KANSAS / Finale 1983 A.D. Kansas Live (1CDR)

1 - Fight Fire with Fire
2 - Point of Know Return
3 - Everybody's My Friend
4 - What's on My Mind
5 - Play The Game Tonight
6 - Hold On
7 - Andi
8 - Dust in the Wind
9 - Exerpt from Song for America (Kerry Livgren Keyboard Solo)
10 - Crossfire
11 - Get Rich
12 - Belexes - (Phil Ehart Drum solo)
13 - Magnum Opus
14 - Carry on Wayward Son
15 - Mainstream
16 - Portrait (He Knew)

John Elephante - Vocals, Keys, Guitar
Kerry Livgren - Keys, Guitar, Backup vocals
Richard Williams - Guitar
Dave Hope - Bass
Phil Ehart - Drums
Warren Ham - Keys, Backup vocals, sax and flute

◆“Drastic Measures Tour” Universal Amphitheater, LA, CA, October 1, 1983

This premium, official release features a 24-bit digital remaster of the pre-FM master recording of the LA concert on October 1, 1983, just before KANSAS disbanded. A fascinating contrast is the simultaneous release of a video of their 2006 South American performance. This highly accessible sample chronicles the band's journey from their early days to headlining, from peaks to minor setbacks, and then to the rifts and splits they experienced. It's also invaluable as a valuable resource for learning about KANSAS's most underappreciated period immediately following their split. Honestly, KANSAS at their peak possessed unwavering showmanship and an ultimately perfect harmony. It's no exaggeration to say that the former—i.e., the high level of performance and stage presence—were the responsibility of vocalist Steve Walsh and violinist Robby Steinhardt of the currently reunited KANSAS. It's fair to say that the band's greatest selling points, its beautiful harmony and song quality, were largely the responsibility of Kerry Livgren, who remained with Kansas after the band split and disbanded. The live album Two for the Show was perhaps the perfect expression of Kansas that Kerry envisioned. No one would deny the critical acclaim for that live album. However, this live performance also offers a glimpse of what Kerry sought after afterward. More than feeling the magnitude of what was lost at their greatest success, there are few ways to appreciate the band's potential at this time, which makes this recording all the more valuable. Listening to this recording leaves no room for doubt about the abilities of Steve's replacement, John Elephante. Keyboardist Warren Ham later became famous after joining the reunited Toto. Kerry Livgren and Dave Hope, who formed a band called AD and did not reunite, rarely appear outside of studio recordings.