Steve Walsh: Schemer-Dreamer CD Track Listing

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Steve Walsh Schemer-Dreamer (1980)
Originally Released 1980\nCD Edition Released April 13, 2004\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: A great album cover should give an indication of the sound of an album, or at least its sensibility. Happily, that much is indeed true with Steve Walsh's solo debut, Schemer-Dreamer, which sports what very well could be the greatest album cover in rock history. There are no less than four illustrations of Walsh, all shirtless and in running shorts, with the point of focus being an image of Walsh in sunglasses towering over a stadium and pointing two guns at the viewer (thankfully, he's being safe and wearing ear protection); above it is a glamorous head shot silhouetted by a mountain range, with his hair looking appropriately wind-swept; to the right is a shot of him singing and to the left, he's engaged in an indiscernible athletic activity. It's a portrait of an id raging out of control -- it's the Dirk Diggler album brought to life! -- and that's the sound of the record. Stepping outside of Kansas for the first time, Walsh leaves behind all of the art rock pretensions of his band and indulges himself in all his rock star fantasies. He winds with a big, loud, dumb arena rock record, one that sounds completely tied to its year, if not month, of release. It's ridiculous, to be sure -- not as ridiculous as the cover, of course -- but it's more fun than nearly any Kansas record, which admittedly isn't saying too much. Kansas fans will likely miss the ambition that marked that band's albums, since this is nothing but generic hard rock, designed to rock arenas across America. They'll probably also miss the hooks that marked "Carry On Wayward Son," since every one of these seven songs follows the template of late-'70s/early-'80s arena rock so closely that there's no space for such niceties as hooks or melodies; it's all formula, all the time. Nevertheless, it's a fascinating artifact of rock star vanity from the pre-MTV days, and it's kind of fun because of that, especially when that glorious cover is factored into the equation. -- Stephen Thomas Erlewine\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nThe other half of Audio-visions?, May 7, 2005\nReviewer: Patrick the rogue "Cool runnings" (NC, USA)\nI saw a remark somewhere, I think from Robby Steinhardt, the violinist for Kansas, that the Kansas album of 1980 (Audio-visions) had suffered because both Kerry Livgren and Steve Walsh had kept their best material for their own solo albums. One can only agree that the best from Schemer-Dreamer by Steve Walsh, Seeds of Change by Kerry Livgren, and Audio-visions by Kansas, would have resulted in one phenomenal album. Fortunately for us fans we have all three and can consider 1980 to be a banner year. \nThe production and musical choices on this album are very close to the sound of classic Kansas, though lacking many of the progressive rock elements that were normally supplied by Kerry Livgren. \nWait Until Tomorrow however would fit on a Kansas album without a blink; changes in mood, expressive, well crafted lyrics - the song begins with soft voice and piano and builds to a desperate jam-filled crescendo. \nThe ballad Just How it Feels, a tribute to his grandparents, is possibly the most poignantly beautiful and touching song ever sung or written by Steve, reminiscent of Lonely Wind, from Kansas' first album, more than Dust in the Wind. \nThe foot stomping, piano punching rocker Every Step of the Way is Steve's autobiographical statement - would have been Kansas' answer to Boston's Rock and Roll Band. \nThe energetic You Think You Got It Made was included on Kansas' Audiovisions tour playlist, was played pretty much exactly as it sounds on the album and fit in very well, testifying to how close to Kansas the sound is. \nAny Kansas fan will find much to love here. The sound is definitely in the vein of Monolith/Audiovisions Kansas rather than Steve's later work with Streets. Highly recommend this gem.\n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nWild Steve Walsh, September 15, 2004\nReviewer: Mark Polaski (Friedens, PA United States)\n \nSchemer Dreamer is probably Steve Walsh at his best in my opinion. The music has a homespun sound to it and becomes a granular look at Walsh's style. The CD was mastered well...better sounding than my vinyl edition. I especially like the cover artwork and the photo on the back. \n\nIf you are a hardcore Kansas fan, then this is a must for your collection.\n\n\nHalf.com Album Notes\nThis CD is a reissue of the 1980 solo album SCHEMER DREAMER by former Kansas vocalist/keyboardist Steve Walsh. Its seven tracks include "Schemer-Dreamer/That's All RIght", "Get Too Far", and "So Many Nights". Guests include guitarist Steve Morse and three other former members of Kansas.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nOK but not anything like good kansas..., March 25, 2001\nReviewer: MITCHELL L. GUSTAFSON Sr. (columbia, tn USA)\nI remember when this album first came out in the record stores. None of us(huge KANSAS fans) expected any such thing and we had not yet known that steve had left kansas. Of course my brother and i had to buy a copy because we were such fans of the band and of walsh as a singer. At the same time we didn't expect too much. We loved kansas for their art rock sensibilities and musicianship and frankly steve's writing contributions of late in audio visions and monolith left something to be desired. I especially was perturbed by "anything for you" a song on audio visions which is more like something from a love sick 13 year old than a rock legend who was pushing 30 years old. If that wasn't enough there is that damn cover which looks like this is a solo effort from one of the bay city rollers not the lead singer of rocks finest. What is that? A cartoon of steve in his typical short shorts and knee pad with giant guns that look bigger than him. On the back cover is a portrait of a well groomed steve with leather jacket slun over the shoulder in an obvious attempt by the record company to market him as a teenage heart throb. Give me a break! \nOf course it's the music that matters and most of what you have here is pretty decent. The first 4 songs or what made up side one on the Lp is pretty much mediocre rock music that nobody would care about if it was somebody else singing them. "So many nights" is nice power ballad and the others are ok for hard rock. It's the last three songs that i really enjoyed and those songs that made up side two on the LP "Every step of the way is steve's anthem a great 7 minutes of of where he came from and what he has been about. "Just how it feels" is a gorgeous song that steve dedicated to his grandmother. For some reason "wait untill tommorow" became the most important song to me at the time. It's really a bit depressing about not wanting to face another day. Very powerful and moving and the song includes a terrific dixie dregs jam. \n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nSTEVE WALSH~ AN AWESOME VOCALIST, February 9, 2001\nReviewer: Mark Milo (south milwaukee, wi United States)\nIn updating my music collection to CDs,this album was a definite MUST. I was glad to see Steve branch out on his own, and create a work of art that was a refreshing change from the heavier lyrics of Kansas. His voice is unlike any othe singer I have ever heard...solid and strong, yet senstive and emotional respectively. My favourite song of the cd is "Every Step of the Way". The lyrics in this song tell the story of Steve's climb to the ladder of his success. "Just how it feels" is another good one, a bit slower and easier, in a sentimental sort of way. Of all the qualities of the cd, I'd have to say the best part is, of course,...his voice..... his ability to reach the high notes, and low notes with such clarity, strength, and emotion. If you have enjoyed listening to Steve sing with the group Kansas, you will definitely enjoy this solo CD. I will probably wear it out soon, as I already have some old Kanas CDs. YOU GO STEVE!\n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nIncredible vocals- Steve Walsh really sings from the heart!, June 15, 1998\nReviewer: A music fan\nAfter listening to Kansas for many years I did not know what to expect. I don't know why I was suprised, Walsh really pulls you in and delivers gut wrenching vocals that have set new standards in the music business. The guest appearances by other Kansas members were both fresh and well done. This album also gave us a preview of what was to come with the powerfull drums by Tim Gehrt (Streets drummer) and later to be Kansas guitarst Steve Morse. This is a grass roots album with heart, soul, and a lot of good tunes. I highly recommend it!
This rock cd contains 7 tracks and runs 37min 1sec.
Freedb: 6108ab07
Buy: from Amazon.com

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