KANSAS - The Pinnacle (Live Acoustic Cover by MELANIE MAU & MARTIN SCHNELLA) - 2021

[@michelcolmant1714]

All we are is dust in the wind RIP Robby Steinhardt great musician great singer great part of the unique sound of Kansas

[@VIDEOHEREBOB]

Beautiful performance Guys. Steve Walsh was a huge vocal influence of mine. He'd be proud.

[@MartinSchnella]

Thank you very much ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

[@JH-1775]

Incredible musicianship and vocals! Loved your album … and your ability to bring these older masterpieces alive!

[@MartinSchnella]

Great to read that! Yeah, we love rearranging these songs in a different way :)

[@devic667]

You guys... You always give me goosebumps. Such beautiful vocal harmonies. I really hope I could see your performance live someday.

[@stevenporter6903]

My God you can sing…. your personal touch makes me fall in love with this song all over again. Please come to the states. There is a very large Irish population in Kansas City, Missouri. The Elders are from here. Please come.

[@MartinSchnella]

Thank you so much Steven :) Usually we will travel to New Jersey this weekend to play at ProgStock Festival. But actually we are not allowed to travel to the USA. They don't let us in until november. :) But we will see what happens next year. :) If you like, check out our homepage www.gray-matters.de We also have CDs and DVDs we do send worldwide. :)

[@kenlove71]

Your covers of Kansas are the best I have heard - wonderful harmonies on this version - thank you!

[@MartinSchnella]

Thank you very much 😀

[@charleyfarley1547]

I watched and listened online, but came in too late for this one. I wish I had words that could give you back what you give me.

[@MartinSchnella]

Thank you Charley 😊😊😊

[@PointPanic]

Wow, such tight harmonies and tight playing. I like Kansas and like this arrangement!

[@clausweber7361]

Wie immer... ERSTE SAHNE !!! Großartige Musik hervorgrtragen von begnadeten Künstlern - nothing more to say!

[@MartinSchnella]

Danke Claus 😊

[@ppsayl1235]

Above the din I rose. Indeed. Nice work.

[@herbcraft]

You are just awesome. Not just a great cover, but great carrying of the whole vibe of this song.

[@summer8347]

Tremendous rendition. The womans voice is sensational. great harmonies.

[@MartinSchnella]

Thank you ❤️

[@wolfganghornbogen5431]

Einfach großartig, mein Lieblingssong von Kansas in so einer tollen Liveversion. Möchte euch bald mal wieder live erleben. LG aus Ballenstedt

[@Rainer_Braun_Singer_Songwriter]

Auch hier nochmal: Sowas von geschmackvoll, tight und auf den Punkt! Hammer!!

[@Struwelpeter62]

Ausgezeichnet!!! Gruess aus Minnesota, USA!

[@MartinSchnella]

Thank you 😊😊😊

[@MediaArchive]

Bravo! Y'all made my day - inspired me to forge-on! Excellent rendition one of my favorite tunes.

[@MartinSchnella]

Thank you very much 😀

[@katesjanice]

One of my favorite Kansas songs. And you performed it so beautifully. Lord how I love Kansas, and Kerry Livgren is an outstanding composer, orchestrator, lyricist, and multi instrumentalist. So underrated, but so very talented!

[@MartinSchnella]

Thank you very much for your kind words 😀

[@MrBassfreaq]

And again a sublime rendition of this fantastic song (I loved the other one too)

[@gwhiz1957]

I love the look of pure joy on your faces while you're playing. Thanks for the heads up, Martin!

[@MartinSchnella]

Thank you 😊

[@michaelerickson7364]

I was skeptical before I clicked on this video but color me impressed. I loved every second of this.

[@MartinSchnella]

Wow! Thank you so much Michael 🥰

[@andyhojguitar3126]

This should have a million views, what a fine and talented bunch of musicians!

[@MartinSchnella]

Thank you Andy!! 😃

[@jamesbirch8309]

WOW!

[@MartinSchnella]

Thank you 🥰

[@carsten9868]

was soll ich dazu sagen.. hab Tränen in den Augen... einfach geil

[@MartinSchnella]

Oh dankeschön :)

[@Joynergy]

wow! ganz grosses Kino! Vielen Dank ihr Lieben!

[@sandyspears9197]

My younger brother, sister and I got to see Kansas in Rock Island Illinois before they were famous and we love them. You guys do their music better than anyone I've ever seen or heard anywhere in the United States. Love you guys! Im really looking forward to hearing much more and keep doing what you're doing! Godspeed my friends

[@MartinSchnella]

Sandy, thank you so much. 😊😊😊

[@mikefred55]

You guys continue to amaze me with your arrangements and vocals! Brilliant!

[@MartinSchnella]

Thank you 😊😊😊

[@dhrevrogers]

Once again, beautiful excellence.

[@DavidKay]

I loved your earlier cover, but this strips out all but the most important elements, leaving the brilliant essence of this song. Well done!

[@fshnrig]

Fantastic job! I love all your Kansas covers... thanks for all of them. You made my day.

[@MartinSchnella]

Thank you 🥰

[@thepreacher958]

Oooohh, wie schön!!!🙂Balsam für die Seele! Ganz lieben Gruß aus Hamburg, vielen Dank Euch allen und bleibt gesund!

[@uncle-andy-guitar-herbst]

Wow, what incredible musicianship to cover a Kansas song like this one. I love it. Super rendition. Enjoyed it all the way to the last "YEAH!!!"

[@MartinSchnella]

Thank you Uncle Andy 😊

[@paulkobler8049]

Beautifully done! You are a joy to listen to. Thank you.

[@leonardking84]

Awe struck...what else can I say !!!

[@MartinSchnella]

The more reduced live Version 😊😊😊

[@donshelton7490]

Man... Just the guitar and the voices pulled this off Beautifully!.... Like this just as much as the studio version!! (Your studio version I've already been enjoying) it is a tribute to the original without the synths drum kit fiddles "orchestra " of Kansas... It's just amazing and Beautiful! Reached probably the pinnacle of the current existence.... Merry Christmas and God Bless everyone for 2023. Thank you. You make an old guy happy

[@MartinSchnella]

Wow, thank you! 😊 Great to read your warm words

[@ronniewinters5632]

Wow, that was awesome. My favorite song by Kansas.

[@MartinSchnella]

Thank you Ronnie 😊

[@panzerlieb]

Oh my! I haven’t heard this song in decades. The memories invoked by your rendition of this song hit me like a tidal wave. Thank you for your excellent performance of a truly great song.

[@MartinSchnella]

Wow!! Thank you so much for your kind words 😀

[@josephmankowski4105]

This song is 8 years old. 🤔 But yes, a most brilliant rendition.

[@TheBeatsandmore]

Das Arrangement fantastisch, Melanie Superstimme und der Satzgesang halt einfach perfekt! 👌🙏👏👍

[@MichaelAlso]

fantastic arrangement, performance, and mix. wow. just wow. shared this on my fb.

[@TonVenhuizen]

Very nice (enjoyed it then and now) !!

[@jackkofroth3520]

Ridiculously Awesome!!!!! Keep up with the Kansas covers.

[@MartinSchnella]

Thank you very much 😀

[@siggidietrich7432]

Einfach wunderbar 🎶🎸😎als altem KANSAS-Fan geht mir das ❤auf👏👏

[@MartinSchnella]

Danke lieber Siggi 😊😊😊 Wir hoffen es geht dir gut

[@robpfeiffer5292]

Incredible!

[@MartinSchnella]

Thank you Rob :)

[@christianpeiser3628]

Ach, wie schön ist die Erinnerung an den Abend mit Euch in Viererbesetzung! ❤️ Irgendwie seht/saht ihr auch alle besonders glücklich aus dieses Mal. To many happy returns! 😍

[@mdanderson1114]

Love this acoustic version. This has become one of my favorite Kansas songs. Your electric version of this was awesome as well. Thank you so much.

[@MartinSchnella]

Thank you so much ☺️

[@dkemm2013]

Martin! Brillante version of this song...You are extremely talented!- you, Melanie and group are fantastic... keep rocking! I perform here in South Carolina- have had a gig playing the same place for 30 years and I play some Kansas- " Lonely Wind" " Reason to Be" " Song for America" " Nobodys Home" but I cant even come close to what you all do... thanks so much for sharing your talents and I know that Kerry and the whole band would be so impressed...Kansas one of my absolute faves...the most underrated band in history..

[@MartinSchnella]

Oh wow!!! Thank you so much for your warm words!! We just performed at ProgStock Festival last year and played our version ☺️

[@wgrace451]

Still listening to your pre-existing and newer performances. Very well done as always.

[@MartinSchnella]

Thank you 😊 😊

[@harmonygreen1730]

I found you this evening and I am so grateful. Stunning. You pay perfect homage, yet make it your own as well. Chills.

[@MartinSchnella]

Thank you very much Harmony 😊

[@petereriksson9680]

Great work 🙂 still the first version of pinnacle youve did, are my fav.

[@teamginger9134]

Awesome that y'all did this one again!

[@SpotWorksLNC]

You did epic justice!

[@PsyDyn1]

Habt Ihr wieder meisterhaft hinbekommen! Jedesmal eine Freude, Euch zuzuhören und dabei noch die außergewöhnliche Liverperformance mit souveräner Stimm- und Instrumentenbeherrschung zu sehen. Damit seid Ihr einfach Spitze! Ecki aus Hannover

[@MartinSchnella]

Danke lieber Ecki 😊😊😊

[@davidbloom8353]

Another wonderful job Melanie and Martin !!!

[@MartinSchnella]

Thank you David 🥰

[@mikelewis9340]

Just incredible. Love the acoustic version. And the great singing.

[@MartinSchnella]

Many thanks Mike! 😊

[@tomrumler3577]

Once again... EXCELLENT !

[@exfedrichard]

unbelievable 👏👏❤️

[@MartinSchnella]

Thank you so much 😀

[@dkemm2013]

Kerry Livgren needs to hear this...

[@PatrickWashington-tz9yd]

Just brilliant!! I am a Kansas fan!!

[@MartinSchnella]

Thank you Patrick 😊😊😊

[@musiterania]

Fantabulous! Love your music! Love Kansas!

[@MartinSchnella]

Thank you 🥰

[@Zen-js3tx]

Wish I was there to play the original bass line to this song with you guys.

[@HenryCrescini]

Diese Cover ist der absolute Hammer!

[@MartinSchnella]

Danke Henry 😊

[@donnylimbert4925]

How did I miss this one…outstanding as usual guys. You do Kansas proud imho. Martin, superb acoustic work on this masterpiece. What a great song!

[@atti_wise]

Celebration of Music! : )

[@brucebryan4081]

Damn. Marten you have become one of my favorite guitarists. The other is Terje Rypdal. Keep up the great playing.

[@MartinSchnella]

Thank you my friend 😊 That's a nice compliment

[@brucebryan4081]

@@MartinSchnella I forgot John McLaughin along with Leo Kotke. You are equal in my opinion.

[@aennakeen1737]

Was für ein toller Song!

[@MartinSchnella]

Thank you 😊

[@imarkley]

Stunning. Breathtaking guitar and vocal arrangement. This piece, I believe, is Kerry livgren’s crowning achievement musically and you really brought it up a notch. Love your work!!!!!!

[@MartinSchnella]

Thank you Ian :)

[@wgrace451]

Wow, I'm a huge Kansas fan as well as a huge music fan and every once in a while I stumble upon greatness which just occurred right here. Very very very well done and pleasantly surprised. Any chance that any members of Kansas happened to listen to your can just covers and at least gave you some type of a comment or a thumbs up because it's very much deserved. The vocals the unique guitar sound and still being true to the original. I listen to the stuff when it first came out and I followed them for many years so I'm not just a casual fan.

[@MartinSchnella]

Wow! Thanks for that outstanding and Kind comment 🥰

[@gospeltruthtv]

Nice comment! I’m friends with Dave Hope & he actually sent me their studio cut of The Pinnacle. He was very impressed! I sent him this live performance, his comment back to me was “very cool!”.

[@SpeakingFirefly]

Absolutely beautiful! Love Kansas music and this arrangement is awesome! Wow, such talent!

[@MartinSchnella]

Thank you 🥰

[@joer3481]

That was AMAZING!!!!!!!

[@MartinSchnella]

Thank you Joe! 😊

[@masdianarts5261]

Great

[@MartinSchnella]

Thank you 😊

[@klurlars]

Excellent as Always 🤗

[@MartinSchnella]

Lasse, thank you :) Best regards to Sweden

[@joer3481]

BRAVO!

[@MartinSchnella]

Thank you very much ❤

[@gospeltruthtv]

WOW! I think I jokingly requested you do a cover of The Pinnacle, not thinking you would actually try and pull it off on acoustic guitar, percussion & vocals. Your handling of this Kerry Livgren masterpiece was truly stunning, your musicianship shines strong & the vocals are amazing!

[@MartinSchnella]

Dale, thank you very much 🥰🥰🥰

[@bennettsmith136]

I like that - well done 👍

[@MartinSchnella]

Thank you 😊

[@ericmetcalf3992]

Wonderful!!

[@MartinSchnella]

Thank you Eric :)

[@JelenaDobricPersona]

beautiful!!

[@MartinSchnella]

Thank you Jelena 😃

[@chriswillyard8035]

Nice job guys!

[@MartinSchnella]

Thank you very much 😊

[@AF10498]

Awesome job!

[@MartinSchnella]

Thank you so much Alex 😊

[@shimyns]

Great job. One of my favorite Kansas songs. You should try Icarus.

[@MartinSchnella]

Thank you 😍

[@thomasjohnston2889]

I added the bass to it.Was very nice.

[@wgrace451]

Your attention to detail is impeccable. For example, when the line comes in with lyrics "Cast this shadow long", you gave it this extra haunting quality by having the 2nd lower voice come in to complement the higher voice, and the way you held the note a little longer when ironically singing the word "long" gave it a more powerful, yet sad feeling if that makes sense. Hard to put in words, I just know that one line really caught my attention to and moved me. It also helps that you didn't rush any of the tempo heading into that verse. You kept the pacing perfect for what the song is trying to convey. Ok, too hard to explain verbally. For any fans who may be reading this comment, just go play the song through and you will probably understand what I'm trying to say a little better.

[@wgrace451]

I was only 10 years old when I got my first copy of The Masque album. The lyrics didn't mean as much, yet, but I still knew at that very young age how incredibly talented this band was, especially the vocal range of Steve walsh. Here I am over 40 years later and that one line towards the end where the lyric says "Trapped In life's parade", sure has meaning now!!

[@MartinSchnella]

Wow! Thank you so much for your warm words! Good to read, that our general intention to rearrange the song in this way makes you happy!!

[@wgrace451]

I needed a pick me up today and your version of The Pinnacle came to mind. I honestly think this sounds better every time I hear this, if that's possible. I also really do like your cover of Miracles out of Nowhere. It sounds like the crowd thought the song was finished a tad bit early. I was glad you kept going to finish that masterpiece. I try to spread your work as much as possible to colleagues and family. I grew up loving Kansas. I was around 8 years old when Masque came out. My twin brother & I were way ahead with our musical tastes, so we actually liked the entire Masque album at age 8. Is there a way I could purchase some of these versions? I'd hate to see them get pulled off of of KZbin at some point in the future.

[@MartinSchnella]

Hey W 😊 Thank you very much!! Of couse we have CDs at our webshop.😊 We do send them worldwide. Feel free to check it out gray-matters.de/#g-diskografie

[@wgrace451]

@@MartinSchnella thanks and I will check out your selection

[@David4Jesus]

Is there any way you could do some kind of arrangement of Journey From Mariabronn?

[@MartinSchnella]

Maybe some day :) We will see what happens.

[@David4Jesus]

@@MartinSchnella Check out the keyboard skills on this guy (link below) And he looks like a teen, too! Not a bad voice either. Maybe it might give you an idea of how to take a song like Mariabroonn and do it all on guitar, although more of a challenge! kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2LCqYiwf7ulgJY

[@Liamaraism]

❤️❤️

[@fullsentimental997]

RIP Robbie.

[@wgrace451]

It will be tough to top this, but I bet you could pull off a superb version of Journey from Mariabronn....Rest your voice....Steve also hits soaring vocals in Journey from Mariabronn

[@くにちゃん-k6e]

ヤッホー

[@AProgressiveRockFanatic]

Gorgeous!

[@MartinSchnella]

Thank you 😊

[@JamesTaylor-um2ee]

Beautiful!