Two For The Show is the sixth album by American progressive rock band Kansas and their first live album, released in October 1978 by Epic/Legacy Records. The album was reissued in a remastered form on CD in 2008. It was recorded during the band’s three previous tours in 1977 and 1978 and went gold and then platinum shortly after its release.

The album spawned a single, “Lonely Wind”, which preceded the album and was edited to under three minutes to include a short piano solo and received reasonable airplay, peaking at No. 60 on the pop charts.

“Two For The Show” is a perfect portrait of the energy and clever interplay that have always been on display in Kansas’s brightest moments. It also shows the six members at the height of their creativity, physical strength, and emotional peak.

Steve Walsh and Robby Steinhardt shine in their lead roles, creating an effective bridge between the band and the crowd. The instrumental parts are executed, with each part in the right place, but there is also a healthy margin of some performance freedom, especially for the guitar and violin solos. Phil Ehart’s powerful drums have a precision and tightness that are truly awesome.

Some tracks benefit from the extension they have here, such as “Portrait (He Knew)” which connects to “Carry On Wayward Son,” which has a very hard guitar duel within its extended final theme. “Journey From Mariabronn” features an additional electric guitar and additional vibraphone embellishments, thus substantially enhancing its musical richness.

The thrilling and beyond words medley of “Mysteries And Mayhem-Lamplight Symphony-The Wall” sounds as if its components were originally written during a single compositional effort that goes from exuberance to contemplation, and last but not least, the incendiary “Magnum Opus”.

The majestic “Closet Chronicles” (on the double vinyl) sounds very close to the original studio version, but definitely more pompous, with special attention to the synth and violin solos. Another track that closely resembles the studio version is “Paradox”, but in a harsher atmosphere.

On the other hand, “Icarus” confirms its structure throughout the show with passionate execution.

The acoustic section of the album begins with “Dust in the Wind”, which I select, connected with Rich Williams’ acoustic guitar solo, something like Hackett with a country flavor, and Kerry Livgren’s grand piano solo, elegant and well-organized, until the entire band returns for the closing section with the beautiful ballad “Lonely Wind”, which is also one of Kansas’s gems, which in this live performance sees its final acoustic third far surpass the emotional charge that had existed in the first studio version of the album.

Tracklist

Side A
1. Song For America 7:31
2. Point Of Know Return 3:07
3. Paradox (4:09)
4. Icarus – Borne On The Wings Of Steel 5:56

Side B
5. Portrait (He Knew) 5:20
6. Carry On Wayward Son 4:36
7. Journey From Mariabronn 8:55

Side C
8. Dust In The Wind (Acoustic Guitar Solo) 6:18
9. (Piano Solo) Lonely Wind 4:29
10. Mysteries And Mayhem 4:00
11. Excerpt From Lamplight Symphony 2:39
12. The Wall 4:53

Side D
13. Closet Chronicles 6:43
14. Magnum Opus 11:17