THE BEST OF KANSAS

Yes, yes yes just another "best of" collection. Not very good in its original release since the label was just trying to capture some money on a band that had broken up. However it's 1999 remaster added three songs and dropped one that made this go from a two star to a 3. One of them makes it a 3.5 star because this is the only place you will find it and that is the live version of Closet Chronicles that was left off the Two For the Show CD and who's remaster has been put on hold until who knows when.

The other two songs added were The Pinnacle, one of their top prog songs ever from the 1975 release Masque, and The Devil Game which is an outstanding rocker from Steve Walsh from the Song For America CD. The also removed Perfect Lover which was a song recorded during the Drastic Measure session and is more of a John Elephante solo piece than anything else. Again the record company was trying to capitalize on the bands last gasps at the time. It did not belong on here at all. Sot hat adds three great songs from the classical era and removes one that should not be here.

This is still not the best collection. Both the Boxset in the 1990's and the Sail On package with the DVD in 2004 are much better representatives of collections. However being as it was from the 80's and the addition and subtraction noted above this isn't too bad now. Having SFA, The Pinnacle, Closet Chronicles and No One Together represent the prog side of the band is not too bad. Other non radio songs (but fan favorites) include The Wall and The Devil Game round out the package with the huge hits Carry on, Dust in the Wind, Point of Know Return and Hold On none of which could ever be left off a collection like this.

About the only complaints I have were the inclusion of Play that Game Tonight and Fight Fire with Fire. They could have replaced those with Miracles Out of Nowhere or Icarus or Journey to Mariabronn for a really solid package. I wouldn't hesitate to give this(1999 re-release) to someone who had never heard the band and qualify it with the disclaimer about those two songs. Any greatest hits package like this was only supposed to wet your appetite anyway and I think this one does it. Track listing for the 1999 release:

1. Carry On Wayward Son 2. Point Of Know Return 3. Fight Fire With Fire 4. Dust In The Wind 5. Song For America 6. Hold On 7. No One Together 8. Play The Game Tonight 9. The Wall 10. The Pinnacle 11. The Devil Game 12. Closet Chronicles (live) (this live version smokes! Listen to the great vocals from Steve and Robby, a great synth solo by Kerry and then a great Violin solo from Robby. Steve plays vibes on this too. Great ending as well, way better than the fade out on the studio)