matzaballman's Full Review: Two For the Show [Digipak] by Kansas
Besides being the decade of the cowbell, the 70's was also the decade of the double live album. Many groups and/or artists like Peter Frampton, Kiss, Blue Oyster Cult, Rush, Blue Oyster Cult, Hawkwind, Deep Purple, etc...released double live albums during the 70's. And when I say double, I mean two record sets...you remember vinyl, right?
Another group that released a double live album in the 70's was progressive hard rockers Kansas. The album is called Two For The Show and it just received a long, overdue re-mastered job. What makes this version so special is the inclusion of a second CD, consisting of previously unreleased live versions of many songs from their first five albums. The only song on the second CD that was previously released is Closet Chronicles, which was included on the original vinyl version, but not on the original CD release.
Two For The Show came out in 1978, and consists of songs from shows in 1977 and 1978, when Kansas were at the height of their popularity and touring behind the album Point Of Know Return, which contained their biggest hit, the acoustic guitar ballad Dust In The Wind. I have to admit that I did not like Kansas when I first heard them. Carry On Wayward Son, Dust In The Wind, Point Of Know Return, People Of The Southwind (all except the last one are included here)...I didn't really care for these songs initially. It wasn't until a favorite classic rock station of mine, 94 Rock in Syracuse, played the live version from Two For The Show of Journey From Mariabronn that I became a fan and realized there was much more to Kansas than their hits and that they had a progressive rock side to them. I must say the live version of this song completely blows away the studio version (found on the first album). It sounds more energetic, it has better dynamics, sounds better in general and is more tight and well played. The original version sounds sloppy in comparison.
I guess the same would go for most of the songs. I'm not a big fan of the album Point Of Know Return and there are a bunch of songs included from that album, but I have to admit that those songs sound better here, partly because the live versions breath a bit more and the guitars are louder in the mix (which still, unfortunately, does not completely change my opinion of them).
While I have always thought that Kansas were at their best when they were rocking out, my favorite part of the original Two For The Show is the third side, the most quiet (and most beautiful) part of the album. It starts off with a decent version of Dust In The Wind, goes into an acoustic guitar solo by Rich Williams (he's no Steve Howe or Ian Anderson, but he plays very well here), which leads into a gorgeous piano solo by Kerry Livgren, then into a shortened version of Steve Walsh's piano ballad Lonely Wind. After the progressive hard rocker Mysteries and Mayhem, we are treated to an excerpt from the musical ghost story Lamplight Symphony, which then segues right into Livgren's soul searching tune The Wall.
For the most part, Two For The Show is a satisfying mix of the more popular songs and lesser known but equally good album cuts...and one big clunker, the try-too-hard-to-be-neat-and-complex Magnum Opus, the title a more sophisticated term for 'Great Song', which,unfortunately, it is not. Still, I do like the beginning part where Walsh sings, and I like the subtitle 'Father Padilla Meets The Perfect Gnat'. And yeah, it does rock out a tad, too.
As good as the first disc is, it is the second disc of this remastered edition of Two For The Show that makes it a must have for Kansas fans. What makes it so good? For one, there are no repeats from the first disc. Secondly, the sound is not so clear and pristine, and has a more raw, gritty live feel to it, making it sound even more like a real live album. Thirdly and most importantly, the second disc finds the band in pure jam mode. Most of the songs are extended by group jams and/or extended guitar, keyboard and violin solos, which (thankfully) do not go on too long. In that aspect, this album reminds me of Blue Oyster Cult/On Your Feet Or On Your Knees.
Hopelessly Human (one of my favorite tunes from Point Of Know Return) starts off with an excerpt from Lamplight Symphony, Child Of Innocence has the band jamming out for three minutes, with Kerry Livgren getting in some inspired guitar playing, before launching into the song itself. Lonely Street is extended by three or four minutes with some more group jamming and improvising, particularly by the guitarists and the rhythm section. Not what one would expect on a Kansas album and all the more better for it.
Somewhere to elsewhere, violinist/vocalist Robby Steinhardt (who acts as the group's emcee, as well) has a little fun introducing Sparks Of The Tempest, putting echo and other sound effects on his voice as he laughs and howls like a madman, and it's nice to hear the group do such lesser known album cuts like Belexes, Down The Road and Cheyenne Anthem, all of which sound terrific here.
Criticisms? There is a very bad piece of editing at the end of the instrumental The Spider, with them chopping the song off as it starts to go into Portrait (He Knew). Singer/keyboardist Steve Walsh's singing voice sounds more scratchy and gravely than it does on the studio albums, though I'm not sure that is necessarily a bad thing. And, Bringing It Back is the only song here that goes on a wee bit too long, like the band were having such a good time playing it that they didn't want to stop! But I guess that would lead me to say something else positive.....the band sound like they are truly enjoying themselves on this live album, which is another reason I like listening to it so much.
Leftoveralls....
This remastered version is packaged in a fold out sleeve and comes with a 12 page booklet, which includes liner notes, the track listing and all of the photos found on the original album, along with seven new ones. By this time, Rich Williams had traded in his farmer boy overalls for a tuxedo and bassist Dave Hope had slimmed down tremendously...just look at the pictures of him on the first two albums and then look at the pictures of him on Leftoverture and here and you will see what I mean. And the shot of the nearly empty theatre seats floating in the sky reminds me of the picture on the inside of Blue Oyster Cult/On Your Feet Or On Your Knees. My only criticism of the packaging is the way the CDs themselves are positioned...it is tough not to touch the bottom of the CDs while trying to take them out. Other than that minor quibble, Two For The Show is highly recommended!
Song List:
Disc 1
1. Song For America
2. Point of No Return
3. Paradox
4. Icarus-Borne On Wings of Steel
5. Portrait (He Knew)
6. Carry On Wayward Son
7. Journey From Mariabronn
8. Dust In the Wind/Acoustic Guitar Solo
9. Lonely Wind/Piano Solo
10. Mysteries and Mayhem
11. Excerpt From the Lamplight Symphony
12. Wall
13. Magnum Opus
Disc 2
1. Hopelessly Human
2. Child of Innocence
3. Belexes
4. Cheyenne Anthem
5. Lonely Street
6. Miracles Out of Nowhere
7. Drum Solo/the Spider
8. Closet Chronicles
9. Down the Road
10. Sparks of the Tempest
11. Bringing It Back
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