Customer Reviews

Collector's Sedition

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Kerry Livgren ... immensely talented ... multi-instrumentalist, exceptional composer, effective communicator of the deep things of life ... one could go on and on ...

Those who have written Livgren off after the KANSAS hey-days have done themselves a great disservice ... Collector's Sedition is just the latest in the "prolific-ation" of excellent works by Livgren (check out When Things Get Electric, One of Several Possible Musiks, Odyssey into the Mind's Eye, Art of the State ... IF you can find them)

Collector's Sedition has diversity and some surprises but still has the classic KANSAS (or should I just say Livgren) flavor reminiscent of Kerry's earlier works.

Any KANSAS / Livgren or just plain good music fan should appreciate this fine offering.

Although several vocalists are used, Jake livgren is the primary singer. By the way, Jake is Kerry's nephew and not just a relative but an excellent vocalist to boot. Kerry has said that Jake is now his "vocalist of choice". As always, Kerry has chosen wisely ... and if you choose Collector's Sedition to add to your own collection, you will have also (chosen wisely, that is) ... ;-)

- Scriptor

Ladies and Gentlemen, I see I am the first to weigh in on this magnificent offering. Kerry Livgren said that he was in a prolific period but who knew? That he could release two albums (Somewhere to Elsewhere, the new Kansas album, featured only Livgren penned tunes) of such power, such complexity, such artistry is quite simply amazing. As for Collector's sedition, it is not Kansas, not quite. Kerry always seeks to differentiate his solo releases from Kansas, and he succeeds here, but thankfully the success is limited. More than half of these songs could have easily been done by Kansas with slightly different instrumentation.

The musicianship- ok, I don't need to say much here, always fantastic. But the production here is of the same quality as Somewhere to Elsewhere, crystal clear.

The vocals- Kerry has brought back his two vocalists, Darren Rogers and Jason Beddoe, from When Things Get Electric, each performing very well on one song a piece. New vocalists perform on the rest of the album. And they are all brilliant. Kreg Hoover has that blues charged expressiveness that Kerry likes for certain of his songs. He sings two songs here, including a revamped version of Cold Grey Morning, a song previously seen on Kansas' Freaks of Nature album. Dan & Sam Billen put together a solid performance on "On the Air". The rest of the album is painted, with very rich coloration, by a refreshing new vocalist whom I presume is a relative, Jake Livgren. He has that Mr. Clean crispness that Kerry likes in his singers, but also with blues tinged power, scales running precision, and, when needed, a soothing sweet tone on softer numbers. He possesses an impressive vocal arsenal. Don't you hate "sounds like" comparisons? Yes, I know, but they can be useful, especially when track samples aren't offered by Amazon. So here goes - take Tommy Shaw, mix him the lead for Manfred Mann from the 70's and 80's (can't remember his name) and....meet Jake Livgren.

The compositions- this is not exactly Kansas but its close, closer than any other non-Kansas Kerry release. Lyrically more overt in Christian imagery. Musically, closer to Kansas than AD. Kerry talked about the album as a jumble, a bunch of songs just thrown together, not really an album. Well, it doesn't sound like it. The sound of the entire album meshes quite well. It is no more disparate in song selection then Somewhere to Elsewhere. Less so actually, except possibly for the two intrumental pieces, which differ in mood from the rest of the album. The most important thing to take from this review: If you like what Kerry has done with Kansas recently, you will definitely enjoy this album. I only wonder how long he can sustain this creative burst and I hope it won't abate for some time yet. This work should receive great reviews and deserves your attention It has remained in my CD player for a week.

Tired of lyrical pablum? Tired of electronic, repeated drum machine rhythmns? Want something refreshing. Then you need to buy and listen to Kerry Livgren's "Collector's Sedition". Music is an art form, and Kerry Livgren and friends have sculpted another Mona Lisa with this CD. It's nice to hear lyrics and music that assume you have an intelligence level well above a primitive Neanderthal! The only sad thing about this CD is it doesn't have a wider distribution. Kerry Livgren gave us a wonder taste of intelligent music as a member of Kansas. Now, with his spiritual growth over the years, you have a CD that speaks to the basic questions of life in songs like "Sentinel" and "Hindsight", while you soar up to heaven with "Navigator". There's not a single song you won't appreciate. Kerry, keep writing and putting out great music like "Collector's Sedition"! Don't let this CD pass you by. Listen and let Kerry Livgren walk you into paradise!

Made in USA in 2000, Serial# 0009, Playing Time 69:50

Hard to believe this is his 11th album already. I first read about this album while visiting kerry's website a while ago. It worries me when the artists says the songs are leftover material, unfinished tracks, etc. I see that, and I interpret that as "I had no time, no money, no inspiration. If you don't like it, that's why..."

Well, THANKS FOR THE WARNING! I figured "It's from Kerry Livgren, the mastermind and chief composer from KANSAS; it can't be that bad?!? So i broke down and bought it...

Guess what: this album is good! Not as much as my favorite, "Odyssey into the Mind's Eye", but GOOD! The songs are a bit eclectic, but Kerry's performance on guitars and keyboards is magnificent, and the vocals from all singers are clean and interesting. A few tracks have a KANSAS "aftertaste".

If this the kind of material he keeps as is "garbage", all I can say is: "When is Volume 2 coming out?"

Some of the pieces sound like they could be reworked to fit KANSAS or AD and others just sound like something completely new for the Maestro--different but very good or great. Well the two instrumental pieces have very unique moods(take me to a new places in my mind)Am juengsten Tage is brooding with a ravellish melody at times and As it Should Be is well very festive and shows that KL has alot of funk for such a very white dude. ;-)

The Navigator and the Sentinel are two tunes that could've been Kansas tunes IMO--the Sentinel is a prog work and the Navigator is in a Dust/HO vien IMO.At Every Turn shows a strong celtic influence that is beautifully sung by KL's nephew who is a fantastic vocalist(he sings over half the album)--KL plays all instruments and does them all wonderfully(well the drums could be a bit better but even there his playing is impressive IMO)

If you are a Kansas FAN don't just listen and say it doesn't sound like Kansas--give it a few spins--KL has sounds and styles beyond the KANSAS field that are Magnificent IMO

The last tune called the DRAGON shows a certain Carmen Burana feel at times--very cool tune.I could go on & on.. but I will end this review by saying this a wonderful effort and very worthy of inclusion in any rock fans collection.