Kansas- Icarus- Borne on Wings of Steel REACTION & REVIEW

[@ramsin99]

So glad you finally got to this album. This was my first introduction to Kansas and they blew me away! This album is so awesome. Wait till you listen to Mysteries and Mayhem and The Pinnacle. They really should be listened to back to back as one fades into the other. All the World is also fantastic. Well you get the idea. One more note: I saw these guys open for Foghat in Feb. of 1976 and they blew Foghat off the stage. I went out the next day and purchased this album. Can't wait to see your reaction as you do more of this album. Keep up the great reactions!!

[@MrAitraining]

Yes! This is essential Prime/Prog Kansas. Love this Piece. Masque is a fav album of mine

[@JesusRocks71]

This is a fantastic song. There are some really amazing tracks on Masque. All the World Child of Innocence Mysteries and Mayhem The Pinnacle

[@brianbaker2759]

Masque is a hidden gem that many are not aware of. Amazing front to back. Also, check out the live version of Icarus on Two For The Show, it’s even better than the studio version! See Kansas live while you can, they are still amazing (new lead singer Ronnie Platt, and Tom Brislin on keys).

[@DavidImiri]

Icarus is one of their best tracks - I love it. Masque I feel is an uneven album, but well worth a listen, I would encourage you to do the album. Personally, I like Song For America better, but Masque has some great tracks, as long as you don't expect them all to be THIS good. And btw, Icarus' father's name is Daedalus.

[@billhawkins1236]

And now that you've experienced this, it requires that you do Apercu/ Death of Mother Nature Suite from the debut album. Your hat will fly off! 😎👍👍👍

[@littlestevey4172]

Yes, those 2 songs are my favorite on their debut. Aperco to me is such an underrated song on the album. When Steve Walsh came in it was even more amazing.

[@shyshift]

The album ends with The Pinnacle and it may be the greatest song ever by Kansas.

[@mantroid]

The lyrics are even awe inspiring. From the last stanza: With talons wrought of steel, I tore the heart of doom And in one gleaming moment I saw beyond the tomb

[@jeffschielka7845]

Hey Justin! KANSAS!! This is a fantastic album from the Prog rockers. I've seen them several times in concert dating back to 1978. Some of their best shows were when they opened for YES. Just incredible!!! Thanks for a great vid Justin. You rock!🎻🎸🎹🥁🎤😎

[@bobholtzmann]

Well borne praise on this listen -- Kansas (1973), Song For America (1974), Masque (1975), Leftoverture (1976) and Point of Know Return (1978) are all classic distinctive works - Last May I had fun listening to them while driving through Kansas in a rented car, and visiting my college. The group also gave a concert in my town recently, and my niece enjoyed it. Their live album Two For The Show also shows how they can perform these songs flawlessly on the stage.

[@gerstelb]

Masque is a wild album from beginning to end. Even the cover: it’s a 16th century work, “Water,” by an Italian painter, Giuseppe Arcimbaldo.

[@thomaskelly1299]

This is probably my favorite Kansas song. Magnum Opus is a close second. One of the most underrated bands ever.

[@David-iv6je]

This one really smokes on their live album "Two for the Show."

[@russellmorgan5611]

Kansas' trademark sound for me was Steve Walsh's vocal was always the highest part in the harmonies. No 3rd, 4th, 5th above only below the melody he was singing.

[@bucketfootbaseball]

Glad to see you do this song. This is one of the songs the defines Kansas for me.

[@jimralston7562]

Thanks for reacting to Icarus! Steve Walsh's so pure and perfect harmonies with Ronnie (RIP) who excels on violin here. I also recommend Mysteries & Mayhem/The Pinnacle from Masque - outstanding prog!

[@ljsites]

Kansas is one of those rare bands that can deliver you to another world. When the album is over, and you take off your headset, you find yourself back to reality.

[@ronniefarnsworth6465]

America's Greatest Classic Prog band !!!! I Loved seeing them Live very polished and great energy ang like Rush always played their songs better Live !! 🎶 Some off my favorite concerts was seeing Kansas and I was lucky to go to their shows at their height 5 times from 1975' to 1980' from Boston to NYC 👍🎸🎹🎻🥁🎤🎶

[@spawn4582]

I agree, this song had everything you need, a real musical cocktail, these guys know what they are doing, I liked everything about this song, there is nothing that would be superfluous, brilliant? Perfect!

[@adam872]

This is one of the greatest tracks. Live it's even better. The last couple of minutes are just majestic.

[@mlinderict]

For all the attention that the vocals get in Kansas (deservedly so), this is a prime example of how much of a beast (Father) Dave Hope was. And there was no hesitation in having him solidly placed in the mix. He and Phil Ehart were a wonderful, tight, rhythm section!

[@GrumpAlert]

My first delve into Kansas was through a cassette I got at a truck stop on a family trip in 2006. It was Two For the Show. That album is one of the best live albums from a band and it made me fall in love with Kansas and it has a great version of this song on it as well as many others.

[@-R.Gray-]

There was one spot, with the violin and guitar, that reminded me a lot of the music of Steve Morse's Dixie Dregs - so when Morse temporarily joined Kansas in 1986, on his way to Deep Purple, he seemed to fit in.

[@okiejohn3925]

Yes, VERY Dregs-like.

[@Cyberfender1]

The theme song for man's first flight and the feeling it produces till now. I imagine how fighter pilots think when they take off.

[@KevinRCarr]

Ah, good to see someone is reacting to songs from my favorite Kansas album. This was my intro to Kansas, and I fear that nothing they ever did after lifted me up the way this one did and still does. Daedalus is Icarus father, btw.

[@juliebrockett3471]

Great to see you back to Kansas!! Everything they do is just so well crafted! Great vocals too!! Be well and God bless… from Texas!!

[@timwendt1935]

Just saw Kansas play this tune a couple weeks ago AND they played "Icarus II" which is the follow up song Livgren wrote a couple decades later. Spectacular.

[@JustJP]

Nice Tim! I'm sure it was a great show!

[@Ker-mk3bf]

Love this song, definitely on my playlist. Thank you JP. 🎶🎶

[@gaiaeternal5131]

Hi Justin. Dave from London (just A Dance Across The Ocean). Kansas are my favourite US band, even though they are relatively unknown in the UK. If Masque isn't my number one album of theirs, it's just that they set the bar so high. This is essentially a blues/rocker, but what's so special is that it's choc full of musical ideas. And you're right with the Gentle Giant comparison, in the quick-fire interaction between instruments. Finally, I can't ignore the brilliance of Steve Walsh's vocals. I hope you continue with the album. P.S. my song ref A Dance Across The Ocean is by Moon Safari.

[@-davidolivares]

Not as much into Dans across the ocean, more Daves… cheers.

[@gaiaeternal5131]

@@-davidolivares Good name, isn't it.

[@-davidolivares]

It is good to be back, to Kansas. Such a force of musical nature. One thing I miss in most prog, sorry guys are vocals that I just am in awe of and want, emphasize want, to hear. A lot of bands not just prog have vocals I have to get through or just don’t care for. Steve is a great singer period. Happy to be back…

[@minmodulation]

so much prog has such awful vocals, sometimes otherwise amazing albums marred by really amateur lazy vocalists (just the guitarist trying his best or whatever), such a shame

[@-davidolivares]

@@minmodulation It really is. Such musical prowess kept from its full potential because of a so so or terrible singer is heartbreaking. When a great singer(s) is added like ELP, Genesis, Purple, Kansas etc., stratospheric things can happen. Not to put down instrumental bands, love those too. Appreciate your input.

[@gregjones861]

This is the type of song I picture Bigfoot dancing euphorically to in the early dawn forest glory. Great, great piece of art.

[@bolro3555]

Hi Justin, this is the album where Kansas is starting to find itself, and the direction of future works. Great album!

[@tdog9818]

This one made it on a recent Kansas playlist I put together. Like you never heard this song nor the album but knew it was going to be good from the intro.

[@leddygee1896]

I've always kind of related this song in regards to our Military Pilots. Navy, Marine, Air Force, and Army Pilots who have served bravely in defense of our Country. In a way, their love of flight fueled the Air War branches of service...

[@Rhialto-the-Marvellous]

From their eponymous album, through to Monolith, pound for pound the finest, most sophistcated, American progressive rock band of the 70s. Endorsed by Steve Hackett!

[@steveclapperton7123]

Masque was the first Kansas album I heard. My roommate my freshman year in college had it and turned me on to it.

[@HippoYnYGlaw]

I would have loved this as a teen. Now? Yep, I smiled. Tuneful Bombast.

[@joelliebler5690]

Great song and album. Another great band with a phenomenal tune called St. Charles by Jefferson Starship!

[@kenRowe-p4x]

Takes me back to my teenage years. Yes I'm that old :)

[@Drummingvulture]

The first time I saw these guys, as the opening band for Queen in early 1976, this was the album they were touring. They played numerous songs from it, this being the best one. Most American prog bands leave me pretty cold, but the first three Kansa albums are so good and original. They kinda lost me after that when they went a bit commercial, but those first three albums, wow. Especially 'Song For America'. RIP Robby. Armageddon? Buzzard? Please?

[@Owlstretchingtime78]

Talking of Queen, i'm new to the channel and noticed that jp reacted to "Sheer Heart Attack" quite a while back. Is he likely to do any more early Queen, or was it not to his liking? Anything from their debut to "News Of The World" would surely go down well with his viewers. These are all great albums. Thanks!

[@fenderchamp8241]

Armageddon. Do you know Paths and Planes and Future Gains? Awesome.

[@tdcbmore1685]

Love this song, and album, one of Kansas' best.

[@michaelbaucom4019]

This is the song that you should use to introduce Kansas to fans who only know Carry On Wayward Son and Dust In The Wind(or don't know them at all). Icarus has all that is Kansas: thoughtful and thought-provoking lyrics, wondrous vocals, tasty guitars, superb keyboard work, and violin riffs/solos/melodies interpersed. Talented musicians performing a difficult composition with ease, and here, with a smile. Our host noting a possible Gentle Giant influence: Kerry Livgren(the composer) has cited GG as one of his favorite artists...possible Masque has these masterpieces also: All The World Child Of Innocence Mysteries And Mayhem/The Pinnacle(listen to them together, they were originally meant to be just one song) RIP Robby Steinhardt 🎻

[@glennthompson1173]

Thanks Jason I love this tune it's a great album is a whole too. Kerry livgren is a wonderful composer.

[@mariobaert8346]

That voice, I think Steve Walsh is a great singer and I've loved every album of Kansas he sang (others too though ;-)). Kansas has had a great run in the 70s but I also like the last several albums with the new singer. This is just brilliantly stunning though. Great you played it!

[@minmodulation]

The handful of bigger prog songs by early Kansas I think are still some of the funnest, punchiest prog ever made, and hasn't really been carried on by later acts properly. Some early Dream Theater, Rush, Neoprog outfits do some similar things perhaps.

[@kpas22105]

Great song by a great band, IMO America’s best and tightest prog band

[@raroverX]

¡TEMAZO! New recommendation: Druid. My favorite song is Voices.

[@lancecornell9978]

Fabulous choice of Kansas material

[@Gr8ApeKat]

@Gr8ApeKat 1 second ago I love that Icarus Born on Wings of Steel, but their Icarus II just takes it to a new next level. The Wings of Steel seems optimistic compared to the second Icarus. I would definitely say give that one a go in comparison, as it goes acoustic to rock and metal halfway through.

[@kenRowe-p4x]

Song is about WWII bomber missions.

[@phillyflyer12]

America's answer to the myriad of progressive British bands was Kansas. And answer they did. Song for America is my recommendation.

[@bobholtzmann]

On the subject of Icarus, I will remind you there is another nice track about the Greek legend that is well worth a listen -- "Birdman" from the eponymous album by McDonald and Giles (1970). It is a much slower pace, more like David Sylvian (or Pink Floyd, which is who I thought it was by at first).

[@shyshift]

Flight Of Icarus:Iron Maiden (1983)

[@HippoYnYGlaw]

Let's get JP to check out "Icarus Ascending" - Steve Hackett & Richie Havens - best heard with the whole of side two of the Please Don'T Touch LP.

[@bobholtzmann]

I was hoping Steve would play something from Please Don't Touch when I saw him live, but no such luck. Side one is really good, too. @@HippoYnYGlaw

[@HippoYnYGlaw]

@@bobholtzmanna classic lp indeed. A good 33k subs target would be PDT and TonyB's ACF! Contrasted and Compared!?

[@Cavernsparten]

I personally prefer their 1978 two for the show version of Icarus. I’d highly suggest listening to that version as I think it is the better of the two. It’s the faster of them, but it has what I would say a more unified sound. Mask in general is a great album. Pinnacle is an absolute banger of a song.

[@camelandu2]

Personally my favourite Kansas album. Not all the songs are gems, but the best ones are pretty much the height of prog. Please check out The Pinnacle which closes out the album! To me, the actual pinnacle of prog. (Not to say that songs like Epitaph, Thick as a Brick, Firth of Fifth, Lunar Sea etc. aren't brilliant, but The Pinnacle... Wow).

[@ben_dornie]

Great reaction to a marvellous song! You should consider going to see Kansas live on their current 50th anniversary tour - they're play this song (here is you want a sneak peek: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKjWc4GAmbZ_rac) and also The Pinnacle off Masque. My only beef with Masque is the rhythm guitar sound, but I understand that the band weren't happy with it either.

[@stevegirardmedia2255]

I've always loved this album!! Please take note that they're reimagining Icarus borne on wings of 'Steel'.. and not 'wax'... which gives him the power he truly needs to realize his dreams of flying with the birds, mountains and clouds. There's always the imagined connection between Kansas' Icarus and drug use - I think just about every 70's song is interpreted this way - but I don't see it that way. It's Icarus' focus on his desire that takes him there, whether imagined or not, and that's the power of this track. Steinhardt is brilliant, the guitar stings and runs are so complementary, Hope is awesome... and Ehart is as always just what the song needs to stay supported no matter what they play. And yes, the chorus is iconic because even though Walsh's voice ascends with Icarus... Steinhardt's voice supports Steve's, and allows them both to scale the skies! So many great songs on this album, including Walsh's blues take "2 Cents' Worth"... which is beautifully built!

[@JustJP]

Good point Steve, didnt even think of that!

[@stevegirard-voiceaudiopodcasts]

​@@JustJP Thanks! I've been with you a long while, and always enjoy your selections and takes on the tunes! Cheers...

[@JustJP]

@@stevegirard-voiceaudiopodcasts appreciate you Steve, hope youre doing well🙏

[@NewOldVideos-d5o]

Great reaction!!

[@JustJP]

Thanks Paul!

[@MrPolleyr]

Hey JP, thanks. One of my favourites from one of my favourite groups. Great reaction, knowledgeable reactions are so much than the non musician reactions. Have you played in any groups?

[@JustJP]

Thanks! And no, just casually on my own :)

[@donfite9269]

This is an excellent album. Please react to more. Your gonna like it.

[@JustJP]

Thanks Don! Definitely will!

[@aqualung1466]

I don't know if you have done Miracles out of Nowhere yet but if not... you must do it next.

[@JustJP]

Yup I have (as well as all of Leftoverture) :D

[@aqualung1466]

@@JustJP That outro is just WILDLY great. It's one of my favorite. MELANIE MAU & MARTIN SCHNELLA do an incredible cover of MooN - do check it out... kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5zCZp5thLOHp6M

[@fenderchamp8241]

Shamefully, this album didn't get any airplay (or love) when released. But we prog heads have always loved it.

[@jamesadkisson7510]

Have not heard this since high school in the 80s. Great song. I had a neighbor that went to school with these guys so one tour I got to go and watch a sound check, walk around on the stage and meet them. For me Kansas music is always good but some songs Walsh vocals are so earnest or dramatic it’s too much. But not every song.

[@a.k.1740]

I listened to the early Kansas albums many years ago and Masque was one of my favourites from the band (with Song for America and their debut studio album), but looking back I find most of their tracks to be a bit interchangeable and kinda formulaic (as much musically than vocally). For all these reasons I admit that Kansas is a band that I haven't listened to for a long time and I don't really miss it!

[@Stephanie-lm7sp]

Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhh 😁

[@michaelfrank2266]

You and I often agree Justin. Not today. I have 6 Kansas albums. This is my least favorite album. To this song and way too many like it - I dislike the electronically chorused vocals here and done my many many modern bands. When all the lyrics are made to sound EPIC then none of the song is epic. There is no instrumentation done on this album which is not also better done on many of their other albums. (Hit like for your review.)

[@Vince-lq3ve]

your fav Kansas album?

[@michaelfrank2266]

@@Vince-lq3ve I would have to think on that. I'll look.... I am going to cheat and say, I like the albums Song for America, Point of No Return, and Kansas about equally.

[@Vince-lq3ve]

@@michaelfrank2266 Fair enough. I have never given Kansas much of a chance and while i am familiar with a few of their popular songs I probably should give them a decent listen.

[@sgt.blkdog3840]

Child of Innocence next please