Seeds of Change (album)

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