Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Proto-Kaw
Label: Inside Out Records
Released: 2004
Duration: 65:34
Rating: 5/5
Proto-Kaw are inseparably tied to the legends of American progressive rock, Kansas. Their name is an interesting blend of two words: ‘Proto’ (Greek for ‘earlier’) and ‘Kaw’ (what Native Americans called the place that later became known as Kansas), which makes it a fitting name for the original version of Kansas. Before the classic Kansas lineup came together in 1973, put out its self-titled debut that same year and kicked off a big success story, guitarist Kerry Livgren was a member of two earlier bands whose sound was even closer to British prog rock than the later Kansas, since they had a saxophonist/flutist in their ranks, which led some to compare them to King Crimson and Jethro Tull. Apart from Livgren, the members of the early Kansas lineups mostly sank into obscurity over the following years, until the album »Early Recordings of Kansas 1971-1973« came out under the name Proto-Kaw in 2002. The positive response to that release meant that Livgren, who had just (once again) handed in his Kansas ‘membership card’, joined forces after more than thirty years with his old buddies, most of whom hadn’t played in a studio or on a stage for years.
The excellent singer Lynn Meredith, whose vocal approach and tone occasionally sound like a cross between Dennis DeYoung (ex-Styx) and David Byron (ex-Uriah Heep), hadn’t been anywhere near a microphone for years, for instance, but he still did a brilliant job once Livgren and company started making new music again. Under the new name Proto-Kaw, they released their debut »Before Became After« on the German label InsideOut in 2004, and without much surprise it confirmed what most longtime Kansas fans had known for decades: Livgren, who as a born-again Christian can be accused of plenty of nonsense, is without any real competition (no offense, Steve Walsh) the best arranger and songwriter in the story of the legendary progressive rock band, whether it goes by Kansas or Proto-Kaw.
Most of the material on »Before Became After« is a real treat for all fans of old-school progressive rock, the kind Kansas played at the start of their career, and of prog giants like King Crimson, ELP, Jethro Tull and Genesis, who influenced Livgren’s musical development the most. The use of saxophone and flute, and with it a bigger dose of jazz and folk elements, makes Proto-Kaw sound substantially different from their more famous ‘cousins’, who swear by the violin. The album is exceptionally rich overall when it comes to interesting arranging ideas and witty improvisations. There’s no room on it for the arena rock and AOR excursions that later came to dominate the Kansas sound; old-school prog with a strong British stamp mostly rules, so much so that the listener sometimes loses the feeling they’re listening to an American band.
The opener »Alt. More Worlds Than Known« is a juicy fusion of antique symphonic prog, jazz rock and hard rock, with regal passages on guitar, Hammond organ and flute running wild, while Meredith delights with his mighty vocal approach. The solos from one of the best prog guitarists around are, as expected, a real treat and balm for the soul throughout the album. »Words of Honor«, which also came out as a single in a shortened version, opens as a fairly innocent ballad, which doesn’t last long, as it soon morphs into a pure prog rock carousel with plenty of dynamic instrumental sections and epic arrangements. »Leaven«, with its somewhat mysterious atmosphere and an oriental touch, reminds you of Camel even more than of early Kansas. As a whole it’s a bit more jazz-rock-fusion flavored, with a long instrumental intro and a later leap into darker ambient waters, with a passionate vocal performance along the way. The punchy »Axolotl« is soaked in pastoral magic thanks to subtle flute passages courtesy of John Bolton, which, together with energetic guitar lines, majestic symphonic keyboard arrangements and Meredith’s outstanding singing (here sounding a lot like David Byron), create a mighty mood. »Quantum Leapfrog« is stylistically one of the most interesting experiments on »Before Became After«, since with its saxophone ‘spices’, melodic vocal harmonies and unusual time changes it flirts with the so-called Canterbury scene of progressive rock.
»Greenburg, Glickstein, Charles, David, Smith and Jones« is a cover of the American pop rock band The Cryan’ Shames, who made a name for themselves in the ‘psychedelic’ sixties, so it’s no shocker that this is a considerable stylistic detour, but Proto-Kaw still made a witty cover out of it, with delightful psychedelic vocal harmonies and hard-rocking guitar variations. The sacred-atmosphere »Gloriana« is another ambitious symphonic prog rock feat, interwoven with solemn flute and keyboard arrangements. This time Meredith’s vocal performance, especially in the middle of the pompous chorus, recalls Dennis DeYoung. And in the closing section, where Proto-Kaw lean hard into ELP in the midst of a symphonic instrumental cataclysm, the piece reaches downright epic proportions, even if the last ten seconds sound like the finale of Santa’s festive parade.
»Occasion of Your Honest Dreaming«, where the sharp flute improvisations especially impress, is steeped in a positive vibe and joyful multi-part harmonies. »Heavenly Man«, with its dramatic mood, brilliant guitar improvisations, dynamic time changes and epic chorus, strongly recalls early Kansas. The album closes with the more than eleven-minute epic »Theophany«, which reminds you of ELP at almost every step, soaked as it is in marching rhythms, regal drum transitions and pompous keyboard arrangements, while choir vocals in the background create a super-dramatic atmosphere. Meredith’s vocal approach once again, for several reasons, recalls the legendary David Byron. The special edition of the album includes, besides a video interview, three more bonus tracks: a live version of the Kansas classic »Belexes«, the excellent new composition »It Moves You« and a shortened single version of »Words of Honor«.
Under Livgren’s brilliant arranging and songwriting leadership, Proto-Kaw made an album with »Before Became After« that Kansas fans had been waiting for since the late seventies, and at the same time, with modern production, they successfully showed where it all really began in the early seventies for the most important American prog band of all time. Kerry managed to motivate his old buddies remarkably quickly to rediscover the old magic and make one of the best prog rock albums of 2004. In a way, Proto-Kaw’s arrival on the prog scene created a peculiar paradox, since they were both a new band and the primal version of Kansas, i.e. one of the oldest American prog rock bands, which had to pick a new name because of the trouble that could have arisen over rights. The most ironic part is that they sounded far fresher than the Kansas of the day, which, after Livgren’s second departure, had quickly lapsed into total studio stagnation. Well, even Proto-Kaw, because of Livgren’s increasingly serious health problems, didn’t exactly have a bright and successful future ahead, but they still managed to record two more studio albums.
Lineup
Lynn Meredith – vocals
Kerry Livgren – guitar, piano, keyboards, percussion, backing vocals
John Bolton – saxophone and flute
Dan Wright – organ, keyboards, percussion, backing vocals
Craig Kew – bass guitar, backing vocals
Brad Schulz – drums
GUEST MUSICIANS:
Jake Livgren – backing vocals
Rod Mikinski – bass guitar on “Axolotl”
Eva Peterson – backing vocals on “It Moves You”
Production
Kerry Livgren
Track list
1. Alt. More Worlds than Known (7:28)
2. Words of Honor (4:28)
3. Leaven (8:26)
4. Axolotl (6:04)
5. Quantum Leapfrog (5:42)
6. Greenburg, Glickstein, Charles, David, Smith and Jones (3:05)
7. Gloriana (9:07)
8. Occasion of Your Honest Dreaming (3:38)
9. Heavenly Man (5:53)
10. Theophany (11:43)
Bonus CD:
11. Belexes (live) (8:08)
12. It Moves You (4:26)
13. Words of Honor (single edit) (3:18)
