Before Became After

That could have been the end for the first Kansas and for many years that is how it appeared. However, that is not the end of the story, because in 2002 the early demo recordings had become popular bootlegs in Europe and were available for download on the internet. Cuneiform Records became interested and released them on CD, but the band needed a new name and thus began the resurrection of Proto-Kaw (Proto: first or earlier - Kaw: the Native American name for Kansas).

How many bands can say that they have back to back album releases recorded 30 years apart? Thirty years after the dream of success as a band died and had been laid to rest, the dream has now been resurrected with the band reuniting to record an all new album.

Before Became After is a weaving of old and new. The band is comprised of original members, Lynn Meredith, vocals; Kerry Livgren, guitars, keys & compositions; Dan Wright, keyboards; John Bolton, sax & flute; Brad Schulz, drums; plus newcomer Craig Kew, bass, who worked with Livgren on an earlier solo release. The songs, too, are a blending of old and new. Livgren updated songs the band played 30 years ago and added new compositions into a seamless fabric of their new sound. Which is which? It's impossible to tell unless you were around when the band first began performing 30 years ago.

The new Proto-Kaw is fresh, but more mature. Gone are the blood curdling banshee wailings from Bolton's sax, but no less frenetic is some of his playing than his younger days, coupled with some very lyrical flute work. Gone, too, are the occasional stretches of experimental cacophony. The new music is much more euphonious progressive rock tinged with jazz improvisation shifting in tone and color as quickly as the weather of the band's home state. It is a bit hard to describe the band's sound because it is so varied and constantly shifting, not just from song to song, but within songs themselves there can be elements of soaring beauty which segue into rocking jams. In fact, there is very much the feel of a jam band within a nearly classical framework in its complexity.

Before Became After is great ensemble playing and the compositions give rise to some fine solo work, an interplay between Wright's keyboards, Livgren's guitar or Bolton's woodwinds, all anchored by some fine bass & drum work by Kew & Schulz. Meredith uses his voice as an instrument, just as the different ranges of sound produced by his instrumentalist band mates, his voice reflecting and inflecting just the right sound to fit the song. Truly, Meredith sounds better today than he did 30 years ago, which can't be said of many vocalists.

There will likely be the temptation to compare Proto-Kaw to other bands, especially their well known successor, but this is unwarranted as Proto-Kaw is very much their own band, with a sound that is their own. What is familiar lies at the heart of their music, the song writing of Kerry Livgren. As with any composer there are elements that are recognizable from song to song, a phrasing or chord progression. As an author's use of language keeps readers coming back for more, so does Livgren's writing, both musically & lyrically. The Occasion of Your Honest Dreaming, departs from the prog format in a joyful straight ahead light rock number with an infectious melody sung as a group vocal.

My only criticism would be the ending of one of the most powerful songs on the CD, Theophany, which builds in dynamic crescendo & tempo to the final chord, but then has an extra beat with just bass and drums, sounding more like a minor miscued cutoff than a well planned anti-climax. That aside, this is an outstanding album and all the more joyous when you consider how it came to be, how long it was in coming.

There is a line in Axolotl which says: "Dreams don't mean a thing until they're real." Surely these dreams mean something now, because this is the real thing. Proto-Kaw's Before Became After is American progressive rock at its best.

The story of this CD and Band is so worth telling that it is somewhat unbelieveable - after 30 years these guys re-unite to make music that is so far out front, that it almost gets ahead of itself - if that is possible.

By that I mean that while the music has a certain 70's prog-rock feel about it and there is no mistaking Livgren's influence on the whole (if you are familiar with this man's genius), it is certainly music of the new Millenium - progressive to the core.

The Band's story (not just the Bio) is a story that should make the annals of Rock history - of that there is absolutely no doubt - whether you like the music or not. It is simply astounding.

Prog-rock should be filled with soaring melodies and instrumental intracacies, where the vocals should be harmonious and add an extra dimension to the music. This CD delivers on all fronts.

Prog-rock to retain it's own integrity must NOT remain in the years past masters such as Genesis, Pink Floyd, Rush, and many others - brilliant that they were and some still are.

However, the new breed of Prog-protaginists include Bands that have been around for some time now (and some newer ones), but are moving amongst this genre to be exactly what it is meant to be - progressive with the times. I place the likes of "Dream Theater" (sometimes), "Marillion", "Porcupine Tree" (brilliant), "Enchant", "Spocks Beard", "OSI", the new "Opeth" and a few others in this category.

This Proto-Kaw, along with their new CD is even ahead of that bunch or certainly up there with them. It was Livgren himself in one of his previous songs suggested that the "Future is borne out in our History". While he was referring to his deeply held Christian beliefs in that particular song, that statement applies to this CD.

A listen to "Words of Honour", "Axolotl" (just wrap yourself around this tune building to an absolute brilliant cresendo), "Heavenly Man" and "Theophany" - and you will see what I mean.

I trust the Band makes a few more gems. This CD is a sparkling diamond in a very monotonous, irksome and plastic music industry. We are awash in a sea of mediocrity these days. It is nice to find the opals (being Aussie) amongst the discoloured rocks.

Well done KL and the Band and that you have renewed your friendships from so long ago. Maintain the standards and we look forward to the next Proto-Kaw release.

As to the songs, all Livgren comps sans the Lawyer song, they are very good if not great. The only weak spot being,in my opinion, the Lawyer song(Greenburg,.,.,.). In actuality, it is a good song ,has some cool instrumental sections , but just doesn't seem to fit the album & the chorus strikes me a little bit wrong. My Fave songs are Heavenly Man, Gloriana, More Worlds Than Known, Leaven, Axolotl, & Theophany. This list bears out,you would/will find, that I am a progger but the shorter tunes are also top notch.

BTW Get the Special Edition with all the bells(extra tunes/live cuts) and whistles.(edits/interviews) Not that the regular version is anything to sneeze at. :-)