Kansas
01/18/08
Topeka Performing Arts Center
Topeka, Kansas
Set List
Magnum Opus/Howling at the Moon |
Musicatto | Point of Know Return | The Wall | Ghost/Rainmaker |
Eleanor Rigby | Nobody's Home | Hold On | Dust in the Wind |
Song For America | Cheyenne Anthem | Icarus II | Icarus: Borne
on Wings of Steel | Hold On | Miracles Out of Nowhere | Carry on
Wayward Son
Kansas returned to their hometown of Topeka, Kansas to play a
triumphant gig with the Topeka Symphony Orchestra. The marquee
read SOLD OUT as 2600 fans came out despite single digit
temperatures to support their local heroes. The crowd was an
interesting mix of gray hairs and teenagers resulting in a
concert where you were not sure if you should get up and yell or
sit down and clap politely. The band cleared up all questions
on concert etiquette by inspiring the masses to not one, not
two, but three standing ovations.
The show started with
David Ragsdale walking down the center isle playing his violin.
The spotlight followed him as the band went into "Magnum Opus."
Kansas next spun into "Howlin' at the Moon" which drew dozens of
howls from the crowd at the end of the song. "The Wall" and
"Cheyenne Anthem," also from the triple-platinum classic
Leftoverture, were performed as well. The biggest set list
surprise, however, was the inclusion of the deep album cut
"Nobody's Home" from Point of Know Return. The song is
tailor made for an orchestra and was a highlight of the
evening's performance.
There was a heightened
sense of curiosity among the Kansas faithful as everyone was
hoping original member, and main songwriter, Kerry Livgren would
make a rare appearance with the band. The first standing
ovation of the night came when the mustached virtuoso took his
place between keyboard player/singer Steve Walsh and guitarist
Richard Williams for "Dust in the Wind." This was another tune
where the orchestra shined. The song featured an extended
musical section that was split between violinist David Ragsdale
and the entire orchestra.
"Ghost" and
"Rainmaker" from 1988's In the
Spirit of Things were performed
with precision timing and vocal skill. The Walsh penned chorus
of "Rainmaker, Rainmaker" built the energy in the theater as
both band and orchestra brought the song to a strong crescendo.
The rest of evening
spanned over thirty-three years of Kansas classics including the
epic "Song For America." "Icarus II," a fan favorite from the
2000 release Somewhere to
Elsewhere, segued into the song
that inspired it, "Icarus: Borne on Wings of Steel" from 1975's
Masque. The
band turned to 1980's Audio Visions
and performed the biggest hit from that album
titled "Hold On." The classic song has been given new life with
an interesting musical passage that does not appear on the
original recording.
As good as the evening
was, the end of the night proved to bring the most musical
moments and the highest amount of energy from both the band and
the crowd. "Miracles Out of Nowhere" is one of the strongest
songs in the band's arsenal and this night it was delivered with
grace and power. The orchestra built tension that allowed the
band to unleash a musical fury at the end of the tune. During
the song, which swoons from a ballad to a hard rocker, the
entire band showed off their talents. Guitarist Williams jumped
from acoustic to electric and delivered a melodic solo while
violinist Ragsdale played in unison. Bass player Billy Greer
bounced along on bass, sang a bit of lead and hit the high
harmonies while Steve Walsh sang his ass off when his turn
came. All eyes turned to drummer Phil Ehart during the last
passage of "Miracles." Watching Ehart pound the skins while the
rest of the band sped through the powerful ending got the crowd
on their feet, amazed at what they had just witnessed on stage.
Livgren returned,
once again, for the last song of the night, the classic "Carry
On Wayward Son." Everyone was on their feet, singing along as
the entire band looked at the crowd with smiles on their faces.
Seeing Livgren rejoin the band is a rare treat. One can only
hope the experience will inspire him to get into "Kansas Mode"
and write some new music for the band. Guitarist Rich Williams
took the first lead break in the song and then passed the baton
to Livgren for the second. The band and orchestra raised the
roof and the crowd cheered enthusiastically. When the song
ended, the night was over. There was to be no encore despite
the efforts of the sold out crowd. Still, when the lights came
up and the music subsided, it was obvious from the smiles on
everyone's faces that the hometown boys done good.
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