The Best of Kansas
Encyclopedia
The Best of Kansas is the first compilation album and 11th album overall from the American rock
band Kansas
. It was originally released in 1984, and featured one new track, "Perfect Lover," written and performed by then-lead vocalist John Elefante
. The compilation was re-released in 1999 in a version supervised by the original band members, so "Perfect Lover" was dropped in favor of three additional tracks: from Song for America
, Masque
, and a track deleted from Two for the Show to make it fit on a single CD. The album has sold over 4 million copies in the US, and was certified quadruple platinum in 2001.
The versions of "Carry On Wayward Son" and "The Wall" on the 1984 release of The Best of Kansas are specially re-mixed versions unique to the first version of this collection. For the 1999 re-issue of the collection the original 1976 mixes from the album Leftoverture
are used instead.
CBS ASSOCIATED RECORDS - CBS Inc. - 51 W. 52 Street, New York, N.Y.
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band Kansas
Kansas (band)
Kansas is an American rock band that became popular in the 1970s initially on Album-Oriented Rock charts, and later with hit singles such as "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind"...
. It was originally released in 1984, and featured one new track, "Perfect Lover," written and performed by then-lead vocalist John Elefante
John Elefante
John Elefante is an American singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, and producer.-Early years:Born in Levittown, New York, his family soon moved to Long Beach, California. Growing up, he sang and performed drums for his family band, the Brotherhood...
. The compilation was re-released in 1999 in a version supervised by the original band members, so "Perfect Lover" was dropped in favor of three additional tracks: from Song for America
Song for America
Song for America is the second album by American rock band Kansas, released in 1975. The album was reissued in remastered format on CD in 2004....
, Masque
Masque
The masque was a form of festive courtly entertainment which flourished in 16th and early 17th century Europe, though it was developed earlier in Italy, in forms including the intermedio...
, and a track deleted from Two for the Show to make it fit on a single CD. The album has sold over 4 million copies in the US, and was certified quadruple platinum in 2001.
The versions of "Carry On Wayward Son" and "The Wall" on the 1984 release of The Best of Kansas are specially re-mixed versions unique to the first version of this collection. For the 1999 re-issue of the collection the original 1976 mixes from the album Leftoverture
Leftoverture
Leftoverture is the fourth album by American rock band Kansas, released in 1976. The album was reissued in remastered format on CD in 2001.-Overview:...
are used instead.
Cover art
The cover is noteworthy in that it contains elements of nearly all previous Kansas album covers:- 1974 Kansas: Abolitionist John Brown, as portrayed in the John Steuart CurryJohn Steuart CurryJohn Steuart Curry was an American painter whose career spanned from 1924 until his death. He was noted for his paintings depicting life in his home state, Kansas...
mural Tragic Prelude. No tracks from the 1974 Kansas album appear on either version of The Best of Kansas. - 1975 Song for AmericaSong for AmericaSong for America is the second album by American rock band Kansas, released in 1975. The album was reissued in remastered format on CD in 2004....
: The bird depicted on the front cover of Song for America can be found on the back side of The Best of Kansas perched atop the track listing. - 1975 Masque: Close inspection of John Brown's beard will reveal the outline of a fish. The "face" on the cover of Masque (Giuseppe ArcimboldoGiuseppe ArcimboldoGiuseppe Arcimboldo was an Italian painter best known for creating imaginative portrait heads made entirely of such objects as fruits, vegetables, flowers, fish, and books – that is, he painted representations of these objects on the canvas arranged in such a way that the whole collection of...
's Water) is composed of various marine life. No tracks from Masque appear on the 1984 release of The Best of Kansas. - 1976 LeftovertureLeftovertureLeftoverture is the fourth album by American rock band Kansas, released in 1976. The album was reissued in remastered format on CD in 2001.-Overview:...
: Found in the inkwell and scattered pages of sheet music on the back cover. - 1977 Point of Know ReturnPoint of Know ReturnPoint of Know Return is the fifth album by American rock band Kansas, released in 1977. The album was reissued in remastered format on CD in 2002.The huge success of Kansas's previous effort, Leftoverture, brought a new kind of pressure...
: The ship about to tip over the 'edge of the world' is from the front cover of Point of Know Return. - 1978 Two for the Show: The spotlights, stage, curtains, and figures in the audience are all indirect references; none of these things (besides an auditorium full of seats) are actually seen on Two for the Show. Although, on the back cover, there is a mop behind the interrogation chair, which may reference to the cleaning ladies of the Two for the Show Cover.
- 1979 Monolith: On the back cover of The Best of Kansas, the moon behind a shadow of the figure depicted on Monolith are seen through the open door. No tracks from the Monolith album appear on either version of The Best of Kansas.
- 1980 Audio-VisionsAudio-VisionsAudio-Visions is the seventh studio album by American rock band Kansas, released in 1980. The album was remastered and reissued in 2011, as a Japanese import vinyl-replica....
: On the back cover of Best of you see at the right side a metal hand that is holding the curtain. That is one of the two hands that are on the front cover of 'Audio-Visions'. - 1982 Vinyl ConfessionsVinyl ConfessionsVinyl Confessions is the eighth studio album, and ninth album overall, by American rock band Kansas, released in 1982 . The album was reissued in remastered format on CD in 2011.-Background:...
: The interrogation chair from Confessions is seen under a spotlight on the back cover. - 1983 Drastic MeasuresDrastic MeasuresDrastic Measures is the ninth studio album, and tenth album overall, by American rock band Kansas, released in 1983.The shift in direction that Kansas took with Vinyl Confessions took its toll before recording began on this album...
: The black tux and red bow-tie worn by the bazooka 'player' is worn by John Brown here.
1984 original version
- "Carry On Wayward SonCarry On Wayward Son"Carry on Wayward Son" is a progressive rock single recorded by Kansas and written by Kerry Livgren for their 1976 album Leftoverture. In 1977, the song peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard pop singles chart, becoming their first Top 40 hit....
" (Kerry LivgrenKerry LivgrenKerry Allen Livgren is an American musician and songwriter, best known as one of the founding members and primary songwriters for the 1970s progressive rock band, Kansas.-Biography:...
) –(BMI) 5:22 - "Point of Know Return" (Phil EhartPhil EhartPhillip W. Ehart is the drummer in the rock band Kansas. He and Rich Williams are the only two members who have appeared on every Kansas album. He has also taken on the band's management responsibilities in recent years. Born in Coffeyville, Kansas on February 4, 1950, Phil took up the drums in...
, Robby SteinhardtRobby SteinhardtRobert Eugene Steinhardt is a rock violinist and singer best known for his work with the group Kansas, for which he was co-lead singer / "frontman" and emcee along with keyboardist Steve Walsh, from 1973–1982 and 1997–2006...
, Steve WalshSteve Walsh (musician)Steve Walsh is a singer and songwriter best known for his work as a member of the progressive rock band Kansas.-Introduction:The keyboardist/vocalist/songwriter/producer/percussionist is best known for his visionary work with Kansas...
) –(BMI) 3:11 - "Fight Fire with Fire" (Dino Elefante, John ElefanteJohn ElefanteJohn Elefante is an American singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, and producer.-Early years:Born in Levittown, New York, his family soon moved to Long Beach, California. Growing up, he sang and performed drums for his family band, the Brotherhood...
) –(BMI) 3:40 - "Dust in the WindDust in the Wind"Dust in the Wind" is a song by American progressive rock band Kansas, first released on their 1977 album Point of Know Return.The song peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 the week of April 22, 1978, making it Kansas' only top ten Billboard Hot 100 charting single...
" (Livgren) –(BMI) 3:27 - "Song for America" (Livgren) –(BMI) 9:08
- "Perfect Lover" (J. Elefante) –(BMI) 4:19
- "Hold On" (Livgren) –(BMI) 3:52
- "No One Together" (Livgren) –(BMI) 6:57
- "Play the Game Tonight" (Ehart, Danny Flower, Rob FrazierRob FrazierRob Frazier is a Christian artist, musician, songwriter, producer, worship leader, speaker, and pastor.Frazier is the son of a pastor...
, Livgren, Rich WilliamsRich WilliamsRichard Williams is the guitarist for the rock band Kansas, and has been with them since their 1974 self-titled debut album. Rich lost his right eye in a childhood fireworks accident. He wore a prosthetic eye for many years, but now wears an eye patch instead.In the beginning, Williams shared...
) –(BMI) 3:26 - "The Wall" (Livgren, Walsh) –(BMI) 4:49
CBS ASSOCIATED RECORDS - CBS Inc. - 51 W. 52 Street, New York, N.Y.
1999 reissue
- "Carry on Wayward Son" – 5:22
- "Point of Know Return" – 3:11
- "Fight Fire with Fire" – 3:40
- "Dust in the Wind" – 3:27
- "Song for America" – 9:07
- "Hold On" – 3:51
- "No One Together" – 6:57
- "Play the Game Tonight" – 3:26
- "The Wall" – 4:47
- "The Pinnacle" (Livgren) – 9:36
- "The Devil Game" (Dave HopeDave HopeDave Hope is an American bass guitarist who played with the American rock band Kansas from 1973 until the band's first split in 1983. He then started the Christian band AD with Kerry Livgren and others....
, Walsh) – 5:04 - "Closet Chronicles (Live)" (Livgren, Walsh) – 6:54
Personnel
- Phil EhartPhil EhartPhillip W. Ehart is the drummer in the rock band Kansas. He and Rich Williams are the only two members who have appeared on every Kansas album. He has also taken on the band's management responsibilities in recent years. Born in Coffeyville, Kansas on February 4, 1950, Phil took up the drums in...
: drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person .... - John ElefanteJohn ElefanteJohn Elefante is an American singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, and producer.-Early years:Born in Levittown, New York, his family soon moved to Long Beach, California. Growing up, he sang and performed drums for his family band, the Brotherhood...
: keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
(3, 6 & 8) - Dave HopeDave HopeDave Hope is an American bass guitarist who played with the American rock band Kansas from 1973 until the band's first split in 1983. He then started the Christian band AD with Kerry Livgren and others....
: BassBass (instrument)Bass describes musical instruments that produce tones in the low-pitched range. They belong to different families of instruments and can cover a wide range of musical roles... - Kerry LivgrenKerry LivgrenKerry Allen Livgren is an American musician and songwriter, best known as one of the founding members and primary songwriters for the 1970s progressive rock band, Kansas.-Biography:...
: guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s, keyboards - Robby SteinhardtRobby SteinhardtRobert Eugene Steinhardt is a rock violinist and singer best known for his work with the group Kansas, for which he was co-lead singer / "frontman" and emcee along with keyboardist Steve Walsh, from 1973–1982 and 1997–2006...
: ViolinViolinThe violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
, vocals (except 3 & 6) - Steve WalshSteve Walsh (musician)Steve Walsh is a singer and songwriter best known for his work as a member of the progressive rock band Kansas.-Introduction:The keyboardist/vocalist/songwriter/producer/percussionist is best known for his visionary work with Kansas...
: Keyboards, vocals (except 3, 6 & 8) - Rich WilliamsRich WilliamsRichard Williams is the guitarist for the rock band Kansas, and has been with them since their 1974 self-titled debut album. Rich lost his right eye in a childhood fireworks accident. He wore a prosthetic eye for many years, but now wears an eye patch instead.In the beginning, Williams shared...
: Guitar - Bryan DuncanBryan DuncanBryan Duncan is an American CCM musician. he is best known for his role in the Sweet Comfort Band and subsequent solo career that, combined, spanned more than twenty-five years...
: Backing vocals (uncredited) (6 only)