The Essential Kansas

by Kansas

Overview

Epic/Legacy's double-disc set The Essential Kansas pretty much fulfills the promise of its title. Although it doesn't delve into the group's latter-day recordings for MCA and other labels, that's not a problem because most listeners -- whether they're fairweather or dedicated fans -- will want to concentrate on the group's peak in the '70s, which is precisely what this does. Over the course of 26 tracks, all the hits and album-oriented radio staples are featured, usually in their full-length album versions, plus a number of fan favorites and key album tracks that help draw a full picture of what the group did. The remastered and expanded single-disc The Best of Kansas remains the best bet for the casual fan, since it has all the big hits on one disc, but anybody seeking to dig deeper than the hits and radio favorites -- without actually hearing the original albums -- should turn here, since its selection and sound is better than the three-disc box. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	10/25/2010
Label:	Epic / Legacy / Sony Music Distribution
UPC:	0886977866821
Rank:	5981

Tracks

Disc 1

1. Carry on Wayward Son
2. Song for America
3. The Wall
4. Lonely Street
5. Journey from Mariabronn
6. Child of Innocence
7. Mysteries and Mayhem
8. The Pinnacle
9. Bringing It Back
10. Down the Road
11. What's on My Mind
12. Death of Mother Nature Suite

Disc 2

13. Point of Know Return
14. Cheyenne Anthem
15. Fight Fire with Fire
16. Dust in the Wind
17. Hold On
18. No One Together
19. Play the Game Tonight
20. Closet Chronicles
21. Sparks of the Tempest
22. Portrait (He Knew)
23. On the Other Side
24. People of the South Wind
25. A Glimpse of Home
26. Magnum Opus

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Kansas   Primary Artist
Kyle Henderson   Vocals
Dave Pack   Vocals
Terry Brock   Vocals

Technical Credits

Ken Scott   Producer
John Elefante   Musician
Ron Kellum   Design
Howard Fritzson   Art Direction
Davey Moire   Engineer,Producer
Steve Berkowitz   A&R
Mark Unterberger   Packaging Manager
Don Hunstein   Photography
John Jackson   Project Director
R. Frazier   Composer
Andy Lackow   Cover Illustration
Kerry Livgren   Musician
J.J. Cale   Composer
Jeff Magid   Compilation Producer
Wally Gold   Producer
Jeff Glixman   Producer,Compilation Producer
Robby Steinhardt   Musician
Joseph M. Palmaccio   Mastering
Kansas   Producer
Neil Kernon   Producer
Phil Ehart   Musician
Rich Williams   Musician
R. Williams   Composer
Dave Hope   Musician
Darren Salmieri   A&R
Steve Walsh   Musician
Brad Aaron   Engineer,Producer