Leftoverture

Kansas | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000002579
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #166,578 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Carry on Wayward Son

2. The Wall

3. What's on My Mind

4. Miracles Out of Nowhere

5. Opus Insert

6. Questions Of My Childhood

7. Cheyenne Anthem

8. Magnum Opus: Father Padilla Meets the Perfect Gnat/Howling at the Moon

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The cover of 1976's Leftoverture pictures a bearded Da Vinci character composing reams of music score with a quill. Appropriate imagery for a band that combined the compositionally complex approach of British bands such as Genesis and Yes with solid Southern-rock jamming. Kansas wasn't new in ‘76--the group had escaped Topeka, Kansas, to record several albums with CBS, including the exciting Masque and Song for America. They joined the arena circuit via Leftoverture's "Carry on My Wayward Son," an instant hit with its explosive vocal arrangement and indelible guitar riff. For straight-ahead rockers ("What's on My Mind") and ornate epics (the five-part suite "Magnum Opus"), guitarist Kerry Livgren and keyboardist Steve Walsh dramatically pair vocal harmonies over classical- and jazz-inspired structures. The album also includes "The Wall" and "Cheyenne Anthem." --James Rotondi

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every Facet of this Work is Top Notch, October 7, 1999

By 

"muunrakr" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leftoverture (Audio CD)

I do not know why I'm writing a review of this album. Reviews usually include objective comments on the merits of a work and insights into where the work falls short. Leftoverture does not fall short in anyway. By far one of the best albums ever produced and clearly THE standard for arena rock breakouts of the 1970s.

Kismet was at work for this quint in 1976 when they put this disk together. Walsh was experiencing a bit of writers block, but Livgren more than filled the void with Carry On (which almost never made it to the disk), The Wall, Miracles Out of Nowhere, and Cheyenne Anthem. Swelling anthems to be sure! Great hooks in each of em. Inspired lyrics that no other American act comes close to and few Brits could best.

Cover art set the standard for the band. They bested it with Point of Know Return, and Monolith's covers but Leftoverture remains among the best cover art of all time.

Bottom line, there is nothing that misses in this album. If you're a Kansas newbie, here's where you get your start. Try Leftoverture and you'll fill your basket with the rest of the discography.

Questions? email me . . .

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inredible Music from Beginning to End, February 2, 2000

By 

Kem Stone (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leftoverture (Audio CD)

There are very few albums that can measure up to the music of Leftoverture. From the powerfull "The Wall" to the breathtaking "Cheyanne Anthem" this CD delivers great music on all tracks without exception. "Carry on Wayward Son" and "Magnum Opus" are in a league of their own, as some of the best music of rock or any genre. There are few albums I can just turn on and listen to straight through without skipping tracks, but this is one of them. The music takes you to a whole new state of mind, and sort of induces a state of conscious sleep. It's amazing. If you're a rock fan, or just appreciate good music, there is no way that you could not like this album.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly Great, January 13, 2001

By 

Bill R. Moore (New York, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Leftoverture (Audio CD)

This album is a milestone in the annals of progressive rock. If you've just heard a Kansas song or two on the radio you might class them in the same file as such AOR bands as Journey and Boston. But if you listen to an actual Kansas album, such as this masterpiece, then it's obvious that their songcraft and musicianship are far and away above the likes of those bands, and indeed the majority of rock bands. Everyone knows Carry On My Wayward Son is a classic. The guitar playing on this song is absolutely outstanding. The Wall is a very nice piece with some truly deep lyrics. Miracles Out of Nowhere is another absolutely outstanding track. Cheyenne Anthem is great as well, and Magnum Opus is an instrumental tour-de-force. Pick up this album if you enjoy great songcraft and musicianship, or if you're tired of hearing the same old love songs and you want music with a meaning.