Customer Reviews

Schemer-Dreamer

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I saw a remark somewhere, I think from Robby Steinhardt, the violinist for Kansas, that the Kansas album of 1980 (Audio-visions) had suffered because both Kerry Livgren and Steve Walsh had kept their best material for their own solo albums. One can only agree that the best from Schemer-Dreamer by Steve Walsh, Seeds of Change by Kerry Livgren, and Audio-visions by Kansas, would have resulted in one phenomenal album. Fortunately for us fans we have all three and can consider 1980 to be a banner year.
The production and musical choices on this album are very close to the sound of classic Kansas, though lacking many of the progressive rock elements that were normally supplied by Kerry Livgren.
Wait Until Tomorrow however would fit on a Kansas album without a blink; changes in mood, expressive, well crafted lyrics - the song begins with soft voice and piano and builds to a desperate jam-filled crescendo.
The ballad Just How it Feels, a tribute to his grandparents, is possibly the most poignantly beautiful and touching song ever sung or written by Steve, reminiscent of Lonely Wind, from Kansas' first album, more than Dust in the Wind.
The foot stomping, piano punching rocker Every Step of the Way is Steve's autobiographical statement - would have been Kansas' answer to Boston's Rock and Roll Band.
The energetic You Think You Got It Made was included on Kansas' Audiovisions tour playlist, was played pretty much exactly as it sounds on the album and fit in very well, testifying to how close to Kansas the sound is.
Any Kansas fan will find much to love here. The sound is definitely in the vein of Monolith/Audiovisions Kansas rather than Steve's later work with Streets. Highly recommend this gem.

As a longtime Kansas fan, I was intrigued when I stumbled across this album(in vinyl). The first cut, and the title cut, jumps out from the beginning. The second cut, "Get too Far," is also up tempo. The next song is the best on the album. "So many Nights" is a classic love song. Only better. Steve Walsh's vocals melt in your ears on ballads. The rest of the album is also very good. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes rock music.

Everyone who loves rock looks for that elusive musical gem. Steve Walsh produced such a project with Schemer-Dreamer. He is in great voice throughout the CD and the music is dynamite. "Every Step of the Way" is one of the best rock songs every written. "Wait Until Tomorrow" features the gut-wrenching guitar of Steve Morse. The rest of the CD is filled with quality tunes and has already proven to be timeless. This one may not have gotten much radio play, but it is one of the greatest rock CDs ever. Give it a try.

After listening to Kansas for many years I did not know what to expect. I don't know why I was suprised, Walsh really pulls you in and delivers gut wrenching vocals that have set new standards in the music business. The guest appearances by other Kansas members were both fresh and well done. This album also gave us a preview of what was to come with the powerfull drums by Tim Gehrt (Streets drummer) and later to be Kansas guitarst Steve Morse. This is a grass roots album with heart, soul, and a lot of good tunes. I highly recommend it!

Schemer Dreamer (SD) is Steve Walsh's first solo album, recorded in 1980 having split from Kansas.

SD is an essential purchase for any fan of Walsh and Kansas and features a good collection of songs. Absolute standouts are Every Step Of The Way and So Many Nights, both of which are instant classics and would feel right at home on any Kansas album, Audio Visions and before.

My only criticism is that it lacks the bite in places that Walsh had when with Kansas and when he wrote with Kerry Livgren. For instance Wait Until Tomorrow is just crying our for better lead guitar work that someone like Livgren could have provided, as is clear from his contribution on You Think You Got It Made. I'm also not a fan of the trumpet and sax on Wait Until Tomorrow.

That said this is still a strong album - so its a pity that it's only available on import.

Recommendation to buy.

As Kansas was the very first concert I ever saw as a high school kid and also from the Topeka area where they were extremely popular, I also followed Steve's solo career when he cut this album. Every Step of the Way reminded me of hard times growing up and I related to that song in particular. It has it's highs & lows as do most albums, but overall sheer listening enjoyment. I haven't heard it for quite some time now, but I remember those wild party nights & having Steves voice blair out solo & with Kansas. I personally match him with Steve Perry of Journey in some ways. Both similar but crystal clear & moving. Wish Steve & Kansas could have continued on as an original unit../their first several albums are and will remain a staple to my ears!

In updating my music collection to CDs,this album was a definite MUST. I was glad to see Steve branch out on his own, and create a work of art that was a refreshing change from the heavier lyrics of Kansas. His voice is unlike any othe singer I have ever heard...solid and strong, yet senstive and emotional respectively. My favourite song of the cd is "Every Step of the Way". The lyrics in this song tell the story of Steve's climb to the ladder of his success. "Just how it feels" is another good one, a bit slower and easier, in a sentimental sort of way. Of all the qualities of the cd, I'd have to say the best part is, of course,...his voice..... his ability to reach the high notes, and low notes with such clarity, strength, and emotion. If you have enjoyed listening to Steve sing with the group Kansas, you will definitely enjoy this solo CD. I will probably wear it out soon, as I already have some old Kanas CDs. YOU GO STEVE!

If you have enjoyed the lead vocals from Kansas, this CD is a must. Steve Walsh has incredible talent that goes far beyond his powerful voice. He can write music, and do it well. Check this CD out for some outstanding music composed, written and sung by Steve himself.

I remember when this album first came out in the record stores. None of us(huge KANSAS fans) expected any such thing and we had not yet known that steve had left kansas. Of course my brother and i had to buy a copy because we were such fans of the band and of walsh as a singer. At the same time we didn't expect too much. We loved kansas for their art rock sensibilities and musicianship and frankly steve's writing contributions of late in audio visions and monolith left something to be desired. I especially was perturbed by "anything for you" a song on audio visions which is more like something from a love sick 13 year old than a rock legend who was pushing 30 years old. If that wasn't enough there is that damn cover which looks like this is a solo effort from one of the bay city rollers not the lead singer of rocks finest. What is that? A cartoon of steve in his typical short shorts and knee pad with giant guns that look bigger than him. On the back cover is a portrait of a well groomed steve with leather jacket slun over the shoulder in an obvious attempt by the record company to market him as a teenage heart throb. Give me a break!

Of course it's the music that matters and most of what you have here is pretty decent. The first 4 songs or what made up side one on the Lp is pretty much mediocre rock music that nobody would care about if it was somebody else singing them. "So many nights" is nice power ballad and the others are ok for hard rock. It's the last three songs that i really enjoyed and those songs that made up side two on the LP "Every step of the way is steve's anthem a great 7 minutes of of where he came from and what he has been about. "Just how it feels" is a gorgeous song that steve dedicated to his grandmother. For some reason "wait untill tommorow" became the most important song to me at the time. It's really a bit depressing about not wanting to face another day. Very powerful and moving and the song includes a terrific dixie dregs jam.

It's not kansas but it does have enough solid material to justify a 4 star rating. Because of the price i knocked it down to 3*.

....................socks

Steve Walsh is definitely one of the keys to the success of Kansas, but his solo effort allows him to shine on his own. My favorite song on the CD is Every Step of the Way. The power of his vocals is great and in my opinion, makes him one of the great singers in rock.