Storm effects, wild riffing bass, guitar, and organ provide the bed to the opener “Tempest” off Robby Steinhardt’s first-ever solo album, Not In Kansas Anymore. Enlisting an impressive who’s-who of guests for what’s being called an 11-song “Prog Opera,” Ian Anderson, Billy Cobham, Steve Morse, Ian Anderson, Patrick Moraz, to name a few, this is the album that Kansas fans have been hoping and hungering for. Unfortunately, we get this thick brew from the ex-Kansas vocalist and violinist posthumously.
Steinhardt died at the age of 71 on July 17, 2021, but his legacy as much lives on in classic Kansas tunes like “Dust In The Wind.” On Not In Kansas Anymore, Steinhart takes center stage with his still-strong distinctive vocals as much as his sweet, cutting violin work. The layered prog sound here, led mainly through keyboards and Steinhardt’s violin and harmonies, makes for an excellent sounding record. I just wish I could say the lyrics are up to the job. Relating the overall concept of caring for Mother Earth, the storytelling is a bit trite. But…here is the music.
The instrumental “Rise Of The Phoenix” features both slow violin movements and keys as snapping wild drumming, with Deep Purple guitarist Steve Morse leading round. It makes for one of the better tunes here. “Prelude,” a mix of electric guitar, layered violin, and horns, takes a quick stab at some of the melodies of “Dust In The Wind” and leads us into that famous Kansas song. Lisa Fischer, who sang back-up vocals with the Rolling Stones for over 25 years, is front and center on this remake. Hearing Steinhardt’s famous harmony and that classic violin line, with a great jam at the end, certainly sets the tune as the centerpiece of this album.
The title track is autobiographical, mostly inspired by Steinhardt’s time in Kansas, how he put this album together, and where he was hoping to go. Another prog swirl of great playing, deep light and shade, this song particularly makes the listener wonder what Robby Steinhardt could have given us from this point onward if he hadn’t left us as early as he did. If Not In Kansas Anymore is his final word, one can take comfort in knowing he was in a good place with his music.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
