Proto-Kaw - Before Became After

Year of Release: 2004
Label: Inside Out Music America
Catalog Number: IOMACD 2075-2
Format: CD
Total Time: 61:06:00

Anyone who has played in a rock band as a kid, or for that matter even into adulthood, has had dreams of becoming a rock star. Imagine if that band actually came out of the cellar to play some gigs, and even have limited success in a local area. But, as usual, the band breaks up for any number of reasons. Well, come to find out, one of your mates continued to follow his dream (while the rest of you went on to have families and get regular jobs), and garnered worldwide acclaim as a recording/touring artist. This is the story of Proto-Kaw, but that is not the end.

Kerry Livgren apparently found some old tapes of his band prior to Kansas, and was able to generate enough interest to have them released through Inside/Out Music. Before Became After is the second release from Proto-Kaw, and it contains both new and older compositions. The band has a more jazzy tinge than Kansas, which I contribute to the use of the woodwinds of John Bolton (Saxophones, Flutes), replacing the violin which we all became accustomed to in the music of Kansas. "More Worlds Than Known" opens the CD, and I love the subtle use of Hammond organ by Dan Wright during the verses, and the uplifting chorus.

It is not hard to imagine Kansas performing these songs. Vocalist Lynn Meredith does a great job with the lead vocals, and the band sounds incredible, considering many of them have not played professionally for many years. The only clunker is the cover song "Greenburg, Glickstein, Charles, David, Smith, and Jones." I can't figure out why this was included, as it does not relate well to the rest of the CD. "Belexes," a song Kansas recorded on their first album is included in the bonus edition CD, along with a video interview which is very interesting. For fans of Kansas/Kerry Livgren's music, this is a can't miss proposition. I can't say enough good things about Proto-Kaw; let's hope we get more from them, one of the best releases from 2004.

Also released by InsideOut (IOMCD 159/ SPV 085-60652) in a regular and special edition (SPV 087-60650 CD/IOMSECD 159)

Tracklisting:
Promo CD Tracklisting: Alt. More Worlds Than Known (7:28) / Leaven (8:26) / Axolotl (for lack of a better name) (6:04) / Quantum Leapfrog (5:42) / Gloriana (9:07) / The Occasion Of Your Honest Dreaming (3:38) / Heavenly Man (5:53) / It Moves You (4:26) / Theophany (11:42)

Final Release Tracklisting: Alt. More Worlds Than Known (7:28) / Words Of Honor (4:28) / Leaven (8:26) / Axoltol (6:04) / Quantum Leapfrog (5:42) / Greenburg, Glickstein, Charles, David, Smith and Jones (3:05) / Gloriana (9:07) / Occasion Of Your Honest Dreaming (3:38) / Heavenly Man (5:53) / Theopany (11:42)

Special Edition bonus disc: Belexes (live) (8:08) / It Moves You (4:26) / Words Of Honor (Single Edit) (3:18) / Proto-Kaw Video Interview (13:44)

Musicians:
Kerry Livgren - guitar, piano, keyboards, percussion, background vocals
Lynn Meredith - vocals, narration
Dan Wright - organ, keyboards, percussion, background vocals
Craig Kew - bass, background vocals
Brad Schulz - drums

Discography:
Recordings from Kansas - 1971-1973 (2002)
Before Came After (2004)
The Wait Of Glory (2006)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin US

Added: May 21st 2005
Reviewer: Eric Porter

Artist website: www.proto-kaw.net
Hits: 2388
Language: english