It's ironic, isn't it, that whilst some progressive rock musicians are abandoning their careers because of a claim that illegal downloading is killing the album industry, at least one other thinks that it's good business (or is it just for the sake of the art?) to release a third version of the same album! Maybe it's Kerry Livgren's Kansas money that is funding this personal obsession with Prime Mover rather than the anticipated sales return but the irony remains. (I have a strong view on the internet downloading issue that I won't bore you with here as it's not relevant to the review but I may talk about it in this month's "Listening Room".)
Anyway, it may be the third time out for Prime Mover - which saw a first release in 1988 under the "Kerry Livgren AD" banner, then an update in 1998 solely under his own name as Prime Mover II - but this is the first tome I have heard it, which I think actually works quite well because I can give you an honest opinion about how the album holds up in this release, rather than trying to compare it to the previous two versions. If you have got those two previous versions then you're such an ardent fan that you'll buy this third version anyway, regardless of what I say!
Filling in on a little bit of the history is appropriate though, because it can't be often, if ever, that an artist issues an album for a third time! Originally done against a tight schedule and on a low budget Prime Mover was Livgren's own least favourite post-Kansas work until it was reworked in the 1990s. The original analog recording was transferred to digital but, because one of the tape reels had deteriorated badly, the songs on that were redone from scratch. Also, all of the drumming, originally drum machines, was actually played this time round. As technology improved since the 1990s it became obvious to Livgren that the quality of the recording and,in some cases, the quality of the performances could be greatly improved, so he set to work again on what is now before you, Prime Mover (Redux). Most of the drums were re-played and extra guitar and harmonica parts have been added. The sampled brass and woodwind sounds have been replaced by real players and instruments, as has the bass guitar. There are additional background vocals. What it sounds like to me is that what had been a solo project has now, to all intents and purposes, became a band album: Kerry Livgren (guitars, keyboards, percussion, background vocals); Warren Ham (lead and background vocals, harmonica , woodwinds); Craig Kew (bass guitar); Jacob Livgren (background vocals); Dean Heitkamp (background vocals); Daryl Batchelor (trumpet) and, finally, Bryan Nelson (trombone). Listen to the music on Prime Mover (Redux) and you'll see that these are not bit-parts, these guys have a real contribution to make to what is a fine album.
Yes, Prime Mover (Redux) is a fine album. It is oozing with melody (Livgren being an established master of this difficult art) and easy rhythm, flirting with a number of musical soundscapes from classical to folk to big band swing to jazz without ever departing from and losing sight of its major musical root - progressive minded AOR. The tempo is medium, never too low: the tempos, melodies and rhythms make this very radio friendly music I would say. It is possible to pick up on Livgren's religious beliefs through the lyrics without ever feeling as though you are having religion rammed down your throat. There are no complex song structures, no difficult time signatures. Nothing jars, lyrically or musically.
There are some really excellent songs on here: the classically minded opener "Out of Opus" and its musical cousin "Portrait II"; the hooks in "I'll Follow You"; "Brave Hearts", which is lifted by some impressive organ sonorities and "T.G.B.", which allows itself a little more self-indulgence in the instrumental virtuosity department than most of these other songs. It's perhaps unfair to pick these out because this is a consistently strong album with no weak link, with the musicians playing their instruments to great effect throughout.
Prime Mover (Redux) is, if I can offer you an analogy, like a very rich chocolate pudding. It's sweet and very tasty but, if you have too much of it, you begin to feel slightly queasy and don't want to finish your portion. What is missing from this dessert are some strawberries, or some blueberries perhaps; something with a cool, fresh taste and texture to offset the richness and sweetness of the chocolate pudding. Prime Mover (Redux) is this chocolate pudding. Listen to the odd track at random, on your ipod or on the radio, and you'll be ecstatic; try and work your way through the album and your enthusiasm may be waning during its latter third. For all of the different stylistic and musical instruments employed, it remains in the "comfort-food" region of AOR. Of course, if you're a "musical-comfort-fast-food" junkie then this may be just the album for you!
You may be thinking that somebody like me has no right offering such a paltry criticism on the music of such an able a musician as Kerry Livgren, who has over three decades of valuable experience in the industry. The answer of course is that it is me, and people like me, who week after week dig deep into our pockets and spend our hard-earned cash on music, making it possible for Livgren and artists such as him to indulge their passion in their art; that make it possible for Livgren to record and release Prime Mover three times.
Track Listing:-
1) Out of Opus (1:03)
2) Portrait II (5:50)
3) Don't Pass Me By (5:00)
4) Fathers and Sons (4:09)
5) Invantos (3:56)
6) I'll Follow You (4:37)
7) Fair Exchange (6:01)
8) New Kind of Love (4:04)
9) Brave Hearts (5:41)
10) Wandering Spirit (4:16)
11) One More Song (4:36)
12) Item 89 (4:22)
13) Children of the Shadows (5:08)
14) T.G.B. (6:18)
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