Kerry Livgren
Subject: YOU BROUGHT RESPECT
From: JIM CARA (TJPT43A)
Kerry,
Thanks for the respect that you brought to guitar players. and hard rock music. I hate to bring up a staple, but Wayward Son made the world stand up and agree that hard rock guitar could be played with meaning, feel and agility.
What are you doing at this time? New Project? Is Walsh involved? What is he doing now?
Thanks for your wonderful and inspiring music.
Jim
From: KERRY LIVGREN (CCMO77F)
Jim-
I'm blushing. Thanks for the support.
What I'm doing- I just finished the soundtrack for the latest in the "Mind's Eye" video series. I was preceded by Jan Hammer and Thomas Dolby. This one is entitled "Odyssey Into the Mind's Eye" and was released 9/10 on Sony.
You can find out more about it at http://www.odyssey3d.com/
Next I will work on re-issuing some of the past AD albums on CD for my label, Numavox.
From: RON NADDEO (QSDP37A)
Kerry, Thanks for the concise reply. You are correct about the surface nature of the American Culture, my only hope is a intimate relationship with Christ (I'm hoping to be their someday).
I don't want to push if you were avoiding this, but I'll expand upon the question, and if you don't want to answer I'll understand. What are your plans in the future as far as who you'll be teeming up with? Would you consider playing with some art rockers like Tony Levin, Mike Giles, etc. Or would you consider playing with unknowns, ah, like me (I had to ask). I'm also curious about your future touring plans. I had heard (via the grape vine) that you stopped touring with AD (by the by "Art of the State" is one of the best alltime Christian albums), because the fan support was not there to be able support the type of live set-up you felt was necessary to do the job right. Thats why I brought up Iona, they played with minimal equipment (for $ 2K) and it was the best concert I've ever heard. Their vocals were crystal clear, and the textures and sounds enveloped the audience. After seeing King Crimson, Peter Gabriel, Early Genesis, and even Floyds Wall at the Colliseum in New York, it gave me great hope that through innovation, alot of prayer, talent, practice, and the Holy Spirit (especially the latter), it is possible to do something extemely worthy without alot of Money.
Hopefully in His Love, Ron
P.S. I to commend you on your handling of the jugemental/comdenational dude. I gathered that he maybe jewish and you handled him well. Others on this board have a tendency to get very defensive (sometimes) of their faith.
From: KERRY LIVGREN (CCMO77F)
Ron- I don't have any present (concrete) plans for touring. The reason is partly economical, and partly philosophical. I feel that, at present, my time is much better spent creating new things in the studio.
As far as "teaming up" with other artists, sometimes that gets very complicated, both artistically and business-wise. I currently have a group of musicians to work with that I am satisfied with, but I would work with anyone in the right circumstances.
Grace, Kerry Livgren
From: WILLIAM HAMMELL (RWEZ08A)
Hi Kerry, There is a part in the song "One More Song" from Prime Mover where it goes "tiny little seed..." who sings this part, was it you?
Also, how much do you like Johann Sebastian Bach's music? Now there's a good writing combo, Livgren/Bach or Bach/Livgren. =)
Bill Hammell (a big Bach fan) stryx@mars.superlink.net
www.geocities.com/Athens/6195 (My unofficial Livgren page)
irc.progrock.org channel #livgren (Live Livgren Chat)
join the Livgren email list! see page for details
From: KERRY LIVGREN (CCMO77F)
Bill-
I don't recall offhand who that was, but it wasn't me, I assure you.
Regarding Bach, yes, I'm a fan. It's rather difficult for any musician to overlook the great debt we all owe to Johann.
From: WILLIAM HAMMELL (RWEZ08A)
Hi Kerry, thanks for the info on "The Wall". Can you tell us about how some other co-written songs were done? How about, Portrait, Journey From Mariabronn, Paradox, Wheels, and others that were written with Walsh. Who wrote each section, lyrics, etc. Thanks for taking the time to do this Q&A thingand thanks for continuing to let us hear your art for the ears. Bill
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http://www.geocities.com/Athens/6195/livgren.html
From: KERRY LIVGREN (CCMO77F)
Bill-
Generally speaking, Steve Walsh and I really didn't do much actual writing together. One of us might "tweak" the other writer's song in some way such as a phrasing change, a lyric change, etc., and that would result in a writer credit on the song. For instance on "Portrait" I had the song in finished form, but Steve altered the phrasing of the verses. Occasionally one of us would add an instrumental section to the other's song.
Kerry Livgren
From: KEITH BERRY (AKJL99C)
Kerry,
I was suprised no had asked you about doing the video with Rachel Rachel, Wayward Son, what did you think of them redoing the song, it was a hit with me back then and it was cool to hear them do it. I thought it was pretty cool to see you on the video, nice touch. How did you all get together and come up with it?
Thanx for dropping in.
Take care,
Lord Bless & Abide (He promised)
Keith (Christian Music Board Memrep)
http://pages.prodigy.com/creation/keith.htm
From: KERRY LIVGREN (CCMO77F)
Keith-
That was quite a surprise for me when it happened. I had never heard of Rachel Rachel at the time, and I was pretty skeptical when I heard they were doing Wayward Son.
Word Records had called me and invited me to do the video with them. When I heard their version of the song, I was quite impressed.
I thought they did a great, and enduring performance of it.
From: KEITH BERRY (AKJL99C)
Kerry,
A couple of thanx back to you, first thanx for the answer to the Rachel Rachel comment, and thanx or should say, nice return on the "repent..." note.
Lord Bless & Abide (He promised) as you continue in walking with Him.
Take care, Keith (Christian Music Board Memrep)
From: ANTHONY DEBARROS (PTML16A)
Kerry --
I enjoy "When Things Get Electric" quite a bit. Can you please shed some light on your guitar/amp setup for the recording of the album? I note that you use Zion guitars... what else?
Also, I read that you jammed with Phil Keaggy recently. How did that go?
From: KERRY LIVGREN (CCMO77F)
Anthony-
Currently I am using a Digitech Preamp, a Peavey Tube power amp, and a Laney 4X12 cabinet. How's that for a mix n' match? Occasionally I record with a Fender Blues Deluxe. I have quite a variety of guitars, but most often I record with one of my Zion's, a Schecter Telecaster, A Les Paul, or my trusty old 335.
Jamming with Phil was an honor, but also a little intimidating. He's the best.
Grace, Kerry Livgren
From: ANTHONY DEBARROS (PTML16A)
Kerry --
Thanks for the information on your amp setup. Here's another studio question -- what is your opinion of the digital format versus analog?(I notice "Electric" was recorded on ADAT).
By the way, I've read your "Seeds of Change" biography and found it very encouraging. Thanks.
Anthony DeBarros
From: KERRY LIVGREN (CCMO77F)
Anthony-
I find digital recording to be incredibly convenient (and necessary nowadays), but there is still something lacking (IMHO) in comparison to a good analog recording.
Someday they'll get it right.
Waiting for Ground Zero, Kerry Livgren
From: CHUCK BORNEMANN (ZECP34B)
Kerry,
The band I used to manage covered one of your tunes, do I owe you anything?
Phil of Levittown is a bit confused these days, forgive him.
ED aka Eddie Noyes
aka Six Four
From: KERRY LIVGREN (CCMO77F)
Eddie-
(Smiling) No, probably not. Most people don't realize that you can cover any song you like as long as you don't record and reproduce it for profit.
Grace, Kerry Livgren
From: KEITH BERRY (AKJL99C)
Kerry,
Have you ever caught the Newsboys concert? Anad what did you think? ( just to let ya know, they might be listening (reading) as they're on the way to the board).
Thanx. Later, Take care, Lord Bless & Abide (He promised) Keith (Christian Music Board Memrep)
From: KERRY LIVGREN (CCMO77F)
Keith-
I'm afraid I haven't heard enough of the band to express an opinion, although I met them once briefly in Atlanta and found them to be very pleasant.
Grace, K.L.
From: RON NADDEO (QSDP37A)
Kerry, Hi again, I hope you havn't left yet. I have my most important question to ask you, and I'll try to mail you directly just in case your done. I apologize up front for the duplication of effort.
My 13 year old son Peter loves your Art of the State album, and he would love to get the music so he can play it on keyboard. He especially loves "Up from the Wasteland" (sorry I don't have the title in front of me). How can we get a copy of this music??????
Hopefully in His Love, Ron
From: KERRY LIVGREN (CCMO77F)
Ron-
I get asked this quite a lot. Unfortunately, i don't believe it's ever been transcribed. i don't know of any source for sheet music. A few of the Kansas albums had song books, but other than that I know of no source.
Sorry.
God Bless, Kerry Livgren
From: ROBB SCHUNEMAN (GCAK61C)
Hey Kerry,
Just thought I'd drop a line and say, very bluntly, You rock! I came to this revelation ever since playing "carry on wayward son" in jazz band in 9th grade, man you guys are awesome. It's still one of my favorite songs, I can never wait till basketball season to play it again in pep band. Well, no questions here, but, just thought I'd say hi!
-Robb
From: KERRY LIVGREN (CCMO77F)
Robb-
Thanks.
It's nice to know that my work has "legs".
Best Wishes, Kerry Livgren
From: DONALD SWAN (DGTW23A)
My uncle wrote the song, I BELIEVE, which is a standard in both Christian and Popular music. For the writers and publishers alone, it produces nearly $1,000,000 in yearly royalty income. I found among his records a never published never performed similar type song, DO YOU KNOW HIM? that is as good as I BELIEVE. Any suggestions on marketing it?
DGTW23A, DON SWAN, SUNNYVALE, CA
From: KERRY LIVGREN (CCMO77F)
Don-
First you need a good way to present it- a good demo recording.
I would then suggest you send it directly to artists who you think might be interested, or their management, and lastly to publishers.
God Bless, Kerry Livgren
From: DONALD SWAN (DGTW23A)
May I send you a demo cassette tape of the original traditional rendition for your opinion? It does have copyright protection but has never been published or performed. Perhaps you can suggestion someone.
Don Swan, DGTW23A, Sunnyvale, CA
From: KERRY LIVGREN (CCMO77F)
Don-
Sure, what you need to do is send it to my label, Numavox.
You can get the mailing address from their web page at:
http://www.kspress.com/livgren/
Blessings, K.L.
From: MARK MATSON (NJPV71A)
Kerry -
I'm a fan from back on some of the old Kansas albums. I confess that I've heard very little of your newest stuff, though now that I have some background on your current activities, I'm gonna have to do a little exploration at the ol' record store.
My question: How are the dynamics of your current band as compared with something like the old Kansas days? What are the biggest positives from both experiences?
Thanks for standing strong!
In Him, Mark from Houston
From: KERRY LIVGREN (CCMO77F)
Mark-
There are many differences between "now" and "then", both in personnel and circumstances. My years with Kansas were a very different time, with different goals and motives. The current lineup I work with is a very different group of personalities than Kansas was, which is not better or worse, just different. Probably the biggest change in band dynamics I experienced was from Kansas to AD. Kansas had become very fragmented and stressful.
AD was united by a common purpose which energized us.
Blessings, K.L.
From: BRANDON STAUFFER (MCDL48A)
Howdy Kerry! I alwasy start my own little subject for all my questions. Nope...it's not arrogance...it's just that I'd forget where I posted my questions at if I used a subject already in existence! <G>
First of all, welcome to Prodigy! It's great to have you aboard. Now...to my question...
This is a question I've posed to every guest we've had visit the Christian Music BB. It's a profound question and, I believe, it's answer holds the key to unlock all the mysteries of the universe. My question? Simple:
How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie-Roll tootsie pop?
God bless!!
in His service, Brandon (OatBran)
http://pages.prodigy.com/oatbran
From: KERRY LIVGREN (CCMO77F)
Brandon-
I was afraid this one was going to come up, but I guess the truth must come out. The reality is, I like spinach better than Tootsie Rolls. When I was a little boy, and all the other kids were eating their TR's, I was daydreaming about a big plateful of green. I figured if it worked that well for Popeye, maybe it would make me famous.
Joy and Peace, K.L.
From: (Al_Stewart) AL STEWART
Kerry,
I heard you formed a Christian group called "A.D." where can I get it on c.d.? I haven't been able to find it.
I played with Harvey Jett from Black Oak back in 1986-88 here in a few shows in Ct. as we formed a local band to back him up (I'm a drummer) & we had Mark farner from grand funk in 1989 & 90.
IN CHRIST, AL STEWART FROM CT.
From: KERRY LIVGREN (CCMO77F)
Al-
My recordings, both A.D. and under my name, are obtainable from Numavox.
You can get them in stores or below is the information on how to get them direct.
Thanks, Kerry Livgren
The Kerry Livgren "Decade" set is out of print and no longer available.
"One of Several Possible Musiks" has been re-released by One Way Records (featuring a new bonus track) and is obtainable at any retailer. (One Way Records 1-800-833-3553)
Numavox currently has in stock:
Kerry Livgren's latest release,"When Things Get Electric" CD ($13.99), AD's "Art of the State" CD re-release ($12.99), and the "Seeds of Change" Book, original edition ($5.95). To order send MC / Visa number and exp. date, or check or money order made out to Numavox for purchase price plus $3.00 (Int. Orders $5.00) shipping & handling to:
Numavox PO Box 44 Berryton, KS 66409
E-mail credit card orders: numavox@aol.com
Fax Orders: 913-8621606
Phone Orders: (CD's only)1-800-7522777 or 1-800-4356185
Include your Name and complete mailing address
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Allow ten days for delivery
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