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Customer Reviews of Two for the Show

Mind-blowing
Others have said it; I will agree. This is one of the greatest live albums ever recorded. I well remember picking it up on two vinyl LP's way back in 1978 the day it was released...the packaging was (as always, with Kansas) stellar and the music was powerful and thrilling. In fact, many of the songs were even superior to the studio versions. "Icarus," "Journey From Mariabronn," "Song for America," and "Portrait," were absolute revelations live. Having seen this band live many times, I can tell you that they are virtuosos. But what this CD will tell you is that they played with a mixture of passion, intensity, sensitivity, and skill seldom matched by any of their art rock/hard rock brethren. It is scandalous, however, that Sony butchered the CD release of this album. The packaging is skimpy, but worse, it is condensed onto one disc, forcing the omission of the classic "Closet Chronicles." (Thankfully, that live version of "Closet Chronicles" can now be heard on the re-mastered 1999 release of "The Best of Kansas.) Despite these shortcomings, the sheer power and majesty of the music herein dictates that I give it 5 stars. A must-have for all fans of prog rock/hard rock and a superb introduction to America's greatest progressive band.

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Any Kansas Fan Will Want To Own It
This live effort is a must-own for the Kansas fan. Two For The Show captures the band live at the height of their powers, and this album has a nice blend of epics (Song For America, Journey From Mariabronn, Magnum Opus), and hits (Carry On, Dust In The Wind), that should satisfy all the fans in the band's denomination. The epics are, without question, the highlight of this album. From the raving version of Song For America that kicks off the show to the extropolations of Icarus and Mariabronn to the guitar and piano solos, Kansas really shines here when they let it loose and play their epics live. The extended, jamming version of the closing Magnum Opus might just be the highlight of the collection, going here past the 11 minute mark. However, on a downnote, the performances of Carry On and Dust are less than stellar, particularly the former. Perhaps tired of playing them so many times, the band don't seem as lively or upbeat in performing them as they do on the longer pieces. This might deter casual fans, but hard-core fans (probably the only audience for this album, anyway) will not be buying it for those songs anyway.

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not the full album
All these great CD reviews... But this CD is not the complete "Two For The Show" that was a 2-LP vinyl record set back in the day. So, you're missing some stuff, like "Closet Chronicles," and it's not even remastered from original tapes (sounds all hissy), and still gets your blood going, eh? If KANSAS is reading this, please oh please do a Little-Feat-"Waiting For Columbus"-style remaster on this great live album and INCLUDE THE COMPLETE SHOW! Otherwise, I'd wait to buy it.