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| Artist: Kansas
Label: Sony Legacy
List Price: $19.98
Buy New: $9.91
You Save: $10.07 (50%)
New (45) Used (10) from $9.91
Rating:  61 reviews
Sales Rank: 27383
Format: Original Recording Remastered, Extra Tracks, Live
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 2
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.4 x 4.9 x 0.3
MPN: 730836
UPC: 886973083628
EAN: 0886973083628
ASIN: B00175G79K
Release Date: July 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand New and Factory Sealed Item Fast Shipping
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 61
 Untouchable! July 8, 2008
Louis Morano (New York, USA)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
One of the best live albums ever is re released surpassing expectations!
If you are a Kansas fan and own the original Two for the Show, you will LOVE this. You already know disk one, but wait 'till you hear disk two!
The previously unreleased live songs will amaze you.
If you don't really know Kansas, this is the place to start. They are/were at their best live, and were at their peak when this was recorded. What I like best are the guitar jams leading into Child of Innocence, or in between Portrait and Carry on Wayward Son. They showcase a side of this band that you wouldn't know even existed with commercial radios sorry playing of them.
This band is so diverse, from near Metal (Mysteries and Mayhems twin guitars are Priest like) to Blues, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Prog Rock, Jams,etc. and they pull it off better than anyone.
Did I mention the vocals?!! Unreal!
This recording should be played for anyone who doesn't give this band the credit they so richly deserve.
Talent Showcase of easily one of the great groups. July 2, 2008
D. Wright
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Adding a perfect balance to the previous release, this reissue shows a little more of the side of Kansas that doesn't take themselves too seriously although they had every right to. Though their works have been blasted as being too ambitious both lyrically and musically, they have proven beyond doubt that they are up to the challenge of combining classical, progressive, and pop rock.
The second disk also showcases the superior talents of Phil Ehart on the drums not as evident in the commercial hits of the first disk. This drummer had something so special that it was actually his talents that helped set the band apart in the beginning when trying to be discovered. Steve Walsh is untouchable in these previously unheard versions of the songs. He always keeps things fresh and new. Could anyone be better behind the mic? Sorry Tommy, Lou, Steve P., Paul! The band was at their peak and it shows. Some other bands have been dubbed the "Greatest of All Time", even though they have a fraction of the musical (and vocal) talent. I couldn't believe that some of those bands could compare to Kansas even if I was Rolling Stoned.
This work is absolutely crucial for any Kansas fan to own, and one of the best live works to ever enter my ears. It is a fairly raw mix with no overdubbing except for Robby's voice on Man Overboard of course. This is the true Kansas experience that also is a must own for any true fan of live rock of any era.
Simply Magnificent July 3, 2008
Webby052
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
"Two for the Show" has always been my favorite live recording. I remember feeling angry and cheated by the omission of "Closet Chronicles" when the CD was first released in the 80's. Not any more. WOW! I am speechless at the superior sound quality and the bounty of never before released A+++ performances from the 77-78 tours. I just can't adequately express my satisfaction at this purchase. Not only do I recommend this item, I would classify this recording as an "absolute must have" for any lover of progressive rock or just quality music in general. These guys were at the top of their game during this short period in the 70's and I am so grateful that their superior musicianship and sheer brilliance was captured forever with this recording.
One of prog rock's greatest live albums gets the royal treatment for its 30th Anniversary Edition July 3, 2008
Terrence J. Reardon (Port Saint Lucie, FL)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Progressive rockers Kansas' first live album, and sixth overall, Two For the Show was released in November of 1978.
The album captures singer/keyboard player Steve Walsh, guitarist/keyboard player Kerry Livgren, violinist/vocalist Robby Steinhardt, guitarist Rich Williams, drummer Phil Ehart and bass player Dave Hope at the height of Kansas' commercial success on the band's 1977/78 Point of Know Return tour.
Alot of the songs from the band's five studio albums are played, in all instances, superior to their studio counterparts.
We kick things off with a stellar version of "Song For America" which was a killer rendition. Next is a 1-2 punch of the Point of Know Return's two opening cuts of the title cut and "Paradox" which both trump the studio versions. Next is "Icarus - Borne on Wings of Steel" which decimates its studio counterpart. We then have a killer version of "Portrait (He Knew)" which segued into a stellar version of "Carry On Wayward Son". The first disc of the original album closed with a superb rendition of "Journey From Mariabronn".
The original album's second disc started with a beautiful "Dust In the Wind" which is a great version. Then we have solo spots from Richard Williams and Kerry Livgren on acoustic guitar and piano respectively as a lead in into a wonderful rendition of "Lonely Wind". Then a rocking rendition of "Mysteries and Mayhem" is next which then goes into an instrumental segment of "Lamplight Symphony" which gives way to a beautiful version of the Leftoverture album cut "The Wall". Next is a stellar "Closet Chronicles" (which was left off original CD due to time constraints but appears on the remastered 2-CD set on disc two for some reason). We closed the original album with a killer "Magnum Opus" which dwarfs the studio version.
Two For the Show was yet another million seller for Kansas and peaked at #32 on the Billboard chart in early 1979.
For years, the album was given a shoddy CD re-issue in 1989 and only way to hear the album as intended was with either LP or cassette or 8-track tape. Now, Legacy/Epic have re-released the album with a full second CD of tracks left off due to time constraints and a stellar booklet.
The bonus tracks (including the aforementioned "Closet Chronicles") are all superb. My favorites of the bonus tracks are a superb version of "Hopelessly Human", an awesome "Miracles Out of Nowhere", a phenomenal Phil Ehart drum solo with the instrumental "The Spider", an excellent reading of "Lonely Street" and a killer "Down the Road". "Cheyenne Anthem" and "Sparks of the Tempest" differ from the versions that appeared on the Leftoverture and Point of Know Return reissues respectively. The other bonuses "Lonely Street", "Belexes", "Child of Innocence" and "Bringing it Back" are all excellent additions to an already legendary live album.
Two For the Show 30th Anniversary Edition is HUGELY RECOMMENDED!
My Favorite Live Album of All Time! September 1, 2000
Sam Bethune (Lincoln, Nebraska USA)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I like live albums because they're usually raw and gritty. You get to hear the band without the benefit of too much processing, and the ambience is incredible. To that end, I unflinchingly admit that "Two for the Show" is without a doubt the best live album by any band. The fact that it happens to be by one of my favorite bands of all time, Kansas, is just icing on the cake. My second favorite live album, the Little River Band's excellent and underrated "Backstage Pass" has been unavailable for years.All of the tracks here have incredible sonic clarity that one would not normally expect from a live album. Given the complexity of most of Kansas' material and the instrumental parts, the producers did an incredible job putting this collection of songs together. I can only say that I have two complaints, both minor: the omission of "Closet Chronicles" in the transition from LP to CD, and a subpar performance of "Carry On Wayward Son". This is more than compensated for by Rich Williams' guitar solo and Kerry Livgren's piano solo following "Dust in the Wind", followed by an abbreviated version of "Lonely Wind" with a searing harmony vocal. I also like the extracted portion of "Lamplight Symphony" which is used as a segue to "The Wall". The fact that there are no reviews for this CD below 5 stars ought to be telling you something. Buy this CD! After 22 years "Two for the Show" remains my favorite live rock or pop album of all time, and it still brings a smile to my face and a song to my heart.
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