Kerry Livgren - Mask Of The Great Deceiver

[pb4ueat1390]

AMAZING SONG KERRY. RONNIE, WAY TO GO BRO, SING FOR THE KING RONNIE, SOMETHING YOU SHOULD OF DID MORE OF A LONG TIME AGO.

JESUS. . . .OUR LORD AND KING ! MAY 21ST, 2011.

[steelybear]

I think the Bible warns us of the mask of the Great Deceiver - which today I am pretty sure are most all organized religions; today's version of Christianity included.

[santyrush]

the vocals, remember me to R.James Dio.......... my opinion...

[iamkansas1]

If you have ever met Kerry Livgrin whichI have or seen his testimony on the 700 Club

or bought his CD Seeds of Change which has a testimony at the end of it ,you would KNOW were he stands and why he got Dio to sing on 2 of the songs on that CD .Stop making stupid remarks about him if you don't have the facts

[Slacktest]

this is so bad.

[HorenziAndTheAlps]

Amazing!

[TheBlueCream]

beautiful song..thanks for the post !

[rickyon]

You're welcome!

[00darkrai00]

I think that strangely this song has Christian meaning and it's not about politicians because at some point it says "the morning star" and you should know that this means the devil who's "'The Great Deceiver"...

[rickyon]

Not strangely, it definitely has Christian meaning. Kerry had just become a Born Again Christian. Almost all of his writing had turned to religious topics by this time. The Great Deceiver is the devil.

[59coop]

"REJOICE. REJOICE. REJOICE. It's a simple choice!"

[1020293]

Por favor...mas videos y menos fotografias

[Gor1on]

Rip Ronnie

[rickyon]

Easy! Take a pill my friend!

[ianpw2]

utter shit

[osiruskat]

The early comment of this song being orchestral is soo true. I didn't think that way at first but I like the concept.

[metropolisimages]

Dio was an amazing singer, awesome person and will be missed! RIP

[kwhitegocubs]

I don't completely agree with mkanix, but I do lament how far to the fundamentalist right and political/social right he went. He's by far my favorite musician, but I find it strange how someone could lament and sympathize with the Native Americans of "no man owns this earth we're on", or write "The world is corrupted and the strong take the weak" and later go on to the very earliest tea party rallies (before he had the stroke) which are radically pro-Capitalism and pro-Property.

[rickyon]

Since you don't really know the man and can't possibly speak for him I suggest that you limit your musings to what we all know for sure and keep the oh so tired political rhetoric for a political forum. Enjoy the music and pictures!

[diosnake]

@rickyon --so what is wrong with pro Capitalism? I will give him credit for taking a pro capitalist stance; unlike most entertainers. Do you want communism? Just ask Eastern Europe; how's that working for them back in the late 80s? And heavy socialist regimes like in Greece end up in mountains of debt.

RIP-Ronnie James Dio

[rickyon]

I wasn't commenting one way or the other about his politics. In fact I was saying that this is not the forum for political discussion and I suggested that he take it elsewhere. I also suggested he do a little more research on the man before he starts pontificating on someones inner feelings and convictions!

[umbilical007]

@kwhitegocubs You sound like a typical liberal... you claim to want to "conserve" the earth, resources, blah, blah, blah! But the only ones that have CONSERVATION in the truest sense, is the CONSERVATIVE! Kerry is a CHRISTIAN, in the sense that he believes that JESUS CHRIST is the only one that can truely CONSERVE (SAVE!) the world! Liberal idiots like yourself still believe OBAMA can! If youwant to give what you own to some indian in need, go ahead! But don't pretend that you speak for Kerry!

[Arglactable]

@umbilical007 You sound like a typical idiot, throwing out buzz-words you don't understand and feeling superior because of it. Have fun living under the happy delusions of a 2000-year-old myth, I'm sure it's much more comforting than actually dealing with reality.

[Admiralandrian]

@kwhitegocubs He did it for teh lulz.

Srsly though, wtf is a born-again Christian doing making a song with a self-proclaimed Satanist?

[rickyon]

You need to do some more research my friend. RJD was in no way,shape or form a Satanist.

[Admiralandrian]

@rickyon RJD might not have been, but IQW sure as hell was!

[TorchedIce]

@Admiralandrian What makes you think Dio was a satanist?

[Admiralandrian]

@TorchedIce Because we were involved in a Satanic ritual orgy together in ur mom's basement.

Are you suggesting that he was... ...deceiving me? IS THAT WHAT THIS SONG IS ABOUT?!!!

[airrunwesker]

@TorchedIce hahaha! You can see his Strypes so you know he's clean...\



[KainShadow]

@Admiralandrian ?? what are you talking about, RJD wasn't a satanist

one of the best person in the scene, a pro not only in music but in life, imho

[Admiralandrian]

@KainShadow !! What are YOU talking about? I never said RJD was.

[apologiamixer]

@Admiralandrian Livgren's book Seeds of Change is a must for those who wonder about his performing such a song. He went from the cultic Urantia book to the Bible, and music of Seeds of Change came about as a result of this spiritual journey.

[tacomadc]

Simply stunning! RIP Ronnie, and God bless Kerry - awesome! Love the Hagstrom too!

[boxboypab]

i never get tired of listening to seeds of change ... as fresh now as 30 years ago.

[mkanix666]

Too bad he went born again psycho. Best way to screw up a good career and drive away fans.

[rickyon]

Who are you talking about?

[nwhtg]

@rickyon I agree, who are you talking about mkanix666? I believe I know. I hope ronnie is with our Father in Heaven and not with your 666 deceiver.

[nwhtg]

@mkanix666 I hope Ronnie is with our Father in Heaven and not with your 666 deceiver.

[MattMatius]

@nwhtg Ronnie wasn't a believer of God. He believed that the Heaven, like the Hell, are inside of us, and we make our choose.

[airrunwesker]

@MattMatius he believed in God, and aliens, youtube it! Aliens in his back yard!

[Gharkhan]

@nwhtg Of course he is with our Father, he was a good person, a kind and caring soul, who loved and was loved upon this Earth and that's what counts for the Heavenly Father of us all.

[MillionthUsername]

@mkanix666 Calling Kerry Livgren a "psycho" is about as stupid a comment I've seen on YT among the millions of stupid comments.

Kerry is a great man and a musical genius. I'm guessing you are neither.

[zooropa2day]

@mkanix666 What?

[johnnywubba]

RIP RONNIE JAMES DIO

[childrenofthegrave88]

R.I.P. Ronnie, my greatest icon and Influence.

[stl6281z]

R.I.P. Mr Dio

[MrFreightdawg]

and Paul Goddard is the most orchestral bass player ever!

[bbuteo]

love it love it love it!"!! this was the 80´s sounds---great guitar sound man, thumbs up

[Bseven1]

@bbuteo Mid 70's, late 70's at best.

[dgcmusi]

Hi Rick... Just finished writing out "To Live For The King"

That whole album never gets old to me ... Listened to every nook and cranny of that piece with headphones.

Kerry is a master at creating a wall of counter melody.

[dgcmusi]

I feel this is Kerry's best work !!

This is so orchestral.....

[rickyon]

Agreed Dave! I knew I liked you for some reason! It's cause your such a smart man! This song has everything I love about Kerry as a musician /songwriter and to have all those amazing musicians guesting on it just puts the cherry on top! What do think of his song "Ancient Wing"?

[bulletinman]

Pray for Dio this is his best work indeed, live for the king is good as well though this blows everything else away in my humble opinion.

[larryboyofok]

I remember when this album came out , I had become a Christian on March 23rd, 1980 and I loved Kansas so I really excited to hear Kerry had became a believer also. This album is still one of my all time favorites.

P.S. He's got a song called "New Age Blues', that is fantastic.

Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad became a Christian about the same time.

[camelandu2]

Have I not checked this out before now??? Shame on me! Awesome song, Kerry's first solo reminds me a bit of early Camel, Barlow great as always!

[rickyon]

Shame on you! In my opinion this is Kerry's best solo work of all! I love the dissonance in the passage just after the beginning before the first solo. Barlow has a lot to do with it! So does Dio! Of course the writing and playing of Livgren on both guitar and keys has everything to do with it! Check out " Kerry Livgren Ancient Wing" under related videos.

[prog4evr]

This is the best song off of that album. Livgren was in fine form on this song - on electric guitar and on the synth. Of course, Dio and Barlow are in great form on this song as well...

[luckfinger]

HE IS DIO!

[evilunixuser1]

I never thought Dio was into satan - it was just a cover. But if Dio DID become Christian - COOL! Dio has an awesome voice, regardless, and Kerry is so awesome on guitar - this is classic, regardless of any viewpoints.

[rickyon]

You're right, Dio was not into Satan and he did not become a christian. He jokingly says in an interview on you-tube that the ironic thing about the unlikely pairing was that Livgren was "one of the most black magic guys on the planet". He made Satan look pretty tame!".Livgren is amazing under rated as a guitar and keyboard player!

[Schwabenmarkus]

Hi there! Does anybody have the link to this interview some people are talking about? Thank you very much! Markus

[rickyon]

In that same interview Dio said that he doesn't believe in a heaven up there with a guy (or girl) dressed in white or a hell down there with a guy dressed in black. He said that he believes that Heaven and Hell are right here on Earth and we live with it every day!

[upthcreek]

@rickyon I think that was what jesus was trying to get across... it was only in the book of John, it promised some sort of "exclusive" afterlife... "heaven is at hand"... It's here and now !

[Kansasforlife]

Man I love that track! It's definitely my favorite from Kerry's solo work and Dio did a great job on it :-)

[rickyon]

This is such a masterpiece! From the use of dissonance in the opening segment to the thunderclap at the end! Add in Dio, Barlow and Goddard who sounds a lot like Dave Hope and you get brilliance! The whole feel of the song reminds me of Medieval times you know with the classical influence and the keys that sound kind of flugle hornish! Just amazing!

[trowerz]

Things I will take to my death.....wine...women...and..­.GREAT music, Dio, Glenn, etc.

[billethekidd]

don't forget the memory of all your deeds in this life as well

[prog4evr]

I think this was right as Dio was joining Sabbath. My, was RJ Dio in great form in these days!

[trichamonas]

Dio did this song with Livgren after he was supposedly saved. Maybe it took maybe it didn't. It's not for me to judge. I bought this record back in 82. This is pretty much the high point of the album. All I know is Kansas went down the tubes after Kerry left.

[byardw]

In Kerry's book, Seeds of Change, he never mentioned that Ronnie had become a Christian. He did comment on what a great job Ronnie did on the vocals, particularly some of the vocal improvisations he did at the ends of both Deceiver and Live fo the King, which was pretty much unexpected by Kerry. He did say that he was sure that Ronnie was no Satanist. He also mentioned that Barriemore Barlowe had mentioned to him that he had felt compelled to pray to do his absolute best.

[noiseruption]

wow, what a cool find. i didn't know DIO did anything else from the RAINBOW to SABBATH transition. sounds great!

[rickyon]

This is a real mind blower too isn't it. Heavy Metal devil worshiper (at least he was perceived that way by many) teamed up with the newly born again Christian singing about the devil himself (The great deceiver). He sings one more song on this album called "To Live For The King" which is about a life devoted to Jesus Christ! Strange bedfellows. I think I'll post that one too!

[prog4evr]

Do it! It's worth the mention! Even though I am a Christian (and might be perceived as biased), it is a strange example of Christian music contextualization...

[rickyon]

I did! I've also posted "Just One Way" and "How Can You Live" from this album.

[asherasator]

Nicely said, It's good to see ppl across borders working together. Religion is a very personal thing, it should never come before taking into consideration the human element first & foremost, before ideas, philosophies, metaphysics, traditions or speculations. That is actually really Christian. Humans come first before all things human, that's truly worshiping God regardless what one professes as creed.

[asherasator]

What's interesting is that, the opening intro (& at the end as well) King Diamond took & used it for his intro on 'Funeral' from the Abigail record. Also the theme part of the opening was used on the opening of 'Nightmare' on the Mercyful Fate - Time record (another King Diamond band).

[babybotch]

Did Dio write these lyrics? He usually does

[rickyon]

No this was all Kerry Livgren. With the success Kansas was experiencing at the time(1980-1981 they were the top grossing act in the world) their record company decided to indulge Kerry and Walsh with funds to do their solo projects. Kerry recruited many excellent musicians for this project. He had seen Dio singing with Elf in Kansas City at a big concert they were opening at and said "I like his voice and I'm going to use him some day". This and one other tune on this record is the result.

[prog4evr]

So true, recruiting Pack from Toto, Barlow from Jethro Tull, and a few notable others, Livgren put together his "best of" album...

[umasbob]

Dio also sings on Operation Mindcrime II, he sings as Doctor x along with Queensryche lead singer. If your a Dio fan your like this combo. You would have to understand the first album and the concept of the music.

[EilertPilarmDM]

Kerry Livgren at his songwriting finest, with Ronnie James Dio in splendid voice.

One of my favorite tunes ever.

[tmdkshaft]

At 2:52, I think that's the first time I've heard Dio's voice go that high!

[aiteoband]

you sir, need more Dio, and quickly ! :-)

[tmdkshaft]

Hmm...I'm thinking Rainbow Eyes/ Catch the Rainbow, but that's where his voice is just soft, not necessarily high. Anything I'm missing?

[rickyon]

That is just falsetto which isn't very hard for any singer (or a lot of non-singers for that matter). I'm sure that Dio goes higher than that many times in natural voice and the amazing thing with him is the power behind his voice!

[tmdkshaft]

lol ozzy can't do that XD

[rmandrums]

Great song. I remember when this first came out. Man, all of the great musicians Kerry had gotten for this album. The drummer was Barrimore Barlow from Jethro Tull. He and Phil Ehart were two of the greatest drummers to come out of the seventies. Keep up the great songs and thanks for posting.

[rickyon]

You're Welcome! Check out the other Livgren posts and anything else that catches your eye! Being a drummer myself I have to wholeheartedly agree with you. Barlow is amazing and Phil is no slouch either! It looks like from your screen name you might be a fellow drummer! Well you may notice that a lot of what I've posted has particularly good drumming by some amazing players so I hope you enjoy!

[diggerHR]

This is an incredible song. I have listened to it many times on the "U Man's" KSHE Classic show. Thanks for posting.

[rickyon]

You're welcome! Check out the other Livgren tunes I've posted.