Livgren, Kerry (July 2002)

An Interview With Kerry Livgren

Maybe the great Kansas-man Kerry Livgren was a little succinct with his answers, but that's the price you've got to pay when you interview one of the busiest men in today's music business. In fact we chatted with the "'legendary" composer right after the release of The Best Of which, in the end, represents only a momentary break from Kerry's next big opus, Cantata. This latter work is something Livgren has been working on for nearly 20 years and features guests such as Matthew Ward, Phil Keaggy, David Pack and Kansas drummer Phil Ehart. Read on to know more...

Igor Italiani: Hi Kerry. Let's start with your "best of" album ... when will it be officially released?

KL: Hi Igor. Well, the CD was officially released just a few days ago, right at the end of May 2002. You know, we had a slight delay for the release, but now everything's OK.

II: In fact, I've that seen you had some problems that prohibited you from releasing it much earlier. Can you tell me what really happened?

KL: Yes, sure. Some of the music for this Best Of was from my first two solo albums, Seeds Of Change and Timeline, which were originally released by CBS/Sony. When we asked for permission to re-release the songs comprised in these two albums we got no response from the label, so my only choice was to re-record that music, which I never otherwise would have considered. However, looking in retrospect, I think they did me and my listeners a favour, but it delayed the release considerably.

II: On the other end, when will the second Collector's Sedition chapter be released? Are you already working on it?

KL: Mmh, not yet. Right now I'm working at my Cantata, so I think I'll work on the Collector's Sedition follow up just after I've finished this other project of mine.

II: The first Collector's Sedition was really outstanding in my opinion, an album with so many strengths that it's really hard to believe the songs were leftovers from the past. What do you have up the sleeve for the second chapter?

KL: Well, actually there wasn't much that turned out to be "leftovers," most of the music was sincerely new. But if I do a second edition it will almost surely all be new music ... and I hope you will enjoy it like the first one.

II: Among the things I really liked about Collector's Sedition are the vocalists' performances, especially the ones of Jake Livgren and Kreg Hoover. Can you tell us something more about the musicians that took part in the CD? Will there be other guests on the new CD?

KL: I must confess that I have been very fortunate to have great singers at my disposal. I delight in finding vocalists and musicians that are unknown or have never been heard. Kreg and Jake are good examples of local (Kansas) talent that just needed some exposure. It's likely that you will continue to hear artists like them on any of my new music.

II: Kerry, obviously I have to ask you something about Kansas, too, as you wrote entirely the last album from the band, Somewhere To Elsewhere. Are you composing something else for them? Can we continue to include you in Kansas, even if you don't play live gigs anymore (except for a few dates)?

KL: At the moment it's hard to say what I will or will not be doing with Kansas in the future. It rather depends on them more than myself. So I don't know what to answer precisely. I'm sorry...

II: Recently I've been quite surprised to hear (in interviews done) that a lot of bands, even in the metal genre, were really inspired by your music. What do you think is the magic trait that Kansas' music always portrayed?

KL: First of all let me say that it's great to hear such news like this. What's the magic trait of Kansas' music? Well, probably it's the mix between good memorable melodies, interesting arrangements and emphasis on musicianship.

II: On your website there are also songs (mp3s) concerning Kansas II. What about this re-discovered project?

KL: You have to know that Kansas was doing interesting progressive music long before our first album release. In fact, I have a number of tapes in my vault, even if I wish there were more, 'cause much of this music has been lost. However the songs you find on the web are a great way to figure out how the band sounded before the self-titled debut.

II: But do you plan on releasing a CD of their music ... or you'll just leave the songs on your website to download?

KL: Yes, the songs will be released by Cuneiform Records in September 2002. Who knows, maybe there will be some prog fanatics who will immediately pick up these albums...

II: You release your music through Numavox, which seems to be a real quality label. However your CDs are somewhat difficult to find in certain places. Will you be able to fix this problem in the future?

KL: I certainly hope so! I think you already know the troubles an independent label like Numavox faces in today's market. Everyday it's an uphill battle, but maybe we will reap more benefits in the distant future.

II: Kerry, in an age characterized by lots of reunions, do you think it will be possible to see an A.D. one sometime in the near future?

KL: It would be difficult ... the members of AD are all engaged in other things now, although we all work with one another from time to time. For example Warren [Ham] and Mike [Gleason] both appear on my new Best Of CD.

II: Where do you think is placed the future of music (internet, major labels, independent market)?

KL: It's a very difficult question to answer, however I think that the future of most interesting music is coming from independent labels like Numavox. At least this is what I hope... :-)

II: Looking back on your great career, what were the best and worst moments?

KL: The best years of my career were probably 1976-77 with Kansas, and 1984-85 with AD. And the worst moments were 1982-83 with Kansas, and again 1984-85 with AD.

II: Kerry, I have no more questions. Do you want to add something before goodbye?

KL: The only thing I want to add is THANKS to all my fans and supporters, even if this phrase certainly doesn't sound too much original.

II: Thank you very much for your time. Great luck for the future and I hope to see you, alongside Kansas, playing live here in Italy one day ... even if I know it will probably remain a dream...

KL: Well, I hope not...I would love to see Italy.

Discography:
Kansas - Kansas (1974)
Kansas - Song For America (1975)
Kansas - Masque(1975/2001)
Kansas - Leftoverture (1976/2001)
Kansas - Point Of Know Return (1977/1984/2002)
Kansas - Two For The Show (1978)
Kansas - Monolith (1979)
Kansas - Audio Visions (1980)
Seeds of Change (1980)
Kansas - Vinyl Confessions (1982)
Kansas - Drastic Measures (1983)
Kansas - The Best Of Kansas (1984)
AD - Timeline (1984)
AD - Art Of The State (1985)
AD - Reconstructions (1986/1997)
One Of Several Possible Musiks (1989/1996)
Decade (1992)
When Things Get Electric (1995)
Odyssey Into The Mind's Eye (strk) (1997)
Prime Mover II (1998)
AD - AD Live (1998)
Kansas - Somewhere To Elsewhere (2000)
Collector's Sedition Volume I (2000)
The Best Of Kerry Livgren (2002)
Kansas - The Ultimate Kansas (2002)
Proto-Kaw - Early Recordings From Kansas (2002)
Proto-Kaw - Before Became After (2004)
Proto-Kaw - The Wait Of Glory (2006)
Proto-Kaw - Forth (2011)