Kansas (album)
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| Kansas | ||
 |
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| Studio album by Kansas | ||
| Released | March 1974 | |
| Recorded | Autumn, 1973 | |
| Genre | Progressive Rock | |
| Length | 44:47 | |
| Label | Epic/Legacy | |
| Producer(s) | Wally Gold | |
| Professional reviews | ||
|---|---|---|
| Kansas chronology | ||
| Kansas (1974) |
Song for America (1974) |
|
Kansas is the self-titled debut album by American rock band Kansas, released in 1974 (see 1974 in music).
Kansas's debut album is the result of a merger between two Topeka musical camps: Kerry Livgren, from a previous Kansas line-up, and White Clover, a more traditional southern-style rock band in the vein of Lynyrd Skynyrd. The newly formed group signed with Kirshner Records in 1973 and traveled to New York to record their first release. The material on Kansas, written mostly by Livgren and White Clover vocalist Steve Walsh, had been culled from the repertoire of both groups. Livgren's songs were generally longer and more elaborate than Walsh's, featuring mystical lyrics which reflected his intense interest in Eastern religions. Some of these classically-inspired compositions remain favorites of the band's faithful (aka Wheatheads), especially "Journey from Mariabronn", "Belexes", and "Aperçu".
[edit] Track listing
- "Can I Tell You" (Williams, Walsh, Ehart, Hope) – 3:32
- "Bringing It Back" (J.J. Cale) – 3:33
- "Lonely Wind" (Walsh) – 4:16
- "Belexes" (Livgren) – 4:23
- "Journey from Mariabronn" (Livgren, Walsh) – 7:55
- "The Pilgrimage" (Livgren, Walsh) – 3:42
- "Aperçu" (Livgren, Walsh) – 9:43
- "Death of Mother Nature Suite" (Livgren) – 7:43
[edit] Personnel
- Phil Ehart - drums
- Dave Hope - bass, vocals
- Kerry Livgren - organ, guitar, piano, rhythm guitar, keyboard, vocals, Moog synthesizer
- Robbie Steinhardt - violin, vocals, harmony vocals
- Steve Walsh - organ, piano, conga, keyboard, vocals, harmony vocals
- Rich Williams - guitar
[edit] Production
- Producer: Wally Gold
- Engineer: Dan Turbeville
[edit] Charts
Album - Billboard (North America)
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Pop Albums | 174 |
| Kansas |
|---|
| Phil Ehart | Billy Greer | David Ragsdale | Steve Walsh | Richard Williams |
| Dave Hope | Kerry Livgren | Robby Steinhardt | John Elefante | Steve Morse | Greg Robert |
| Discography |
| Studio albums: Kansas | Song for America | Masque | Leftoverture | Point of Know Return | Monolith | Audio-Visions | Vinyl Confessions | Drastic Measures | Power | In the Spirit of Things | Freaks of Nature | Always Never the Same | Somewhere to Elsewhere |
| Live albums: Two for the Show | Live at the Whisky | King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents Kansas | Device, Voice, Drum |
| Compilations: The Best of Kansas | Carry On |The Kansas Boxed Set | The Best of Kansas (expanded) | The Ultimate Kansas | Sail On: The 30th Anniversary Collection | On the Other Side | Works in Progress |
