In the Spirit of Things

by Kansas

Overview

Kansas hired Bob Ezrin to tighten up their sound for 1988's In the Spirit of Things. In a strange way, the timing was opportune, since they had a hit in 1986's Power, and 1988 was welcome to veterans, thanks to the boom of classic rock radio stations and the rejuvenating power of the CD. And, give 'em credit -- they wound up with an album that's arguably more focused than their '70s highlights. That doesn't mean it's on par, since they can't deliver a hit single as good as "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Point of Know Return," and whatever remnants of humor they had are gone, as this is doggedly somber. Still, they're musically more adept, thanks to Ezrin and guitarist Steve Morse, which is welcome. That doesn't mean it's an unqualified success, however, since the cavernous, DDD-wannabe production screams 1988 even more than Leftoverture epitomizes 1976. Nevertheless, In the Spirit of Things remains one of the group's more consistent albums and easily a latter-day highlight. (By the way, Brendan O'Brien, a superstar producer of the '90s, working with Pearl Jam and Stone Temple Pilots, recorded this record.) ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	01/01/1995
Label:	Mca
UPC:	0076732625422

Tracks

1. Ghosts
2. One Big Sky
3. Inside of Me
4. One Man, One Heart
5. House on Fire
6. Once in a Lifetime
7. Stand Beside Me
8. I Counted on Love
9. The Preacher
10. Rainmaker
11. T. O. Witcher
12. Bells of St. James

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Kansas   Primary Artist
Southern California Community Choir   Choir/Chorus
Steve Croes   Keyboards,Synclavier
Billy Greer   Bass,Vocals
Christopher Yavelow   Synthesizer,Kurzweil Synthesizer
Bob Ezrin   Percussion,Vocals (Background),Vocals
Greg Robert   Vocals,Keyboards,Vocals (Background)
Terry Brock   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Steve Morse   Guitar,Vocals
John Pierce   Bass,Fretless Bass
Phil Ehart   Drums
Rich Williams   Guitar
Ricky Keller   Synthesizer
James Cleveland   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Steve Walsh   Vocals,Keyboards

Technical Credits

Albert Hammond   Composer
H. Kleinfeld   Composer
Daniel Fitzgerald   Research
Robert Hrycyna   Technical Supervisor,Production Supervisor
Jon Crossland   Stylist
Storm Thorgerson   Art Direction
Glenn Wexler   Photography
Bob Ezrin   Producer,Composer,Mixing,Arranger,Engineer
Bob Loftus   Engineer
Edd Miller   Assistant Engineer
Paul Maxon   Producer,Photography
Lawrence Fried   Assistant Engineer
Greg Robert   Keyboard Programming
Stan Katayama   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Stephen Marcussen   Mastering
Steve Morse   Composer
D. Huff   Composer
M. Spiro   Composer
Greg Ladanyi   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
Doug Sax   Mastering
Dennis Morgan   Composer
Howard Kleinfeld   Composer
Jordan   Composer
Mark Spiro   Composer
Kansas   Arranger
Phil Ehart   Composer,Producer
Ricky Keller   Drum Programming,Keyboard Programming
Michael Dan Ehmig   Composer
Brendan O'Brien   Engineer
Dann Huff   Composer
Antonia Armato   Composer
Antonina Armato   Composer
Bruce Gaitsch   Composer
Marc Jordan   Composer
Tony May   Photography
Steve Walsh   Composer
Jack Adams   Equipment Assistant
Garth Richardson   Mixing,Engineer
M. Ehmig   Composer