Who doesn’t know that song? With the layered vocals of ‘Carry on my wayward son’, the complex arrangements, the guitar playing of Kerry Livgren, the drumming of Phil Ehart, the imagery that was painted in the lyrics… everything about this song blew my mind.
Ok, its not that I was steeped in my musical tastes. I first hear this album when my brother got it in the late 70’s. This is one of the first albums that I can remember that I just sat and listened to it over, and over, and over, and over again. But that is what an ‘influential’ album, song, or riff does, right? It changes things. And this one changed it for me.
I was just starting out as a drummer. In the summer months, this album would be blasting on the stereo while I tried to figure out how ever beat was played. Ahh, to have the time of youth! And I found myself singing along as I played. My dad had always been a singing drummer. He sang lead on many of the songs that his various bands would play. He was well known for being a singing drummer. Practicing to this album started to bring that out of me though. You couldn’t help it when you heard these songs.
I think this album also introduced me to the ‘non-linear’ or ‘progressive’ style of rock music. Yep, for decades I would play the standard verse, chorus, verse, chorus, solo, chorus and out – and sometimes, we would play a bridge to keep it interesting…. But this album, and others like it to come in my top 10 list, would always be playing in my mind. Interesting, non-pop, non-formula songs that were just interesting. Interesting hearing each instrument, each player have their own melody, their own intricate rhythm – not just keeping time – not just laying a foundation – – But also, never playing over other parts. One cohesive juggernaut that takes you away. That is what this album was, and still is today.
It was a toss up if it was going to be Leftoverture, or Point of No Return… Listen to them from start to finish. I think my playlist will be getting altered today. Its been too long since I’ve listened to some of those B side songs. ‘Questions of my childhood’, or ‘Cheyenne Anthem’ need to get moved up in the rotation I think.
Play with passion, sing with heart
