KANSAS
VENUE STaTe THeaTre, KalaMaZoo, MicHiGan DATE 26/10/2018
It has been two years since Kansas’ last studio offering, the acclaimed the Prelude implicit. and while their fans eagerly await a new record,
Kansas have remained busy by extensively touring.
tonight’s date is part of their Point of Know return 40th anniversary tour. the show starts out with a five-song acoustic set, with the band members sitting on stools, singing sweet harmonies that are beautifully aided by acoustic guitar, violin, and piano. the standout songs of this section include People of the south Wind and hold on.
after the acoustic offering, they play a somewhat eclectic mix of electric songs that include hits such as the Wall, song For america and Miracles out of nowhere.
the current Kansas line-up features founding members rich Williams (guitar) and Phil ehart (drums), long-timers
Billy Greer (bass) and david ragsdale (violin), and the freshest faces in the band, namely ronnie Platt (vocals), david Manion (keyboards) and Zak rizvi (guitar). it’s a hybrid these days. steve Walsh is no longer there belting out the tunes, but Platt gives it his all and does an admirable job filling Walsh’s big shoes.
By the second half, when they play Point of Know return in order and in its entirety, the Michigan audience are rocking and rolling: their love for Kansas is more than evident, and they’re standing a lot more than they’re sitting.
the first half of the album is as good as any other they put out in the 70s, with the title track, Paradox, the spider, Portrait (he Knew), and Closes Chronicles all performed exquisitely tonight. and of course, there’s the inevitable encore of Carry on My Wayward son.
there may be two guitar players onstage, but tonight is definitely a rich Williams-centric night as he handles nearly every lead, his guitar sound impressively heavy. he still sports that signature eye-patch and the serious presence he’s grown famous for through the years, along with top-tier musicianship.
ehart is still a force to be reckoned with behind the drums, playing with vigour and technical speed when required. an underrated performer who deserves serious praise and respect, he is the glue that has kept this band together over the years.
With six members on stage there’s certainly a lot to digest, and the layers of sound are aplenty. there’s the analog jamming of Manion on the keys, the soaring vocals and strong showmanship of Platt, the impressive violin performance from ragsdale and the shredding from rizvi that accompanies the aforementioned musicianship of ehart and Williams. tonight proves that Kansas can still command a crowd, and put on a show that’s long, loud, and memorable.