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 KANSAS's First Boxed Set Mar 25, 2008
KANSAS - Boxed Set (*****) Disc 1-(77:12) Disc 2-(77:09)
After struggling for through the 80's with mediocre albums and numerous line-up changes, the music of the original members of KANSAS put out a boxed set of their music aimed directly at the band's fans. This "Ultimate Box Set", was produced and compiled with the full cooperation of all the original band members. Twenty-six tracks, which included most of the band's greatest hits, as well as an unissued demo of "Can I Tell You" and a few unissued Live recordings. The set also contained an exclusive new song penned by Kerry Livgren & Steve Walsh.
Basically you get music from all their albums from the 1974 debut KANSAS, all the way up to 1980's Audio-Visions. It is a very complete set of KANSAS songs. I have to admit, that when I purchased this set in the mid-90's, I still was not familiar with Kansas's early material. I mostly listened to disc two, which starts out with Carry on Wayward Son (their most well-known song) and runs up through Monolith and Audio-Visions.
At the time this came out (1994) it was the most comprehensive and up to date compilation of KANSAS's music from the band's most popular era. The boxed set has a fantastic 32-page booklet containing the history of the band, that was put together under the direction of the official KANSAS fan club. It includes rare memorabilia and never before seen photos. Besides a few unreleased "Live" tracks which are very good, the most interesting bonus is the original demo for Can I Tell You. One of KANSAS's earliest tracks, and the one that single-handedly got them a record deal with Kirshner Records.
Recommended for Fans and Casual listeners combined.
Awsome Oct 21, 2006
This is actually what it states it is. The Ultimate Kansas Collection of 26 tracks on 2 CDs.
All classic album cuts from the first Kansas album to Audio-Visions plus an unissued Demo recording along with 3 unissued live recordings and a new song.
It also comes with a well done 36 page full color booklet.
I find the unissued recordings refreshing and the rest of the songs an awsome greatest hits package.
Well Done
 Good, but "fans only" Mar 14, 2006
This is an "odds 'n ends" collection of album tracks, demos and live tracks from the original Kansas lineup of Steve Walsh (vocals, keyboards); Kerry Livgren (guitars, keyboards); Richard Williams (guitars), Dave Hope (bass guitar), Robby Steinhardt (violin, vocals) and Phil Ehart (drums).
It is indeed a retrospective, the best feature being the very informative booklet that comes with it. It is the story of a rock band who clawed themselves up from obscurity in Kansas to superstardom - back in the pre-MTV age, when about the only way for a band to make it was through the hard work of touring, recording, touring, recording...and Kansas did plenty of this.
As for the tracks themselves, this probably could have been shortened to a single disc by deleting the tracks that are available on the original albums and/or other compilations (really, how many times can these guys' music be repackaged?).
The demo tracks show how tight and good they were even in pre-recording days, and the live tracks show that they really could reproduce all the extended soloing live (remember when that was cool?) - as if there were any doubt.
There is only one truly new track here, "Wheels", recorded with Kansas' '90s touring lineup (Dave Hope replaced by Billy Greer, Robby Steinhardt replaced by David Ragsdale). The booklet says Kerry Livgren wrote it for a solo project, but I'm not sure if he actually plays on it. I saw them perform it live in a club in the early '90s. It could sit comfortably on "Power" or "Freaks Of Nature". It's good, but not great.
I'd recommend this to hardcore fans only who want to see how this wonderful band evolved over the years.
For a "background music" compilation, get "The Ultimate Kansas" or, if you're only into the stuff that got played on the radio, one of the many repackagings of "The Best Of Kansas".
Kansas boxed set Sep 27, 2005
Awesome classic rock music. Live re-recording of Hymn to Atman is incredible!
2 of 22 found the following review helpful:
The Kansas Boxed Set (slipcase) & add Greatest Hits Nov 08, 2004
WONDERFUL! Most of the Songs true to the Native American Spirit of "One with Nature" and our leading a path of Destruction of this great Land. I'm not an Eco-Freak or Eco-Terrorist (Idiots who land up doing more damage to our Planet than would otherwise occur, case in Point the recent burning of a Hummer Lot gone out of Control, pouring more destructive elements into the Atmosphere than years of people Driving those vehicles emmissions would put forth)... anyway ... back to Point... Kansas is a VERY RARE BREAD OF BAND-MATES, and indeed A VERY RARE BAND OF MUSICAL DEPTH. This BOX SET together gives you the best bang of Kansas' range of Music for the Buck. You get the Greatness of a Band with a Mission and Meaning, and the heavier Break out side that adds the more RADIO-HEAD tunes - they had to Sell Albums after-all, or the other Wonderfull, Meaningfull, etc... songs become known.
Aside from the Music of the Compilations mentioned, the Cover Art of MONOLITH is what really makes a statement. For as a New Mexican Tribe (Sorry, not knowledgable enough, or have a good enough memory, to recall all the Facts -- but they long forsaw the coming of the White Man, the Division of the Land granted by God to All and Owned by none, only to criss-crossed by artificial lines on the ground and strung from poles. One day, this shall all pass and the Land will once return to All, and All will once again be ONE with the Land in God's original balance of Life. The MONOLITHs will have been reduced to Rubble, The Armageddon and the fate of Babylon again.
Being a 100% White Male, of German, Italian, and Polish mix, I had always felt a kindered spirit with the Native Americans. True Communists, a foolish folly lost on the White Man, and corrupted/perverted by those who exploited the Many for the benefit of the few. It is those Left Wing Eco-Idiots folly that continue to drive toward the SOCIALIST UTOPIA; but those Blind to the true and only Natural Commune of the Native Americans can and will never get it right; and drag all down with them. Despite the Destruction and Failure of their Exulted examples, these foolish people of Pride and seekers of Glory cannot see the failures but nothing as failures because THEY are the one's who condemningly beleive are the only one's who know the True Path.
Myself, a TRUE CONSERVATIVE, a beleiver in LIBERTARIANISM/FREEDOM, only wish there were more I could do. I have been fortunate enough to have Married one of BlackFoot decent. I hope that we shall one day be able to track her roots and find what may remain of her Tribal Brothers and Sisters.
The 2004 Election gives us some hope. Looking at the U.S. Electoral Map, the True Lovers of the Rural Lifestyle and Workers of the Land have Risen above the Socialist Elitist States of the New England Coast and the Socialist Republic of California. Indeed, even the Midwest was fortunate enough, in some states to rise in masses and state "Enough is Enough" and did not allow the Large Urban Centers to Dictate Their fate.
As a Michigander, from the Socialist County of Wayne, I've long fought hard against the Mighty winds. The Blustering Winds of the Powerful UNIONS and TEACHERS SOCIALIST GUILD; but alas MI went Blue - because the surrounding counties of Oakland and Macomb didn't counter enough of Wayne for the Rest of the states Rural numbers to try to turn back from our headlong run into Extermination. It is as if these people willfully and wantingly desire to make the worst of possibilities "Orwells - 1984", Headlong into Armageddon despites the Great Spirits, any many Prophets, including the Words from GODs own Warnings.
It's time that the U.S. Republic SPLIT APART, and become seperate countries.
YES, YES, all of that can be felt in the Tribal inspired music of Kansas that I've grown to love since forever; though I must say that I am also a big fan of the "Capitalist" sides of Kansas' songs. My favorite: PERFECT LOVER and PLAY THE GAME TONIGHT from the GH collection.
Have you been to the Grand Canyon? Have you seen the Great vastness and Glory of Gods land (From the East Coast to the West Coast and all in between?) that the Native Americans lived (not always, they had Tribal Wars also - but) mostly lived in peace and harmony. Using only what was needed, instead of Raping and Pillaging the Land.
I hope all the world has a re-discovering of KANSAS and the Message they bring - indeed "NO-ONE TOGETHER"
Peace to you all, as you are all my Brothers and Sisters, and I hope that I may one day Visit, Live, and Learn from my Wifes Heritage.
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