Album review: KANSAS – Leftoverture Live & Beyond

Inside Out [Release date 03.11.17]

This release is a collection of concert performances culled from Kansas’s ‘Leftoverture’ 40th anniversary tour and it comes either as double CD or a 4-LP vinyl box. The band asked back producer Jeff Glixman, who helmed the original ‘Leftoverture’ album, to oversee this live album.

Disc one features rarely played treats like ‘Lamplight Symphony’ and a personal favourite, ‘Icarus II’. Ronnie Platt is a worthy successor to original vocalist Steve Walsh and he sings an emotional ‘Dust In The Wind’. Good see to some songs off 2016′s excellent ‘The Prelude Implicit’ make the setlist, including ‘Rhythm Of The Spirit’, although sadly no ‘With This Heart’.

The second disc sees the band play the entire ‘Leftoverture’ album and what a treat that must have been for fans lucky enough to see and hear it performed. The band do a sterling version of ‘Carry On My Wayward Son’ – Phil Ehart is all over the song with his drumming and percussion. Mention to David Ragsdale and his stunning violin playing that helps recreate the original album’s sound.

Other highlights (to be fair the whole darn album is a highlight) include ‘Miracles Out Of Nowhere’, where Platt’s vocals work in tandem with Billy Greer, now one of the band’s longest serving members after original members Ehart and Rich Williams. Then of course there is ‘Magnum Opus’, which the band recreate in all its original 70′s pomp and glory. Very impressive it has to be said.

The band sadly cancelled their planned European dates this summer due to the threat of terrorism (which opened up a whole new musical debate online amongst fans) but hopefully they will be back to do this show. However, until then this is a ‘must have’ for Kansas fans and shows that the current line-up have plenty of music left in them yet. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

Next session: Sunday 19 January

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 3 December 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)