Kansas Point Of Know Return CD

The high point of Kansas's long career, 1977's POINT OF KNOW RETURN found the American heartlanders finally striking the perfect balance between complex prog-rock, hard-hitting heavy guitar work, and crafty pop sensibilities. This is perhaps best exemplified by the title cut, a sparkling tune full of jaunty interaction between piano and violin that moves unerringly through some tricky musical maneuvers, while remaining engagingly catchy and accessible. The electrifying riffs that fly around in "Lightning's Hand" and "The Spider" show that the knack for tunes like the previous album's classic "Carry On Wayward Son" had not deserted Kansas. At the same time, thoughtful (but not saccharine) ballads such as "Dust in the Wind" and "Hopelessly Human" make it clear that there was more than flash to the band. Nevertheless, there's honestly impressive flash aplenty to be found here in Kansas's finest hour.

This is the definitive Kansas recording and includes their most famous tune, "Dust in the Wind." The band is in peak form and also churned out the single "Point of Know Return," which is still played daily on classic rock stations. While their pop-oriented approach and standard rock guitar sound helped define the classic rock sound of the '70s, careful listening reveals that this band's talent goes beyond colleagues such as Bachman-Turner Overdrive and Boston. Their arrangements and time signatures more accurately reflect the music of Yes and Emerson, Lake & Palmer. "Paradox" and "The Spider" are both excellent examples of their progressive approach. Unfortunately, the band always struggled to maintain a healthy balance of progression combined with pop. That made for such awkward moments here as "Portrait (He Knew)" and "Lightning's Hand." Yet despite the minor inconsistencies and a dated sound, their interplay and superior musicianship make this both an essential classic rock and progressive rock recording. The 2002 CD reissue adds two bonus tracks: a live 1978 version of "Sparks of the Tempest" and a remix of "Portrait (He Knew)." ~ Robert Taylor

All tracks have been digitally remastered.

+ 2 Bonus Tracks

Recorded at Woodland Sound, Nashville, Tennessee and Studio In The Country, Bogalusa, Louisiana in 1977. Includes liner notes by Jeff Glixman.

Reissue producers: Jeff Glixman, Jeff Magid.

Engineers: Jeff Glixman, Terry Diane Baker.

Personnel: Robbie Steinhardt (vocals, violin, viola, cello); Steve Walsh (vocals, piano, celesta, organ, synthesizer, vibraphone, percussion); Kerry Livgren (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano, Clavinet, synthesizer, percussion); Rick Williams (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, sound effects); Phil Ehart (drums, timpani, percussion, gong, chimes).

Liner Note Author: David Wild.

Recording information: Studio In The Country, Bogalusa, LA (06/1977-07/1977); Woodland Sound Studios, Nashville, TN (06/1977-07/1977).

Illustrator: Peter Lloyd.

Photographer: Neal Preston.

Arranger: Kansas.

Kansas: Steve Walsh (vocals, piano, celeste, organ, synthesizer, vibraphone, percussion); Kerry Livgren (acoustic & electric guitars, piano, Clavinet, synthesizer, percussion); Rick Williams (acoustic & electric guitars); Robby Steinham (violin, viola, cello, background vocals); Dave Hope (autoharp, bass); Phil Ehart (drums, timpani, percussion, chimes).

Producer: Jeff Glixman.