KANSAS – Miracles Out Of Nowhere (2015)
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KANSAS needs no introduction, one of the bands – perhaps the most important – that helped to forge the progressive rock music in America. The just released DVD/CD “Miracles Out Of Nowhere” gets a long-overdue look behind the scenes of the veteran band’s long journey.
The video disc features a documentary film telling the story of the band supplemented by vintage video clips and photos, of how Kansas go from a no name bar band to multi-million record selling stadium act in 3 to 4 years but they also released 5 brilliant albums during that same time – each distinctly different from the other and certainly something Kansas themselves would never be able to duplicate.
And there’s also a great audio CD, covering this brilliant period of Kansas.
The near 80 minutes in duration CD contains ‘dialogue’ excerpts from the documentary introducing most of the songs by the original members of the band (around 45 seconds each), so this plays out like an ‘audio history’ of Kansas.
And works wonderfully.
The sound quality is excellent, remastered by maestro Jeff Glixman (Magnun, Black Sabbath, Gary Moore) and with song selection by Kansas drummer Phil Ehart.
They have chosen the best songs and deep cuts from the first five albums, but there’s also a previously unreleased version of “Can I Tell You” which was recorded live in the studio for the Don Kirshner Rock Concert series.
I think the release of Kansas’ “Miracles Out Of Nowhere” was a great decision, because brings to the new generation the awesome early period of this talented band.
If you’re a casual Kansas listener who knows them just through “Dust In The Wind” or their ’80s stuff, then this CD is absolutely recommended. I truly believe you’ll be entertained and informed by it.
On the other hand, if you’re a rabid fan, by all means purchase it to round out your collection.
One case or another, “Miracles Out Of Nowhere” is a great opportunity to rediscover this awesome act.
Highly Recommended.
01 – Intro
02 – The Pilgrimage
03 – Rock Concert (Dialogue)
04 – Can I Tell You
05 – The First Album (Dialogue)
06 – Journey From Mariabronn
07 – The Second Album (Dialogue)
08 – Song For America
09 – Down The Road
10 – Masque (Dialogue)
11 – Icarus – Born On Wings Of Steel
12 – The Pinnacle
13 – Leftoverture (Dialogue)
14 – The Wall
15 – Wayward Son (Dialogue)
16 – Carry On Wayward Son
17 – Kerry The Songwriter
18 – Miracles Out Of Nowhere
19 – Time For A New Record (Dialogue)
20 – Point Of Know Return
21 – Finger Exercise (Dialogue)
22 – Dust In The Wind
23 – The Miracle (Dialogue)
24 – Nobody’s Home
Steve Walsh – lead and backing vocals, keyboards
Kerry Livgren – guitars, keys, Moog synthesizer, backing vocals
Robby Steinhardt – violin, lead and backing vocals
Rich Williams – electric & acoustic guitars
Dave Hope – bass, backing vocals
Phil Ehart – drums, percussion
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www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=9575773
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