Post by jptheprofessor on Feb 28, 2008 15:57:06 GMT -5
PROTO KAW – THE WAIT OF GLORY (InsideOut Music/SPV) To refresh memories, Proto-Kaw, featuring former Kansas founder, guitarist and composer Kerry Livgren, was an early 70’s incarnation of Kansas that reunited in 2003. (The name itself means “pre-Kansas,” the line-up before the Kansas that became famous in the mid-70’s.) Proto-Kaw’s latest album, The Wait of Glory, is their first full album of new material since their reformation. The album also marks the addition of Kerry Livgren’s son, Jake Livgren, as a full-time band member who sings and plays guitar, alto saxophone and percussion. The album continues the progressive rock exploration established on the 2005 album Before Came After, with some interesting twists. The sound again is rooted in the earlier 70’s Kansas model, with the emphasis on lengthier and more detailed compositions. But while guitar, keys and violin defined the old Kansas sound, Proto-Kaw’s sound features saxophones, flute, and even trumpet and flugelhorn. These instruments allow the group to expand into some unique terrain, as they dabble in Mediterranean flourishes on “Relics of the Tempest,” jazzier textures during the course of “When the Rains Come,” and freewheeling fusion on the instrumental “Osvaldo’s Groceries.” Like early Kansas, the musical terrain and melodies are often unpredictable and jump between various styles within the context of the same composition; evidenced on the 9-minute-plus opener “Nevermore,” “The Vigil” and “Picture This.” Proto-Kaw flexes their harder-rocking chops several times, most notably on “Melicus Gladiator” and the funk-edged workouts and “Physic” and “Old Number 63.” The overall musicianship is excellent throughout the album; this early incarnation of Kansas is an accomplished unit, and their execution suggests the smoothness and caliber of seasoned session players. Singer Lynn Meredith demonstrates a smooth, clear and expressive voice as he sells the prevalent lyrical themes of the impending downfall of modern civilization and the rise of a new, wiser one. Kerry Livgren’s production and engineering gives weight and edge to the harder rocking textures and delicacy to the softer ones, allowing all the instrumentation to be clearly heard and balanced. On The Wait of Glory, Proto-Kaw takes their early 70’s progressive foundation and expands and experiments with it, resulting in a listening adventure that never stays in one place for very long. In a sense, this album suggests what Kansas might have sounded like had this line-up stuck together back in the day; it sounds like they picked up 30-plus years later and continued the adventure where they left off.