Description
One of Several Possible Musiks is an instrumental album by the American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Kerry Livgren of Kansas fame, released on Sparrow Records in 1989. The album was written, produced, and recorded by Kerry Livgren during most of 1989. According to All Music Guide the album is “a spectacular collection of songs that highlight Livgren’s prowess as a composer better than any of his previous releases and his ability as a performer free to explore musically with little restraint. Great guitar work abounds, and it is mystical, almost dreamy in places.”
I spent most of 1989 working on my first instrumental album, One of Several Possible Musiks. I must confess that I enjoyed making the album as much if not more than any I have worked on. Instrumental music was a new endeavor for me, and I found a musical freedom in it that was refreshing and fun. It seemed as if the boundaries of expression were much broader when not strapped with conforming to lyrics.
I realized, when I thought about it, that many of my favorite pieces of music were instrumental. I also realized that when I listened to them that I had never really separated them into a different category just because they were instrumental. In fact, in some ways they are more spiritual to me, as they express things that cannot be expressed in words. Words would only drag them down. It was almost intoxicating to have that freedom. [Kerry Livgren, Decade Box Set]
It’s been 10 years since Kerry Livgren recorded his first solo album for CBS, ‘Seeds of Change‘. Though the music never strayed far from the classic Kansas sound, the lyrics signaled a clear change of thinking and newfound sense of Christian purpose. The tunes were sung by a variety of vocalists, including then lead Kansasian Steve Walsh, Mylon LeFevre, and even Ronnie James Dio. Though not a huge seller, it certainly signaled change for both Livgren and Kansas, as Livgren left the band to form A.D., and produce a series of fine albums that have certainly been underexposed and probably under appreciated by all but his most ardent followers.
The promise of a new solo project was an interesting one, especially when word came that it would be purely instrumental. Instrumental albums have basically fallen into no more than a couple of categories in the Christian music business. Either they have been in the inspirational vein, in the most traditional and non-contemporary sense, or they have fallen into the quasi-new age genre. Only Omartian’s ‘Conversations‘, Keaggy’s ‘Master and The Musician‘ (recently released) and a couple of LPs from Koinonia and Paul Johnson bear much of any mark of distinction in contemporary instrumental music on Christian labels. All of which is to say, Livgren’s contribution is welcomed.
‘One of Several Possible Musiks’ is a true solo album, with Livgren playing all instruments on his own compositions, self-recorded and mixed in his own studio. The quality is excellent, and though the individual instrumentation is not listed, I suspect many of the “possible musiks” are digitally sampled and played from a key or fretboard controller. The music is varied, but much of it still rings true to the neo-classical keyboard and southern rock guitar base that was indigenous to Kansas. Trouble is, there’s nary a memorable melody to be found here. Livgren’s not the most melodic songwriter to begin with, although he has written a few strong songs along the way. But after a half a dozen listenings, I’m straining to remember a single theme. Most of this music would make better sense as a movie soundtrack, an area Livgren should seriously contemplate.
It’s going to take stronger melodies than this to make a truly memorable instrumental album, but I’ll be listening to any efforts Kerry Livgren wants to make along the way. After all, who else can you think of that can play both the guitar and the keyboard so well? [Thom Granger, CCM, November 1989]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/one-of-several-possible-musiks/158212205)
CD tracklist:
01. Ancient Wing – 4:12
02. And I Saw, as It Were…Konelrad – 4:53
03. Colonnade Gardens – 4:07
04. In the Sides of the North – 4:22
05. Alenna in the Sun – 4:16
06. Tannin Danse – 3:34
07. The Far Country – 3:43
08. Diaspora – 3:32
09. A Fistful of Drachma – 4:05
10. Tenth of Nisan – 4:45
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Sparrow Records. Re-issued by One Way Records in 1996, featuring the bonus track “Eerie Cove”. A partially re-recorded (most of the original tracks, except the guitar parts, were totally re-recorded), remixed and remastered version featuring 3 new tracks was released in 2017, entitled Several More Musiks.
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