Cold Grey Morning (Live 2019)

The Zoo Crew is spinning the groovy vibes of Cold Grey Morning (Live 2019) by Kansas from their album Point Of Know Return (Live & Beyond), and the Zoo Freaks are surely feeling the progressive rock energy. This track, originally from the 1995 album Freaks of Nature, was penned by guitarist and keyboardist Kerry Livgren, a core creative force behind Kansas’s signature sound. According to reviews from the Prog Report, the live rendition from the 2019-2020 Point of Know Return Anniversary Tour feels like a bold mission statement, showcasing the band’s ability to tackle their extensive catalog with vigor. The song’s dreamy, Mellotron-heavy atmosphere and complex composition make it a quintessential prog rock piece, with fans on Kansas’s Facebook often praising its ethereal and spacey vibe as a highlight of the live album. Drummer Phil Ehart, in a statement on kansasband.com, noted that the band chose to release this live album to keep fans connected during a year without touring, emphasizing the meticulous mixing by their front-of-house engineer Chad Singer to capture Kansas’s live essence.

Delving into the song’s reception, a review on Velvet Thunder highlights how Cold Grey Morning fits seamlessly alongside Kansas’s classic 1970s material, despite being from a later era. Fans on the Kansas Band Fan Club group have shared stories of experiencing the track live, with some noting the electrifying violin work by David Ragsdale that elevates the song’s intensity. The track’s inclusion as the opener for the live album was a deliberate choice, as guitarist Richard Williams explained in a Classic Rock Bob interview, reflecting the band’s confidence in their newer lineup’s ability to honor their legacy. On Instagram, Kansas posted behind-the-scenes clips from the tour, showing the band’s camaraderie and dedication, with fans commenting on the nostalgic yet fresh feel of tracks like Cold Grey Morning.

Kansas’s journey began in Topeka, Kansas, in the early 1970s, when two local bands—Kerry Livgren’s Kansas and White Clover, led by Phil Ehart and Steve Walsh—merged to form the group that would become a progressive rock legend. According to their bio on kansasband.com, the band signed with Kirshner Records in 1973 after being discovered by A&R man Wally Gold. Their self-titled debut album in 1974 blended intricate musicianship with mystical lyrics, setting the stage for their rise. Livgren’s interest in Eastern philosophies and Walsh’s powerful vocals shaped their early sound, as noted in a Wikipedia entry. Over the years, Kansas evolved through lineup changes but maintained their core identity, selling over 30 million albums worldwide, with hits like Carry On Wayward Son and Dust in the Wind becoming classic rock staples.

The band’s breakthrough came with their 1976 album Leftoverture, followed by Point of Know Return in 1977, which cemented their status with quadruple-platinum sales. Their official website, kansasband.com, details their extensive discography, including recent releases like The Absence of Presence in 2020. Fans can connect with Kansas on social media through their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour updates and nostalgic posts. For Zoo Freaks looking to dive deeper, fan communities like the Kansas Band Fan Club on Facebook and sites like Progressive Ears offer lively discussions and memorabilia. Kansas continues to tour and create, with their current lineup—featuring original members Ehart and Williams alongside newer members like Ronnie Platt and Zak Rizvi—proving their enduring passion for music.