Odyssey into the Mind's Eye

Kerry Livgren, Livgren | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 7, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Numavox
• ASIN: B000007O04
• Also Available in: VHS Tape  |  DVD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #15,102 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #31 in Music > Indie Music > Rock > Progressive
  • #99 in Music > Indie Music > New Age > General

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

Kerry Livgren was born in Topeka, Kansas the first son in a family of six. Drawn to music at a young age, his first musical interests developed with classical and jazz influences while his peers were embracing Elvis Presley. Starting with an electric guitar he built himself, Kerry focused on writing songs as he learned to play -- seeking to create songs that if nothing else, were original. Kerry's first band was the Gimlets, which he formed with several close friends in high school. After school and on weekends, they soon found themselves booked throughout Kansas and neighboring Missouri. Kerry's involvement with the band continued through college, before joining the Mellotones, a mainstream rhythm and blues band. Driven by a desire for more creative expression, Kerry formed Saratoga, who played for audience members around the area, including a young drummer named Phil Ehart and a bass player, Dave Hope. In 1970, they formed the group, Kansas, combining the best members from their respective bands. Known for their sometimes bizarre originality, the band went through several iterations before becoming the six-member group signed by Don Kirshner in 1973. Kerry remained with the band for 13 years as the band's primary song writer, lead guitarist and keyboard player. Penning such hits as "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind," Kerry propelled the band to worldwide success and critical acclaim, with numerous gold and multi-platinum albums, and over 14 million recordings sold to date. In 1980, after becoming an evangelical Christian, Kerry Livgren released his first solo work, Seeds of Change, featuring vocalists Ronnie James Dio and David Pack of Ambrosia, Jethro Tull’s drummer Barriemore Barlow, and guest spots by friends from Kansas. Also accompanying the album was Kerry's autobiographical book of the same name. Together, they expressed the passage and resolution of Kerry's years-long spiritual journey, often the subject of his songs with Kansas. Following his departure from Kansas in 1983, Kerry recorded his second self-produced album for CBS, Timeline, in the same year. With the musicians involved in that project, he formed the band, AD. Between 1983 and 1986, the band released two albums and toured extensively. Kerry next signed with Sparrow records and released Prime Mover in 1988, followed by his first instrumental work, One of Several Possible Musiks in 1989. Exploring a new musical direction, this confluence of orchestral and rock styles received the Dove Award for Instrumental Album of the Year. Livgren concluded this period with his final album for Sparrow. Decade was a double CD retrospective marking ten years since his first solo recording. Featuring two complete albums, excerpts from others and previously unreleased songs, the set continues to be highly regarded among enthusiasts of his music. In 1994, Kerry moved from Atlanta back to his home town of Topeka Kansas. Once there, he initiated his production companies, Grandyzine, and record company, Numavox Records. As part of this work, he constructed a state-of-the-art recording and production facility on his farm, in the frame of a restored barn. This studio would serve as the nexus of his and many other musician's work through the present day.

"Though I dearly love Georgia, it was great to be back in Kansas (the state) again. I immediately felt at home. There's something about returning to your roots that's inspiring." Composed over the period of two years, Kerry's next album clearly expressed this sentiment as one his most celebrated. Entitled "When Things Get Electric," this 1995 release was also the debut album for Kerry's new label.

Over the next several years, Mr. Livgren worked on recording projects with other artists, before returning to solo work in 1997. That year saw the release of his first soundtrack, for the third SONY's Mind's Eye computer animation feature, comprising the work of more than 100 computer artists. Numavox released Prime

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good chase scenes, September 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Odyssey Into the Mind's Eye (DVD)

More than many other computer-animation videos, this one works because it knows what it is. Even the best computer animation cannot compete with reality for realism. (Yes, that's tautological but think about it. Think about ALL tautologies.) Lots of nice chase scenes, which are the strong suit of animation. They're always exciting; they don't require the destruction of millions in cars nor the deployment of cadres of police, and most of all they eye doesn't linger long enough on any one thing to be disturbed by banality. Great detail in computer backgrounds is just as hard to do as great detail in the subject, and a chase focuses the attention. Too, the music is just right for animation. It is properly driving when it needs to be, and it recalls no other music. I dread the day when some fool tries to set an animation to "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik." Mr. Livgren was smarter. The animators also understand that virtual reality really is a mockery of reality, and concentrate on interesting images. I recall my anticipation in 1982 when MTV came out. I thought, "At last. Interesting pictures with the music." Of course we know the story of MTV: a dog's breakfast of arty or quirky shots, quite indigestible, and tiring to the eyes. This DVD however is much better. I've watched it four times. And one scene, with hammers quite pointlessly banging on steel, in a warehouse lit by light coming through slowly rotating fans, sticks in the mind. And it's funny too, something very rare in animation. If you buy one computer animation DVD, let it be this one.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great animation, fantastic soundtrack, November 23, 1998

By 

Dustin M. Smith (Aurora, CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Odyssey Into the Mind's Eye (DVD)

If you enjoyed The Mind's Eye series (Mind's Eye, Beyond, and Gate)you'll enjoy this one. More great computer animation and a fantastic soundtrack from artists Mike Oldfield and Kerry Livgren (former guitarist of rock group Kansas). No extras, I would liked to have had an onscreen menu with a index of the animation sequences. But, other than that the quality is very good.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best of the genre, June 24, 2000

By 

James M. McDonald (Grand Rapids, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Odyssey Into the Mind's Eye (DVD)

The graphics are superb. The underwater chase scenes in Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace are very reminiscent of the chase scenes toward the beginning of this video.

If you are a Kansas fan, you'll immediately spot the style of Kerry Livren, the musical genius behind this video. Only two tracks have vocals. One is overtly Judeo/Christian expressing that only the Creator can satisfy. Livgren became a Christian before Kansas disbanded (just listen to Dust in the Wind or The Wall).

The vocal track (next to the last) is the only one I don't like. The vocalist is Kerry's son, Jacob. It would be a good song if it weren't for an unecessary, irritating falsetto part that he sings. It is very badly done.

If you do not like Kansas, you will not like the music. My brother first showed me this video a couple of years ago. I went out and got it myself. As soon as I am finished here I am ordering the DVD!