This box set is the definitive document of Kansas' classic recordings.

Contains remastered CD editions of the ten albums released on Kirshner and CBS Records between 1974 and 1983.

Includes live and rare bonus tracks; Two for the Show is expanded to two CDs of live performances.

Each individual album is packaged in a replica mini-LP style sleeve reproducing that album’s original cover art.

With a sound as expansive as their home state, Kansas scored big in the 1970s by applying an all-American heartland sensibility to the influence of such British progressive-rock bands as Yes, Genesis and King Crimson. Merging complex, classically influenced arrangements with boogie rock punch, Kansas built a distinctive, commanding sound that propelled the band to platinum selling, arena filling stardom. Such timeless tunes as "Dust in the Wind," "Carry on Wayward Son" and "Point of Know Return" became classic rock anthems.

By the time Kansas released its eponymous debut album in 1974, the band had already developed a powerful live act and built a solid regional following. Their subsequent releases Song for America and Masque expanded the group's audience, but it was 1976's multi-platinum Leftoverture that propelled Kansas into the commercial big leagues. Point of Know Return continued the band's ascent, and the 1978 live album Two for the Show captured Kansas at the peak of its performing powers. Monolith and Audio-Visions showed Kansas continuing to refine its sound, while 1982's Vinyl Confessions produced one of the band's biggest singles, "Play the Game Tonight." 1983's Drastic Measures introduced Kansas to the MTV generation via the video/radio hit "Fight Fire with Fire."

Albums Included:
KansasSong
For America
Masque
Leftoverture
Point Of Know Return
Two For The Show — 2 CDs
Monolith
Audio Visions
Vinyl Confessions
Drastic Measures

Amazon USA
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005L12SB2/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005L12SB2/?tag=imwan-21

I'd consider getting it if they were jewel boxed, but it does sound like a nice package.

Hey, this is the cheap version of the Japanese Blu-spec cds that I listed just a few lines down.

Just not a fan of mini-LP sleeves, that's all.

Some obvious questions:
Are these remastered? I have all of the Epic/Legacy remasters of these, but of course as we all know, Monolith has never been remastered and Vinyl Confessions and Drastic Measures have long been out of print although those albums and Audio Visions were remastered with no bonus tracks in 1996.
Both Vinyl Confessions and Drastic Measures came out this summer from Rock Candy remastered.
There is a booklet, but are the bonus cuts still included? Obviously they are with Two For The Show which is the expanded 2 CD version.
I assume this is available through PopMarket (if you ever get them delivered from what I hear).

Has anyone actually seen these yet? Mine have been backordered on Amazon UK for 2 months.

I had Vinyl Confessions and Drastic Measures backordered for about the same 2 month period from Amazon UK and just cancelled the order minutes ago. Will get this box set instead.

Looking for some info on Sony's Complete Classics Album Collections. I know they've done these collections with many other artists. How is the packaging for these? In particular, when they say the original album artwork is reproduced, does that include the original inner-sleeve or is each disc just in a cardboard sleeve which is a reproduction of the original album jacket? Also would like some opinions on the outer cardboard sleeves, glossy with nice graphics or cheaply made?

Would prefer to go with the US version but if the Complete Classics Album Collection packaging is done second-rate I might spring for the Japanese versions instead.

IP - This is now listed at Pop Market for $80. The description says "Includes live and rare bonus tracks."

These seem to be available directly from Rock Candy Records-I'd try them.

My guess-cheaply made packaging, same remasters as before, Monolith will be a straight reissue and Vinyl and Drastic will be the 1996 remasters with no bonus cuts.
But I want to know if I'm right! If I am, I'll just order the Vinyl and Drastic remasters from Rock Candy and hope someday somebody does Monolith justice.

Thanks, IP. I just ordered through Rock Candy and canceled my Amazon UK order. I think they were only about $2.00 more each through RC when you figure in the postage.

Did anyone pick this set up? Like IP, I'm interested in whether it features new remastering. Oddly, it no longer appears on the Pop Market website, so I don't even know whether it's still available.

Popmarket has this on sale today (09/22/2011) for $62.99.

http://www.popmarket.com/details/25809742

I have all of these except Two for the Show, but I just couldn't resist. It's free shipping and I also used a coupon code of FACEBOOK10 that gives 10% more off this daily special.

I'm guessing that the booklet doesn't include lyrics, but these still look pretty cool. I'll let everyone know what this turns out to be.

Vince

I got my Kansas box set a couple days ago. I am very happy with my first Pop Market transaction. I have mixed feelings on this boxset. As I suspected, there are no lyrics. That is a bigger bummer than I had anticipated.

On the plus side, all the cds are remastered. The first 5 studio and the live album are all identical to the Legacy editions currently on the market, including the bonus tracks. The last 4 (Monolith, Audio Visions, Vinyl Confessions, Drastic Measures) are all newly mastered by Dave Donnelly. This brings them into the same volume range with the rest of the box, so that is good.

Monolith is the weakest of the 4 new masterings. It is good, much better than the original cd release, but not as great as the first 5 studio albums. I'm tempted to blame that on the source tapes or the original recording rather than Dave, though, because the next 3 are quite good.
Audio Visions is a definite improvement over my existing cd (1996?).
Vinyl Confessions is a bit of a toss-up. My current version is very good, maybe even better than the new one, but not by much.
Drastic Measures, while not a toss-up with the latest version, is a less drastic improvement than Audio Visions (or even Monolith for that matter).

All in all, very nice. If you don't have the current remasters, and certainly for the last 4 albums being remastered, this is a great deal. Especially if it gets released in the UK in the $40 range!

Vince

Nice to hear. I wish "Monolith" would get a release on its own.

I just got this for $35 on Amazon from a good seller.

Decided to plunge at that price for the new remasters since I never orderd the Rock Candy ones. I'll just sell my other remasters which would be all of them from Kansas through Two For The Show plus Audiovisions-any offers? Ha-I doubt it.

Anyway, looking forward to this for the ones I did not have despite the lame mini-sleeves.

Having gotten over the jewel box thing (because they get played once and ripped to the iPod afterwards), I am now thinking "Hmmmmmm...."

I have to consult Dr. Jimbo on this one.

Dear Dr. Jimbo,

Do I really need a complete Kansas collection on CD?

Confused in New Hampshire

No.

Oh, wait, I mean yes.

I just ordered this for $37. How could I pass that up?

I have the Epic Records KANSAS Original album Classics 5 CD set that came out a few years ago on a Sony label. You get 5 of the big albums Kansas/ Song For America/ Point Of Know Return/ Leftoverture/ Masque.

I imagine this newer set that adds a few of their later albums uses similar mastering?

All of the previous Legacy remasters were from the early 2000s. There were the first ever CD releases as well in 1996 for Audiovisions, Vinyl Confessions and Drastic Measures which all went out of print and the latter two went for high amounts.

Then the latter two were remastered by Rock Candy but that became moot with this box which has the previous remasters and bonus cuts and new remasters for Monolith (first time ever), Audiovisions, Vinyl Confessions and Drastic Measures.

I stay away from those 5 pack Classic Albums Series so I have no idea what those use.