“Kansas” is the debut studio album by American
progressive rock band Kansas, released in 1974 by Kirshner in the United States
and Epic Records in other countries.
Kansas's debut album followed the merging of two Topeka musical camps: Kerry Livgren, from a previous Kansas line-up, and White Clover, which played mainstream rock and blues. 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 guitarist/keyboardist Livgren and vocalist/keyboardist Steve Walsh, had been culled from the repertoire of both groups. Livgren's songs were generally longer and more elaborate than Walsh's and featured mystical lyrics which reflected his intense interest in Eastern religions. "Journey from Mariabronn" was inspired by Hermann Hesse's “Narcissus and Goldmund”, while "Belexes" and "Aperçu" were influenced by the pseudo-Asian sound of Giacomo Puccini's “Turandot”.
“Kansas” was promoted by print advertisements which included the tagline "Kansas is Koming." A promotional 7-inch single titled "Man the Stormcellars: Kansas is Koming!" was sent to radio stations and featured Don Kirshner hyping the album. Two 7-inch singles were released: "Can I Tell You" and "Lonely Wind". Both failed to chart, though a live version of "Lonely Wind" (from the double-live album “Two for the Show”) did reach the Top 100 in early 1979. The album was reissued in remastered format on CD in 2004. A remastered version of the album appeared on vinyl in 2014.
Kansas's debut album followed the merging of two Topeka musical camps: Kerry Livgren, from a previous Kansas line-up, and White Clover, which played mainstream rock and blues. 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 guitarist/keyboardist Livgren and vocalist/keyboardist Steve Walsh, had been culled from the repertoire of both groups. Livgren's songs were generally longer and more elaborate than Walsh's and featured mystical lyrics which reflected his intense interest in Eastern religions. "Journey from Mariabronn" was inspired by Hermann Hesse's “Narcissus and Goldmund”, while "Belexes" and "Aperçu" were influenced by the pseudo-Asian sound of Giacomo Puccini's “Turandot”.
“Kansas” was promoted by print advertisements which included the tagline "Kansas is Koming." A promotional 7-inch single titled "Man the Stormcellars: Kansas is Koming!" was sent to radio stations and featured Don Kirshner hyping the album. Two 7-inch singles were released: "Can I Tell You" and "Lonely Wind". Both failed to chart, though a live version of "Lonely Wind" (from the double-live album “Two for the Show”) did reach the Top 100 in early 1979. The album was reissued in remastered format on CD in 2004. A remastered version of the album appeared on vinyl in 2014.
“Kansas” este albumul de studio de debut al trupei
americane de rock progresiv Kansas, lansat in 1974 de catre Kirshner in Statele
Unite si Epic Records in alte tari.
Albumul de debut a urmat fuziunii a doua tabere musicale din Topeka:Kerri Livgren, de la o componenta anterioara a lui Kansas si White Clover, care canta rock obisnuit si blues. Grupul nou format a semnat cu Kirshner records in 1973 si au calatorit la New York sa inregistreze prima lor lansare. Materialul de pe “Kansas”, scris in mare parte de chitaristul claviaturist Livgren si vocalistul claviaturist Steve Walsh, a fost cules din repertoriul ambelor grupuri. Cantecele lui Livgren erau , in general, mai lungi si mai elaborate decat cele ale lui Walsh si prezentau versuri mistice care reflectau interesul puternic in religiile estice. “Journey from Mariabronn” a fost inspirat de “Narcis si Goldmund” a lui Hermann Hesse, in timp ce “Belexes” si "Aperçu” au fost influentate de sunetul pseudo asiatic din “Turandot” a lui Puccini.
“Kansas" a fost promovat prin publicitate tiparita care a avut sloganul “Kansas is Koming”. Un single promotional de 7 toli, intitulat “Man the Stormcellars:Kansas is Koming!” a fost trimis la statiile de radio si prezenta pe Don Kirshner facand publicitate intensa albumului. Doua single-uri de 7 toli au fost lansate: “Can I Tell You” si “Lonely Wind”. Ambele au ratat intrarea in clasamente, desi o versiune live de la “Lonely Wind” (de pe dublul album live “Two for the Show”) a prins clasamentul Top 100 la inceputul lui 1979. Albumul a fost relansat in format imbunatatit pe CD in 2004. O versiune imbunatatita pe vinil a fost relansata in 2014.
Albumul de debut a urmat fuziunii a doua tabere musicale din Topeka:Kerri Livgren, de la o componenta anterioara a lui Kansas si White Clover, care canta rock obisnuit si blues. Grupul nou format a semnat cu Kirshner records in 1973 si au calatorit la New York sa inregistreze prima lor lansare. Materialul de pe “Kansas”, scris in mare parte de chitaristul claviaturist Livgren si vocalistul claviaturist Steve Walsh, a fost cules din repertoriul ambelor grupuri. Cantecele lui Livgren erau , in general, mai lungi si mai elaborate decat cele ale lui Walsh si prezentau versuri mistice care reflectau interesul puternic in religiile estice. “Journey from Mariabronn” a fost inspirat de “Narcis si Goldmund” a lui Hermann Hesse, in timp ce “Belexes” si "Aperçu” au fost influentate de sunetul pseudo asiatic din “Turandot” a lui Puccini.
“Kansas" a fost promovat prin publicitate tiparita care a avut sloganul “Kansas is Koming”. Un single promotional de 7 toli, intitulat “Man the Stormcellars:Kansas is Koming!” a fost trimis la statiile de radio si prezenta pe Don Kirshner facand publicitate intensa albumului. Doua single-uri de 7 toli au fost lansate: “Can I Tell You” si “Lonely Wind”. Ambele au ratat intrarea in clasamente, desi o versiune live de la “Lonely Wind” (de pe dublul album live “Two for the Show”) a prins clasamentul Top 100 la inceputul lui 1979. Albumul a fost relansat in format imbunatatit pe CD in 2004. O versiune imbunatatita pe vinil a fost relansata in 2014.
List of tracks
Side 1
1. "Can I
Tell You" 3:32
2. "Bringing
It Back" (J. J. Cale cover) 3:33
3. "Lonely
Wind" 4:16
4. "Belexes" 4:23
5. "Journey
from Mariabronn" 7:55
Side 2
6. "The
Pilgrimage" 3:42
7. "Aperçu" 9:54
8. "Death
of Mother Nature Suite" 7:43
Personnel
Kansas
Steve Walsh – piano, organ, Fender Rhodes, congas, lead
and backing vocals
Kerry Livgren – guitars, piano, organ, Moog synthesizer,
backing vocals
Robby Steinhardt – violin, lead and backing vocals
Rich Williams – electric and acoustic guitars
Dave Hope – bass, backing vocals
Phil Ehart – drums
Additional musicians
Jay Siegel (from The Tokens) – vocals on "Lonely
Wind"
Production
Wally Gold - producer
Dan Turbeville - engineer
Kevin "Whip" Herron & Jimmy
"Shoes" Iovine - assistant engineers
Tom Rabstenek, Greg Calbi - mastering
Ed Lee - cover design
John Steuart Curry - cover painting
Don Hunstein - back cover photo
Jeff Glixman, Jeff Magid - remastered edition producers
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