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Prog Magazine Top 100 Prog Albums of All Time Challenge. Album #81, Leftoverture by Kansas.

 Originally Posted to Facebook on November 9, 2003


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Prog Magazine Top 100 Prog Albums of All Time Challenge. Album #81, Leftoverture by Kansas.
When sharing your thoughts about this album, use the following scale to indicate how familiar you are with the album:
0- Never heard anything from this album, totally new to my ears.
1- I might have heard a song on occasion, or I know a big hit from the album but not the full album.
2- I've listened to the full album a few times, but it's been a while. Slightly familiar with it.
3- I listen to this album periodically, fairly familiar with it.
4- I have listened to this album many times. I know it inside out. Very familiar with it/expert level
I will post links for anyone who needs them to be able to stream it in the comments below. Remember, no matter what your experience level with the album going in, please listen to the album before commenting. I will post album #80 on Monday. (And you can participate, even if you haven't done all or any of the previous rounds.)
Enjoy! (And be nice!)

From Comments:

I, like I’m sure that the vast majority of those reading this, am a Level 4. This is one of my favorite albums of all time, even though this isn’t even my favorite Kansas album (but it’s close). Surprisingly, however, this is the only Kansas album to make the countdown! I will not go into as much detail on this one, as I have been previously, since so many of us are so familiar with it.
Track 1 - Carry On Wayward Son
From the famous a cappella intro, to the classic guitar riffs, the beautiful piano, the fantastic singing, this song is one of the most definitive classic rock songs ever. That said, I never get sick of it. Its popularity probably makes it one of the best known prog songs ever recorded. It gained new life in this century from its prominent use in the popular TV show Supernatural. Steve Walsh says on the Device Voice Druim DVD that Kerry Livgren wrote 2 timeless songs in Dust in the Wind and this one. I couldn’t agree more
Track 2 - The Wall
When I first started listening to Kansas beyond the radio hits, this is one of the ones that grabbed me the most. Beautiful melodies, wonderful instrumentation (that harpsichord!) and amazing vocals make this a candidate for my favorite Kansas song ever.
Track 3 - What’s on My Mind
Even for a song that might be considered a deep cut, it’s certainly not filler! The way that Steve Walsh and Robbie Steinhardt’s voices blend together on the harmonies is just one of many great things about this song. Kerry Livgren and Rich Williams’ guitar interplay is fantastic as well in the solo section.
Track 4 - Miracles out of Nowhere
The mysterious keyboard sound at the beginning, the odd meters, the acoustic fingerpicking, the shared lead vocals with Walsh & Steinhardt. There is a reason that this has become a concert staple and fan favorite. Then , let's talk about the 7-8 instrumental break. It's basically a round or canon the way that the different parts interply.. Phil Ehart’s drum beat is deceptive in how it sounds so simple yet isn’t. I love the tempo changes. There was no “grid” or pro-tools to contend with in those days, and it was a beautiful thing. The closing instrumental section is just incredible!
Track 5 - Opus Insert
Cosmic keyboards usher this one in. I always feel as though Kansas are revealing the secrets of life on this one. What a fantastically orchestrated instrumental break, and closing section.
Track 6 - Questions of My Childhood
The tempo increases on this one. Walsh never gets enough credit for his keyboard skills. Great song.
Track 7 - Cheyenne Anthem
Another fantastic shared lead vocal between Steinhardt and Walsh. The children’s choir is a nice touch. The accelerando in the instrumental break is so much fun. I also love the closing section.
Track 8 - Magnum Opus
- a. Father Padilla Meets the Perfect Gnat
- b. Howling at the Moon
- c. Man Overboard
- d. Industry on Parade
- e. Release the Beavers
- f. Gnat Attack
And we have the closing epic track. Dave Hope gets a bass feature in the intro of this one. Then vibraphone. Never forget that “Rockin’ and Rollin’... is only howling at the moon!” What a fantastically proggy extended instrumental section on this one! And Steinhardt finishes it off with a wonderful violin flourish.
OVERALL IMPRESSIONS:
What can I say! It's one of the all time great prog albums. Shoulda been higher, and shoulda been more Kansas on the list. Maybe it's because it's a British mag readers poll? Not sure if Kansas is as popular in the UK as they are in the US. 5 out of 5 stars.
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