Bruce gives us “Two for the Show” with a review of progressive rock band Kansas’ LIVE album from November 1978 (Song for America / Dust in the Wind / Lonely Wind). ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: “Grease” by Frankie Valli (from the motion picture “Grease”) STAFF PICKS: “Strange Way” by Firefall — Wayne. “Straight On” by Heart— Rob. “Fat Bottomed Girls” by Queen — Lynch. “How Much I Feel” by Ambrosia — Bruce. NOVELTY TRACK: “Y.M.C.A.” by the Village People. **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
Kansas was at the height of their prowess and popularity as a prog rock-leaning band in 1978 when they released their first live album, Two for the Show. Recorded during tours in 1977 and 1978, the double album gives the listener a glimpse into the energy of the band at the time. The songs span the first five studio albums released by the group, from the eponymously named "Kansas" to the highly successful "Point of Know Return."
Kansas would have a number of personnel changes over time, but this lineup would be the classic one. Steve Walsh is on keyboards and vocals, Robby Steinhardt is on violins and vocals, Kerry Livgren is on guitars and keyboards, Rich Williams is on guitars, Dave Hope is on bass, and Phil Ehart is on percussion.
In addition to the complex metered songs and excellent harmonies, Kansas also features Robby Steinhardt on violin in most of their songs. The unusual use of violin in a rock band would create one of the signature sounds of Kansas.
Kansas would go on to have a number of hits in the 80's. In 1982 front man Steve Walsh would leave the group and be replaced by John Elfante. In 1983 both Livgren and Hope would leave the group to form the contemporary Christian band called AD. Later Elfante would also leave the group to join the Contemporary Christian music genre, replaced by a returning Steve Walsh.
Bruce presents this live prog rock masterpiece for this week's podcast..
Song for America
This long-form masterpiece from the album of the same name was written by Kerry Livgren. Its 3+ minute instrumental prelude did not make it onto the single release, but was a staple of FM rock stations at the time. Livgren was inspired to write the song after viewing the country from a plane flight.
Dust In the Wind
The big hit from "Point of Know Return," went to number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. Livgren originally wrote the music as a guitar exercise, and his wife encouraged him to develop it into a song. The lyrics for this ballad come from the Bible, where the Preacher from Ecclesiastes says "everything he (man) has accomplished is futile - like chasing the wind." This live version concludes with an acoustic guitar outro performed by Rich Williams.
Lonely Wind
The live version of this song from their debut studio album begins with a piano solo from Kerry Livgren. Steve Walsh penned this melancholy track about loneliness, with the wind personifying that feeling. "Cry for me, sigh for me, sad breezes blow. Stay for me, play for me, the song my friends will know. My lonely wind must blow."
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Grease by Frankie Valli (from the motion picture "Grease")
John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John star in this blockbuster musical set in a 50's high school. 50's icon Frankie Valli performs the title song, written by Barry Gibb.
STAFF PICKS:
Strange Way by Firefall
Wayne goes more mellow than normal to start the staff picks. This was the first track and big hit from the third album by Boulder, Colorado's Firefall. It talks about a relationship based on relaying sorrow or self-pity, and not being able to move the current relationship forward.
Straight On by Heart
Rob brings us a well-known song from Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart. This was the first single off their album "Dog & Butterfly," and became their third top 20 single, hitting number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100. The lyrics compare love to a game of chance, where you have to take some risks if you want to win.
Fat Bottomed Girls by Queen
"Get on your bikes and ride!" Lynch features a hit written by Brian May with Freddie Mercury in mind, knowing that Mercury appreciated women of "substantial girth." It was a part of a double A side release with "Bicycle Race," and the songs reference each other in the lyrics.
How Much I Feel by Ambrosia
Bruce's staff pick is a soft rock hit that went to number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Front man and co-founder David Pack wrote this song about a long-lost love that the singer will never truly get over. Pack would go on to perform on the Kansas album "Vinyl Confessions" in 1982.
NOVELTY TRACK:
Y.M.C.A. by the Village People
All skate, everyone skate for this fun throwback that tells a young man where he can go when he's short on the dough.