Kansas performed in Elkins, West Virginia last night and brought with them walls of speakers that ensured that they gave one of the loudest performances to ever make it over the Alleghenies to play in the middle of Appalachia.
It’s amazing when a rock band as big as Kansas can get it all together on one stage and still sound good. Current band members include Phil Ehart on drums, Billy Greer on bass and vocals, David Ragsland on violin, guitar and vocals, Steve Walsh on keyboards and vocals and Richard Williams on lead guitar. While any of these guys are old enough to be my dad, they rocked the halls last night with all the energy and enthusiasm of a younger, less wrinkled band.
While Steve Walsh and Billy Greer took the spotlight vocally and personality-wise, it was definitely the marathon drumming of Phil Ehart that holds this band together. Kansas performed like a well-seasoned orchestra. They have obviously played these songs for decades and the signature style of Kansas, lickety-split keyboard solos, combined with violin solos and dramatic time signature changes, was in the house.
Two criticisms of the traveling Kansas show: their speaker setup was meant for a much larger venue and many of us worried that the high sound levels of bass and drum might cause our hearts to defibrillate. Also, during a version of the Beatles Eleanor Rigby, the light show insisted on turning the white hot house lights on the audience during the chorus of, “Ahhh, look at all the lonely people…” Sorry, Kansas, but we as your loyal ticket paying audience do not want to be labeled as “lonely people”.
The WV-ers who filled the auditorium last night gave back applause, rebel-yells, and several standing ovations. Kansas played for an hour and 15 minutes and then came back for an encore to play their greatest hits, Dust in the Wind and Carry on Wayward Son.
