MR

John Elefante - 1982

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yP_nfkO2T0Q

I've only seen them once, with Elefante during the Vinyl Confessions tour. I thought he was better live than on the record.

Walsh 1980

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZzrfPE-its

Elefante - covering Dust In The Wind on Mastedon 3 in the studio (2009)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsFsLgFZWeQ



Actually think he did this solo and put it on the Mastedon CD - could be wrong

Walsh - "The Wall" 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6eklGr9Mg8

Ive been a Kansas fan since the release of their first album. Ive always loved their music. I LOVE the mix of Rock & Symphony sound. I never stopped loving the music, but I stopped following them in the late 70s and 80s while I was in the Army.

I never knew that Elefante had replaced Walsh, I think they sound so much alike. But really listening to both of them now in the band AND in their solo CDs I can see that Elefantes vocals are much smoother. Even though I didnt know Walsh was replaced, knowing now I dont/didnt mind. I think Elefante did all the vocals justice and have no complaints.

As much as I do like Johns vocals, I will pick Walsh over him to be in Kansas though.

Walsh is Kansas but Elefante is a better singer

AR wrote:Walsh - "The Wall" 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6eklGr9Mg8

I was at that show. If you have a chance to see Kansas with orchestral accompaniment, don't miss it.

AR wrote:Elefante - covering Dust In The Wind on Mastedon 3 in the studio (2009)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsFsLgFZWeQ



Actually think he did this solo and put it on the Mastedon CD - could be wrong

He did. The Mastedon record was essentially another solo album...just a little more rocked up in places. Mastedon 3 was amazing!

I love, love, love Steve Walsh and John Elefante is one of my all-time favorite singers so to pick one between them would send my brain into overload and I'd end up crashing...so suffice it to say that they are both amazing, unique singers who when I hear them at their respective peaks send shivers down my spine.

I will say that Elefante's voice held up better...but then again he wasn't a drug addict who toured for 30+ years straight...

Pelata wrote:

AR wrote:Elefante - covering Dust In The Wind on Mastedon 3 in the studio (2009)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsFsLgFZWeQ



Actually think he did this solo and put it on the Mastedon CD - could be wrong

He did. The Mastedon record was essentially another solo album...just a little more rocked up in places. Mastedon 3 was amazing!

I love, love, love Steve Walsh and John Elefante is one of my all-time favorite singers so to pick one between them would send my brain into overload and I'd end up crashing...so suffice it to say that they are both amazing, unique singers who when I hear them at their respective peaks send shivers down my spine.

I will say that Elefante's voice held up better...but then again he wasn't a drug addict who toured for 30+ years straight...

Agreed on "Mastedon 3". Best release of Elefante's career, in my opinion. I was very much surprised by how good it was/is.

As for Walsh...He was right up there with guys like Perry and Gramm, in my opinion, until he ruined his voice with his drug problems. He started sounding bad on the "In the Spirit of Things" tour and sounded utterly horrible just three years later, as evidenced on the "Live at the Whisky" release, though that performance was awesome, musically speaking. I'm glad he got clean and sober in the early 2000s, though, and the band is still playing well even if Walsh's voice is but a mere shell of itself.

Elefante still sounds very strong at the age of 53. He's also done a lot of great production work, especially with Petra back in the 80s and 90s.

trekman wrote:Ive been a Kansas fan since the release of their first album. Ive always loved their music. I LOVE the mix of Rock & Symphony sound. I never stopped loving the music, but I stopped following them in the late 70s and 80s while I was in the Army.

I never knew that Elefante had replaced Walsh, I think they sound so much alike. But really listening to both of them now in the band AND in their solo CDs I can see that Elefantes vocals are much smoother. Even though I didnt know Walsh was replaced, knowing now I dont/didnt mind. I think Elefante did all the vocals justice and have no complaints.

As much as I do like Johns vocals, I will pick Walsh over him to be in Kansas though.

Really? When I first started listening to Kansas, I didn't realize that Elefante was the singer on "Vinyl Confessions" and "Drastic Measures" but figured it out pretty quickly after I fell in love with those first several studio albums and Walsh's amazing voice.

Check this out...This is hilarious!

Rush, Yes and Kansas... The REAL story! - Red Eye

I absolutely love Kansas! Certainly wished there was a Kansas forum here *cough cough Andrew*!

I love both singers. But, I love John's voice a little better than Steve's. When I first heard this re-make by John, I just about fell in the floor! I would say that back in the 90's, if I had my choice of which singer I would want in Kansas, I would pick John Elefante hands down. Seem like at that point is when Steve's voice just hit rock bottom. I have that live "Dust In The Wind" album, and he sounded horrible. I think it was taken from the Live At The Whisky concert. However, after seeing the concert on video, I can kind of understand why it sounded so bad. Steve looked possessed! I thought it was cool with him doing head stands on his keyboard, but he looked like he was about to break out into a psychotic fit!

But, nowadays, it seems like his voice has strengthened. He sounds much better now than he did 10 - 15 years ago in my opinion. Hopefully the sober living has helped Steve to get back to where he was vocally. But, if it comes down to a debate of which singer is better, it's very hard for me to say. Putting Walsh's best up against Elefante's best, I'd have to puss out and say it was a tie! I love what both singers brought to Kansas, and I love what Elefante has done in the music business outside of Kansas (producing for bands like Petra, doing backing vocals, his solo albums. etc...)

Seems like when it comes to other bands, there's always a clear cut favorite. But, when it comes to Kansas, I would take them with either Walsh or Elefante.

Greg wrote:I love both singers. But, I love John's voice a little better than Steve's. When I first heard this re-make by John, I just about fell in the floor! I would say that back in the 90's, if I had my choice of which singer I would want in Kansas, I would pick John Elefante hands down. Seem like at that point is when Steve's voice just hit rock bottom. I have that live "Dust In The Wind" album, and he sounded horrible. I think it was taken from the Live At The Whisky concert. However, after seeing the concert on video, I can kind of understand why it sounded so bad. Steve looked possessed! I thought it was cool with him doing head stands on his keyboard, but he looked like he was about to break out into a psychotic fit!

Yeah, I think he was pretty wired up on something during that performance and did sound very horrible. I think he also has said that they vocals were so bad, they tried to re-record them in the studio but he sounded even worse, so they left them as is. That being said, the performance from that show, musically-speaking, was excellent, especially "Song for America", which sounds so much more dynamic from that show than I've ever heard it, before or since.

But, nowadays, it seems like his voice has strengthened. He sounds much better now than he did 10 - 15 years ago in my opinion. Hopefully the sober living has helped Steve to get back to where he was vocally.

He does sound much better and I'm glad he got straightened out and sobered up.

conversationpc wrote:

Greg wrote:I love both singers. But, I love John's voice a little better than Steve's. When I first heard this re-make by John, I just about fell in the floor! I would say that back in the 90's, if I had my choice of which singer I would want in Kansas, I would pick John Elefante hands down. Seem like at that point is when Steve's voice just hit rock bottom. I have that live "Dust In The Wind" album, and he sounded horrible. I think it was taken from the Live At The Whisky concert. However, after seeing the concert on video, I can kind of understand why it sounded so bad. Steve looked possessed! I thought it was cool with him doing head stands on his keyboard, but he looked like he was about to break out into a psychotic fit!

Yeah, I think he was pretty wired up on something during that performance and did sound very horrible. I think he also has said that they vocals were so bad, they tried to re-record them in the studio but he sounded even worse, so they left them as is. That being said, the performance from that show, musically-speaking, was excellent, especially "Song for America", which sounds so much more dynamic from that show than I've ever heard it, before or since.

But, nowadays, it seems like his voice has strengthened. He sounds much better now than he did 10 - 15 years ago in my opinion. Hopefully the sober living has helped Steve to get back to where he was vocally.

He does sound much better and I'm glad he got straightened out and sobered up.

Having Steve Morse in the band definitely gave those classic songs a shot in the arm. I agree with you, musically speaking, that is the best live version of Song for America I have ever heard. Vocally it was horrible, and I'd love to see the interview about Walsh on this concert. Seems like not too long ago, I remember reading an article where Walsh said that the judge was giving him just one more chance and that was it. This has actually been in the past decade. The last time I saw Kansas in concert, I could see the look on Steve's face and how appreciative he was to be there playing and singing for his band.

conversationpc wrote:He does sound much better and I'm glad he got straightened out and sobered up.

Yeah, I saw Kansas about a year ago and while Greer still carries the higher notes, Walsh sounded solid and better than he sounded when I saw them in 1996.

Pelata wrote:

conversationpc wrote:He does sound much better and I'm glad he got straightened out and sobered up.

Yeah, I saw Kansas about a year ago and while Greer still carries the higher notes, Walsh sounded solid and better than he sounded when I saw them in 1996.

Greer has a great voice, as evidenced especially by his singing in Seventh Key. Both of the albums by that band are excellent, in my opinion. It's too bad he's only gotten the chance to sing lead vocals on one Kansas studio tune.

The ELefante albums were very poor compared to the Walsh albums.
Sure, Elefante could sing, but couldnt write very well, (has a couple good songs, Right Away is okay, so is Fight Fire with Fire.
Perfect Lover and his other songs on the 2 CD's range from passible to terrible. Even Livgren wrote some clunkers.

Even though Power and In The spirit of things took them in a different direction musically they are light years ahead of the Elefante records.

the reunion album is a masterpiece, cant imagaine what it would have sounded like with Elefante.

scarab wrote:The ELefante albums were very poor compared to the Walsh albums.
Sure, Elefante could sing, but couldnt write very well, (has a couple good songs, Right Away is okay, so is Fight Fire with Fire.
Perfect Lover and his other songs on the 2 CD's range from passible to terrible. Even Livgren wrote some clunkers.

Even though Power and In The spirit of things took them in a different direction musically they are light years ahead of the Elefante records.

the reunion album is a masterpiece, cant imagaine what it would have sounded like with Elefante.

No way...the dude is a brilliant writer...they just weren't what anyone expected from Kansas songs...

Elephant just has a crisper, cleaner voice. Not a bad thing, but not Kansas. I'd rather hear Steinhardt sing than John...

Looking at everyone's likes and dislikes over the past few years, it seems a good majority of people prefer AOR over Melodic Rock...

Thwre were some EXCELLENT songs off DM, and VC...Andi, Right Away, FWF, PL, Play The Game Tonight...my favorite - CHASING SHADOWS.

And seeing Elephant bop around on that Omaha show from '82. He looked like a young, hyper Richard Simmons/Leo Sayer...

If anyone has that show on DVD, would you be willing to throw me a copy?

My current Kansas playlist:

In album order, cause that's how it is in itunes...

Can I Tell You
Bringing it Back
Belexes
Journey from Mariabronn
Apercu
Death of Mother Nature Suite
Icarus(Borne on Wings of Steel)
All the World
It's You
The Pinnacle
Down the Road
Song for America
Entire Leftoverture album
Point of Know Return
Paradox
The Spider
Portrait (He Knew)
Closet Chronicles
Nobody's Home
Hopelessly Human
Lonely Wind(piano solo) [live]
People of the South Wind
A Glimpse of Home
Loner
Got to Rock On
Back Door
Hold On
No One Together
Play the Game Tonight
Right Away
Chasing Shadows
Crossfire
Perfect Lover
Fire with Fire
Everybody's My Friend
Andi
Power
Silhouettes in Disguise
Musicatto
Taking in the View
Tomb 19
T.O. Witcher
I Can fly
Hope Once Again
Black Fathom 4
Icarus II
When the World Was Young
The Coming Day (Thanatopsis)
Look at the Time
Byzantium
Not Man Big

The first 5 Kansas albums are untouchable, IMO. Walsh sound amazing on all of them. Even on the albums after that, he sounds great even if I don't like the albums quite as much.

I don't like DM or VC as much as the first 5 Kansas albums, but I like Elefante's voice as much as I ever liked Walsh...and, IMO, Chasing Shadows, Play The Game Tonight, Fight Fire With Fire and Perfect Lover are as good as anything else in the Kansas catalog.

I've got many Kansas boots, and The Power Demos...if anyone is interested...

Songs that didn't make the album are excellent..

No Man's Land
The River
Every Time it Rains ( could have been a hit for NR)
Racing Away
Broken Home
Sea of Shadows
You're not Forsaken
Untitled

S2M wrote:I've got many Kansas boots, and The Power Demos...if anyone is interested...

Songs that didn't make the album are excellent..

No Man's Land
The River
Every Time it Rains ( could have been a hit for NR)
Racing Away
Broken Home
Sea of Shadows
You're not Forsaken
Untitled

Several of those songs made it on the first Seventh Key album. Billy Greer lead vocalist.

S2M wrote:I've got many Kansas boots, and The Power Demos...if anyone is interested...

Songs that didn't make the album are excellent..

No Man's Land
The River
Every Time it Rains ( could have been a hit for NR)
Racing Away
Broken Home
Sea of Shadows
You're not Forsaken
Untitled

I really wish they had put "No Man's Land" on "Power". That's a great song, in my opinion. It's much better than the version recorded by Seventh Key.

S2M wrote:I've got many Kansas boots, and The Power Demos...if anyone is interested...

Songs that didn't make the album are excellent..

No Man's Land
The River
Every Time it Rains ( could have been a hit for NR)
Racing Away
Broken Home
Sea of Shadows
You're not Forsaken
Untitled

Very interested in the Power demos!

AR wrote:

S2M wrote:I've got many Kansas boots, and The Power Demos...if anyone is interested...

Songs that didn't make the album are excellent..

No Man's Land
The River
Every Time it Rains ( could have been a hit for NR)
Racing Away
Broken Home
Sea of Shadows
You're not Forsaken
Untitled

Very interested in the Power demos!

If I had a way of getting them to you, I would...no internet right now. I have been saving them in order to procure that Omaha show....lol

S2M wrote:

AR wrote:

S2M wrote:I've got many Kansas boots, and The Power Demos...if anyone is interested...

Songs that didn't make the album are excellent..

No Man's Land
The River
Every Time it Rains ( could have been a hit for NR)
Racing Away
Broken Home
Sea of Shadows
You're not Forsaken
Untitled

Very interested in the Power demos!

If I had a way of getting them to you, I would...no internet right now. I have been saving them in order to procure that Omaha show....lol

So you mention about the boots you have if anyone is interested, AR shows interest, then you say you dont have a way to get them to him. Trying to impress us with your collection ?

Behshad wrote:

S2M wrote:

AR wrote:

S2M wrote:I've got many Kansas boots, and The Power Demos...if anyone is interested...

Songs that didn't make the album are excellent..

No Man's Land
The River
Every Time it Rains ( could have been a hit for NR)
Racing Away
Broken Home
Sea of Shadows
You're not Forsaken
Untitled

Very interested in the Power demos!

If I had a way of getting them to you, I would...no internet right now. I have been saving them in order to procure that Omaha show....lol

So you mention about the boots you have if anyone is interested, AR shows interest, then you say you dont have a way to get them to him. Trying to impress us with your collection ?

Actually, no...lol. Shit stirrer. lol. In the middle of a move. When I get internet service back on I will send to any who ask...I don't see you offering up any sausage finger boots....

S2M wrote:

Behshad wrote:

S2M wrote:

AR wrote:

S2M wrote:I've got many Kansas boots, and The Power Demos...if anyone is interested...

Songs that didn't make the album are excellent..

No Man's Land
The River
Every Time it Rains ( could have been a hit for NR)
Racing Away
Broken Home
Sea of Shadows
You're not Forsaken
Untitled

Very interested in the Power demos!

If I had a way of getting them to you, I would...no internet right now. I have been saving them in order to procure that Omaha show....lol

So you mention about the boots you have if anyone is interested, AR shows interest, then you say you dont have a way to get them to him. Trying to impress us with your collection ?

Actually, no...lol. Shit stirrer. lol. In the middle of a move. When I get internet service back on I will send to any who ask...I don't see you offering up any sausage finger boots....

A move , eh ? Where to , San Fransisco !?