THE BEST OF KANSAS

This is the original version of this compilation which I got, oddly enough, around the time the 1999 version was released. The only reason I got it was because I wanted "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust In The Wind". I was into making mix-tapes at the time and wanted those two songs. "Song For America" was the song that I ended up enjoying the most. Since getting this 'best of' I have heard some of the bands albums; I only like the ones released between 1975-77.

"Carry On..." must have been incredible when it first came out, but has since been played to death. "Point Of Know Return" is one of my fave Kansas songs, but for the longest time I thought some British band did that song. "Song For America" is just as good as any prog that was coming out of the UK at the time. Fantastic track. "No One Together" is a great song and must be the best song from Audio-Visions(which I haven't heard). I really don't like the songs from the '80s albums. "Perfect Lover" is a song that was exclusive to the 1984 version. It's an awful song anyway.

Only "Song For America" and "No One Together" give you an idea of what 'prog Kansas' sounds like. I'm not sure how much the 1999 version is an improvement over this, never heard it. I'm not even the biggest fan of proggy Kansas, but if you want to hear the band at their best, get the albums Song For America and Leftoverture. I don't think compilations work for a band like Kansas. 2 stars.