This one is just so jam picked with good tunes and great video finds, I’m going to just skip the intro and move right into it.
So once again inspired by Nat at Mini-Obs, the idea is the same as always:
Pick one of your favorite bands / artists and list 10-15 songs by that band / artist to compile your own best of compilation.
So here goes – The Best of Chicago as compiled by me:
Did I mention the great video finds? Be sure to click the song titles for some amazing video goodness via youtube. I’ve discussed how cool youtube is before as an archive for this sort of thing but I am pretty much floored with some of this stuff. Clicky away…
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25 or 6 To 4 – Chicago II
-
A Hit By Varese – Chicago V
-
Aire – Chicago VII
- Beginnings – CTA
- Dialogue Pts 1 & 2 – Chicago V
- Feelin’ Stronger Every Day – Chicago VI
- I’m A Man – CTA
- In The Country
- Introduction – CTA
- Mississippi Delta City Blues – Chicago XI
- Movin’ In – Chicago II
- South California Purples – CTA
- Take Me Back To Chicago – Chicago XI
- Takin’ It On Uptown – Chicago XI
A couple of notes:
Some may say I am cheating here because the "Ballet" is comprised of seven tracks that make up a single song cycle – but it’s my list so I can do that. And while the songs can stand apart, they are best when listened to as a single work.
The songs that comprise it are:
Make Me Smile
So Much To Say, So Much To Give
Anxiety’s Moment
West Virginia Fantasies
Colour My World
To Be Free
Now More Than Ever
And some may notice that I neglected to add anything post Chicago XI which happens to be the last album with guitarist Terry Kath. After that point I don’t own any of the full albums and wouldn’t really put any of the singles on my list. I certainly don’t want to minimize the contributions of the other band members as there is some amazing talent there but after XI they just sort of lost me.
So what did I miss? Which of the videos (you did watch the videos right?) did you enjoy most?
Cheers!
SB
Love IT!
I, too, lost the Chicago love after Kath died. You just cannot go wrong with CTA – VI, though. When I went off to boot camp in 1976, I wore a t-shirt with an iron-on from Chicago VIII (the one with the red bird.) I loved that band.
AND I don’t listen to people who dis them. I figure they’re basing their opinions on the sappy Peter Cetera ballads of latter-day Chicago.
Nat,
Peter Cetera is probably my #1 “WTF happened to…” guy (or maybe #2 after Rod Stewart.) I’m not sure if he forgot he was an amazing bass player or what.
All the originals are great musicians and writers, perhaps it was just a matter of synergy. Maybe all the parts needed to be there for the magic to happen.
They still put on an enjoyable show. Bobby Lamm is still great, the horns are still amazing, and that Jason guy is a dead ringer for Cetera, but it’s not the same.
Did you watch the videos – some great stuff there.
Thanks as always
SB
Great stuff! Also:
If You Leave Me Now
You’re The Inspiration
Saturday In The Park
Saturday in the park just missed the cut really with If You Leave Me Now not too far behind. I do tend to like the more upbeat numbers but you can’t knock the strong ballads.
Thanks for the visit and the comment
SB
Ok, Sweetie,
My impression of your carefully selected song list…
You put _Make Me Smile_ on the first mix tape you made me, so that remains embedded in my heart as a favorite…Such a beautiful song!
And speaking of beautiful songs, _Colour My World_ is the song you chose for our first dance at our wedding, so there’s another breathtaking song that lives in me, thanks to you.
As for the rest of the list…they are all winners! My personal favorites from the list are:
_Beginnings_ – (although I don’t think the version on You Tube captured the amazing jam of the original) it has always been one of my favorites.
_I’m A Man_ – WOW! You know how I feel about percussion… That song is a percussion party! It just carries me away!
_Uptown_ – I must admit I’d never heard it before but I LOVE IT! (Maybe it’s because of all those Allman Bros. and Gov’t Mule shows you’ve exposed me to…That song rocks!
Good job, Man of mine!
Gina makes me smile with her comments to you!
Hey, Gina, when I saw Chicago in 1973 or 4, it was at a small college in Pennsylvania in my hometown. “I’m A Man” was the encore, and
every single one of the guys removed his shirt to do the song.
Blew my mind!
Scott —
Excellent list… saw them in Baton Rouge just before Kath died. They had to restart If You Leave Me Now twice. LOL. A great moment.
Have seen them recently — they came to the casino of all places around here — was good to see Bobby Lamm, Ritenour and the guys and hear some of the good old stuff.
Hi Elle,
Unfortunately I’ve never had the chance to see the original lineup – I think that’s why I love these video clips so much.
They still do put on a great show though – and they do give you a good mix of the old and new.
thanks
SB
what? no love for Jason Scheff, Bill Champlin and the rest of the current lineup?
nice picks though.
and what’s “24 or 6 to 4″ all about anyway??
RetroDan – I tried to give the current lineup a little bit of love but honestly I’m just not into them.
I’ve heard various stories about 25 or 6 to 4 but never anything definitive.
Thanks for the visit and the comment. Am really enjoying your blog.
SB
Well this really takes me back. I can hear them all right now. One of my favorite bands. It’s probably sacrilege, but I did play several of their hits on the piano (yes — 25 or 6 to 4 if you can believe it). Strange for a horn-based band, huh? But I loved it. And yes, including the ballads. Hopeless romantic. Heard someone defending them on NPR a couple of days ago, which always cracks me up because who cares that others are busy bashing what the rest of us like. “Beginnings,” “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is,” and Hard Habit to Break” are do die for.
They always were one of my favorites. I think Chicago II is probably one of the albums I listened to most often.
The fact that they aren’t yet in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is astonishing to me.
SB