Seeds of Change (album)

Seeds of Change
Studio album by Kerry Livgren
Released	July 1980
Recorded	February – March 1980
Studio	Axis Studios, Atlanta, Georgia
Genre	Progressive rock, Christian rock
Length	42:26
Label	Kirshner/CBS
Producer	Kerry Livgren, Brad Aaron
Kerry Livgren chronology
Seeds of Change (1980) Time Line (1984)
Singles from Seeds of Change
"Mask of the Great Deceiver" / "To Live for the King" Released: 1980

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Seeds of Change is Kerry Livgren's first solo album. Released in 1980 while he still was a member of Kansas, it features guest appearances by three fellow Kansas members: Steve Walsh, Phil Ehart and Robby Steinhardt. Singer Ronnie James Dio and members of LeRoux, Jethro Tull, Ambrosia, and Atlanta Rhythm Section are also featured. In 1996, Seeds of Change was reissued by Renaissance Records with an interview with Livgren as a bonus track.

Background

Seeds of Change marked a new chapter in Livgren's music. It was recorded after Kerry Livgren had converted to Christianity in 1979. His religious beliefs began to be reflected in the song lyrics of Kansas album Vinyl Confessions as well as Seeds of Change. This eventually would cause tension within the band.

The inclusion of Ronnie James Dio, who was Black Sabbath's lead vocalist at the time, caused controversy, as Black Sabbath is considered satanic by some Christians. Livgren wrote that he chose Dio "strictly on the basis of his vocal abilities" as well as stating in the liner notes for Seeds Of Change that Dio "is no Satanist".

Track listing

All songs written by Kerry Livgren

Side one

1. "Just One Way" – 5:45
2. "Mask of the Great Deceiver" – 7:34
3. "How Can You Live" – 4:12
4. "Whiskey Seed" – 5:33

Side two

1. "To Live for the King" – 4:55
2. "Down to the Core" – 5:18
3. "Ground Zero" – 8:33

Personnel

"Just One Way" (track 1);

Drums - Barriemore Barlow

Bass - Paul Goddard

Trumpets and percussion - Bobby Campo

Lead vocals - Jeff Pollard

Background vocals - Jeff Pollard, Mylon LeFevre, John Fristoe

guitars, piano, synthesizers - Kerry Livgren

"Mask of the Great Deceiver" (track 2);

Drums - Barriemore Barlow

Bass - Paul Goddard

vocals - Ronnie James Dio

Guitars, synthesizers - Kerry Livgren

"How Can You Live?" (track 3);

Drums - Barriemore Barlow

Tambourine - Bobby Campo

Background vocals - John Fristoe, Joey Jelf, Mylon LeFevre

Lead vocals - Steve Walsh

Bass, guitars, piano, organ, synthesizers - Kerry Livgren

"Whiskey Seed" (track 4);

Drums - Phil Ehart

Bass - Paul Goddard

Vocals - Kerry Livgren, Mylon LeFevre

Harmonica - Darryl Kutz

Background vocals - "The Moaning Multitudes"

Guitars, mongo drums - Kerry Livgren

"To Live For the King" (track 5);

Drums - John Thompson

Bass - Gary Gilbert

Lead vocals - Ronnie James Dio

Background vocals - Joey Jelf, Steve Walsh, Donna Williams

Guitars - Kerry Livgren

"Down to the Core" (track 6);

Drums - Barriemore Barlow

Lead vocals - Davy Moire

Background vocals - Victoria Livgren

Horns - Bobby Campo

Bass, guitars, clavinet, Fender Rhodes - Kerry Livgren

"Ground Zero" (track 7);

Drums - Phil Ehart

Lead vocals - David Pack

Background vocals - Donna Williams, Brad Aaron, Mylon LeFevre, Davy Moire, Steve Venezia

Violins - Robby Steinhardt

Gong - John Thompson

Piano, guitars, synthesizers, percussion - Kerry Livgren

References

Bibliography

• Livgren, Kerry (1983). Seeds of Change: The Spiritual Quest of Kerry Livgren. Westchester, Illinois: Crossway Books. ISBN 0-89107-265-9.