The founder & lead guitarist for Kansas, Kerry Livgren, once put out an album of purely Christian songs (Seeds of Change, which is still in print, believe it or not) where Ronnie James Dio does lead vocals on two of the songs!! I read an interview with Kerry where he explained the reasons behind using secular musicians...it didn't make a lot of sense, but still, it's pretty weird hearing Dio singing "Live for the King...Rejoice! Rejoice!"

"Kansas"

1. "Can I Tell You" (3:31)
2. "Bringing it Back" (3:33)
3. "Lonely Wind" (4:15)
4. "Belexes" (4:22)
5. "Journey from Mariabronn" (7:55)
6. "The Pilgrimage" (3:41)
7. "Apercu" (9:44)
8. "Death of Mother Nature Suite" (7:43)

Got this one as part of a trade for some crappy vinyl. The sound is...well, like typical Kansas. :) Quite enjoyable, and very progressive.

"Masque"

1. "It Takes a Woman's Love (to Make a Man)" (3:09)
2. "Two Cents Worth" (3:10)
3. "Icarus--Borne on the Wings of Steel" (6:07)
4. "All the World" (7:13)
5. "Child of Innocence" (4:38)
6. "It's You" (2:35)
7. "Mysteries and Mayhem" (4:20)
8. "The Pinnacle" (9:35)

God, I love vinylphiles!! A guy wanted to trade for my rare crappy 2LP set of King Crimson's Young Person's Guide, and I offered it in exchange for $20 + one CD off my Need-It List. Wouldn't you know, he picked the $40 CD!!! (Well, it used to sell for that much until the Jap import came out, but it still goes for over $20 these days.) Keep those trades coming, guys!!!

It's really a shame that this album's out of print, because it is THE definitive Kansas album. Their unique bluesy folk-rock style infects every track here, from the more poppy numbers ("It's Takes a Woman's Love", "Mysteries and Mayhem") to the long, progressive suites ("Icarus", "The Pinnacle").

[Note: A week after I wrote this, "Masque" was reissued domestically. So the good news is, everyone who wants it can now get it. The bad news is...I can't gloat anymore, dammit!]

"Leftoverture"

1. "Carry On Wayward Son" (5:22)
2. "The Wall" (4:49)
3. "What's on my Mind" (3:28)
4. "Miracles out of Nowhere" (6:27)
5. "Opus Insert" (4:27)
6. "Questions of my Childhood" (3:36)
7. "Cheyenne Anthem" (6:52)
8. "Magnum Opus" (8:27)
   • a. Father Padilla Meets the Perfect Gnat
   • b. Howling at the Moon
   • c. Man Overboard
   • d. Industry on Parade
   • e. Release the Beavers
   • f. Gnat Attack

All right, I've resolved myself to buy at least one Kansas CD every five years. :) Sound good enough?? This one's got some nice progressive stuff on it, especially the last two songs.

"Carry On Wayward Son" is the band's signature track, and the only Kansas song I know of that's been covered (tributes aside) -- by Yngwie Malmsteen, and also by Dream Theater (as part of a medley).

"Point of Know Return"

1. "Point of Know Return" (3:12)
2. "Paradox" (3:49)
3. "The Spider"--instrumental (2:03)
4. "Portrait (He Knew)" (4:37)
5. "Closet Chronicles" (6:30)
6. "Lightning's Hand" (4:22)
7. "Dust in the Wind" (3:26)
8. "Sparks of the Tempest" (4:16)
9. "Nobody's Home" (4:39)
10. "Hopelessly Human" (7:09)

I bought this CD thinking it would grow into a more substantial collection. Didn't happen, but I still like to listen to it sometimes.

"The Best of Kansas"

1. "Carry On Wayward Son" (5:22)
2. "Point of Know Return" (3:11)
3. "Fight Fire with Fire" (3:40)
4. "Dust in the Wind" (3:27)
5. "Song for America" (9:08)
6. "Perfect Lover" (4:19)
7. "Hold On" (3:52)
8. "No One Together" (6:57)
9. "Play the Game Tonight" (3:26)
10. "The Wall" (4:49)

I got this one after realizing I would probably never buy all of Kansas's earlier CDs. Well, maybe some I will, but definitely not the ones with the songs "Play the Game Tonight" and "Fight Fire with Fire" (a GREAT song, if I do say!); plus, "Perfect Lover" is only on this CD, so it's not a wasted purchase.

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