It Takes Power...

[Butch Snyder]

Power - That album Kansas did after coming back together in 1986. I remember working at Camelot Music and one of my coworkers putting it on the turntable. I was instantly captivated by the first riff of "Silhouettes In Disguise" but I didn't know who it was. He said, "Guess..." I recognized the voice but nothing else. Then, the outro solo came. I said, "Well, the solo is Steve Morse." He held up the album cover. "Kansas?!?", I asked. Of course, I immediately bought it.

Over the years, I kind of lost touch with it as well as other CD's and artists; due to changing tastes and such. I picked up the CD from Amazon about a couple of months ago. That CD has soooo much Morse on it; more than I remember. If you don't have it, get it. If you do but haven't listened to it in a while. Get it back out. Steve's playing and artistry were nothing short of phenomenal.

 

[roburado]

Butch, thanks for the tip. Downloading now.

 

[Butch Snyder]

Butch, thanks for the tip. Downloading now.

Please post your thoughts on it as I'd love to know...

Also, if Kansas came to me and asked me to put the absolute cooooooolest line-up together it would be -

Lead Vocals/Keyboards - Steve Walsh (although I love John Elefante, Steve Walsh is the Kansas vocalist).
Bass - Dave Hope or Billy Greer
Violin - Robbie Steinhart (he can sing too)
Lead Guitars - Steve Morse
Guitars/keyboards - Kerry Livgren
Drums/Percussion/Vibes - Phil Ehart

In other words, Steve Morse would replace Rich Williams but play most of the guitar solos. IMHO, Kerry Livgren is a better guitarist that Rich Williams and better keyboardist than Steve Walsh. Morse, Walsh, and Livgren can write all the songs.

That would be my Kansas line-up...

 

[fbecir]

Power is a good album but it could have been better.
If you listen to the demo tapes of Power (well available somewhere on the net ), you can have a good idea of what was the potential of this album.
For instance, several songs were left over. 2 of them can be heard on Seventh Key album (the group of Billy Greer). These 2 songs are very good. I think they were left over because they were composed by Morse / Greer and not Walsh / Morse ...
Taking in the View is far better on the demo tape (the children choir on the album is just ridiculous).
On the demo tapes, there are also some stupid songs (love songs composed by Walsh ...).

But I agree : Silhouettes in Disguise is a killer song !

 

[D.K.]

Yeah, Butch, I hear Ye!!!

I love Steve's playing on the Kansas' albums. My favourite moment on "power" (or one of the favourite) is how the last notes of the solo in "we are not alone anymore" go over to the chorus of that song - btw, I think the last solo part in that song is the precursor of "tumeni notes". But all in all, Steve's just amazing and immaculate throughout. BTW, did You see the video to "Can't cry anymore" - that's hillarious!!!

On a side note - his solo in "the rainmaker" on the 1987' follow up is just pure Steve, too!!!
Not to mention his live playing from that time - he was SO top of the game back then, it's just unbelievable. He still is.

 

[guitarman23]

"Silhouettes in Disguise" was my favorite from steve when he was in kansas, great album.

i have it as a single mp3 but maybe ill try and get the CD.

 

[Butch Snyder]

Power is a good album but it could have been better.
If you listen to the demo tapes of Power (well available somewhere on the net ), you can have a good idea of what was the potential of this album.
For instance, several songs were left over. 2 of them can be heard on Seventh Key album (the group of Billy Greer). These 2 songs are very good. I think they were left over because they were composed by Morse / Greer and not Walsh / Morse ...
Taking in the View is far better on the demo tape (the children choir on the album is just ridiculous).
On the demo tapes, there are also some stupid songs (love songs composed by Walsh ...).

Wow, I'd love to hear some of the demo stuff for that album.

Yeah, Butch, I hear Ye!!!

I love Steve's playing on the Kansas' albums. My favourite moment on "power" (or one of the favourite) is how the last notes of the solo in "we are not alone anymore" go over to the chorus of that song - btw, I think the last solo part in that song is the precursor of "tumeni notes". But all in all, Steve's just amazing and immaculate throughout. BTW, did You see the video to "Can't cry anymore" - that's hillarious!!!

On a side note - his solo in "the rainmaker" on the 1987' follow up is just pure Steve, too!!!
Not to mention his live playing from that time - he was SO top of the game back then, it's just unbelievable. He still is.

I remember buying "The Spirit Of Things" and while I liked it, there wasn't as much "Morse" on it like on "Power". I think he was being "contained". In fact, isn't that the reason he left?

 

[Volt]

Also, if Kansas came to me and asked me to put the absolute cooooooolest line-up together it would be -

Lead Vocals/Keyboards - Steve Walsh (although I love John Elefante, Steve Walsh is the Kansas vocalist).
Bass - Dave Hope or Billy Greer
Violin - Robbie Steinhart (he can sing too)
Lead Guitars - Steve Morse
Guitars/keyboards - Kerry Livgren
Drums/Percussion/Vibes - Phil Ehart

In other words, Steve Morse would replace Rich Williams but play most of the guitar solos. IMHO, Kerry Livgren is a better guitarist that Rich Williams and better keyboardist than Steve Walsh. Morse, Walsh, and Livgren can write all the songs.

That would be my Kansas line-up...

Personally, I would definitely include Rich Williams in that line-up. He's good.
Power is a great album from one of my most favorite bands. I have almost all of their albums. I haven't listened to Power in a few months. Think I'll give it a spin.

 

[Butch Snyder]

Personally, I would definitely include Rich Williams in that line-up. He's good.

Agreed - Rich is a great guitarist, but IMHO, if you have Morse and Livgren, he's not needed. In fact, if you have Morse, Livgren doesn't need to play guitar.

 

[NorM]

Pretending were not alone

The Three Pretenders solo is my favorite on that album.
Click here to hear it
fbecir still gets a free set of strings for knowing this
I was a Kansas fan for a long time. Then when I heard the Dregs "unsung heros" I remember thinking, this is what Kansas is trying to do. Several times I have wanted to ask Steve to talk about the good things that came from his involvement with kansas.

Power was one of the first full digital recordings on CD

 

[D.K.]

Yeah, that's a great solo - didn't hear that one before. Is it actually possible to buy the "power tapes" somewhere?

 

[fbecir]

Yeah, that's a great solo - didn't hear that one before. Is it actually possible to buy the "power tapes" somewhere?

I don't think so ... but just give me time and perhaps a big file will appear somewhere on a FTP server

 

[Butch Snyder]

i don't think so ... But just give me time and perhaps a big file will appear somewhere on a ftp server

:d

 

[Shadowbox]

Thanks for the heads up! I've never heard that album, but plan on changing that quickly.

 

[D.K.]

Totally off topic, but Matthew, do You really restring your floyd rose equipped axis every 2 days?

 

[D.K.]

Francois - looking forward to it!!! If You want, I can upload DP's boots with Steve somewhere...

 

[fbecir]

Francois - looking forward to it!!! If You want, I can upload DP's boots with Steve somewhere...

Well, I think I have all what I need with DP (I have all the shows where I was in the audience ...), but thanks a lot anyway.
Oh ... it seems that I have also somewhere a Kansas show with Steve (1987 Milwaukee, WI 4-7-87). The track list is quiet interesting if you like Power :
CD1:
Musicatto
Point Of Know Return
Paradox
The Wall
All I Wanted
Tomb 19
Hold On
Band Intros
Up In The Air
Dust In The Wind

CD 2:
Secret Servise
Mysteries And Mayhem
Power
We’re Not Alone Anymore
Play The Game Tonight
Steve Morse Solo
Silhouettes In Disguise
Carry On Wayward Son

Yes ... you have a live version of Up in the Air

But first let see if I can find the demo tapes of Power. Just PM me

 

[Butch Snyder]

Well, I think I have all what I need with DP (I have all the shows where I was in the audience ...), but thanks a lot anyway.
Oh ... it seems that I have also somewhere a Kansas show with Steve (1987 Milwaukee, WI 4-7-87). The track list is quiet interesting if you like Power :
CD1:
Musicatto
Point Of Know Return
Paradox
The Wall
All I Wanted
Tomb 19
Hold On
Band Intros
Up In The Air
Dust In The Wind

CD 2:
Secret Servise
Mysteries And Mayhem
Power
We’re Not Alone Anymore
Play The Game Tonight
Steve Morse Solo
Silhouettes In Disguise
Carry On Wayward Son

Yes ... you have a live version of Up in the Air

But first let see if I can find the demo tapes of Power. Just PM me

Awesome!!!! PM sent...