Kansas, the heartland’s favorite classic prog-rock group, played a spirited 90 minutes at Mystic Lake Casino tonight to a near-sold out crowd.

It was my fourth time seeing the 38 year-old band in the last 10 years, and it was definitely one of their better performances.

First off, the new Mystic Lake Showroom seats 2,100 and features oversized theatre seats with plenty inches of leg room, cup holders, unobstructed sight lines and no seats further than 120 feet from the stage. The acoustical mix was one of the better I’ve heard across all Twin Cities venues, and the light rig was above average. Great venue!

As for Kansas, yes they lead-off the set with “Point of No Return”, highlighted “Hold On” and “Dust in the Wind” about halfway through, and ended the show with an encore featuring “Fight Fire With Fire” and “Carry On My Wayward Son.”

But they also had a rousing cover of “Eleanor Rigby” by The Beatles (from their 1998 album, Always Never the Same), other songs I enjoy but can’t name, and more importantly, “Song for America,” my favorite Kansas song. Oh, and they totally rocked.

Flanked by three screens bearing a simple brick facade, tonight was really about the music and five guys who may have played these songs hundreds of times, but still love to rock out and give 110 percent for an appreciative audience.

Keyboardist/vocalist Steve Walsh may look like he’s had a hard rock and roll life (which is true), but he’s still got the musical chops that made him one of the great rock tenors of the 70’s.During his break on “Dust in the Wind,” drummer Phil Ehart sat facing backwards on the drum kit riser mopping the sweat off his face and neck with a towel reinforcing these guys aren’t in their 20s any longer.

Bassist Billy Greer maybe has the least amount of gray hair in the bunch. He joined the band in 1986 (Power album) and loves feeding off the crowd’s energy with arms raised and healthy shout-outs. Guitarist Rich Williams may not have penned many of the songs he’s playing these days (that was Kerry Livgren), but he nails the solos like a virtuoso.

Violinist David Ragsdale may have lost the golden locks, have a penchant for sleeveless vests and purple pants, but he sure loves trodding his wireless electric violin through the crowd to stir everyone up. He also helps out on rhythm guitar on certain songs.

While I usually have to testify how Kansas is arguably one of the finest, most under appreciated treasures in American rock history, the crowd tonight gave geniune applause, cheers and multiple standing ovations to what seemed like a surprised group of musicians used to playing State Fairs, Taste of Minnesota and yes, Catholic Church parking lots in Eagan (last summer, seriously).

At one point Greer said, “You know, it’s funny because we have all these fans who have loved us for 30 years and now we’ve got 15-18 year-old fans who are finding out about us because of Guitar Hero.”

The group has 34 more live dates from now until September, and fans of all ages will have a chance to sample even more live Kansas this summer, as Sony Records has announced plans to remaster the band’s 1978 double live album, Two for the Show, and to include tracks originally left off the album.

Now that should give them a reason to “Carry On.” Sorry – couldn’t help it.