an America’s answer to ELP, Genesis, YES, ETC…
Agreed. Crazy talented. I don’t think I thought of it til this listen but that little piano break in the middle man so reminded me of YES. I think it’s South Side of the Sky that has a very similar section
@@VG-iq8xq Just needs some laaaa la la la, laaaa la la la laaaa LOL
I´m german and I´m glad america answered.
Steve Walsh is at the top of my list for great rock vocalists. He hits those celestial notes without loosing great tone or sounding screechy.
Unfortunately, time didn't treat his voice well. It was a shell of its former self and barely recognizable.
@@douger1957 cocaine
@@jml-rj5re Nah, no way. That’s bullshit. Father Time and many years of performing did his voice in. Not drugs, you jerk.
@@chuckhutton5087 Coke definitely accelerated his vocal decline
@@KellenFredricksen Says who? Are you a doctor or vocal expert? How do you know if Steve ever even took drugs? Any yahoo can claim what you have without proof . Care to explain?
RIP Robbie, A major part of the uniqueness of Kansas. A pretty damn good vocalist in his own right. And of course one of the best top tier Rock violinists ever. So melodic and proggy. Always complimented Steve's vocals with beautiful harmonies. The MC in concert. So many great iconic prog songs: Journey from Mariabronn, Apercu/Death of Mother Nature Suite, The Pinnacle, Miracles out of Nowhere, Child of Innocence and dozens more. Credit genius songwriter Kerry Livgren for these and so many more. No comparison with Dream Theater. Kansas provides melodic, dare I say, catchy iconic prog music. Peace.
This was the first Kansas song I ever heard. It got airplay on my local FM AOR station. I love it. It sounds just as good today as it did then.(The year I graduated from high school).
Robby said that Song For America is their signature tune ,so perfect choice ..
Dave Hope is a tasty bass player love his tone Kansas such a great band ! so many great songs
Dave Hope, such an underrated bassist. But, dam, the sound engineering of that bass sound is spectacular!
Glad you highlighted the bass. Love it, love it. Reminiscent of Chris Squire in the best way possible, in tone and lines.
@@astro7835 I play bass Squire was my muse RIP GOAT
So much of what I listen to in Kansas is "bass with...". The most listenable bassist I can recall. Dave Meros from Spock's Beard strikes me as the bassist most similar to Hope.
Shout out to Phil Ehart on drums. One of the best prog-rock drummers around.
One of the best drummers, period. So dynamic, filling every space without taking up too much space. I doubt there are more than a few he can’t keep up with.
Phil Ehart and Carl Palmer are why I took up drums. Phil is very creative and strong on the drums
Fax
You guys hit it right on the head! The word that comes to my mind when I hear this is JOY. It does my heart good to see younger folks enjoying true music.
Still get chills myself listening to this song, seeing your reactions brings me back to first hearing it myself! Listen to The Wall from Kansas, another great one
R.I.P. Robbie. His violin made the "Kansas" sound stand out from the other Rock bands in the '70s. Other songs you should react to are "The Wall", "Child of Innocence" (Steinhardt alternates lead vocals with Walsh), and "Sparks of the Tempest".
Kansas has such a great catalog of songs to choose from, but if I had to recommend their next song for you to react to it would be “Miracles out of nowhere”
That would be my choice too. Just one of many great ones however.
This LP( song for America) is full of gems. Lonely street being worthy of a listen . Good job
Lonely Street & Lamplight Symphony!
Dusty Hill of ZZTop also passed away this week. RIP. Solid Bassist
One of the greatest pieces of Prog Rock I've ever heard. Magnum Opus too.
I had the privilege of spending some time with Kerry Livgren many years ago. A real gentleman and an amazing musician. I spent time at his home and studio, when he lived in Georgia. Kansas is one of my all time favourite bands and I am glad you enjoy them too. Love your reactions.
Excellent song but don' t forget "Miracles out of nowhere". Thanks for sharing!
or child of innocence from mask
@@patricknicolucci5073 Good Choice Patrick, Also Icarus ( Born on Wings of Steel ) !!! It Takes A Woman's Love ( To Make A Man ) !!! Mask A Great Album !!!
This has been my favorite song for 50 some years. It literally brings me to tears, the musicianship is so good. Thank you Kansas.
Thanks for doing a tribute to Robby. Even though he hadn't played with Kansas in many years, he still is very much a part of the heart and soul.
I am the world's biggest Wheathead, and you will never find a bad song from their 70s discography! Kerry Livgren (lead guitar, piano, synth, and others) is the finest prog songwriter in the world!!
Grown up and lived in the Kansas City area all of my life. Exposed to the band in their first years on FM KYYS 102.1 and Song For America has ALWAYS been my favorite song from this band. Glad you posted your reactions! This TRULY is a great song.
Bravo for the outstanding choice and tribute. This one embodies everything that made early Kansas truly special.
One day.. in my dreams Kansas will play this song on 4th of July.. on national television for everyone to hear.. Kansas song for America... A masterpiece in every way
The first two Kansas albums were their most progressive. This was the first one I bought, after hearing them on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert television program. I always thought I could detect a slight Gentle Giant influence in those 2 albums.
Listen to the instrumental "The Spider" off of Point of Know Return, and "Paradox". When I would hear Gentle Giant for the 1st time many years later, those 2 tracks make me think GG (which Kerry Livgren was a fan of).
Kerry was a big fan of GG
My favorite lead vocal performance by Robbie Steinhardt is "Lightning's Hand" on Point of No Return. Check it out. The ending is a total slayer.
Mysteries and Mayhem is right up there with Lightning's Hand, too - it is from the Masque album and segues into The Pinnacle - one of their best two-fers.
@@stpnwlf9 absolutely. I have to listen to Mysteries and Mayhem and the Pinnacle together or it sounds incomplete. It's kind of like Feeling That Way and Anytime by Journey. You have to play them together.
"Sparks of the Tempest" and "Hopelessly Human" (that I suggested to N&L) along with Lightning . . . GREAT stuff. And a DEEP cut "Angels Have Fallen".
One of my favorite tracks from Kansas. I suggested this track a long time ago I think.
One of my fave prog Rock bands. RIP Robby.🎶🎶🌷
The Pinacle !!! Great to hear your reaction to classic not commercial Kansas. Keep up the great reactions!!
Singing by Steve Walsh and Robbie Steinhardt. Kerry Livgren doesn't sing, but wrote most of their songs.
Saw these guys 3 times, once for the Point of Know Return Tour at the top of their game in '77 and then later in '93 and then in '06. The two later concerts had many band members replaced.
I was 14 when I first heard 'Song for America' on WIOQ 102 FM radio in the Philly area. Radio was very different then. So much better than todays formulaic rotation lists. I just had to get that album! Some other tracks on that album to check out are 'Lamp Light Symphony' and 'Incomudro-Hymn to the Atman'. Very prog. 'Down the Road' is a very bluesy song that Robbie sings on the SOA album. On the Song for America track Steve Walsh sings and Robbie sings and in some spots they sing together. Their voices work very well together. Almost like Gabriel and Collins singing voices worked in Genesis.
Their third album, Masque, has some great overlooked prog tunes. Robbie co-wrote one called 'All the World' that is quite good.
Thanks for playing this!
Keep on keepin' on!
Hey BMac, great analysis!! The time you saw them in ‘06... might it have been in Atlantic City? I remember seeing Kansas perform at I think maybe Caesar’s Atlantic City(?) around that time frame. Only time I had seen them in concert. Great show. I’m sure their Spectrum shows from the 70’s and 80’s must have been friggin’ awesome too. RIP Robby.
In Lancaster, PA at The American Music Theater
38 Special opened for them.
@@bmac1205 Nice. The AC show had no opening act. Promoted as “an evening with Kansas”.
B Mac, WIOQ for me, too, probably, at 17. And probably Ed Sciaky played it if he was at the station by '75. Never saw them in their heyday. Only after Steve Walsh had left the band.
@@astro7835 Hi Ross. I’m confused. Steve Walsh left, then returned a few years later in the late 80’s until just a few years ago. John Elefante replaced Steve during the early 80’s. Is that when you saw Kansas perform?
Kerry wrote this song on a flight across America. Inspired by the views he observed out of the window of the plane. A truly incredible masterpiece!!
I saw Kansas finally 3 years ago just before everything was shut down. While I would have loved to see the original lineup, I was so glad I finally did get to see them. Well worth the wait. This is by far my top song from Kansas. Thanks again for your love of great music.
If you want to hear Robbie on lead vocals, do a reaction the 'Cheyenne Anthem ' (studio version!) from their Leftoverture album
A nice companion piece to this one!
Robby Steinhardt was always kind of the secret weapon of Kansas, as far as I’m concerned. I mean, the fact that they were a rock band with a violinist was what initially attracted me to them back when I first heard them in 6th grade. But he was also the emcee in their concerts, and the vocal interplay between he and Steve Walsh was a part of what made the band’s sound so great. I got to see them at a local festival back in 2002, and Robby was what made the show. Steve Walsh’s once exquisite, powerful voice was shot to hell from years of smoking and alcohol and drug abuse, but Robby’s voice was still as strong, clear, and beautiful as ever. And, of course, his violin playing was as magnificent as always.
Great band. Great musicians.
The piano interplay at 8.20 brings chills to me.😁
All the parts of this song are great and it's always nice to have a distinctive outro to finish off a song.
Songs like this is why I subscribe to your channel.
Such a beautifully epic song. I have loved this song since I first heard it in the late 80s.
Nick has the very BEST and perfectly timed air-instrumentals! XD You two are awesome.
I'm so glad I was able to experience them live, in 2014.... right next to my apartment complex. Warmest summer we've had in Northern Norway.. it was like 25-30 Celsius most of this period of July. XD
This song so reminds me of my brother Stuart who passed away a few years ago, but he introduced me to Kansas because when I was a young teen I really only liked classical symphonic music and was a bit of a snob about it and he said, Well, you've got to listen to Kansas, and this song is exemplary of their incorporation of both a symphonic sound and the feeling of an American landscape with a folk anthemic quality. ,❤ and thanks.
My favorite Kansas song. So cool and exciting.
Can't believe you're doing this. I go blue-in-the-face trying to get reactors to do this incredible composition. Nobody does this. By the way...nobody does this. And on top of that, nobody does this. I once played this for a friend who listened SOLELY to classical music. He listened intently through the whole piece and commented it sounded a lot like Baroque music he'd listened to, and then added he enjoyed it.
Kerry Livgren was a brilliant, classically trained musician who also happened to be a rocker. People will talk about the band, but I always look up who wrote the piece.
I know this sounds weirdly effusive, but I typically like to listen to the Carpenters. I can't tell you how many times I've heard the request for "Carry On...," which is a good rock piece, and "Dust..." which I find rather, well, OK. The structure of this piece is phenomenal, and don't get me started on the 9/8 time signature during the piano interlude. 9/8, are you kidding? This song is like eight songs all rolled together into a piece I have trouble calling just a "song." The two Kansas songs I mentioned were played heavily on the radio and this one WAS NOT, unless you stayed up late and listened to some obscure progressive-rock station. I actually have the albums, and you already know there are a lot of gems unknown to radio listeners.
Again, I listen primarily to soft rock and smooth-jazz. I pretty much dislike hard rock; I like melody and harmony. But I can listen to this song once every other day, it's so packed. Most rockers won't know exposition and recapitulation, and many will say, "Who gives a crap." But this piece transcends genre. It's a showpiece for excellent rock musicians, but its structure is a cut above just about anything I've heard.
I was so psyched to see you selected this that I wrote this whole comment BEFORE I listened. You've done it now. I think I've seen maybe two or three reactors in the last two years who've done this. Everyone else does "Carry..." and "Dust..." over and over. You're iconoclasts. Call the cops!!!
As a 57 year old Metalhead, Progger, Rocker, Jazz/Fusion and Classical fan . . .
I approve of THIS message :D. LOVE your enthusiasm for the song (and possibly Kansas).
It’s like the Rush reactions. Ooooohh, someone’s reacting to The Spirit Of Radio! Look, if you’re going to react to Rush (or Kansas, Yes, etc) don’t pick a safe song. Safe is boring. Pick something that makes you say “what?!” 😳 and rewind to see if you actually did just hear what you thought you heard.
Christopher, thank you for that informative, funny and personal comment. Isn’t it exciting when N&L do the artists or cuts no one else does?!! Great channel. Great selection. Great comment. Great reaction. It’s all great !!👍 Thanks ✨🤪
Totally agree, Chris. This is actually my favorite Kansas song and I have not seen anyone do a reaction to it until now.
Classical in composition. The return to the main motif at about 10 minutes in…fantastic
There is a Kansas song called "Cheyenne Anthem" about when the white man "inherited" North America from the native Indians. Also a great one.
Cool I’ll have to check that out. In a similar vein Spirit Trail by Dan Fogelberg is really good
There is a cool song by Steve Walsh on his solo album "Glossalalia" of the same name. Its the 1st song that he has a "personal" point of view of his ancestry. The whole album is awesome, and at points, quite heavy.
I'm Iroquois going to cry for me, Indian wars wiped out my people in New York.
This is very impressive! There is nothing not to like! What a great song! I have been missing out! Thanks for the video!
Check out "sweet child of innocence" off of the "Masqe" album
Very underrated overlooked album that deserves more recognition.
I had mentioned back when you guys were listening to Close to the Edge, about a Book (about the making of CttE) I JUST bought the day you put up the reaction . . . well yesterday, at the same record store I bought an Illustrated book by the same author Will Romano called "Mountains Come Out of the Sky: The Illustrated History of Prog Rock" (I had missed 2 chances of getting it in 2010). There is an excellent section on *Kansas* with an interview of the "founder"/drummer Phil Ehart.
Here is what Will and Phil said about "Song for America" . . .
"Whether they intended to be or not, the 1975 epic tune 'Song for America,' from the band's sophomore record of the same title, is an anthem for all progressive bands in the U.S.
No British, Italian, Finnish, German, French or any other European band wrote or could have written 'Song for America' -- one of the most enduring of Kansas's tunes, and certainly one of the greatest non-instrumental American progressive rock songs to be written prior to 1975. And no American band -- prog or not -- wrote this kind of material.
'"Song for America' is one of the songs among many is what sets us apart from a lot of the corporate rock bands of that time," says Ehart".
Also the introduction to Kansas as a "band" is pretty much on the money:
"Kansas have caused so much controversy simply for being who they are. Rarely has a band inspired such division among fans and critics alike.
Some have said that Kansas, almost impossible to categorize, wound up in the progressive bin by default: straddling the line between progressive and radio friendly rock, they possess qualities of the great British rock bands, from Yes to Gentle Giant, while incorporating homegrown influences such as American folk, Native American, and country and western motifs and imagery --- a virtual grab bag of musical goods".
They also tell the story how the band got put together, and how odd it was to think of adding a "violinist" (not a "fiddler", because Steinhardt is the _only_ band member with classical training) to a Rock band. And remember, they did this _before_ the "Dixie Dregs" (as Steve Morse was a HUGE fan, and decades later would do 2 albums with Kansas) and "UK". As Ehart added Kerry Livgren as a 2nd lead-guitarist/keyboardist, Ehart would discover what a prolific songwriter he was, and knowing "Steve Walsh" from bands they've played with in the small club scene, Ehart said "We got to have Steve singing your songs!". It was a great combination (with Steve & Robby singing and harmonies, and Steve playing keyboards as well), and Rich Williams and Kerry dueling guitars, and Dave Hope's FAT Bass sound keeping up on the odd-sigs and adding great fills, and Ehart's excellent drumming with purpose and precision.
When I look at older photos of Kansas, in jeans, t-shirts, and Rich, a BEAR of a dude with wild hair and usually dressed in _jean overalls,_ these guys must have looked like "Country Bumpkins" to 1st time viewers ready to hear some Country music, but when they went on stage, they'd play this . . .
czcams.com/video/oC0EUOqPSNI/video.html (from their 1974 debut)
I have to "imagine" it because I missed Kansas, when they were on the TV music program "Don Kirshner's Rock Concert" late Saturday nights in the mid 70's which me and my Father used to watch together. Somehow they eluded us, I didn't listen to AOR FM radio till 1977-78. But in 1977, "Point of Know Return" would change my life forever (just as much as Star Wars in the early summer of 77). An enlightening or really, an epiphany of what the power of music could do to a 14 year old, and that music could transcend, break boundaries and take a kid to a new journey into Progressive Rock :). Steve Walsh's vocals, in his younger days, and then in his prime (and even in the later years, and solo efforts) was so powerful and moving, he was the 1st for me that gave me "visuals" to Kerry's stories, and Walsh gave it a voice.
Note that Steve Walsh usually played the Organ (Hammond B-3 or C-3) and later Synths as well, and Kerry Livgren played Piano and (lead) Synths, and then played lead Guitar with Rich Williams, who also is an incredible guitarist.
Here is the band playing live in 1980, the last time they would perform with the all original line-up: czcams.com/video/K0GZpH1PK6I/video.html
Lex was right with the observations of their music, but as far as what I believe the song is about; at 1st, a p.o.v. of the "Pilgrims" first seeing the shores of North America (where it would later be named "Plymouth" Massachusetts) and seeing the riches of the new world. And then the coming 2 centuries of the inevitable destroying the land by becoming greedy for more of its resources - So the _before and after_ colonization. In the beginning it had so much promise, using just what they needed (think of the 500 Nations, using all its resources enough without destroying nature. Also listen to "Cheyenne Anthem") and the early relationship with local tribal nations, to the future; destroying people and nature for gain, power and the industrial revolution . . .
"Highways scar the mountainsides,
Buildings to the sky, people all around
So we rule this land, and here we stand upon our paradise
Dreaming of a place, our weary race is ready to arise."
. . . as every "tribe" has done all over the world (and to each other; which brings to mind; "Hopelessly Human", "Nobody's Home" and "No One Together" which Kerry had said in his book _Seeds of Change_ was his most complex song he had ever written at the time).
Thank you guys for the shout-out, and I do hope you react to the 4 songs I mentioned in my Email, as they feature Robby, and each member of Kansas in their incredible virtuosity.
Rest in Peace Robby, you and the band made me look and listen to music in a new light. My deepest thoughts, prayers and condolences to your family, friends, crew members and band-mates . . . but your music lives on for eternity :').
"The Angels have fallen
They've all gone away
Its you that must find them
By living each day!"
- *Kansas* / "Angels have fallen"
Robbie Steinhart ;violinist , was the backup vocalist to the lead vocals of Steve Walsh. They both matched pitch so well together. Kansas wrote complexity into their compositions & yet made it easy for the masses to listen to.!...Brilliant!
RIP Robby Steinhardt
Kansas was fantastic since 1973 when I bought their first album and then in 1978 seeing them in concert in DC
Best Robby to listen to I the "Two for the Show" live lp. As a rock violin rock player myself his work on that lp is outstanding. Journey from Maria ronnie song...unbelievable.
Thanks for Kansas deep cut reaction.
What an insightful interpretation.....of the lyrics, WHY Kerry Livgren wrote it, after taking a plane flight across the country, Looking out the window of his plane, and loving how blessed our country has been, and wrote the lyrics immediately. Kansas , was very "environmetally conscious" ..........always has been. Great Review.
Always love some Kansas!! Great reaction y’all! God Bless… from Texas!!
My very favorite KANSAS song. Looking forward to seeing them in April 22
Haven't heard this in ages! Forgot how great it is. Classic prog. Thanks.
Best caucasian Fro in rock history. In some photos it's about a foot long spread out in all directions. A sight to behold. RIP Mr Steinhardt.
One of their very best!👍🏻❤️☮️🎤🎻
Great selection and reaction you 2. God bless.
Kansas Dust in the Wind one of all tine best songs ever Saw them with Foreigner " Feels like the first time" awesome ES Tucson
i saw kansas for the first time feb 1974 opening for the j geils band.....they were outstanding then and got even better in the other 10 times i saw them in the 70's
The primary singer was Steve Walsh. Kerry Livgren was the prog songwriter & lead guitarist & pianist & synthesizer. He wrote this song, orchestrated it, and wrote the lyrics, as he did on all the great prog songs of Kansas. A genius! Kansas is my favorite band by far. I love Kerry Livgren. Steve Walsh also played organ, and wrote the straight rock songs.
My favorite song from my favorite American prog group; this is a huge sounding band! Five extraordinary players that sound like a symphony orchestra
Six extraordinary players: Steve, Robbie, Dave, Phil, Rich, Kerry
I forgot how awesome this song is. Love the classic influences and lovely transitions.
Awaken by Yes next please!!!! Nick and Lex. Remember your reaction to Close To The Edge? This will be just as good. Some people think it's a little better. They're both masterpieces.
Thank you for this. Always one of my favorite bands.
I saw Kansas so many times I couldn't tell you but Robbie steinhart was an amazing violinist
Far and away the best Kansas song. They would open concerts with it. Magical! Alex Cooley's Electric Ballroom for New Year's Eve in Atlanta, GA many moon ago...
Great show at Cooley's, I made that one also
Kansas touched my soul
Grew up listening to KSHE 95 out of St Louis, we heard all the great bands. So blessed to grow up in the era of this amazing music!
I was in Rhode Island in 82 and still remember the name of the radio Station : 94 WHGY - 45 minutes of Commercial free rock :-)
React to Sparks of the Tempest. It was beyond prophetic. They lyrics describe today. It's a masterpiece.
TOTALLY agree . . .
The way Livgren put the words together too are brilliant, and profound.
"They mold you and shape you, they watch what you do
The sparks of the tempest are burnin' you through
Spreading like wildfire, fallin' like rain
Though they may promise, they only bring pain
The future is managed, and your freedom's a joke
You don't know the difference as you put on the yoke
The less that you know, more you fall into place
A cog in the wheel, there is no soul in your face
Run for the cover, Millennium's here
Bearing the standard of confusion and fear
Spreading like wildfire, fallin' like rain
Though they may promise, they only bring pain!"
What a great band!
Great track!
Hey guys, thanks for doing SfA!
Loved Robbie - so great live!
SfA is really the story of America, from proto-native American to settlement to colonization to industrialization.
Like most Kansas tunes, it’s told from the heartland America POV, with ever-present Native American consideration.
They were the US answer to all the euro-prog bands and their often pastoral/medieval POV.
So good!
At the time this came out, Kansas was my fav band. So glad you chose this song!
The song is an observation about America's state before and after colonization. (And btw, the album Power actually brought Steve Walsh back to sing lead.)
Music doesn’t get much better than this.
R.I.P Robbie! I saw Kansas more than any other band. They always brought the energy! Phil Earhart is actually one of my influences along with Steve Walsh!
Portrait (He Knew) is a awesome Kansas song from Point of No Return, please check it out. R.I.P. Robby, you will be missed but never forgotten.😭
Perfect tribute song! Years after their success waned a little, we saw them in a smaller casino venue. I went with a guy who was an absolute Kansas major fan ... so he was thrilled to see them at the casino lounge after the show. Hated to bother them, but they saw us looking and invited us over. Very nice guys. Very accessible in their music and personally. Even with the complicated Prog feel, they always kept it interesting and flowing. Great band. Thanks! And RIP, Robby - such an integral part of this sound. ✨🤪
Kansas without violin wouldn't be Kansas, but there are so many other things, which make them so special: Steve Walsh's voice, Kerry Livgren's epic compositions, the dramatic vibe in some songs and the balance between soft and hard, Prog and Rock. For me everything until Audiovisions was great, later albums had great songs too, but couldn't convince completely. I'm glad, that I saw them twice, once open air in 1981 and later with Steve Morse in 1988 in Düsseldorf, but the concert with the original Kansas was definitely the best.
Oh - Yeah - Dave Hope is probably the most underrated bass player. He knew his chops
Finally ! And thank you.. You will enjoy this song immensely. They really showed there stuff on this one. I 'member when it first came out. We would line up at the Record store for hours.
The whole album is top notch. My Favorite.
Awesome job, guys! SOOOOO glad you did 'Song For America!' Absolutely one of the most brilliant masterpieces ever!! If you don't end up filming them, definitely listen (for your own pleasure) to songs like Lamplight Symphony, All The World, The Pinnacle, Miracles out of Nowhere, Cheyanne Anthem and Closet Chronicles. All of them are just as brilliant and the lyrics are STELLAR!!
Great list of favourites there! They are all amongst mine. All The World is my favourite ever Kansas song and I am a fanatical Wheathead, probably one if the biggest in the UK. My second band after Queen, and in my top five GOAT bands!
I love that she likes it , but he is one of those people who FEELS music like I do. rock on dude🤘
Such a great song 🎧
I saw them perform this live a few times. Kansas defined tightness whenever they performed. Their first album was solid. It's amazing they recorded it in two weeks. But this was a spectacular second album. It received loads of FM airplay which contributed to the rapid growth of their fanbase.
Nice reaction/tribute. Steve Walsh is the other vocalist you were searching for - their debut, SFA and Masque are essential American progressive rock records. My take was the first explorers found a continent abundant with flora and fauna unknown to them and the ultimate misuse/abuse of said bounty.
Ii may be wrong, but, I was always under the impression that Steve Walsh didn’t take over as lead vocals u til Kerry Livgren left the band in later years. It’s Kerry Livgren’s voice you here on track like, Carry On Wayward Son & Point Of Know Return.
@@WLReed Walsh and Steinhardt were the vocalists until Walsh left and John Elefante joined, I believe after AudioVisions.
Glad You Know and Show Musical Appreciation !!! Me As A Musician Myself As I Know You Are ( Your Guitars in The Background ) I've Been Playing Music Since I Was 10 yrs Old !!! Everything From Orchestra and Jazz and Lot's of Rock !!! I'm A Lead Guitar/ Sax Player !!!
Guitarist Kerry Livgren shared the keyboard playing with Steve Walsh. Kerry was the more technically advanced of the two on keys, although Steve was no slouch. Check out "Journey From Mariabronn" which really showcases their keyboard wizardry . :)
Another really good prog band from the USA is Evership. Definitely has shades of Kansas. Check out "The Pilgrimage" from their 2021 release The Uncrowned King Act I.
Yes, Journey from Mariabronn is an absolute EPIC MASTERPIECE.
I WISH the clearer live version of "Journey from Mariabronn" from the TV Rock show "Don Kirshner's Rock Concert" was still up (there is a lower quality version though), it shows at the songs end, what an ASTOUNDING vocalist Steve was when he was soo young and how he increased/decreased his voice from a long vocal note. And then what he'd become in his prime.
Also, I'll have to look out for "Evership" :).
Great tribute to Robby. Rest easy big man.
I was actually going to suggest this along with other Kansas songs, and then I scrolled through your videos and was so, so happy you did a reaction. I saw them live with Queen and Mahogany Rush (you need to check them out, the entire album Strange Universe is so good) for $5 in Maine in the mid to late 70's. Seen Kansas a couple of other times, even in a 400 seat club! So talented.
Late to the party, here. This was the first Kansas album I purchased way back in my mid teens in 1975 and I was hooked. Kerry Livgren, who wrote this, and most of Kansas' songs when he was with the group, was classically trained on piano by his grandmother. That's why there's so much classical influence in their sound.
Kerry’s grandmother didn’t teach him to play anything. She loved classical music & had him listen to it as she told him the stories of the classical composers.
So many influences like ELP
Lonely Street is a great song for a reaction from the same album. It's not like any other tune on the album being that it's basically a hard driving rock song without any keyboards or violin. Just guitars bass and drums and Steve's vocals. They step outside the prog sound and show that they can also rock like any other band with this song. I saw them live during their Song for America tour in 1975 and they were fantastic but I got chills when they did Lonely Street
Let us not forget Lamplight Symphony!!
Steve Walsh was the lead vocalist and handled most of the keyboard duties. Kerry Livgren was the lead guitarist and most often was the one playing the piano.
Point of Know Return was a great album once you got past the two singles. I think you'll like "Closet Chronicles" from this album and "The Pinnacle" off of Masque. Catch the Don Kirshner version on CZcams to see Robby in all of his glory.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'm loving your reactions to the music of my era. I think it speaks to the quality of the tunes that they are still attracting new listeners 40 and 50 years later.
Actually, Kerry Livgren was ONE of the guitarists. Richard Williams is he main guitarist. Livgren split time between mostly piano and synths, Steve Walsh was the organist, synths, piano, and lead singer. Dave Hope was the bassist, Phil Ehart is the drummer, and Robby Steinhardt was the violinist and also lead singer.
If you want the companion piece to this (and featuring Robbie on lead vocals) do a reaction to 'Cheyenne Anthem' (studio version) from the Leftoverture album
Another good one!
WELL WITH A SONG TITLE LIKE ( SONG FOR AMERICA ), WHAT WOULD YOU EXPECT BESIDES PATRIOTISM AND BELIEF! :) AWFULLY GOOD TO SEE AND HEAR YOU GUYS AGAIN! :) AND ONCE AGAINNN, R.I.P TO ROBBY :( BE WELL NICK N LEX!
Don't forget to mention the OUTSTANDING work of Phil Ehart, too.
Journey From Mariabronn is also another fantastic song from Kansas that highlights the vocals with a proggy instrumental section. It also has beautiful violin work from Steinhardt. I hope you can react to this one as well. It really is a hidden gem!!
Thanks so much for reacting to this guys. The news of Robby’s passing hit me very hard. So thankful I got to see him live with the band twice in the early 2000’s. Such an amazing talent. Miss you Robby, play your golden fiddle on high!
A hymn, yes!
Steve Walsh was the primary singer and played organ. Kerry Livgren played lead guitar, piano, and synth, and wrote this and all Kansas's progressive songs. Dave Hope on bass. Phil Ehart on drums. Rich Williams on rhythm guitar. And of course Robby Steinhardt on violin & backup vocals (original lineup). The best band I ever heard live - 8 times (original lineup).