Seeds of change was the debut solo album by kansas mastermind, kerry livgren. Seeds of change expanded edition by kerry livgren on amazon. Livgrens personal and family history is chronicled, as are his earliest band experiences in topeka, ks. I finally own this album now as part of a 2cd collection called decade. According to livgren, the song was not written to express anything specifically religious, though it.
So, apparently, that meant make a soloalbum, in 1980, when people stopped caring about kansas. These themes often appeared in the lyrics to songs on the early kansas records such as. The spiritual quest of kerry livgren kerry livgren, progressive rock. Kerry livgren seeds of change kirshner 1980 kansas city to. Kerry livgren seeds of change import deluxe edition. Mar 19, 2014 the 1980 debut solo album from kansas guitaristsongwriter kerry livgren was pieced together during moments of downtime away from his main bands recording sessions for audiovisions, their seventh studio album.
Kerry s first solo album, seeds of change, has been rereleased by rock candy records. The spiritual quest of kerry livgren, cowritten with kenneth boa. Like livgren s skimpy blond moustache, seeds of change is small but perfectly formed, consisting of just seven tracks. In short, while seeds of change may be misleading to those seeking a fresh new sound from the kansas lead man, kerry livgren did give us a diamond in the rough that is sure to please fans of kansas as well as those interested in completing their posthumous ronnie james dio collection. Kerry allen livgren born september 18, 1949 is an american musician and songwriter, best known as one of the founding members and primary songwriters for the 1970s progressive rock band kansas. Just a few short months later, white clover would get a record deal with don kirschner, change their name to kansas, record their first album, and the rest is history.
Just one way kerry livgren seeds of change 1980 lp. Lots of kerry s album lyrics have been uploaded to our lyrics page. Kerry livgren seeds of change kansas the band, kerry livgren, change, music. Art of the state was released in 1985 2 on livgren s own christian label, kerygma records, distributed by sparrow records. Music profile for kerry livgren, born 18 september 1949. This special deluxe collectors edition is fully remastered, sound shaped from 24 bit digital technology and includes a 12 page full color booklet, a 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork, rare photos and a new interview with kerry livgren. Before the 1982 album, vinyl confessions, could be recorded, vocalist steve walsh left. Buy kerry livgren s album titled seeds of change remastered deluxe. Just like the headline band, kansas, of which kerry livgren was an integral part of for so many years, kicking out tunes with mystical sounds, this book explains what was going through livgren s mind when he wrote those songs, which have now become classics.
Kerry livgren kansas numavox progressive rock christian included below is a chapter from kerrys biography seeds of change though i wrote this several years ago, it seems more relevant now than when it was written i am often asked to comment or voice my opinion about contemporary music, both secular and sacred. Also accompanying the album was kerry s autobiographical book of the same name. Pieced together during snatched moments of downtime away from kansas audio visions recording sessions, livgren s first solo album seeds of change is a long forgotten jewel. Guitarist livgren released seeds of change, while vocalistkeyboardist walsh recorded the less rapturously received schemerdreamer, which had contributions from various kansas alumni plus. First published in 1983, livgren s autobiography, seeds of change. Some of the very short stories are interesting, some are funny and the afterword is very sad. If you liked kansas dust in the wind, youll love kerry livgren s seeds of change. Seeds of change by kerry livgren for sale online ebay. Released in 1980 while he still was a member of kansas, three other members of the band appeared as gue. Yes, many consider kansas 1976 fourth album leftoverture to be livgren s magnum opus and rightly so when factoring classic rock radio staple carry on wayward son and that it arguably features some of.
Kerry livgren has written a new book miracles out of somewhere. Seeds of change is kerry livgren s first solo album. First, it showcases livgren s enormous skills as a musician outside the realm of his various groups kansas, ad, and protokawwith music in various styles, including primarily progrock, but also aor and a touch of blues rock. It traces livgrens spiritual journey through a maze of eastern religions and philosophies cumulating with his discovery of the urantia book, a new age hog pog of. Seeds of change by kerry livgren, kenneth boa alibris. As of this date, kerry has suffered a massive stroke. On august 6, 2011, the band had a cd release party in kansas city for their fourth. The music of kansas along with its lyrical content reflected the searching of livgren for spiritual truth. The songwriter of the group, livgren maintains it was a terrific training ground.
Livgren wrote all of the songs and serves in various capacities on the various tracks. The spiritual quest of kerry livgren of kansas band 1983 3 seeds of change. I dont care if there are only 2 original members, kansas is a band and their legacy is their music. Definitely, this was written long before kerry livgren, kansas guitarist and. Kerry livgren seeds of change 1980 seeds of change. He was a fundamental part of the band and behind their biggest successes. Kerry allen livgren born in 1949 is an american musician and songwriter, best known as one of the founding members and primary songwriters for the 1970s progressive rock band, kansas. My only complaint is i wish to hear more about the band. Kerry livgren seeds of change kansas city to lawrence vinyl records.
By this point, both livgren and walsh were pursuing parallel solo careers. Published july 1st 1991 by sparrow star song distribution first published 1983 more details. This 2007 book investigates the young america group within the us. Singer ronnie james dio and members of leroux, jethro tull, ambrosia, and atlanta rhythm section are also featured. Kerry livgren is a musician, composer, and author, best known for his work with the group kansas. Also accompanying the album was kerrys book of the same name. Some of the original parts on the 1980 album have been replaced, most notably the drums on some of the tracks.
Listen free to kerry livgren seeds of change just one way, mask of the great deceiver and more. This book appears to be an autobiography on his sense of discovery, and includes some reasoning behind the lyrics of some of the more famous kansas. In 1996, seeds of change was reissued by renaissance records. Seeds of change album wikimili, the free encyclopedia. In 1980, after becoming an evangelical christian, kerry livgren released his first solo work, seeds of change, featuring vocalists ronnie james dio and david pack of ambrosia, jethro tull s drummer barriemore barlow, and guest spots by friends from kansas. The spiritual quest of kerry livgren, writer, guitarist, and keyboard player with kansas. Buy seeds of change by kerry livgren, kenneth boa online at alibris. This book is more of a hodgepodge of stories throughout kerrys life, in no particular order. Gleason was part of the touring kansas band in 83, and was with. Kerry livgren seeds of change lyrics and tracklist genius. The music of kansas along with its lyrical content reflected the searching of livgren. Within the band, tensions grew as his lyrics became more christcentered. Nov 01, 2020 besides livgren s magnificent lyrics, i also drew heavily from his autobiography, seeds of change, for that paper.
This book is the story of american progressive rock band kansas and the bands struggle for commercial success as told by songwriter guitarist keyboardist kerry livgren and cowriter kenneth boa. Seeds of change is kerry livgrens first solo album. Kerry appeared to be a man with a mission of self discovery, attempting to find truth in many religious views, then settling down to christianity. Seeds of change remastered deluxe by kerry livgren cd. This was written by kansas guitarist kerry livgren.
In 1970, kerry livgren formed the first kansas, an experimental rock band that was a cross between frank zappa and king crimson, with horns. Released in 1980 while he still was a member of kansas, it features guest appearances by three fellow. Kerry allen livgren born september 18, 1949 topeka, kansas, usa. After all, the music on display is still very much the same progressive rock livgren wrote for kansas. In 1996, seeds of change was reissued by renaissance records with an interview with livgren as a bonus track. Words and music by kerry livgren sheet music by kansas kerry livgren and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Art of the state was released in 1985 2 on livgren s own christian label, kerygma records, distributed by sparrow records, and was the first album credited to the band name ad. If you are a kansas fan then seeds of change, the 1980 solo release from keyboardistguitarist kerry livgren, is the stuff of legends. Lead guitarist and songwriter kerry livgren was unfazed however, and decided to continue his progressive rock excursions on his very own solo album aptly titled seeds of change.
Included below is a chapter from kerry s biography seeds of change though i wrote this several years ago, it seems more relevant now than when it was written i am often asked to comment or voice my opinion about contemporary music, both secular and sacred. Aug 31, 2000 kerry livgren, a founding member of the group kansas, is just one of many secular musicians who has decided to serve jesus in a rock n roll culture. A gripping, literate book from one of the most thoughtout believers in rock culture. The seeds took root, and the changes kerry made proved to be meaningful to his life quest.
In 1980 kerry livgren released his first solo work, seeds of change, featuring vocalists. Livgren was raised in topeka, kansas by his father, allen leroy, an industrial engineer, and his mother, betty nee mcelhiney. Back in august of this year, livgren selfpublished, via his numavox label, a new book entitled miracles out of somewhere. Seeds of change, the debut solo album from guitarist and keyboardist kerry livgren, will always remain special to me for three reasons. May 01, 1991 seeds of change by kerry livgren, 9780850092486, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Kerry livgren has written a new book miracles out of somewhere click the latest news link at left. The spiritual quest of kerry livgren that his time playing live with ad was his best as a guitarist. Back in 1981 when walkmans were the latest technological craze someone gave me a cassette tape copy of kerry livgren s new solo album seeds of change. Michael patrick king, author of confessions of a rock n roll wannabe. Digitally remastered edition of this 1980 album from the former kansas member. If youre looking for inside information about the band kansas, you should probably read kerrys earlier book seeds of change which talks more about kerrys life and his time in kansas and his eventual conversion to christianity. Part 1 chronicles kerry s search for meaning, the highlygifted keyboard player travelling the rock n roll highway with kansas but never finding a satisfactory destination to his intellectual and spiritual pilgrimage. Kerry livgren and numavox wishes everyone to have a blessed christmas, and a prosperous new year.
Kerry livgren artist profile biography and discography. Bass paul goddard drums barriemore barlow guitar, synthesizer kerry livgren vocals ronnie james dio. Kerry has wandered back into the studio, and is at work on several unfinished projects. Guitarist kerry livgren played beat with the gimlets while at west topeka high school in.
Kerry livgren seeds of change mint cd w ronnie james dio. I would later realize that i had, in fact, previously seen kerry livgren in two of his earlier bands, kansas and saratoga. Kerry livgren kansas numavox progressive rock christian. Albums include seeds of change, when things get electric, and collectors sedition. This book appears to be an autobiography on his sense of discovery, and includes some reasoning behind the lyrics of some of the more famous kansas songs.
Also, this edition does not include the livgren interview. The spiritual quest of kerry livgren by kenneth boa. Kansas back of 1976 leftoverture album with kerry livgrens timeless. Seeds of change was kerry livgren s first solo album. Please note that the 2014 rock candy release of seeds of change isnt just digitally remastered, its been remixed with some additional recording by kerry livgren. Kerry livgren pages are clean and are not marred by notes or folds of any kind. I wrote bizarre poetry, he says, not unlike kansas, but weirder. Share kerry livgren seeds of change mint cd w ronnie james dio. Its a great book for anyone who might be questioning their own personal. Livgren s solo effort, seeds of change, and a book of the same name, detailed his conversion.
204 439 1577 667 766 387 615 1202 896 1144 223 1143 234 1067 403 1657 1346 1354 909 389 1291 1665 1066 1770 1277 589 1204 897 352 1068 1370 1797 234 710 1245 534