OT - Chicago

[Art Vandelay]

I know (and agree) that Chicago's been slammed for being such a fluff band (at least from the 80's on).

But check out this old clip from their early days. Shows how talented they really were. Terry Kath's guitar playing was freakin' amazing.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=yOvGa-8-Lns

[Moon Beam]

You'll never see me rippin on em, I love Chicago.
Kath was pretty incredible.
Thanks for the link.

[Paul_UK]

I myself always preferred the 80s era Chicago! I know i'm in the minority here, but i guess its something to do with that era being the time i discovered the band and Chicago 16 thru to 21 practically created the soundtrack to my youth!

I actually went to see them a few years back and came away so disappointed cos they only played 3 tracks from the above time period. Although great musos and the practically 70s setlist was well played, i hated it!

Still love the above albums tho and always will.

[Abitaman]

I myself always preferred the 80s era Chicago! I know i'm in the minority here, but i guess its something to do with that era being the time i discovered the band and Chicago 16 thru to 21 practically created the soundtrack to my youth!

I actually went to see them a few years back and came away so disappointed cos they only played 3 tracks from the above time period. Although great musos and the practically 70s setlist was well played, i hated it!

Still love the above albums tho and always will.

I always liked the group from about 82 onward. HAve all their stuff since then. The older stuff , as far as whole cd I don't care for, but do like most of the early singles-ERIC

[Art Vandelay]

After Kath died so tragically, they really did become a new band. He was the soul in that band. When he died, the band's soul died with him.
I never thought it was fair to compare the earlier stuff with the later stuff. Apples and oranges.

Give me the older stuff, though.

[chf34jmac]

Always liked them. Thought they really brought a lot of soul and passion to their music. I used one of their songs at my wedding to dance with my mother. "What kind of man would I be" was the song. If you've never heard it, check it out.

[Moon Beam]

After Kath died so tragically, they really did become a new band. He was the soul in that band. When he died, the band's soul died with him.
I never thought it was fair to compare the earlier stuff with the later stuff. Apples and oranges.

Give me the older stuff, though.

Though Make Me Smile is a fave of mine from Kath
I love something from all their decades of good music.
Stay The Night and Love Me Tomorrow were bout perfect
to my musical ears yet didn't have the same efforts
as 25 or 6 to 4 or Old Days did.
In the later stuff I missed the Brass section biggly.

[Moon Beam]

Always liked them. Thought they really brought a lot of soul and passion to their music. I used one of their songs at my wedding to dance with my mother. "What kind of man would I be" was the song. If you've never heard it, check it out.

A goodin indeedly Sir!

[Classic Rock]

After Kath died so tragically, they really did become a new band. He was the soul in that band. When he died, the band's soul died with him.
I never thought it was fair to compare the earlier stuff with the later stuff. Apples and oranges.

Give me the older stuff, though.

My sediments exactly. Thanks for posting this video, way back in 1970 when they were still called Chicago Transit Authority. I am seeing them tomorrow in San Antonio, TX and I can’t wait, they are still a good live band these days.

[Moon Beam]

After Kath died so tragically, they really did become a new band. He was the soul in that band. When he died, the band's soul died with him.
I never thought it was fair to compare the earlier stuff with the later stuff. Apples and oranges.

Give me the older stuff, though.

My sediments exactly. Thanks for posting this video, way back in 1970 when they were still called Chicago Transit Authority. I am seeing them tomorrow in San Antonio, TX and I can’t wait, they are still a good live band these days.

I have heard nothing but good things about their live show.
Hope you have a blast and enjoy that concert high afterwards!

[styxman]

From the beginning to the middle to the Christmas to the big band to the future, all things Chicago by me anyday of the week. I love the married at the hip song get away which polishes off HTSIS....the film where they jump into the water at the end was shit, the song was the best part...Daryll Hannah starred and can I fuck remember the title Beginnings is my all time favourite followed closely by Caroline from XXX.

Enjoy the show tomorrow

[Paul_UK]

Quite right, it isn't a good idea to comapre the two eara, as like you say they really did become another band after Terry's passing.

There are some tracks from the 70s that i adore, "Saturday In The Park", "Old Days", "Ive Been Seaching", "Just You And Me", "25 Or 6 To 4", "If You Leave Me Now", "Feeling Stronger Everyday". I'd welcome any of these into any Chicago setlist, but for me it would be great to hear a few more of the 80s tunes too!

Have a fab night at the gig, i look forward to hearing what it was like and what was played!

[conversationpc]

Their early stuff from the first album through the mid to late 70s is my favorite era. I like the 80s stuff, too, but the early stuff is much better, in my opinion.

[ohsherrie]

I never really kept up with what was going on with Chicago all that much, but I liked everything I heard from them both before and with Peter Cetera. I don't think I've heard anything of theirs since Cetera. If I have I didn't recognize it as Chicago and the radio stations don't announce the artists any more.

[Matthew]

I'm utterly uninterested in the 'credible' bluesy early days of Chicago. Give me the ballads produced by David Foster every time!

[conversationpc]

I'm utterly uninterested in the 'credible' bluesy early days of Chicago. Give me the ballads produced by David Foster every time!

Most of that early stuff doesn't have that much in common with the blues. There's more of a jazz/classical/big band mix there.

[Matthew]

I'm utterly uninterested in the 'credible' bluesy early days of Chicago. Give me the ballads produced by David Foster every time!

Most of that early stuff doesn't have that much in common with the blues. There's more of a jazz/classical/big band mix there.

I still don't care, Dave. It's "You're The Inspiration" or nothing for me.

[conversationpc]

I'm utterly uninterested in the 'credible' bluesy early days of Chicago. Give me the ballads produced by David Foster every time!

Most of that early stuff doesn't have that much in common with the blues. There's more of a jazz/classical/big band mix there.

I still don't care, Dave. It's "You're The Inspiration" or nothing for me.

For that comment and the gay avatar, you must now hand over your "Musical Cred" card. If you choose not to do so, I shall be required to add you to the ten most wanted list.

[ohsherrie]

"Saturday, in the park, I think it was the 4th of July,..................................a man selling ice cream................

"Twenty five or six to four".............(I have no idea what that meant but it was a great song.)

Great stuff, I wish I had bought the albums.

[Rick]

"Twenty five or six to four".............(I have no idea what that meant but it was a great song.)

I read where they had been up all night trying to put some material together, and someone asked what time it was. The reply was "It's 25 or 6 to 4."

[Sassie]

I love Chicago.

[Matthew]

I'm utterly uninterested in the 'credible' bluesy early days of Chicago. Give me the ballads produced by David Foster every time!

Most of that early stuff doesn't have that much in common with the blues. There's more of a jazz/classical/big band mix there.

I still don't care, Dave. It's "You're The Inspiration" or nothing for me.

For that comment and the gay avatar, you must now hand over your "Musical Cred" card. If you choose not to do so, I shall be required to add you to the ten most wanted list.

Why oh why is Jonathan Cain considered to be so utterly gay? I mean...I'd expect this on a Metallica forum but on a Journey site? Where's the love for the keytar legend?

[conversationpc]

Why oh why is Jonathan Cain considered to be so utterly gay? I mean...I'd expect this on a Metallica forum but on a Journey site? Where's the love for the keytar legend?

The minute Cain strapped that thing on, they should've traded him to Frankie Goes to Hollywood for a future draft pick.

[Ms_M]

"Twenty five or six to four".............(I have no idea what that meant but it was a great song.)

I read where they had been up all night trying to put some material together, and someone asked what time it was. The reply was "It's 25 or 6 to 4."

Directv is running a 1 hour special this month and that's what they said. It was a time thing. Who knew?? I always figured it was a drug thing, LOL!

[NealIsGod]

"Twenty five or six to four".............(I have no idea what that meant but it was a great song.)

I read where they had been up all night trying to put some material together, and someone asked what time it was. The reply was "It's 25 or 6 to 4."

I thought the reply was, "Does anybody really know what time it is?"

Here's an interesting link about it and other songs.

http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/m25or6to4.html

[Moon Beam]

"Twenty five or six to four".............(I have no idea what that meant but it was a great song.)

I read where they had been up all night trying to put some material together, and someone asked what time it was. The reply was "It's 25 or 6 to 4."

I thought the reply was, "Does anybody really know what time it is?"

Here's an interesting link about it and other songs.

http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/m25or6to4.html

Thanks for the link Nig, never really mattered to me what
it was about, it's always been one of my faves from them.

[Art Vandelay]

You wanna hear some really good old stuff of theirs? Check out "Chicago Presents The Innovative Guitar of Terry Kath." It's a collection of some of the best stuff written/performed by Kath. You wouldn't believe it was the same band as today.

BTW - I also think Danny Ceraphine was a way better drummer and brought more soul and passion to the rhythm section.

Here's the song list:
Once Or Twice
I'm A Man
Dialogue (Parts I & II)
Ain't It Blue
25 Or 6 To 4 (Live)
Mississippi Delta City Blues (Live)
South California Purples
Darlin' Dear
An Hour In The Shower (A Hard Risin' Mornin Without Breakfast, Off To Work, Fallin' Out, Dreamin'...)
In The Country
I Don't Want Your Money
Scrapbook
Free From Guitar

[styxman]

It's a shame Cetera isn't here anymore as I know there's nothin' he doesn't know about Chicago..Cetera if you're about, log on dude it's been a long time. Married or not it's time you came back

Stone of Sisyyphus rejected by Warner Brothers as it wasn't in there words a pop album was probably one of Chicagos great albums that never was..DaWayne Bailey, wonder where he's at now? Scheffs 'Bigger than Elvis' is for me one of those....isn't that a nice song, the kinda song you'd want to sing to one of your relatives - for those wondering what the fuck I'm going on about, Scheffs father played backing for Elvis but as a kid Scheff simply looked out for his father on stage, what kid wouldn't, great that he had the stage with Chicago to get across such a heart fealt song.

[Moon Beam]

Stone of Sisyyphus rejected by Warner Brothers as it wasn't in there words a pop album was probably one of Chicagos great albums that never was..DaWayne Bailey, wonder where he's at now? Scheffs 'Bigger than Elvis' is for me one of those....isn't that a nice song, the kinda song you'd want to sing to one of your relatives - for those wondering what the fuck I'm going on about, Scheffs father played backing for Elvis but as a kid Scheff simply looked out for his father on stage, what kid wouldn't, great that he had the stage with Chicago to get across such a heart fealt song.

Just heard this song for the first time last night Styxman.
Man it is a beauty, loved it on the first listen.