I saw Kansas live and the Drummer was very impressive Phil Ehart I believe. Right in the pocket and a brilliant technician. A jaw dropping experience for sure. Groups are rarely as good these days, if ever. Musicians loved this group.
Nice analysis, Rob. An absolute masterpiece from a criminally underappreciated band. Any person who only knows Kansas from "Dust in the Wind" and "Carry on Wayward Son" has no idea what they are missing. If you haven't done a video for "Miracles out of Nowhere" yet that would be my next suggestion. It's good to know that if David Ragsdale (current lineup's violinist) falls ill on tour, you could step right in! 😉
Always one of my favorite American Prog Bands...Like Chicago, their first 2 Albums were my favorites.....saw them with Jorney & Starcastle in the winter of 77 at NIU....DeKalb!
its good to see someone truly appreciate the intricacies , complexity and mastery of Kansas compositions ...kudos to you ...and you play a pretty good violin your self ..hats off
RIP Robby Steinhardt. You'll live on though, through Kansas's music. 😢 🎻 Note: the version played here isn't the original album version, this is an edited version from " The Best of Kansas " compilation album...there's a section of about 45 seconds missing
Enjoyed your comments very much (and playing). Please, I’m begging you, do Journey From Mariabronn from their first album. Very complex. Soaring vocals.
Watching you listening to this song and enjoying it much the same ways I do brought a big smile to my face. Loved the parts where you played along a little. Would love to see you play along with the entire song :)
A lot of people here are talking about Kansas in past tense, as if they are no longer around. Sure, there have been some personnel changes. Maybe the most noticeable is Steve Walsh retired. He's still making albums, but he retired from the road and Kansas because it was killing his voice to sing those songs night after night. But, check out his album "Black Butterfly". It's filled with great Steve Walsh music. The band Kansas now has seven members. Sure, only two of them are original, Rich Williams on guitar and Phil Ehart on drums, but Billy Greer, the bass player has now been in the band longer than Dave Hope, the original bass player. And the present violin player, David Ragsdale has been in the band a very long time now, too, after Robby Steinheardt left. Other former members besides Steve are still at it, too. Robby is still playing, in a band based in Florida. Kerry Livgren is still very much involved in music, with many albums out. Dave Hope is now a minister, but I think he still plays in a band, too. Like I said, the present Kansas now has seven members. Two guitars (and David Ragsdale also plays guitar in addition to violin) two keyboards and several sing harmony, too. This new lineup allows them to play full albums including songs that were never ever played live. They were just album cuts. This song, "Song for America" is one song they can play live now and it sounds amazing. All of the parts are there. The new lead singer, Ronnie Platt does a great job of singing those high notes Steve Walsh was so famous for. And Ronnie is the first to say he's not replacing Steve, because nobody could do that. They also have a new album out from a couple of years ago that is great. And I've heard they are about to go into the studio to record yet another album. This music is very much still Kansas music. Rich and Phil made sure they found musicians that can play the old music and the whole band is full of creative juices that means more new albums coming our way. The latest album is "The Prelude Implicit" and it's unmistakably Kansas. Don't assume Kansas is no longer around. Sure, the original 6 have gone their own ways, but the two that remain have said it's all about the music of Kansas and that's what they've wanted, to keep that music alive and well, and carrying on. If you like the Kansas of old, you need to listen to the Kansas of new. And give yourself a treat, if they come to your city. They are playing over 2 hour shows and there isn't a bad song in the show.
I'll also not that they're on their *50th* anniversary tour. Saw them a few months ago and they are STILL one of the tightest live acts around. If they come anywhere NEAR you, go see them. You will NOT regret it!
You should do the earlier version of this song from the earlier iteration of Kansas (known as Kansas II or Porto-Kaw). It’s different but all the elements are there. Fun to compare the two and see how the song moved from a psychedelic Prog song to this Progressive monster song.
Thanks so much for reacting to Kansas! One of my favorite bands, but hardly anyone talks about them, other than Dust in the Wind. =) Please try another deep cut of theirs called Icarus: Borne on Wings of Steel.
Cut the guy some slack. He still has a reaction to it, doesn't he? If you're expecting him to have never heard of it, like some of the other reaction people do, I guess you were disappointed. I wasn't. I actually enjoyed the fact that he had already heard the song and it was also obvious that he knew when certain parts were coming up, which tells me he's a Kansas fan. Sometimes, it's sad to have someone listen to one of your favorite bands and have never heard of them before. It didn't happen this time!
The greatest American progrock band ever.... period
A masterpiece And American treasure.
A beautifully composed piece of music. Appreciate the commentary about the song’s structure. There some classical composers smiling somewhere
I saw Kansas live and the Drummer was very impressive Phil Ehart I believe. Right in the pocket and a brilliant technician. A jaw dropping experience for sure. Groups are rarely as good these days, if ever. Musicians loved this group.
Phil Ehart was definitely one of the great drummers - he doesn't get as much recognition because he was a drummer for a prog rock band.
@@jamesrawlins735 Probably so Jim. I know I was impressed and I can be a harsh critic..
Thoroughly enjoyed you. In my top 3 Kansas songs. I like your highlights of certain violin parts. Bravo! Robbie would be honored.
Nice analysis, Rob. An absolute masterpiece from a criminally underappreciated band. Any person who only knows Kansas from "Dust in the Wind" and "Carry on Wayward Son" has no idea what they are missing. If you haven't done a video for "Miracles out of Nowhere" yet that would be my next suggestion. It's good to know that if David Ragsdale (current lineup's violinist) falls ill on tour, you could step right in! 😉
Always one of my favorite American Prog Bands...Like Chicago, their first 2 Albums were my favorites.....saw them with Jorney & Starcastle in the winter of 77 at NIU....DeKalb!
its good to see someone truly appreciate the intricacies , complexity and mastery of Kansas compositions ...kudos to you ...and you play a pretty good violin your self ..hats off
I always loved that stutter-stepped rhythm at the beginning.
you kick ass, im 29 and my father raised me on Kansas
That song is so fucking amazing !!!!!!!
RIP Robby Steinhardt. You'll live on though, through Kansas's music. 😢 🎻
Note: the version played here isn't the original album version, this is an edited version from " The Best of Kansas " compilation album...there's a section of about 45 seconds missing
Yep. And what exactly was the point of leaving that 45 seconds out of an epic composition? Time constraints?
Best concert you’ll ever see. They band is so tight right now. Go see them!
Lamplight Symphony is another great early song. Actually, this LP and Masque were masterpieces of Prog and blues.
Great to hear Kansas. It was great seeing them perform live in the 70s. Brings back a lot of memories.
I have seen the original Kansas 13 times! Best American prog band ever! Kansas is also best served live!!
Steve Walsh has got to be the greatest vocalist ever!
Kansas is amazing. They really don't get enough respect in the prog rock world.
Way ahead of there time, Monster ProgRock giant.
Enjoyed your comments very much (and playing). Please, I’m begging you, do Journey From Mariabronn from their first album. Very complex. Soaring vocals.
Watching you listening to this song and enjoying it much the same ways I do brought a big smile to my face. Loved the parts where you played along a little. Would love to see you play along with the entire song :)
I haven't heard this song in a long while so thank you for playing it even though this is not a reaction video since you know the song already
clearly
Thanks for paying them homage. Walsh is a beast of a vocalist with those flawless B4s! Nice violin playing Rob!
A lot of people here are talking about Kansas in past tense, as if they are no longer around. Sure, there have been some personnel changes. Maybe the most noticeable is Steve Walsh retired. He's still making albums, but he retired from the road and Kansas because it was killing his voice to sing those songs night after night. But, check out his album "Black Butterfly". It's filled with great Steve Walsh music.
The band Kansas now has seven members. Sure, only two of them are original, Rich Williams on guitar and Phil Ehart on drums, but Billy Greer, the bass player has now been in the band longer than Dave Hope, the original bass player. And the present violin player, David Ragsdale has been in the band a very long time now, too, after Robby Steinheardt left.
Other former members besides Steve are still at it, too. Robby is still playing, in a band based in Florida. Kerry Livgren is still very much involved in music, with many albums out. Dave Hope is now a minister, but I think he still plays in a band, too.
Like I said, the present Kansas now has seven members. Two guitars (and David Ragsdale also plays guitar in addition to violin) two keyboards and several sing harmony, too. This new lineup allows them to play full albums including songs that were never ever played live. They were just album cuts. This song, "Song for America" is one song they can play live now and it sounds amazing. All of the parts are there. The new lead singer, Ronnie Platt does a great job of singing those high notes Steve Walsh was so famous for. And Ronnie is the first to say he's not replacing Steve, because nobody could do that.
They also have a new album out from a couple of years ago that is great. And I've heard they are about to go into the studio to record yet another album. This music is very much still Kansas music. Rich and Phil made sure they found musicians that can play the old music and the whole band is full of creative juices that means more new albums coming our way. The latest album is "The Prelude Implicit" and it's unmistakably Kansas.
Don't assume Kansas is no longer around. Sure, the original 6 have gone their own ways, but the two that remain have said it's all about the music of Kansas and that's what they've wanted, to keep that music alive and well, and carrying on. If you like the Kansas of old, you need to listen to the Kansas of new. And give yourself a treat, if they come to your city. They are playing over 2 hour shows and there isn't a bad song in the show.
They've got an album coming out this month, "The Absence of Presence".
I'll also not that they're on their *50th* anniversary tour. Saw them a few months ago and they are STILL one of the tightest live acts around. If they come anywhere NEAR you, go see them. You will NOT regret it!
Is this a redone version. On my original (at 9:37), it goes back to the very beginning of the song.?.?
Gentle Giant is another band comprised of accomplished musicians. Thank you for this great review, and God bless. Peace
Can you please do Kansas "Incomudro hymn to the atman" from the same Album.
You should do the earlier version of this song from the earlier iteration of Kansas (known as Kansas II or Porto-Kaw). It’s different but all the elements are there. Fun to compare the two and see how the song moved from a psychedelic Prog song to this Progressive monster song.
Alan Hembra Proto Kaw did not do Song For America! They did Belexis and Incommudro/Hymn to the Atman
Thanks so much for reacting to Kansas! One of my favorite bands, but hardly anyone talks about them, other than Dust in the Wind. =) Please try another deep cut of theirs called Icarus: Borne on Wings of Steel.
Life Long Kansas Fan....Fantastic song...and you clearly enjoy it..lol..but..can you really call this video a "Reaction"?
Don't mean to be rude, but if you already know this track, how is this a "reaction"?
Cut the guy some slack. He still has a reaction to it, doesn't he? If you're expecting him to have never heard of it, like some of the other reaction people do, I guess you were disappointed. I wasn't. I actually enjoyed the fact that he had already heard the song and it was also obvious that he knew when certain parts were coming up, which tells me he's a Kansas fan. Sometimes, it's sad to have someone listen to one of your favorite bands and have never heard of them before. It didn't happen this time!
Justin Oldmusician Even worse,some reactors stop the song 20 times and explain the song before they’ve heard it! That is truly annoying!
Dude, just stop and listen.