Main menu
Fretplay home Submit tabs

Kansas
Kansas tabs Kansas discography

Channels
Guitar channel Bass channel Guitar videos Reviews

Message Forum
Guitar forum Bass forum Bands and artists Promote your band Recent discussions All categories

Fretplay.com

Kansas guitar tabs

CD reviews

Device, Voice, Drum

Kansas - Device, Voice, Drum Audio CD

A fair review of the Kansas "Device, Voice, Drum" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Kansas reviews here, or go back to the Kansas tabs.

Band: Kansas
Title: Device, Voice, Drum
Rating:

Release Date: 2002-10-08
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Intro 2: Belexes 3: Icarus II 4: Icarus 5: Song for America 6: Howlin' at the Moon 7: The Wall 8: The Preacher 9: Journey from Mariabronn 10: Dust in the Wind 11: Cheyenne Anthem 12: Child of Innocence 13: Miracles Out of Nowhere 14: Point of Know Return 15: Portrait/Pinnacle 16: Fight Fire with Fire 17: Play the Game Tonight 18: Carry on Wayward Son 19: Distant Vision

Tremendous music, but Steve's voice....
It is all top notch, except with Livgren being noticably missed. The easy part to review here is the music and sound quality. But everything there is still really solid. But Steve Walsh's voice is a whole other story. . .

Steve Walsh's voice is - in a word - PAINFUL to listen to. That sweet tenor is long gone, having given away (unfortunately) to the shreds of the vocal chords he has left. How other Kansas fans can even listen to it is more bravery than I can muster. . . Really. This is not listenable.

One reviewer said Steve's voice "is still at 80%". Ummmm, no. At best, he is at 10%, and maybe less. It is too bad. . . Because with his voice intact, this could have been amazing. But - instead - it is just painful. .

If it's Kansas' swan song, it's a good one...
Kansas have not done any new music since "Somewhere To Elsewhere", and that was virtually a Kerry Livgren solo album as performed by Kansas, good as it was. Let's be honest.

Steve Walsh has admitted he is having trouble writing music for Kansas, and he is doing solo albums.

Robby Steinhardt was recently "asked to leave" the band.

All Kansas have put out recently are repackaging of their old songs (much like Black Sabbath).

But this live album, if it's their last real album, is certainly a cracker.

I'm not sure where they got the money to put this on, since it's a full-concert production in Atlanta, and they've been a bar/county fair band ever since the 1990s. But the fact is that it's good. The song selection is good and the band, as always, are some of the best instrumentalists in rock. Steve Walsh shows here that, except to do his frontman bit, he doesn't need a guest keyboardist (apologies to Greg Robert).

Robby Steinhardt's violin and voice were unmistakable, as he shows here (apologies to David Ragsdale).

Billy Greer is not as "showy" a bassist as Dave Hope, but he's solid, on-the-point, and adds vocals as well.

Phil Ehart shows here that he's always been underated and should be listed in the same lists as Neil Peart, Cozy Powell, Ian Paice, Bill Ward etc.

In short, this is a fine disc, well worth getting, better than "Live At The Whisky" and as good as "Two For The Show".

The only caveat is that Steve's voice struggles to hit some of his trademark high notes.

But even with that, this is a fine live epitaph(?) to an American rock institution.

The Music's Forever
This version focuses on providing its diverse fan base with a musical style that is tasteful and timeless. Every incarnation of this country's premeire Prog-Rock band, Kansas, has a musical life of its own. Gone are the days of the trademark Steve Walsh dancing, jumping and gyrating to the infecteous rock beat of this unique and, ever evolving, band. Now, Steve focuses his energy and attention upon playing keyboard parts (originally meant for two keyboardists) while belting out his vocals better than at any time period since the 1970s. This is a must have for every fan of good, solid, rock music. And, for every Kansas fan, it's a dire necessity. Keep On Rockin,' Wayward Sons!.

Kansas at their current peak
My question at the end of all those "where have you been" speaks to why you are negative. First of all, for the fans who have made negative personal comments about Robbie's look (hey guy, Robbie looks the same as he did in 1974, save the clothes, where you been? Obviously NOT a fan otherwise you would have known that), Richard's weight (he has been the size he is for the last 8 years, where you been?), Steve's voice (his voice has been in its current state for the last 15 years, though a lot better sounding now than in a long time, so I ask again, where you been?). You have not bothered to keep up with THIS Kansas for the last 15 years. You picked up Device Voice Drum thinking it was Kansas from 1978 and guess what? It isn't and you should go back to your old records and not bother with Kansas. This DVD is for the fans like myself who have bothered to hang around the whole time, who have supported the band and embrace every thing about it. In that light, it comes through like a champ.

Sorry for my digression. It just really gets me upset when people come out here who are obviously fans from days long ago and rip on a band they haven't bothered to keep up with.

My only complaints with Device Voice Drum is that there should have been lots more discussion from the band. A commentary track should have been added, along with longer interviews. This band has been around for 30 years. There is a lot more to talk about than what is given to us on the DVD. Last complaint, and a petty one, not all the albums were covered, especially my favorite, Freaks Of Nature. I still feel that album, even against Somewhere, is their best album since POKR.

Still, with its faults, I love this DVD and accept it faults and all.

Kansas Is Still At Their Best!!
Throughout their 30+ years, they have always displayed strong musicianship, thought provoking lyrics and dynamic composition. Kansas is one of America's premier progressive rock bands. With their 2000 studio release, "Somewhere To Elsewhere", Kansas came full circle with the original line-up reuniting for the first time in 20 years. Their latest live CD "Device Voice Drum" brings the band to an even fuller circle.
Recorded in June 2002, "Device Voice Drum" captures a revitalized Kansas performing music mostly from the bands heyday in the 1970's. Classics such as "Belexes", "Song For America", "The Wall" and "Icarus" areplayed with the same intensity and vigor as they were back in the day. The Kansas standards "Carry On Wayward Son", "Dust In The Wind" and "Point Of Know Return" still haven't lost their cutting edge and are still among the band's best work.
Musically, the band sounds like they have come back to life in a big way. Singer/keyboardist Steve Walsh's voice has changed considerably since the early years of the band. His commanding forceful tone comes across now as being more strained and roughend. He still knows how to belt these songs out though. Violinist Robby Steinhardt still soars musically and vocally and can still harmonize effortlessly. Guitarist Richard Williams and the rhythm section of Bassist Billy Greer and drummer Phil Ehart are still solid aces on their instruments.
"Device Voice Drum" is an excellent live set from this legendary band. There is only one element missing out of this enitre concert, the presence of founder and band leader Kerry Livgren. Had he been on stage with the band during this concert, this would have been beyond description. However, the five-piece Kansas line-up does a fine job of displaying Livgren's music without him. I'm sure Kerry is proud of them.
This double-live-CD is definitely a piece of nostalgia and truly is a trip down memory lane. I can only hope that Kansas will continue their musical path in the direction they have been carrying it over the last five years.
This is classic Kansas for the 21st Century. In the words of Kansas member Robby Steinhardt, this CD is proof that you can "still rock when you're 52 years old".

You can see a complete list of all Kansas discography, or go back to the Kansas tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.