Schemer-Dreamer

1. Schemer-Dreamer/That's All Right

2. Get Too Far

3. So Many Nights

4. You Think You Got It Made

5. Every Step of the Way

6. Just How It Feels

7. Wait Until Tomorrow

Tracks:

Schemer-Dreamer/That's All Right
Get Too Far
So Many Nights
You Think You Got It Made
Every Step of the Way
Just How It Feels
Wait Until Tomorrow

Customer Reviews:

The other half of Audio-visions?.......2005-05-08

I 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.
The 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.
Wait 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.
The 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.
The 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.
The 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.
Any 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.

The best voice in Classic Rock.......2005-02-05

If you have enjoyed the lead vocals from Kansas, this CD is a must. Steve Walsh has incredible talent that goes far beyond his powerful voice. He can write music, and do it well. Check this CD out for some outstanding music composed, written and sung by Steve himself.

Wild Steve Walsh.......2004-09-15

Schemer 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.

If you are a hardcore Kansas fan, then this is a must for your collection.

Average customer rating:

OK but not anything like good kansas...
Excellent Solo Debut
STEVE WALSH~ AN AWESOME VOCALIST
The best kept secret in rock and roll
we'll never get too far

Schemer-Dreamer
Steve Walsh
Manufacturer: Sbme Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Arena Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000075YL
Release Date: 1999-12-28

Tracks:

Schemer-Dreamer/That's All Right
Get Too Far
So Many Nights
You Think You Got It Made
Every Step of the Way
Just How It Feels
Wait Until Tomorrow

Album Description

1993 Japanese reissue of solo debut by the former vocalist/ keyboardist for Kansas, originally released on the Kirshner label in 1980. Contains seven tracks, including 'Schemer- Dreamer/ That's All Right', 'Get Too Far' and 'Wait Until Tomorrow'. Guests on the album include guitarist Steve Morse and Walsh's Kansas bandmates Kerry Livgren (guitar), Rich Williams (guitar) and Phil Ehart (drums).

Album Details

Schemer-Dreamer is the 1980 solo release from Kansas' lead vocalist & keyboardist. He has expressed the notion that this recording was his respite from the band's turn toward Christian-influenced lyrics. Includes the title track (subtitled 'That's All Right'), 'Get Too Far', 'Wait Until Tomorrow' (featuring future reformed Kansas bandmate Steve Morse) & four more.

Customer Reviews:

OK but not anything like good kansas..........2001-03-26

I 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!

Of 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.

It's not kansas but it does have enough solid material to justify a 4 star rating. Because of the price i knocked it down to 3*.

....................socks

Excellent Solo Debut.......2001-03-08

Schemer Dreamer (SD) is Steve Walsh's first solo album, recorded in 1980 having split from Kansas.

SD is an essential purchase for any fan of Walsh and Kansas and features a good collection of songs. Absolute standouts are Every Step Of The Way and So Many Nights, both of which are instant classics and would feel right at home on any Kansas album, Audio Visions and before.

My only criticism is that it lacks the bite in places that Walsh had when with Kansas and when he wrote with Kerry Livgren. For instance Wait Until Tomorrow is just crying our for better lead guitar work that someone like Livgren could have provided, as is clear from his contribution on You Think You Got It Made. I'm also not a fan of the trumpet and sax on Wait Until Tomorrow.

That said this is still a strong album - so its a pity that it's only available on import.

Recommendation to buy.

STEVE WALSH~ AN AWESOME VOCALIST.......2001-02-09

In 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!

The best kept secret in rock and roll.......2000-04-25

Everyone who loves rock looks for that elusive musical gem. Steve Walsh produced such a project with Schemer-Dreamer. He is in great voice throughout the CD and the music is dynamite. "Every Step of the Way" is one of the best rock songs every written. "Wait Until Tomorrow" features the gut-wrenching guitar of Steve Morse. The rest of the CD is filled with quality tunes and has already proven to be timeless. This one may not have gotten much radio play, but it is one of the greatest rock CDs ever. Give it a try.

we'll never get too far.......2000-04-19

How can i say the great pleasure to discover this lp in 1979 in France. For me, Steve's voice and songs were the best I can hear. I saw him with Kansas at Cap d'Agde (with Foreigner) and I never forgot this unique moment. Schemer-Dreamer is pure energy!

Average customer rating:

Schemer Dreamer
Steve Walsh
Manufacturer: Phantom Sound & Vision
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000BRARU0
Release Date: 1996-11-21

Average customer rating:

Schemer Dreamer

Manufacturer: Msi Music Corp
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000DESAL
Release Date: 2002-09-10

Album Review: