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

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