BEST OF KANSAS LIVE (VHS) [AKA: LIVE CONFESSIONS DVD]

In the late Seventies I discovered Kansas their unique sound while watching at the 'progressive rock' section in one of my favorite record shops (the late Supertracks in The Hague). When I noticed the eponymous first album by Kansas I was mesmerized: what a stunning cover, this begged for an immediate check out! Halfway side one I was deeply impressed: powerful, dynamic and alternating progrock with a very distinctive 'Holy Symphonic Rock Trinity': the harder-edged guitarwork, the classical sounding violin and the lush and often sumptuous keyboards, EXCELLENT, early Kansas sounded so fresh, unique and exciting!

This concert video (filmed in Omaha, Nebraska during the Vinyl Confessions tour in 1982 and celebrating 10 years Kansas) starts with Paradox, a typical 'Seventies Kansas' track: swirling violin, flahsy Minimoog runs, howling electric guitar and lots of shifting moods. New vocalist John Elefante (also keyboards and guitar) looks like the 'macho twin-brother of Leo Sayer, his vocals and presentation are OK but emphasizes the more polished and commercial musical direction after the Seventies. You can enjoy many songs from the Eighties albums Audio Visions (No One Together and Hold On) and Vinyl Confessions (Play The Game Tonight, Right Away, Chasing Shadows, Diamonds And Pearls, Face it, Windows and Crossfire ). These tracks are pleasant, melodic and tastefully arranged songs and still sound like Kansas (vocal harmonies and lots of great soli, especially on duo-electrcic guitar like in Crossfire) but for me it's too predictable. More interesting sound the other 'Seventies Kansas' like Mysteries And Mayhem (majectic violin work, fiery guitar play and duo-vocals by Steinhardt and Elefante), Dust In The Wind (part of a wonderful acoustic set with the emotional song Hold On), Carry On Wayward Son (strong rendition with good vocals and exciting Hammond waves and heavy guitar work), Portrait (dynamic interplay between all instruments, thrilling harder-edged guitar soli and a fine harmonica solo) and the 'stage favorite' Down The Road (featuring the exciting heavy side of Kansas, including powerful vocals by Steinhardt). Guest musician Warren Ham delivers a fine contribution on harmonica, saxophone, keyboards and especially the flute- traverse that reminds me of famous Focus member Thijs Van Leer. A decent video that has many good Kansas moments, at some moments magical!