CHICAGO∞
(1969-2006) but in fact (1969-1980)
Chicago was due to be ABO#002 but difficulties to find post 70s albums made me take it aside. In fact, after having listened to albums XIV-XXX, my playlist hasn't change much. So that's why this 1969-2006 best of is also a 1969-1980 one.
Chicago was a band formed in 1968 in ... Chicago (how funny). The band was so good live that CBS signed them a contract without laying any restriction to their demand. That's why the very first Chicago LP was a double LP, almost recorded in the live mood. At the time, the band's name was Chicago Transit Authority, the name of the train that most of the members used to take.
Let's be honest, Chicago has made one huge album, the first, and then after it all came wrong. If you are as tolerant as I am, you'll get a fine interest to the band until the VIIIth album. Thereafter, and mostly after Terry Kath's death in 1978, Chicago fell into such mediocrity that I can't understand why people can still have the will to give an hear to them. As I said, the major problem to post-1980 Chicago albums is Terry's absence. Peter Cetera was then the leader of the band and then turned them into a shitty love songs bog. Unless XXXth album is at least as listenable as X, XI or XIII, I won't look after any new band's production anymore.
So let's have a good hear to that not-so-bad period between 1969 and 1980 (albums I to XIV). This compilation is a double one where both CDs are chronological but in a different theme. The first brings together the pop side of the band, the second is a more experimental one which highlight is, imho, Liberation. So goooood !
CD1 - POP SIDE
1. Introduction
2. Beginnings
3. Listen
4. I'm A Man (Spencer Davis cover)
5. Someday (August 29, 1968)
6. In The Country
7. 25 Or 6 To 4
8. I Don't Want Your Money
9. Now That You're Gone
10. Dialogue (part 1 + 2)
11. Darlin' Dear
12. Feelin' Stronger Every Day
13. Wishing You Were Here
14. Takin' It On Uptown
15. Hold On
CD2 - JAM SIDE
1. Poem 58
2. South California Purples
3. Liberation
4. It Better End Soon
5. Elegy : The Approaching Storm
6. What's This World Coming To
7. Aire
8. Devil's Sweet
9. Hideaway
10. Oh, Thank You Great Spirit
1. Poem 58
2. South California Purples
3. Liberation
4. It Better End Soon
5. Elegy : The Approaching Storm
6. What's This World Coming To
7. Aire
8. Devil's Sweet
9. Hideaway
10. Oh, Thank You Great Spirit
My Chicago TOP 3 :1. Chicago Transit Authority (1969)
2. Chicago II (1970)
3. Chicago V (1972)
2. Chicago II (1970)
3. Chicago V (1972)
My Chicago BOTTOM 3 :
1. Everything between XV and XXIX
2. XII (1977)
3. XIV (1980)
4 comments:
Chicago is reaally great between 1968-78 after the death of Terry Kath(Great Guitarrist!) ,Chicago was a pop comercial band :-(
My parents had Chicago Transit Authority when I was a kid and although it was too hard for them I really loved it. I always enjoyed their first three albums but after that didn't care for much. Of course I was a teenager when Chicago 17 came out so I'm pretty sure one of their "shitty love songs" was my prom theme, lol. Anyway I agree that Kath's death was the nail in their coffin. I don't know if this is true but I once read that Hendrix said of Chicago (I'm paraphrasing) that "they have a horn section like a set of lungs and their guitarist is better than me."
This collection makes me wonder - any chance of getting a Blood, Sweat and Tears Baistophe?
geermarcus, i've heard exactly the same thing about hendrix so i'm quiet sure this was true !
for the bs&t,of course we will but maybe not now.
A great bad that went horribly bad! I look forward to this compilation of the good years! THanks! So glad to have discovered this blog!
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