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REVIEWS: STEVE WALSH Glossolalia back to artists page Discography • Audio • Tour Dates • Links To understand the true spirit and intent of Steve Walsh on his first solo album in twenty years, you have to know something about the man. Walsh, like many of us, has had many personal wars to wage and battles to be won. Wars against his own demons, that haunted him and took control of his life. I know personally of these gripping addictions and ghosts that haunt the soul. Walsh has never seemed more emotive and descriptive in his music. It seems like we all missed the real importance of his work while Kansas was at the peak of their career. There is no time like the present to acknowledge and recognize the true talent and great gifts that the man has bestowed upon us in this new millennium. To reassess the past may be a good idea as well. When was the last time you listened to "Carry On My Wayward Son" closely? He was a lot more than the voice of Kansas. Don't let me begin to mislead you into thinking that this is a Kansas album. There is a new album by that group out now. This is Steve Walsh's solo album, which comes through loud and clear. Although I felt that this CD was a bit off the beaten path at times, it was a trip well spent. After all, that's why people do solo albums in the first place. The desire to travel down a different road becomes so strong that the artist is driven to this end. We all benefit from the outcome of Glossolalia. With the help of veteran prog rocker Trent Gardner (keyboards), Walsh cuts loose with some of the most creative and emotionally charged work that I have heard in years. "Heart Attack" is every bit the perfect title while "Kansas" is his ode from whence he came. "Serious Wreckage" speaks of a weary warrior finished with the fight. In the end what you have is a true story in a time capsule set to music worthy of the storied tales that lie within. This will become known as a progressive rock staple in no time. To quote a great song of the past; "He knew, he knew more than me or you"... – MuzikMan Reviews –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– I pity the Steve Walsh fan who has never heard of Trent Gardner. While this is labeled as a Walsh solo disc, Gardner's fingerprints are all over it. Gardner, who is the main man behind his band Magellan, co-produced this disc and co-wrote seven of the ten tracks. But there are times that this disc sounds very much like Walsh's work with Kansas. Tracks like "Kansas," "Nothing," and parts of "Smackin' The Clowns" have a classic Kansas sound. Many of the other tracks feature Gardner's quirky, dissonant songwriting style that will likely shock the average Kansas listener. Walsh's voice is more rough than is typical on Kansas discs, but this vocal style fits the music well. There are some tremendous tracks here, including the aforementioned "Kansas" and "Nothing," "Serious Wreckage," "Haunted Man," and "That's What Love's All About." The previously mentioned Kansas style tracks are typically slow and melodic, whereas most of the others are heavier, less melodic and more dynamic. Walsh and Gardner have formed a nice songwriting partnership on this disc. They are both excellent songwriters and have combined their vastly different styles into a unique sound. Fans of Kansas, Magellan, and progressive rock should like this disc, but as with most Gardner projects, expect to listen to this a few times before you appreciate it fully. – Open Up And Say –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– This is the second solo album from Kansas vocalist/keyboardist Steve Walsh, and hence the first since the release of his debut solo album Schemer Dreamer in 1980. Later that same year, Kansas released Audio-Visions. After touring with Kansas to promote that record, Steve left the band and formed a highly underrated hard rock band called Streets. In 1985, after two albums with Streets, Steve reformed the then-defunct Kansas (with a revamped line-up) and has remained with the band ever since. The title of his new solo effort means "speaking in tongues," which is an appropriate title indeed, as this album incorporates many musical languages, including progressive rock, modern-edged hard rock, classical, and a touch of theatrical stylings. Enlisting the talents of Magellan's Trent Gardner (keyboards/trombone), Planet X's Virgil Donati (drums), ex-Streets bandmate Mike Slamer (guitar), and ex-Streets and current Kansas bandmate Billy Greer (bass), Steve has created an album of immense musical depth and stunning lyrical imagery. Add Steve's powerful, passionate vocals into the mix and the result is nothing short of brilliant. One of the standout tracks on the album is "Serious Wreckage," a haunting tale of a child killed in a hit-and-run accident, sung from the driver's point of view--"a child has left this world, but he lives on inside my mind." Steve is able to convey the driver's feelings of guilt and remorse with uncanny realism. Another highlight is the ten-minute epic "Smackin' The Clowns," a tale of a traveling circus that is destroyed by a fire, which serves as a metaphor for lost childhood innocence. The song "Kansas" depicts the violent displacement of Native Americans from their homeland, and their hope that one day the white man will leave and the "people of the south wind (will) rise again." The title track, Glossolalia, is a companion piece to the song "Kansas," depicting the state of mind of a Native American living during the time of invasion by white settlers. "Nothing" is a simple piano ballad that speaks of emptiness that cannot be filled with even the finest material possessions in the world. "Heart Attack," "Haunted Man," "That's What Love's All About," "Mascara Tears," and "Rebecca" round out the ten tracks on this ambitious and creative album. I highly recommend Glossolalia to all fans of Steve Walsh and his work in Kansas and Streets. For those of you not familiar with Steve's past work, this new solo album is one hell of a great introduction to a vastly creative artist and an incredibly talented musician. – Detritus –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– This solo offering from Kansas' lead vocalist was released in conjunction with that band's fine comeback, Somewhere to Elsewhere. This is an exploratory collection of songs that range from the metallic title track (thanks to Mike Slamer's explosive guitar playing) to the aggressive dance number "Heart Attack" and periodic progressive and symphonic meandering that parallels those of his main band. The song "Kansas" combines Magical Mystery Tour psychedelia with a haunting exorcism-like vibe that exemplifies this album's recurring theme of rebirth; Steve Walsh seems to be thumbing his nose at the demons and habits that have entrapped him for so many years. The more plaintive "Nothing" with its steel guitar and comparable vocals actually recalls early-'70s Neil Young, and "Mascara Tears" is reminiscent of mid-'70s Electric Light Orchestra. Co-producing this smorgasbord of styles along with Walsh is Magellan keyboardist Trent Gardner. Bassist Billy Greer who's appeared with Kansas and Streets continues his longtime association with Walsh on this recording. – All Music –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Click here to order Glossolalia! Steve Walsh is also featured on Kansas' Somewhere To Elsewhere. |
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