Kansas - Masque

Kansas Revealed

In late 1974, lot's of my friends were ravin' about a Band called Kansas. In fact, a Big-Time Narc in San Diego, used a story that he had been the Original Drummer for the Band {Phil Ehart he WAS NOT!} Well, in 75 I was trapped onboard a Ship floating around the South China Sea, and I met a new guy who brought along a Boombox, and a bunch of cassette tapes. This new guy named Russell, had all three of the Kansas records on Tape and out on that Hot Tropical Sea, I had my first exposure to the Music of Kansas. Russ, had already seen the Band in Concert twice, and was already a big Fan. We played those cassettes until they melted!

"Masque" is the third Kansas record, and the last before the Big-Breakout of 1977 and: "Leftoverture". It is the first Kansas record to feature anything close to a 'Single' with the inclusion of: "It Take's A Woman's Love" and "It's You". But all the best stuff akin to the first two Kansas records is here as well. Masque, includes the classic Kansas tracks: "Child of Innocence", "Icarus~Borne On Wings Of Steel", "Mysteries & Mayhem" and "The Pinnacle".

Russell, told me that this Music, was only a Blueprint to what the Group was able to do in Concert. Heavy Guitar, Beautiful Keyboards and Amazing Violin Passages are along side some really Fantastic Vocals. This was really something for me to learn that this Band had been playing Biker Bars in Topeka only 2 years before this 1975 Record. But by 1975, we here in the USA, at last had a Band that could should the Brits what real music was indeed all about.

It wasn't until 1977, that Russell and myself were able to see Kansas play live in Winterland, San Francisco. But as that was probably the Greatest Live Show of Music, that I was lucky enough to witness, that my friends, is a Whole Other Story.

This is a Great One. "Masque" is a Keeper!
FOUR STARS !!! August 6, 2008

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