This was my request. 😇 Glad you liked it! It’s their hidden gem. South California Purples on this album has a blistering solo as well, though not as long. 🎸🎸🎸 CTA is a great guitar album with (also great) horns.
@@shruti403 For me it's a toss up between Poem 58 and Introduction, which features Terry Kath's incredible baritone lead vocals as well as showcasing each performer. It was an appropriately titled opening track for their debut album and also was written by Terry Kath.
The beauty is Terry on guitar, Peter on bass, and the often way under appreciated Danny on percussion. They could have easily been a perfect power trio. Then when you add Robert's keyboard and piano compositions and harmonies along with the ultra talented horn section. You have perfection. Chicago is one of the rare bands that you think their studio recordings are Great. But then you see they live and realize they sound way better live. Love them and love y'all's reactions too.
Terry Kath is NOT underrated. Maybe you just haven't been paying attention. Chicago was not based on one name at the beginning. According to what I've read, Hendrix even acknowledged Kath's chops, along with other musicians I've met over the years.
You have to, not just listen, watch 25 or 6 to 4. Live at Tanglewood 1970. You will need a change of pants guaranteed. Also y'all have to watch The Terry Kath Experience. It was made by his daughter who was only like 2 when he died. It is as enlightening into the world of Chicago as Beyond the Lighter Stage was to Rush.
I'd never really bothered to check out Chicago in the past, as I'd had them down (in my mind at least) as some sort of a soft MOR rock act - then I saw the clip you mention. Kath is truly electrifying.
I grew up with Chicago, but the movie on Terry was stuff I didn't know. Such a loss. I recommend you listen to some more of Terry Kath( singing and or guitar work) then watch the movie. So so good. Terry Kath in my book is one of the great guitarists ever. Now you understand why they went sappy ballads after he died. Who the hell could ever fill his shoes??? This album was their best I thought. Those horns and guitar. Omg!! This band was so tight. I don't subscribe to patreon, I had their albums up to the 80s. Lost interest with their sappy music. Play the hell out of the pre Terry Kath death music. 1) led zeppelin 2) Chicago 3) Creedence Clearwater Revival. Top 3 in my book. We were known as the kids who never left their bedrooms except for school. Food and sleep. Literally so much amazingly music to listen to on albums. The headphones were not that great back then. Must be amazing more so now.
@@RabbiSteve Except that Robert Lamm wrote this song and sang lead, as well as writing and singing their two big hits from this album, Beginnings and Does Anybody Know What Time it Is, and writing their biggest hit from the next album, 25 or 6 to 4. In fact, Lamm wrote most of the 1st (double) album.
Seraphine retired to Thousand Oaks CA years ago after a somewhat tangled departure from the group. He reformed a group called 'California Transit Authority' (i.e. CTA) that I saw a couple times in Calabasas. I hope he's doing ok. As a kid I learned a lot about bass playing listening to stuff life this. Bless Nick and Lex.
Terry's enormous intensity and obvious greatness always had an emotional basis to it and that's why after all these years it still holds up. When Hendrix told him "you play better than I do" it's easy to see why he said that. Nick, you're completely right about Terry being a genius and regrettably he left the world to soon.
You have hit upon one of the greatest jams in rock history, and one of my favorite Chicago songs. Each instrument is just going off full tilt. Great stuff.
If you like that, you may like this. Here's a link to a TH-cam clip of Focus performing 'Anonymus II' for the BBC back in 1972. Sadly, they're a band that seems to be mostly remembered these days for their 'novelty' hit 'Hocus Pocus,' but boy, could they play!: th-cam.com/video/NsOxoaQCKtI/w-d-xo.html
There’s nothing like raw, vintage Chicago from the get go. And Poem 58 is one of those hard driving, rockin blues rippers that really helps to give this album a nasty edge. Terry Kath was just out of this world on that song. And then there’s the epic “ Liberation “ which puts the icing on the cake for their debut.
The end of the 60's and beginning of the 70's was a time when music took a quantum leap forward. This album was Chicago's debut album, a two record set, and although it is far from typical compared to today's music, it fit right in with what was going down in the recording industry at the time. It was an exciting era to live through and experience, and it's so great that so many younger fans are discovering it all over again. Long live great music, and great reactions like this!
Liberation, the last song on the album, was recorded live in the studio. It is 10 minutes of Terry Kath showing all of his chops and making all of the sounds a guitar can make.
Incredible playing by Kath and the others and great songwriting and lead singing by Lamm. You can see why I saw them 6 times between '70 and '75. They were my favorite at the time!! So glad you are discovering their magic, and am excited for you to hear more!🎵❤️🎵
Terry's last recording with Chicago featured a song with no horns and was said to be a sample of what was to come on his upcoming solo album. His new band had no horns. Sadly the day he was to start recording was also the day he died. The song is called, 'Taking It On Uptown,' and his guitar and vocals are at their peak. No one has reacted to this song yet so you may be the first. I enjoy what ya'll do. Keep it up.
This band is so talented. When I was in high school I remember a friend asked me if I could combine two bands who would I choose. My answer at the time was Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin. When I got older the answer became Porcupine Tree and Yes. if I was asked today I might have to go with Chicago and Steely Dan.
Would have loved Terry to lay down a solo on a Steely Dan song. So great. Most people were looking at Hendrix and Clapton in 69 but come on man! Terry had it going on!
Early Chicago with the original band was amazing, they were in constant rotation back in the 70s. The first 3 albums are classic, before they mellowed out. Check out their set at Tanglewood in 1970. Incredible stuff. RIP to all they lost, the original lineup was never truly replaced. Enjoy! 🎵🎸🎹🎷🎺🎤🎶
As an older musician who was blessed to hear this music when it was fresh and new, it is so gratifying to watch the reactions of today's young musicians. I love that a much younger generation of music lovers and musicians are now discovering the genius of Chicago. Congrats!!
Saw CTA back in 68, six months before the album came out. Just blew us away. And we were there to see Hendrix. Chicago was the warm up act. Great memories of this era of music.
YES! Beginnings next with Lex! It's a great love song for the two of you, plus it's one of their best horn arraignments (and that's saying a lot!). Poem 58 is an under appreciated tour de force that shows their chops for the blues and hard rock.
If it's from a certain Jim who lives in England, he probably liked everything but "Free Form Guitar", which is a bunch of feedback. This piece was always one of the album highlights for me. My high school and a neighboring one pooled our resources, and had the group play a school dance when they were touring to promote this album. See the interview on the Musician's Hall of Fame channel with Chicago's James Pankow about Jimi Hendrix liking guitarist Terry Kath, and wanting to collaborate with the band.
Terry Kath was self taught guitarist. He wrote introduction. James Pankow sat an wrote the music for the rest of the band as per Terry's instruction since Terry could not read or write music.
Side 4 on the album is them getting political. "Prologue..." is a recording of a crowd chanting as police were beating up and arresting anti Vietnam protesters. This segues into "Someday" , and "Liberation" is the album finale. ("Live" meaning live in the studio - no overdubs.)
Chicago's producer was a member of the early Mothers, for a brief time, and he seemed to have taken away from that experience that a rock band with horns, and a psychedelic edge, could be commercial, in a way Zappa's band could not.
Great reaction, Nick. Terry was not only an unbelievable guitarist, but arguably also the best vocalist in the band. The whole Terry Kath part of the Chicago catalog is just fantastic.
Sorry, I have to disagree on Kath being the best vocalist in the band. There are moments in the song Make Me Smile where he hits sour (out of tune notes ) Lamm wrote and sings lead on Poem 58.
A truly phenomenal first album. They were an incredible band that slowly transitioned into a hit-making machine that completely took them away from this type of music. Some of their slow stuff was great, but the popularity of it took them away from what they were best at. So many people have no idea what Chicago started out as because of all the mellower stuff that was played on the radio later on. You really have to do yourself a huge favor and listen to 'Ballet For A Girl From Buchannon' from their second album. It starts with 'Make Me Smile', which you might have done already. It's a suite that was written by James Pankow, the trombone player, and consists of five songs (I think), with huge departures throughout. I guess I have to include this to get 'Ballet ....' done, but trust me, you'll love it. #nicknlexrequest
Hola Nick. Allá, a finales de los años 60s, yo era un jovenzuelo de apenas doce años de edad cuando escuché por primera vez las rolas de ese disco de Chicago, y desde ese momento yo quedé flechado por la música y canciones de esta gran banda de Jazz-rock. Terry Kath fue un gran admirador de Jimi Hendrix, y al escuchar cómo tocaba la guitarra, se escucha y siente esa influencia. Esa música es atemporal y llena de mucha energía. Te recomiendo que reacciones a otros grandes rolones de Chicago: 'A Hit by Varese', 'Oh, Thank You Great Spirit'. Saludos desde Monterrey, México.
ok. now Chicago VII Prelude to Aire then Aire then Devil's Sweet. (side 1 of the 2 album set) i received it as a Christmas gift in '74. put it on, this was the first thing i heard. or, do the whole album in an ultramarathon.
For me Chicago VII is up there with CTA as their best. CTA was rawer and had the energy, but with VII they put it all together, with all the songwriting contributions and studio mastery.
WOW! Of all the possible suggestions from this classic LP for you to react to, I never imagined this one would get the nod. Not only is it longer than most, but it lacks the notoriety if such tracks as SC Purples, I'm a man, Question 67 & 68, Beginnings, etc. Kudos, kudos, a thousand times, kudos!
As one of those "Boomers" (59 going on 60), I grew up listening to the REAL Chicago. It broke my musical spirits when Terry Kath died. When discussing Chicago, I always point to "Poem 58", "Introduction", "25 Or 6 To 4", and "Ballet For A Girl In Buchannon" as what people should listen to, to understand their roots. After recording "Poem 58", Kath's guitar needed a cigarette!
Looking forward to seeing California transit authority in Seattle in November Drummer Danny Seraphine’s band With members from the late Keith Emerson’s band
Liberation, final track on the album, is a must. CBS used the first part of the song as its intro music for NFL telecasts. BTW, what will blow you away more than the talent is that they were between 23 - 25 years old when this was released.
I began college at age 17 in 1969, Came from a rural town with no "underground stations". My immediate education into great music was: 1st led Zepplin album. 1st Santana album, Ist CTA album, !st black Sabbath, 1st Rod Stewart, 1st Edgar Winter, etc. Whan I hear you talk about what it must have been like to hear all of this great music at a young age it warms my heart. It is why people of my era are glad for the opportunity you provide for them. Oh Yes---Try they're 1st album!
I sent the album and it was my pleasure to do so. The vinyl looked to be good but I didn't play it. Regarding the frame: The plexiglass has protective plastic film on both sides you can remove if you haven't. Regarding the "live" performance Liberation on the album. I believe the use of the word "live" in this case pertains to a live studio recording. This means all musicians playing the song at once with tape rolling without stopping. In The Terry Kath Experience producer Guercio states the song Introduction was recorded live in one take. Thank you very much for getting back to to this album which earned Chicago Transit Authority a Grammy Nomination for 1969 Best New Artist. The album itself was installed into The Grammy's Hall of Fame in 2014. What a nice thing to come home to.
Terry Kath is one of those guitarists like Jerry Garcia who can come up with endless streams of improvisation. This music epitomizes the jam band style of rock from the late 60's. I think these guys just went into the studio "ran the tape" and started jamming. This album and the group itself came out of nowhere. I think this album was underappreciated at the time but I heard it when it first came out and I always thought it was a monster. And I still say this was their best. BTW you have to listen to Abraxas by Santana it's right up there with Dark Side of The Moon IMHO. You can't call your guitar education complete without studying Carlos Santana, he's right up there with Clapton and Gilmour. As a guitarist I strongly urge you to listen to his work. He's one of those guys that you will ask yourself after you hear him, why have I never heard this guy!
Another great review Nick, loving your passion for Terry and Chicago in general…another brilliant guitar solo on CTA is South California Purples, killer blues based playing 🎸😎
I went from playing surf music with my JazzMaster through my BandMaster, and drinking coke-a-cola... to getting a Strat, a Dual Showman, BigMuff and drinking beer with a whole lot of dope because of the Group, and especially because of this Album. 😎🤘Thx, Nick!
Hi Nick, If I may offer another song recommendation it would be for you to listen to “It Better End Soon” off their Chicago II album. Just know that it takes an entire album side because it is comprised of four movements. You and Alex will love it!
A hidden gem from Chicago Transit Authority! Wasn't one of the hits and didn't get the radio airplay of Beginnings or Does Anybody Really Know What Time it Is? but in many ways, a superior composition and arrangement. It's one of Robert Lamm's most sophisticated songs and Kath's guitar work throughout is just searing! When the horns and Lamm's lead vocal kick in, the song enters such a fantastic groove! Always loved this one.
Terry is amazing! He was about 23 when this was recorded. Peter Cetera is a great bass player. He doesn’t get enough credit for his in-the-groove playing. Same with Danny Seraphine’s job on the drums! James Pankow’s arranging is fantastic. I was born and raised in Chicago and attended the same schools as Terry. I wish I still had the CTA album! I wore it out and I was listening to it on an excellent turntable. Thanks for speaking so positively about Terry and Chicago.
I heard this first when I was 12 and played the drums to this. We had three 3’x 5’ clear and punchy electro Voice speakers that made it real performance like. I loved their early music…
I know this is 8 months old, but actually just came across . First love this kinda of format , fantastic. You mentioned jimi . As everyone knows his electric stuff is out of this world. Something that totally changed my attitude towards him was his acoustic stuff , yeah I said acoustic. Just dive in you'll look at him a totally different way. ✌️
I don't know what they had in the way of pedals back then but certainly nothing like today. I think most of those crazy sounds were mainly coaxed out of the guitar and Amp.
My cousin introduced me to Chicago when I was around 8 .... My life changed as my cousin would play guitar as we listened to them. Your reaction Nick made me emotional remembering my cousin who is no longer with us and how he loved these guys. And I do as well.
My favorite song of all time, but only for the last couple years. You two absolutely should do the album for paid members😜 This is my new fave all time band of all time over the same time frame... Yeah always thought they were love songs, easy listening rock🤣 I started really listening to Terry Cath maybe 2 years ago... Older very fave songs/Bands of all time in no particular order... Jimi Hendrix, Hey Joe, also Castles Made of Sand The Doors, Riders on the Storm The Beatles, A Day In The Life Led Zeppelin, 4 songs have been my favorite of all time during my life... First Stairway to Heaven Later in life, Whole Lotta Love. Later still, All of My Love Now for a few years, it's No Quarter.. Tool doesn't do it justice in the cover... Tho... I'm 47. Tool is the best band of my generation. They recently passed AIC for me... In my generation. I consider it to be ability to listen to music differently... Because of reactors like Nick n Lex!💯🔥❤️ Tool 48 and 6 is epic Undertow and Sober other very faves... Frankenstein by The Edgar Winter Group. Oh Damn. The Cure A Forest Stevie Knicks Edge of 17 Alice In Chains wow. Dirt whole fricken album as well as Facelift 🔥 Would the fave... The bass lead... Rain When I Die and Down in a hole Also Love Hate Love, and God Am... Peace all, and thanks Nic N Lex for Chicago Transit Authority 💯🔥
when I was a little kid.. a baby .. my old man would put Chicago Transit Authority on my little shitty record player to make me go to sleep.. that and the Easy Rider soundtrack Terry Kath was like my nursery rhymer. That and the horns .. amazing.. thanks so much. Now I want to go to bed :)
Terri was the only one in band that wasn’t classically trained, I believe all others went to music conservatory at DePaul, he couldn’t read music - self-taught by ear, just innately talented..
This album is amazing! Each section of most songs highlight an instrument / player/ section/ vocalist.. then it transitions and you don’t know what’s gonna happen next …. But find out it’s fantastic.. check out my favorite,, make me smile (the ‘suite’ version) and questions #… and.. ? the live versions from this album from tanglewood mass. Are epic for terry’s awesomeness.. particularly the 25 or 6 to four solo!!
All the bands were listening to each other, gathering musical ideas, competing with each other. You can tell they were also picking up ideas from blues and jazz. Can you imagine hearing Hendrix and Miles Davis Bitches Brew at that time. Everything was new and it was a great creative period.
The first Chicago (this one) was outstanding much because there was a lot of Terry on it. From the second Chicago and on there was not many solos by Terry. Check out the 4 side of this one, Liberation almost 15 minutes, a lot of Terry playing here.
The thing is, when this album came out, it was something new!! Brass instruments playing with electric guitar, great bass lines all with elements of Classic Rock, Jazz ,et al...we loved it!! and still do!!
I bet the people you grew up listening to had listened to Cream growing up. There are so many recognizable Clapton licks in early metal. Much of Cream was blues based, and you didn't have to learn music theory, just pentatonic patterns on the neck. Clapton added what he learned from people like B.B., Albert, and Freddie King and Buddy Guy to the new amplifier technology. Though it doesn't sound overdriven by today's standards, his 1966 John Mayall Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton album was a breakthrough in guitar sounds. He had to argue with the sound engineers, who considered distortion to be bad. Now Marshall makes Bluesbreaker guitar pedals. Cream was formed later in 1966, and amps were getting more powerful all the time. Clapton had his "woman tone" , a distorted sound with the tone knob dialed down, just like the one T.Kath used on this song after the horn stabs right before and behind the singing. Hendrix was harder to copy. Besides the blues, he added rhythm techniques from R & B and was having custom effects pedals made, and was expanding on the pentatonic patterns. Many could copy Clapton, but if you could play the intro to "Little Wing" from the Axis album, you were good. That's why Vai plays that song. I think Hendrix's use of unison bends and the way he used the 9th of the scale in 1967 influenced a lot of people who started throwing that note in whether it made any harmonic sense or not .Vibrato and bending connects with people because it mimics the human voice, whereas just going up and down a scale as fast as you can conveys more frustration, anger, and maybe a need to prove oneself. It was confusing when after hearing Rory Gallagher you said blues was inferior music, and then a while later you liked Thin Lizzy and Tommy Bolin, which are blues rock based. This made me change my lists, though I have 1 Cream song because it has the fastest lick I ever heard from Clapton. I also had a version of Cream's cover of "Crossroads" where bassist Jeff Berlin (Bruford, S.Henderson) plays all of Clapton's solos on the bass. Maybe I'll put it back on the list.
I luuuuv the way you’re going to protect that treasure.. truly a masterpiece.. easily top ten album ever, a double debut - unheard of- they insisted and had to agree on reduced royalties..
What is truly unbelievable is that Jimi Hendrix in only 4 years (mid-1966 to fall of 1970) created so much music in that time. Outside of his three studio albums are so many outtakes and tons of live stuff. His posthumous album 'Voodoo Soup' (which I'm sure is out of print now) has some really good stuff on it. "Pali Gap" being one that comes to mind. The casual fan has probably never heard it but, to me is a great track. Another posthumous album is simply titled 'Blues' and is really good as well.
This was my request. 😇 Glad you liked it! It’s their hidden gem. South California Purples on this album has a blistering solo as well, though not as long. 🎸🎸🎸 CTA is a great guitar album with (also great) horns.
Great Request!
I bought the album 1971. Poem 58 was one of my favorites along with Introduction.
Liberation!!!
Great Choice Jim!! Whenever I go back to listening to Chicago I start with CTA and this song is their best on the album I think.
@@shruti403 For me it's a toss up between Poem 58 and Introduction, which features Terry Kath's incredible baritone lead vocals as well as showcasing each performer. It was an appropriately titled opening track for their debut album and also was written by Terry Kath.
Terry was such a force of nature. A true phenom.
Imagine being 18 years old in '69 and buying this album. Yes, I was that kid. The greatest era to experience rock music. Peace out.
Me, I was twelve and it became a part of me. Still is 53 years later.
The beauty is Terry on guitar, Peter on bass, and the often way under appreciated Danny on percussion. They could have easily been a perfect power trio. Then when you add Robert's keyboard and piano compositions and harmonies along with the ultra talented horn section. You have perfection. Chicago is one of the rare bands that you think their studio recordings are Great. But then you see they live and realize they sound way better live. Love them and love y'all's reactions too.
For another example check out the isolated version of Dialogue PTII with no horns or keys. Total power trio stuff.
Thanks, Nick for giving the late Terry Kath his due......grossly underrated guitarist! 🤯👍💖
Terry Kath is NOT underrated. Maybe you just haven't been paying attention. Chicago was not based on one name at the beginning. According to what I've read, Hendrix even acknowledged Kath's chops, along with other musicians I've met over the years.
@@boblozaintherealworld3577 Terry Kath was a musician's musician....if you were in the music business (or whatever you want to call it)
@@jimilgenfitz6998 that's probably true.
I still listen to the entire album 3 or 4 times a year. It never gets old. I thank my dad for introducing me to Chicago.
1969! Who could compose this today. The virtuosity of all the musicians cannot be matched. Zep was great but this is like another level. Thanks!
A shout out to Robert Lamm and his groundbreaking compositions on CTA …
You have to, not just listen, watch 25 or 6 to 4. Live at Tanglewood 1970. You will need a change of pants guaranteed. Also y'all have to watch The Terry Kath Experience. It was made by his daughter who was only like 2 when he died. It is as enlightening into the world of Chicago as Beyond the Lighter Stage was to Rush.
I'd never really bothered to check out Chicago in the past, as I'd had them down (in my mind at least) as some sort of a soft MOR rock act - then I saw the clip you mention. Kath is truly electrifying.
I grew up with Chicago, but the movie on Terry was stuff I didn't know. Such a loss. I recommend you listen to some more of Terry Kath( singing and or guitar work) then watch the movie. So so good. Terry Kath in my book is one of the great guitarists ever. Now you understand why they went sappy ballads after he died. Who the hell could ever fill his shoes??? This album was their best I thought. Those horns and guitar. Omg!! This band was so tight. I don't subscribe to patreon, I had their albums up to the 80s. Lost interest with their sappy music. Play the hell out of the pre Terry Kath death music. 1) led zeppelin 2) Chicago 3) Creedence Clearwater Revival. Top 3 in my book. We were known as the kids who never left their bedrooms except for school. Food and sleep. Literally so much amazingly music to listen to on albums. The headphones were not that great back then. Must be amazing more so now.
One of my all time FAVORITE music videos on youtube.
Kath was AMAZING!
Fantastic documentary. I just watched it yesterday. Interestingly, Kath's widow is divorced from Kiefer Sutherland and is now with Jeff Lynne.
Terry Kath, Peter Cetera and Danny Seraphine could have gone out as a power trio and done well.
Yep. And this piece proves that!
I have said this a few times myself.
Would have been awesome!
@@RabbiSteve Except that Robert Lamm wrote this song and sang lead, as well as writing and singing their two big hits from this album, Beginnings and Does Anybody Know What Time it Is, and writing their biggest hit from the next album, 25 or 6 to 4. In fact, Lamm wrote most of the 1st (double) album.
Seraphine retired to Thousand Oaks CA years ago after a somewhat tangled departure from the group. He reformed a group called 'California Transit Authority' (i.e. CTA) that I saw a couple times in Calabasas. I hope he's doing ok. As a kid I learned a lot about bass playing listening to stuff life this. Bless Nick and Lex.
Terry's enormous intensity and obvious greatness always had an emotional basis to it and that's why after all these years it still holds up. When Hendrix told him "you play better than I do" it's easy to see why he said that. Nick, you're completely right about Terry being a genius and regrettably he left the world to soon.
Well said
We have lost so many great guitar players way too soon.
Chicago II & III are also worth a listen. Both double albums also. Incredible music on these first 6 albums. (2 albums per package)
You have hit upon one of the greatest jams in rock history, and one of my favorite Chicago songs. Each instrument is just going off full tilt. Great stuff.
Thanks for listening
If you like that, you may like this. Here's a link to a TH-cam clip of Focus performing 'Anonymus II' for the BBC back in 1972. Sadly, they're a band that seems to be mostly remembered these days for their 'novelty' hit 'Hocus Pocus,' but boy, could they play!: th-cam.com/video/NsOxoaQCKtI/w-d-xo.html
There’s nothing like raw, vintage Chicago from the get go. And Poem 58 is one of those hard driving, rockin
blues rippers that really helps to give this album a nasty edge. Terry Kath was just out of this world on that song. And then there’s the epic “ Liberation “ which puts the icing on the cake for their debut.
Well said! Liberation is a tour de force!
The end of the 60's and beginning of the 70's was a time when music took a quantum leap forward. This album was Chicago's debut album, a two record set, and although it is far from typical compared to today's music, it fit right in with what was going down in the recording industry at the time. It was an exciting era to live through and experience, and it's so great that so many younger fans are discovering it all over again. Long live great music, and great reactions like this!
Liberation, the last song on the album, was recorded live in the studio. It is 10 minutes of Terry Kath showing all of his chops and making all of the sounds a guitar can make.
Arguably the greatest song off their greatest album. In fact there's no argument about the album, never bettered by them
I might quibble with Chicago II 😉
Greatest band of all time as well!!!
@@shawnk7832 I realise that's highly subjective. but for me, the longer they went on the less they became.
I disagree. I think Chicago V is the pinnacle by far
Incredible playing by Kath and the others and great songwriting and lead singing by Lamm. You can see why I saw them 6 times between '70 and '75. They were my favorite at the time!! So glad you are discovering their magic, and am excited for you to hear more!🎵❤️🎵
Terry's last recording with Chicago featured a song with no horns and was said to be a sample of what was to come on his upcoming solo album. His new band had no horns. Sadly the day he was to start recording was also the day he died. The song is called, 'Taking It On Uptown,' and his guitar and vocals are at their peak. No one has reacted to this song yet so you may be the first. I enjoy what ya'll do. Keep it up.
This band is so talented. When I was in high school I remember a friend asked me if I could combine two bands who would I choose. My answer at the time was Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin. When I got older the answer became Porcupine Tree and Yes. if I was asked today I might have to go with Chicago and Steely Dan.
Would have loved Terry to lay down a solo on a Steely Dan song. So great. Most people were looking at Hendrix and Clapton in 69 but come on man! Terry had it going on!
That would have been cool. The first time I saw Chicago the opening act was The Dan, who opened a pretty amazing evening of music with Boddhisatva.
I read somewhere that Aja was on TK’s turntable when he died.
Early Chicago with the original band was amazing, they were in constant rotation back in the 70s. The first 3 albums are classic, before they mellowed out. Check out their set at Tanglewood in 1970. Incredible stuff. RIP to all they lost, the original lineup was never truly replaced. Enjoy! 🎵🎸🎹🎷🎺🎤🎶
As an older musician who was blessed to hear this music when it was fresh and new, it is so gratifying to watch the reactions of today's young musicians. I love that a much younger generation of music lovers and musicians are now discovering the genius of Chicago. Congrats!!
Saw CTA back in 68, six months before the album came out. Just blew us away. And we were there to see Hendrix. Chicago was the warm up act. Great memories of this era of music.
My brother did as well, in Austin I think. Had been no airplay to that point. Imagine the shock and awe!
IMO Best Chicago Album. Been listening to it on a regular basis most of my life.
One of their very best of the Terry Kath years.
Those first few albums, maybe through VII, tough fit any band to match them. Just brilliant. 🔥
Yup 😎
Any of the albums with Terry on them are gems. Even when he is in the background, he is killing it.
YES! Beginnings next with Lex! It's a great love song for the two of you, plus it's one of their best horn arraignments (and that's saying a lot!).
Poem 58 is an under appreciated tour de force that shows their chops for the blues and hard rock.
i heard this when i was 12, in 1973. my brother's friend had the album. it changed my life.
The way his guitar licks interweave with the horns is truly beautiful!! Harmonies by these three are impressive also
The great Terry Kath. And we lost him so early. Thanks, Jim. Great to see your appreciation, our Nick. Good job. Thanks ✨😊
All Of The Guys In Chicago, Just Genius!!❤😊
If it's from a certain Jim who lives in England, he probably liked everything but "Free Form Guitar", which is a bunch of feedback. This piece was always one of the album highlights for me. My high school and a neighboring one pooled our resources, and had the group play a school dance when they were touring to promote this album. See the interview on the Musician's Hall of Fame channel with Chicago's James Pankow about Jimi Hendrix liking guitarist Terry Kath, and wanting to collaborate with the band.
Terry Kath was self taught guitarist. He wrote introduction. James Pankow sat an wrote the music for the rest of the band as per Terry's instruction since Terry could not read or write music.
Side 4 on the album is them getting political. "Prologue..." is a recording of a crowd chanting as police were beating up and arresting anti Vietnam protesters. This segues into "Someday" , and "Liberation" is the album finale. ("Live" meaning live in the studio - no overdubs.)
Prologue is audio from the 1968 anti-Vietnam war demonstration in Chicago outside the Democrat National Convention.
Has to be one of the most talented bands at that time. Right up there with Frank Zappa and the Mothers for me. Talent on top of talent.
Agreed on all points
Arf
Chicago's producer was a member of the early Mothers, for a brief time, and he seemed to have taken away from that experience that a rock band with horns, and a psychedelic edge, could be commercial, in a way Zappa's band could not.
This and "Introduction" are my two favorite songs from this excellent album, and you've done them both!
They used to say Eric Clapton was God; I say it's Terry Kath.
Heard this on the radio for the first time last night.
wow!!!!
Great reaction, Nick. Terry was not only an unbelievable guitarist, but arguably also the best vocalist in the band. The whole Terry Kath part of the Chicago catalog is just fantastic.
Sorry, I have to disagree on Kath being the best vocalist in the band. There are moments in the song Make Me Smile where he hits sour (out of tune notes ) Lamm wrote and sings lead on Poem 58.
@@stevet7487 I can't see anyone else singing Make Me Smile though.
A truly phenomenal first album. They were an incredible band that slowly transitioned into a hit-making machine that completely took them away from this type of music. Some of their slow stuff was great, but the popularity of it took them away from what they were best at. So many people have no idea what Chicago started out as because of all the mellower stuff that was played on the radio later on. You really have to do yourself a huge favor and listen to 'Ballet For A Girl From Buchannon' from their second album. It starts with 'Make Me Smile', which you might have done already. It's a suite that was written by James Pankow, the trombone player, and consists of five songs (I think), with huge departures throughout. I guess I have to include this to get 'Ballet ....' done, but trust me, you'll love it. #nicknlexrequest
Beginnings and Does Anybody really know what time it is are mellow too.
Hola Nick.
Allá, a finales de los años 60s, yo era un jovenzuelo de apenas doce años de edad cuando escuché por primera vez las rolas de ese disco de Chicago, y desde ese momento yo quedé flechado por la música y canciones de esta gran banda de Jazz-rock.
Terry Kath fue un gran admirador de Jimi Hendrix, y al escuchar cómo tocaba la guitarra, se escucha y siente esa influencia.
Esa música es atemporal y llena de mucha energía.
Te recomiendo que reacciones a otros grandes rolones de Chicago: 'A Hit by Varese', 'Oh, Thank You Great Spirit'.
Saludos desde Monterrey, México.
This is my favorite song on the album. Thank you!
ok. now Chicago VII Prelude to Aire then Aire then Devil's Sweet. (side 1 of the 2 album set)
i received it as a Christmas gift in '74. put it on, this was the first thing i heard.
or, do the whole album in an ultramarathon.
Side one would really surprise them
Really great music
For me Chicago VII is up there with CTA as their best. CTA was rawer and had the energy, but with VII they put it all together, with all the songwriting contributions and studio mastery.
That's Bobby on vocals, Pete and TK are backing. The wheels fell off of Chicago on Monday, 1.23.78... lost was the heart and soul of the band.
As Good As it Gets. 🎸Bass and 🥁
My favorite band growing up as a teen in the 70's
WOW! Of all the possible suggestions from this classic LP for you to react to, I never imagined this one would get the nod. Not only is it longer than most, but it lacks the notoriety if such tracks as SC Purples, I'm a man, Question 67 & 68, Beginnings, etc. Kudos, kudos, a thousand times, kudos!
As one of those "Boomers" (59 going on 60), I grew up listening to the REAL Chicago. It broke my musical spirits when Terry Kath died.
When discussing Chicago, I always point to "Poem 58", "Introduction", "25 Or 6 To 4", and "Ballet For A Girl In Buchannon" as what people should listen to, to understand their roots. After recording "Poem 58", Kath's guitar needed a cigarette!
Looking forward to seeing California transit authority in Seattle in November
Drummer Danny Seraphine’s band
With members from the late Keith Emerson’s band
...wow... indeed. I was so very lucky to see them before Terry passed.
Beginnings is one you and Lex .
Enjoy!
Liberation, final track on the album, is a must. CBS used the first part of the song as its intro music for NFL telecasts.
BTW, what will blow you away more than the talent is that they were between 23 - 25 years old when this was released.
Glad you really got to hear REAL Chicago.
I began college at age 17 in 1969, Came from a rural town with no "underground stations". My immediate education into great music was: 1st led Zepplin album. 1st Santana album, Ist CTA album, !st black Sabbath, 1st Rod Stewart, 1st Edgar Winter, etc. Whan I hear you talk about what it must have been like to hear all of this great music at a young age it warms my heart. It is why people of my era are glad for the opportunity you provide for them. Oh Yes---Try they're 1st album!
Definitely still my favorite album by Chicago (although the first three are all great). Thanks for sharing your reaction to this.
I sent the album and it was my pleasure to do so. The vinyl looked to be good but I didn't play it. Regarding the frame: The plexiglass has protective plastic film on both sides you can remove if you haven't.
Regarding the "live" performance Liberation on the album. I believe the use of the word "live" in this case pertains to a live studio recording. This means all musicians playing the song at once with tape rolling without stopping. In The Terry Kath Experience producer Guercio states the song Introduction was recorded live in one take.
Thank you very much for getting back to to this album which earned Chicago Transit Authority a Grammy Nomination for 1969 Best New Artist. The album itself was installed into The Grammy's Hall of Fame in 2014.
What a nice thing to come home to.
Terry Kath is one of those guitarists like Jerry Garcia who can come up with endless streams of improvisation. This music epitomizes the jam band style of rock from the late 60's. I think these guys just went into the studio "ran the tape" and started jamming. This album and the group itself came out of nowhere. I think this album was underappreciated at the time but I heard it when it first came out and I always thought it was a monster. And I still say this was their best. BTW you have to listen to Abraxas by Santana it's right up there with Dark Side of The Moon IMHO. You can't call your guitar education complete without studying Carlos Santana, he's right up there with Clapton and Gilmour. As a guitarist I strongly urge you to listen to his work. He's one of those guys that you will ask yourself after you hear him, why have I never heard this guy!
I got to see Chicago and Brian Wilson this past Thursday at Bethel Woods right next to where the Woodstock festival took place. Great show!
So many jewels in the Kath years!!
And, oh yeah, I forgot to say... Terry Kath's talent was staggering.
Another great review Nick, loving your passion for Terry and Chicago in general…another brilliant guitar solo on CTA is South California Purples, killer blues based playing 🎸😎
I love you guys. Just watched your Pat Metheny First Circle reaction, and it's like watching myself listening to these songs.
I went from playing surf music with my JazzMaster through my BandMaster, and drinking coke-a-cola... to getting a Strat, a Dual Showman, BigMuff and drinking beer with a whole lot of dope because of the Group, and especially because of this Album. 😎🤘Thx, Nick!
Chicago's #1 Rock n' Roll song. This is fire, gold, etc. This whole album is bliss.
Hi Nick, If I may offer another song recommendation it would be for you to listen to “It Better End Soon” off their Chicago II album. Just know that it takes an entire album side because it is comprised of four movements. You and Alex will love it!
th-cam.com/video/MbGEIsKOt_8/w-d-xo.html
25 or 6 to 4 live at Tanglewood (1970) is a MUST watch & listen.
A hidden gem from Chicago Transit Authority! Wasn't one of the hits and didn't get the radio airplay of Beginnings or Does Anybody Really Know What Time it Is? but in many ways, a superior composition and arrangement. It's one of Robert Lamm's most sophisticated songs and Kath's guitar work throughout is just searing! When the horns and Lamm's lead vocal kick in, the song enters such a fantastic groove! Always loved this one.
Terry is amazing! He was about 23 when this was recorded. Peter Cetera is a great bass player. He doesn’t get enough credit for his in-the-groove playing. Same with Danny Seraphine’s job on the drums! James Pankow’s arranging is fantastic. I was born and raised in Chicago and attended the same schools as Terry. I wish I still had the CTA album! I wore it out and I was listening to it on an excellent turntable. Thanks for speaking so positively about Terry and Chicago.
I heard this first when I was 12 and played the drums to this. We had three 3’x 5’ clear and punchy electro Voice speakers that made it real performance like. I loved their early music…
I know this is 8 months old, but actually just came across . First love this kinda of format , fantastic.
You mentioned jimi . As everyone knows his electric stuff is out of this world. Something that totally changed my attitude towards him was his acoustic stuff , yeah I said acoustic. Just dive in you'll look at him a totally different way. ✌️
I don't know what they had in the way of pedals back then but certainly nothing like today. I think most of those crazy sounds were mainly coaxed out of the guitar and Amp.
YAY! Chicago's power trio! Great choice. Going to start video now.
3rd time watching this. One of my favs that I’ve suggested, and am glad you were finally enlightened to this song.
My cousin introduced me to Chicago when I was around 8 .... My life changed as my cousin would play guitar as we listened to them. Your reaction Nick made me emotional remembering my cousin who is no longer with us and how he loved these guys. And I do as well.
I’m so enjoying this journey! Just masters at their game.
My favorite song of all time, but only for the last couple years. You two absolutely should do the album for paid members😜 This is my new fave all time band of all time over the same time frame... Yeah always thought they were love songs, easy listening rock🤣 I started really listening to Terry Cath maybe 2 years ago...
Older very fave songs/Bands of all time in no particular order...
Jimi Hendrix, Hey Joe, also Castles Made of Sand
The Doors, Riders on the Storm
The Beatles, A Day In The Life
Led Zeppelin, 4 songs have been my favorite of all time during my life...
First Stairway to Heaven
Later in life, Whole Lotta Love.
Later still, All of My Love
Now for a few years, it's No Quarter..
Tool doesn't do it justice in the cover... Tho... I'm 47.
Tool is the best band of my generation. They recently passed AIC for me... In my generation. I consider it to be ability to listen to music differently... Because of reactors like Nick n Lex!💯🔥❤️
Tool 48 and 6 is epic Undertow and Sober other very faves...
Frankenstein by The Edgar Winter Group. Oh Damn.
The Cure A Forest
Stevie Knicks Edge of 17
Alice In Chains wow. Dirt whole fricken album as well as Facelift 🔥
Would the fave... The bass lead... Rain When I Die and Down in a hole
Also Love Hate Love, and God Am...
Peace all, and thanks Nic N Lex for Chicago Transit Authority 💯🔥
when I was a little kid.. a baby .. my old man would put Chicago Transit Authority on my little shitty record player to make me go to sleep.. that and the Easy Rider soundtrack Terry Kath was like my nursery rhymer. That and the horns .. amazing.. thanks so much. Now I want to go to bed :)
Every song is Fantastic! C.T.A.
Except for free form guitar, lol.
Terri was the only one in band that wasn’t classically trained, I believe all others went to music conservatory at DePaul, he couldn’t read music - self-taught by ear, just innately talented..
South california purples should be the next choice from this gem of an album!
Terry was a monster on that axe. RIP Terry Kath
This album is amazing! Each section of most songs highlight an instrument / player/ section/ vocalist.. then it transitions and you don’t know what’s gonna happen next …. But find out it’s fantastic.. check out my favorite,, make me smile (the ‘suite’ version) and questions #… and.. ? the live versions from this album from tanglewood mass. Are epic for terry’s awesomeness.. particularly the 25 or 6 to four solo!!
Gawd the 60s and 70s rocked man bring it on home ☮️✌️🧐🇬🇧
Really appreciates a pure and honest soul like you, Nik. Awesome channel. Thanks!
Great bass work on this and most of their tunes.
What a great album. Was looking for a decent copy (on vinyl) and found one at a market on Monday for €6!
All the bands were listening to each other, gathering musical ideas, competing with each other. You can tell they were also picking up ideas from blues and jazz. Can you imagine hearing Hendrix and Miles Davis Bitches Brew at that time. Everything was new and it was a great creative period.
The first Chicago (this one) was outstanding much because there was a lot of Terry on it. From the second Chicago and on there was not many solos by Terry.
Check out the 4 side of this one, Liberation almost 15 minutes, a lot of Terry playing here.
The thing is, when this album came out, it was something new!! Brass instruments playing with electric guitar, great bass lines all with elements of Classic Rock, Jazz ,et al...we loved it!! and still do!!
I bet the people you grew up listening to had listened to Cream growing up. There are so many recognizable Clapton licks in early metal. Much of Cream was blues based, and you didn't have to learn music theory, just pentatonic patterns on the neck. Clapton added what he learned from people like B.B., Albert, and Freddie King and Buddy Guy to the new amplifier technology. Though it doesn't sound overdriven by today's standards, his 1966 John Mayall Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton album was a breakthrough in guitar sounds. He had to argue with the sound engineers, who considered distortion to be bad. Now Marshall makes Bluesbreaker guitar pedals. Cream was formed later in 1966, and amps were getting more powerful all the time. Clapton had his "woman tone" , a distorted sound with the tone knob dialed down, just like the one T.Kath used on this song after the horn stabs right before and behind the singing. Hendrix was harder to copy. Besides the blues, he added rhythm techniques from R & B and was having custom effects pedals made, and was expanding on the pentatonic patterns. Many could copy Clapton, but if you could play the intro to "Little Wing" from the Axis album, you were good. That's why Vai plays that song. I think Hendrix's use of unison bends and the way he used the 9th of the scale in 1967 influenced a lot of people who started throwing that note in whether it made any harmonic sense or not .Vibrato and bending connects with people because it mimics the human voice, whereas just going up and down a scale as fast as you can conveys more frustration, anger, and maybe a need to prove oneself. It was confusing when after hearing Rory Gallagher you said blues was inferior music, and then a while later you liked Thin Lizzy and Tommy Bolin, which are blues rock based. This made me change my lists, though I have 1 Cream song because it has the fastest lick I ever heard from Clapton. I also had a version of Cream's cover of "Crossroads" where bassist Jeff Berlin (Bruford, S.Henderson) plays all of Clapton's solos on the bass. Maybe I'll put it back on the list.
I was so lucky to have grown up in this era.
I luuuuv the way you’re going to protect that treasure.. truly a masterpiece.. easily top ten album ever, a double debut - unheard of- they insisted and had to agree on reduced royalties..
What is truly unbelievable is that Jimi Hendrix in only 4 years (mid-1966 to fall of 1970) created so much music in that time. Outside of his three studio albums are so many outtakes and tons of live stuff. His posthumous album 'Voodoo Soup' (which I'm sure is out of print now) has some really good stuff on it. "Pali Gap" being one that comes to mind. The casual fan has probably never heard it but, to me is a great track. Another posthumous album is simply titled 'Blues' and is really good as well.
I agree Nick. It's hard to know what to say after listening to that. Just amazing great music.
Terry Kath, the most under rated guitarist of his era. I dare Santana or Clapton to do ANY BETTER than Terry. A genius lost to history
It's been decades since I've heard this. Thanks Nick.
The descending line near the end reminds me of "Machine Gun" by Hendrix. 🔥😎🍁🦋
Glad you finally picked this one!
You know there's a doc about Terry that his daughter (I think) made a few years ago.
I often wonder what he would be playing today.
When people mock me for my love for Chicago, I just look at them and smh because of music like this….
So much good early Chicago esp with Terry Kath.
The whole song’s a riff! He was amazing!