OT: Chicago- Albums before the Foster years

[MarcelJordan]

If there is another band, I can dig would be Chicago. I've just got into some "old school" Chicago music. More than anything Terry Kath's guitar style is awesome.

Who else has any affection to Chicago? If not, try having a listen to State Of The Union, Liberation and Poem 58 for starters.

[GrandIllusionist725]

I LOVE Chicago!!!

Third favorite group by far. I enjoy everything from CTA to Stone of Sisyphus. I'm not the kind of fan that debates like others do about the Peter Cetera and Terry Kath departures, I like anything and everything that they have done. I am a fan of the ballads, but I love anything and everything horns.

[Eyeof]

Terry Kath's "Tell Me" is one of the greatest songs ever...

[Ehwmatt]

I love Chicago, but I'm an unbiased fan... meaning I love all eras of the band, which are admittedly distinctive and different from each other. But Kath was something else, and as a guitar player who frequently reads mags/books/Internet forums, Kath was/is criminally underrated.

[Joe Vana]

I love Chicago, but I'm an unbiased fan... meaning I love all eras of the band, which are admittedly distinctive and different from each other. But Kath was something else, and as a guitar player who frequently reads mags/books/Internet forums, Kath was/is criminally underrated.

They have sold over 100 million albums...and every album was a masterpiece in it's own right....but, with so many guys there was no way they were all gonna get along....no way...

Kath was a genius, and one of the top 10 players that have ever lived...period.

JV

[Ehwmatt]

I love Chicago, but I'm an unbiased fan... meaning I love all eras of the band, which are admittedly distinctive and different from each other. But Kath was something else, and as a guitar player who frequently reads mags/books/Internet forums, Kath was/is criminally underrated.

They have sold over 100 million albums...and every album was a masterpiece in it's own right....but, with so many guys there was no way they were all gonna get along....no way...

Kath was a genius, and one of the top 10 players that have ever lived...period.

JV

How'd you like XXX and Stone of Sisyphus? I think XXX is a really good album and Stone has some brilliant spots and some weird stuff (Sleeping In The Middle of the Bed for one...).

[Joe Vana]

I love Chicago, but I'm an unbiased fan... meaning I love all eras of the band, which are admittedly distinctive and different from each other. But Kath was something else, and as a guitar player who frequently reads mags/books/Internet forums, Kath was/is criminally underrated.

They have sold over 100 million albums...and every album was a masterpiece in it's own right....but, with so many guys there was no way they were all gonna get along....no way...

Kath was a genius, and one of the top 10 players that have ever lived...period.

JV

How'd you like XXX and Stone of Sisyphus? I think XXX is a really good album and Stone has some brilliant spots and some weird stuff (Sleeping In The Middle of the Bed for one...).

I loved XXX.....did not dig SOS....congrats on the new Axe......JV

[MarcelJordan]

I LOVE Chicago!!!

Third favorite group by far. I enjoy everything from CTA to Stone of Sisyphus. I'm not the kind of fan that debates like others do about the Peter Cetera and Terry Kath departures, I like anything and everything that they have done. I am a fan of the ballads, but I love anything and everything horns.

Well said! I just only now bought some of their old stuff. CTA is brilliant. Meanwhile, one of my favs. beyond Cetera and Kath was Chicago 18. My personal fav in that is Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now. (everyone else I talk to will tell me "yeah that Starship tune is a killer" ) Seriously I prefer Chicago's song that went nowhere in the charts.

Yes, Im also into everything horns and then some! Perfect example would be Southern California Purples. I can't get enough of that.

If anyone has not heard Poem 58, have a listen.

Im not familiar with "Tell Me". Have to get a hold on that one!

[GrandIllusionist725]

I LOVE Chicago!!!

Third favorite group by far. I enjoy everything from CTA to Stone of Sisyphus. I'm not the kind of fan that debates like others do about the Peter Cetera and Terry Kath departures, I like anything and everything that they have done. I am a fan of the ballads, but I love anything and everything horns.

Well said! I just only now bought some of their old stuff. CTA is brilliant. Meanwhile, one of my favs. beyond Cetera and Kath was Chicago 18. My personal fav in that is Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now. (everyone else I talk to will tell me "yeah that Starship tune is a killer" ) Seriously I prefer Chicago's song that went nowhere in the charts.

Yes, Im also into everything horns and then some! Perfect example would be Southern California Purples. I can't get enough of that.

If anyone has not heard Poem 58, have a listen.

Im not familiar with "Tell Me". Have to get a hold on that one!

I enjoy Chicago 18 as well. It wasn't a favorite at first but it grew on me quickly. My all-time favorite song is "Will You Still Love Me?" from 18, the ultimate Scheff song in my opinion. CTA is a masterpiece, and II is non stop horns and I love it. Some may think that Chicago 13 and XIV are a big joke, but they have some good tunes on it. I mean, every band has that down period right? And that was Chicago's. Off of 13, I enjoyed Street Player, Loser with a Broken Heart, and Must Have Been Crazy. From XIV: Birthday Boy, Thunder and Lightning, The American Dream.

Chicago is truly something else. I love every album, they all have something different to offer. The only thing I don't like about them is that right after they released Night and Day:Big Band, they released nothing but compilations for the next 14 years. With SOS being released, I really hope they continue a trend of more studio, less compilations.

[MarcelJordan]

I LOVE Chicago!!!

Third favorite group by far. I enjoy everything from CTA to Stone of Sisyphus. I'm not the kind of fan that debates like others do about the Peter Cetera and Terry Kath departures, I like anything and everything that they have done. I am a fan of the ballads, but I love anything and everything horns.

Well said! I just only now bought some of their old stuff. CTA is brilliant. Meanwhile, one of my favs. beyond Cetera and Kath was Chicago 18. My personal fav in that is Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now. (everyone else I talk to will tell me "yeah that Starship tune is a killer" ) Seriously I prefer Chicago's song that went nowhere in the charts.

Yes, Im also into everything horns and then some! Perfect example would be Southern California Purples. I can't get enough of that.

If anyone has not heard Poem 58, have a listen.

Im not familiar with "Tell Me". Have to get a hold on that one!

I enjoy Chicago 18 as well. It wasn't a favorite at first but it grew on me quickly. My all-time favorite song is "Will You Still Love Me?" from 18, the ultimate Scheff song in my opinion. CTA is a masterpiece, and II is non stop horns and I love it. Some may think that Chicago 13 and XIV are a big joke, but they have some good tunes on it. I mean, every band has that down period right? And that was Chicago's. Off of 13, I enjoyed Street Player, Loser with a Broken Heart, and Must Have Been Crazy. From XIV: Birthday Boy, Thunder and Lightning, The American Dream.

Chicago is truly something else. I love every album, they all have something different to offer. The only thing I don't like about them is that right after they released Night and Day:Big Band, they released nothing but compilations for the next 14 years. With SOS being released, I really hope they continue a trend of more studio, less compilations.

Great post!

Well, I must say 13 is one of their weakest. However, that was after the loss of Kath;understandable. My picks though would be Mama Take and Streetplayer. That would mean in total 4 good songs when we consolidate.

XIV not much better. That said, the tune Song For You is one of my all time favs (any band). The solo is a tear jerker for me (and remains to be).

18: WYSLM is tune I used to play for my ex-gf who became my wife . So its right up there with my favs! But 16's Love Me Tomorrow is one I play most lately. The classical ending is a total masterclass!

If you can recommend some more tunes, I'll give it a try.

[Eyeof]

Tell Me - Terry Kath

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6CyHmNu9cI&feature=related

[MarcelJordan]

Tell Me - Terry Kath

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6CyHmNu9cI&feature=related

Thanks! Got to purchase the MP3.

Ive had the pleasure of finally hearing Must Have Been Crazy. Love it! Catchy as *ell! Thanks for the hint GI725

Justin

[GrandIllusionist725]

I LOVE Chicago!!!

Third favorite group by far. I enjoy everything from CTA to Stone of Sisyphus. I'm not the kind of fan that debates like others do about the Peter Cetera and Terry Kath departures, I like anything and everything that they have done. I am a fan of the ballads, but I love anything and everything horns.

Well said! I just only now bought some of their old stuff. CTA is brilliant. Meanwhile, one of my favs. beyond Cetera and Kath was Chicago 18. My personal fav in that is Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now. (everyone else I talk to will tell me "yeah that Starship tune is a killer" ) Seriously I prefer Chicago's song that went nowhere in the charts.

Yes, Im also into everything horns and then some! Perfect example would be Southern California Purples. I can't get enough of that.

If anyone has not heard Poem 58, have a listen.

Im not familiar with "Tell Me". Have to get a hold on that one!

I enjoy Chicago 18 as well. It wasn't a favorite at first but it grew on me quickly. My all-time favorite song is "Will You Still Love Me?" from 18, the ultimate Scheff song in my opinion. CTA is a masterpiece, and II is non stop horns and I love it. Some may think that Chicago 13 and XIV are a big joke, but they have some good tunes on it. I mean, every band has that down period right? And that was Chicago's. Off of 13, I enjoyed Street Player, Loser with a Broken Heart, and Must Have Been Crazy. From XIV: Birthday Boy, Thunder and Lightning, The American Dream.

Chicago is truly something else. I love every album, they all have something different to offer. The only thing I don't like about them is that right after they released Night and Day:Big Band, they released nothing but compilations for the next 14 years. With SOS being released, I really hope they continue a trend of more studio, less compilations.

Great post!

Well, I must say 13 is one of their weakest. However, that was after the loss of Kath;understandable. My picks though would be Mama Take and Streetplayer. That would mean in total 4 good songs when we consolidate.

XIV not much better. That said, the tune Song For You is one of my all time favs (any band). The solo is a tear jerker for me (and remains to be).

18: WYSLM is tune I used to play for my ex-gf who became my wife . So its right up there with my favs! But 16's Love Me Tomorrow is one I play most lately. The classical ending is a total masterclass!

If you can recommend some more tunes, I'll give it a try.

Agreed, 13 is weak but that was the second album without Kath. Hot Streets was after his death and you could tell Chicago was going in a bit of a different direction, and Donnie Dacus (the one that replaced Kath) was a total bust. Two albums, and he provided nothing except Must Have Been Crazy from 13. But on Hot Streets, "Alive Again" is one of my top 5 songs, it tricks you with an almost disco introduction but turns into a rocker.

I love "Song for You", it's a great Cetera tune. I recommend you check out "Heart in Pieces" from 19, terrific opener. Some other good ones (that aren't really hits, but personal favorites) are "Back to You" from XXVI, and anything/everything from Stone of Sisyphus. I love the titled track, and "The Pull" might be the best song off of that record.

[MarcelJordan]

Agreed, 13 is weak but that was the second album without Kath. Hot Streets was after his death and you could tell Chicago was going in a bit of a different direction, and Donnie Dacus (the one that replaced Kath) was a total bust. Two albums, and he provided nothing except Must Have Been Crazy from 13. But on Hot Streets, "Alive Again" is one of my top 5 songs, it tricks you with an almost disco introduction but turns into a rocker.

I love "Song for You", it's a great Cetera tune. I recommend you check out "Heart in Pieces" from 19, terrific opener. Some other good ones (that aren't really hits, but personal favorites) are "Back to You" from XXVI, and anything/everything from Stone of Sisyphus. I love the titled track, and "The Pull" might be the best song off of that record.

Thanks for this!

Oh then I'm wrong. Hot Streets is from '78 (I recall Kath died that year) I messed up the sequence, because as you say Kath's not in it. Strange enough, I think No Tell No Lover is an amazing piece of work.

Will check out Alive Again.

With regards to the passing of Kath. Cetera mentioned once that Kath probably would have left the band anyway as he was working on a solo album before the accident. Makes me think of Greg Rolie; the direction on radio may have been changing, the band may have tried to be more commercial (sales we all need them!) and decides to leave.

So, that's who that other vocalist is! Im not familiar with Donnie.

I do have already Chicago 19 on CD for a long time now, but let me have a listen to Heart In Pieces. I did like that song but forgotten it!

Meanwhile, let me try The Pull.

Really enjoying this conversation

Oh, one other thing... What do you think Hearts In Trouble? One of my favs as well.


Justin

[GrandIllusionist725]

Agreed, 13 is weak but that was the second album without Kath. Hot Streets was after his death and you could tell Chicago was going in a bit of a different direction, and Donnie Dacus (the one that replaced Kath) was a total bust. Two albums, and he provided nothing except Must Have Been Crazy from 13. But on Hot Streets, "Alive Again" is one of my top 5 songs, it tricks you with an almost disco introduction but turns into a rocker.

I love "Song for You", it's a great Cetera tune. I recommend you check out "Heart in Pieces" from 19, terrific opener. Some other good ones (that aren't really hits, but personal favorites) are "Back to You" from XXVI, and anything/everything from Stone of Sisyphus. I love the titled track, and "The Pull" might be the best song off of that record.

Thanks for this!

Oh then I'm wrong. Hot Streets is from '78 (I recall Kath died that year) I messed up the sequence, because as you say Kath's not in it. Strange enough, I think No Tell No Lover is an amazing piece of work.

Will check out Alive Again.

With regards to the passing of Kath. Cetera mentioned once that Kath probably would have left the band anyway as he was working on a solo album before the accident. Makes me think of Greg Rolie; the direction on radio may have been changing, the band may have tried to be more commercial (sales we all need them!) and decides to leave.

So, that's who that other vocalist is! Im not familiar with Donnie.

I do have already Chicago 19 on CD for a long time now, but let me have a listen to Heart In Pieces. I did like that song but forgotten it!

Meanwhile, let me try The Pull.

Really enjoying this conversation

Oh, one other thing... What do you think Hearts In Trouble? One of my favs as well.


Justin

I never knew that about Kath, didn't know he was pursuing a solo project. I wonder how much Chicago would have changed if Kath never died but still left to pursue a solo career, who knows!! The style in music at the time was changing and Chicago was just going along with everyone, but can we blame them?

Hearts in Trouble is a good song, it's good to have on that box set of theirs, I kind of enjoy "Good for Nothing" which is the last recorded Cetera with Chicago song I do believe, which was on the We Are the World album.

Let me know if you need anymore suggestions, so many era's but so many classics!!

[MarcelJordan]

Agreed, 13 is weak but that was the second album without Kath. Hot Streets was after his death and you could tell Chicago was going in a bit of a different direction, and Donnie Dacus (the one that replaced Kath) was a total bust. Two albums, and he provided nothing except Must Have Been Crazy from 13. But on Hot Streets, "Alive Again" is one of my top 5 songs, it tricks you with an almost disco introduction but turns into a rocker.

I love "Song for You", it's a great Cetera tune. I recommend you check out "Heart in Pieces" from 19, terrific opener. Some other good ones (that aren't really hits, but personal favorites) are "Back to You" from XXVI, and anything/everything from Stone of Sisyphus. I love the titled track, and "The Pull" might be the best song off of that record.

Thanks for this!

Oh then I'm wrong. Hot Streets is from '78 (I recall Kath died that year) I messed up the sequence, because as you say Kath's not in it. Strange enough, I think No Tell No Lover is an amazing piece of work.

Will check out Alive Again.

With regards to the passing of Kath. Cetera mentioned once that Kath probably would have left the band anyway as he was working on a solo album before the accident. Makes me think of Greg Rolie; the direction on radio may have been changing, the band may have tried to be more commercial (sales we all need them!) and decides to leave.

So, that's who that other vocalist is! Im not familiar with Donnie.

I do have already Chicago 19 on CD for a long time now, but let me have a listen to Heart In Pieces. I did like that song but forgotten it!

Meanwhile, let me try The Pull.

Really enjoying this conversation

Oh, one other thing... What do you think Hearts In Trouble? One of my favs as well.


Justin

I never knew that about Kath, didn't know he was pursuing a solo project. I wonder how much Chicago would have changed if Kath never died but still left to pursue a solo career, who knows!! The style in music at the time was changing and Chicago was just going along with everyone, but can we blame them?

Hearts in Trouble is a good song, it's good to have on that box set of theirs, I kind of enjoy "Good for Nothing" which is the last recorded Cetera with Chicago song I do believe, which was on the We Are the World album.

Let me know if you need anymore suggestions, so many era's but so many classics!!

Yes, absolutely. Each era has their classics! Meanwhile, I have a personal favs. on Chicago XVII, two to be exact. Hard Habit To Break (a vocal masterpiece if there ever is one) and Please Hold On. With regards to the latter, I want to send you a PM, hope you can help me out.

Justin

[Abitaman]

Never was a big Chicago fan before 16. I ahve all there cds from 16 on up. But have two hits cds before that. Only liked 2 or 3 songs off each cd in the early years, but most of that may not be because of them, most production work, unless it has been remastered, bites when put on cd.

[MarcelJordan]

Never was a big Chicago fan before 16. I ahve all there cds from 16 on up. But have two hits cds before that. Only liked 2 or 3 songs off each cd in the early years, but most of that may not be because of them, most production work, unless it has been remastered, bites when put on cd.

I was like you till recently. I happened to try out the first album at my neighborhood CD shop (last one left!) and just can't look back since! 16 -21 are in my collection initially. Now, 1st through 21. That said, not everything is perfect but I have an immense respect to their history now.

Which are the old tunes you're talking about that you like?

Justin