This was the original sound from Chicago were they fused elements of Jazz and Rock into a whole new sounding form. When terry Kath, lead guitar and vocals, was leading the band this is music Chicago consistently put out. Sadly terry left us too early and the band changed it's direction to more of a pop and ballad sound. For me a must for you to react to is "25 or 6 to 4" which is their absolute masterpiece.
@@parkermills3328 Not really. Musical tastes change, they had not had a hit in a while and drugs were taking over the band. The record company would also not let them put out anything with horns. So the horn players moved to guitar/synths and they went more electronic in the 80s and sang ballads. I'm not a big fan of their stuff from that era, but their lyrics and musicianship of their best-selling songs were still first-rate. Kath was also getting ready to leave the band before he passed, so they would have had to reconfigure anyway.
Terry was not the band's leader; it was a pretty democratic group. Also, the band had begun to change direction years before his death. The last album in the real Chicago mold--the last good album, in fact--was VII from1974.
@@Music--ng8cd Hi. The band had singles but were an album band, not a "singles" band, hence all of the double albums with experimental work. Things do change. Lamm stopped writing as much and then there was Kath. And they took forever finally replacing him with someone with chops (though never really did). Once they released that chocolate bar album with If You Leave Me Now, the die was cast toward singles ever after. I stopped buying right after that.
Yeah, but he gets a lot of credit for the vocals even though Robert Lamm did quite a handful too. I always love when Peter and Terry or Peter and Bob switch verses in a song. They all have their own unique style.
@@NH2112, I love JPJ! He's the most underrated member of Led Zeppelin. His keyboard stuff on their later albums (especially the solo in All My Love) is super inspiring to me as a piano player.
You literally have no idea how happy this makes us "Baby Boomers" for young people to rediscover this amazing music that we grew up with. Continue to discover music from the 60's and the 70's as this was "Real" music. Please, please keep this great music alive! Teach it to your children and your grandchildren. It's way to good to let it slip away......
Can't speak for anyone else, but when Terry Kath pulled the trigger that morning, Chicago died. This whole album is great! Now that you've heard "this" band, you can hear a totally different band, from the same album, when you hear "I'm a Man" or "Questions 67 and 68" or "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" Lot of diversity on this first album! Listen to it all, it's all over the place! That moment when Lex spontaneously busted out with a "Ha, Ha" during a change is what music is all about! Hope you never lose that enthusiasm!
And this was all all done on essentially a "starter kit" Bass, Snare, Floor Tom, couple baby Toms, High Hat, Crash & Rider Cymbals. Unlike others who needs to surrounded by a gazillion drums & cymbals (Neil Peart, comes to mind). Another unsung & underappreciated drummer is Michael Shrieve from Santana.
You owe it to yourselves to just make your way through the entire album. It will be time well spent. All the members of Chicago were barely in their early 20s when this album was being made. This debut was so mature for musicians so young.
This song is titled Introduction for a reason. Terry Kath wanted a song that highlighted each instrument and group of instruments in the band. Vocals, Horns, Keyboards, Percussion, Bass, Guitar. Brilliant.
Terry Kath was the guitarist. He wrote this but he couldn’t read or write music. So Jim Pankow (trombone) sat down with him and transcribed every note. The band called it Terry’s Masterpiece.
I am so glad somebody finally decided to start with Chicago at the beginning of the beginning. You're the first ones to get this right. This song is exactly what it says it is, an introduction. Let the goose bumps happen. Terry Kath was a monster singer and guitarist
In '68 I was 7yrs old so I didn't actually experience this until the live 4 album set whenever it came out. I was still a kid but I was sold on the music !!
Early Chicago was one of THE greatest bands. Three singers, multiple songwriters, and boy did they take chances. Fabulous brass arrangements throughout. Really fun watching you react. Yes, this music was life-changing for us when we grew up with it -- glad it's still affecting people like you today.
My older brother brought this album home when I was 11 years old. We played it incessantly. Finally my dad (a professional jazz and swing trumpet player) poked his head in the room and said, "Those cats are really good!" Needless to say, all four of us brothers waited for each new album to come out. They were very good for a very long time. They still sound great in concert FIFTY TWO YEARS LATER.
This cut is one that is mostly ignored by others. It is an incredible piece writen by the late Terry Kath. Guitarist ,vocalist and founding member of "Chicago". Thanks for bringing it out to peoplle's attention!
I was so pleasantly surprised when I saw a Chicago tribute band at a local town summer festival play this song as part of their set. That’s how you can tell TRUE Chicago fans.
Hey guys. You didn't ask, but it's worth noting, Chicago had three lead vocalists on their early albums. This song featured Terry Kath (guitars), and there's also Robert Lamm (keyboards), and finally Peter Cetera (bass). Cetera, of course, went on to sing most (not all) of their hits. Yes, those sappy ballads you've heard. Still, he is a great singer, and an awesome bass player.
Chicago opened for Hendrix at the helLA Forum when I saw them in '69... I honestly don't remember much about their performance, cuz Jimi's set was life transforming.
Impossible to overstate how groundbreaking this was for the time. Kudos for starting right at the beginning rather than with just their well worn hits. Great choice!
I was 16 years old, living in Chicago and early in my music career when this album came out. It was a total game changer. Every garage band in town was searching through their high school band friends for horn players who could add "that sound". Chicago opened a whole new vista to what a rock band could be. Blood Sweat & Tears had introduced jazz sounds to rock but Chicago just skyrocketed past anything we had ever heard. So glad to see you enjoying this track. The first few albums were very experimental and everyone in the band had their chance to shine. So much talent in that group.
I never want to fall into the trap of saying that today's music is terrible and the music of yesterday is the best. Nevertheless, if you think about the music that was released between 1964 and 1974, it is possible to say that there has never been before or since a 10 year period where music experienced such an explosion of diversity and excellence. Thank you for the reaction.
For me at 66, it was 1964 to 1994, the British Invasion though the Seattle Grunge movement, 30 years of excellence then bam, grunge is all but over and we have a musical wasteland until rocks resurrection in the past decade. Great era, the rock era, will be listened to forever.
OMG!!! Couldn't hit play fast enough. The Chicago Transit Authority album is one of my all-time favorite albums by anyone. It's so good from beginning to end. I pretty much love 99% of their catalog all the way to the present day. They will have a new album coming out in January 2022. It'll be their first album of all original music, not including their 2019 Christmas album, since 2014. That last album called "Now: Chicago XXXVI (36th album) might not be this kind of Chicago as their sound has changed quite a bit over the years but, I still like it a lot. Their current guitarist, Keith Howland, is the closest they've come to having another guitarist like Terry Kath. I loved that you both loved the song instantly. Again, the rest of the album is killer. Check it out. Also, they still play this song live in concert and still do it very well. The trombone player and trumpet player are still in the band and are still tearing it up live. They only have three original members left, James Pankow (trombone), Lee Loughnane (trumpet) and Robert Lamm (keyboards and lead vocals on many Chicago classics) but they all three still give it their all in concert. I might be biased because I grew up listening to these guys since I was a kid in the 70s, so they are one of my favorite bands, but they do have a lot of great songs from the late 60s through the 80's that I think you would both love. Thanks for another great reaction video.
Well you two adorable people just made my night! Bless you. I m 68 years old with tears in my eyes. I first heard this in the fall of 1969 on the FM radio. A life changing moment for a 16 year old black teenager. I saw them in Philly a few months later.....came out with this song. Straight up fire! Thanks again.Btw, you would have enjoyed the 60s...you both have kind souls. I can tell.
Chicago during the years Terry Kath was alive was pure magic. He was the heart and soul of their rock/jazz years. I’m a Man, Make Me Smile, Beginnings…all Terry Kath on the lead vocals and lead guitar and all just plain phenomenal. And his guitar work on the live version of 25 or 6 to 4 at Tanglewood is some of the greatest guitar work you’ll ever lay your eyes on.
I love how the soloists are not afraid to go "off note" and flatten or sharpen the note for a second to create an "edge" of dissonance on purpose to flavor the passage and add a bit of chaos to the harmony. Those jazz notes add some 'sourness' that is so tasty. Modern music is so afraid to do any of that. Early Journey albums are like kind of like this too, before they went AOR.
I think maybe you mean MOR - middle of the road. AOR was a format that made us happy back in the 70’s… so we could hear album cuts they wouldn’t play on pop radio.
I was a freshman in high school when this was released and it was an instant mind-blower. This album impacted so many of us listeners who discovered them on FM due to the album format. Although CTA would eventually become a double-platinum record, It did not find instant success on AM radio and that was where the money was at the time. I was already a big fan of Blood Sweat and Tears and these guys were on the same label, Columbia. Jazz-Rock was starting to hit its stride and man you are going to enjoy the discovery you listen to this fabulous record. One of the big strengths of this band is it has 3 exceptional vocalists (Kath, Lamb & Cetera) and a real gifted guitarist in Terry Kath. I am excited to join you vicariously on your journey.
Terry Kath (vocalist on this song, his voice had so much soul) was an excellent guitarist. Unfortunately he was taken way too soon. This first album was brilliant. You should definitely listen to more. "Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon" off of the next album, is another good one to check out.
Loved your reactions. And yes the greatest hits never do a band justice especially if they have a long history. I heard Chicago for the first time when they did 25 or 6 to 4, which was an air guitar staple. After Terry Kath faded away (accidentally shot himself), the band got more pop and sappy. Another group you may like that had a similar horn sound was Blood Sweat and Tears. Their first two albums were very different but I think you’d like both. If you had continued listening beyond this introduction song, you’d come across a jazzy piano hit (Does anyone know what time it is?) and then the very inspiring guitar song (Beginnings). Both were hits but the radio singles cut out great portions of the songs. Ugh.
I was a drafted GI stationed in Budingen Germany. On 12-19-69 I went by train to Frankfiurt with some buddies to see a band I had never heard of, Chicago Transit Authortity. The concert at Ein Hundert Jahre Halle was filled with other GIs and German fans of the group. It was a memorable concert needless to say. The original Chicago was made up of supremely talented musicians and the tunes were electifying and uplifting. We left the concert completely blow away.
Saw them in 1970 in an arena. They sounded the same live as they do on record. No mistakes, drops, just a total groove for over 2 hours. They created a high level of energy and excitement. Everyone in the audience--- didn't shout or scream during the songs but the applause was deafening between songs. People sat with their jaws dropped to their chest. A total W-0-W. Blown away
FINALLY someone reacts to this song! I've only been recommending it to people for the last fifteen years or so! This is the real Chicago, not that wimpy emo crap from the 80s.
@@rubicon-oh9km totally. I just kind of put Chicago in my back pocket once Terry Kath died and Cetera left and they went all ballads on me. Now I've listened to it like 20 times in the past month.
Just listen to this entire album. It's the best. Chicago Transit Authority was their original name but they had to change the band name because that was already the city of Chicgo's public transit agency name...so they shortened it to Chicago.
I had this album when it came out! CTA! I haven’t heard that Introduction for literally 45 years or so, as I drifted away from the band when it got all schlocky. Man, that horn section was TIGHT. I actually appreciate it more now than I did when it first came out, as I was more into hard rock and psychedelia in 1969, so it was great to see you both so enthusiastic over this music. Your enthusiasm is infectious! Thanks! New sub!
Lol, hi Helene...so cool you are re-discovering Chicago after all these years! Now that you have heard the studio version of Introduction and dug it, take a listen to the last 2 quads I gave Wayne to react to.....the last one about 3 weeks ago of early Chicago, where it has live concert Introduction from CTA and then 3 more studio tracks from CTA. Fun to see your comments, always like your feedback!
If you like this brass arrangement, I HIGHLY recommend the song "Questions 67 and 68" from this album. Fantastic arrangement!! The first time I saw them live was in 1974, and have seen them 18 times altogether with the most recent being in 2016 and 2018. Although they only have three of the original members still in the band, they are sounding the best they ever have! I know there are a lot of Chicago purists and I am also going back to when I first heard Chicago II at my friend's house in 1972, but they really sound fantastic (maybe updates in live mixing). Like other Chicago fans also recommend their live 1970 version of "25 or 6 to 4" and the epic guitar solo by Terry Kath!!!! Just bought my ticket to see them for the 19th time this March in Austin!!
Best debut album ever, and a double album to boot. These guys had a lot to say, and what a way of saying it they had! You guys really need to sit and listen to this album sometime, even if not for reactions. Your lives will be changed by it.
Firstly, you guys are great! Don't take any notice of these trolls who feed on negativity. You guys keep groovin' and shaking your heads and dancing and showing your love for the discovery of old and new sounds. Chicago was one of those experimental groups to come out of the crossfertilization of jazz, funk, rock and avante guard in the late 60s through the early 70s. Their early albums reflect that harder rock/jazz sound and Terry Kath was one of greatest guitarists and singer of his day. There are so many great tracks from the 70s albums that I'm sure others here will recommend. KEEP GROOVIN'
There is a great documentary, "Terry Kath Experience," where his daughter goes back and tells his story. It's fantastic, and the band explains how this song was Terry Kath's vision come to life, literally written to introduce this music to the world. There is also a Chicago documentary, but for my tastes - and I started listening to Chicago when this came out, I was 11 - there is Chicago before TK died, and then after. Two completely different bands. They turned into a soft pop ballad band, which is fine if you like that kind of thing; but their first two albums rocked my preteen brain. I started playing trombone because of this album. Chicago was my very first unchaperoned rock concert. Thanks for the memory blast ✌😎
Like u i played trombone in grade school but before CTA, so when 1st heard this and then later saw in concert many many times in early 1970s, Chicago was my inspiration!
@@williamosborne6866 One thing you have to give them, they never stopped. That horn section, and Pankow's arrangements have my respect. And Cetera has a beautiful voice, great for ballads. But, yeah. When TK died, I stopped paying attention
One hell of a debut album! Gotta do "Beginnings" now. Chicago had built a reputation doing live performances and yes, this was a double LP - who gets that kind of recording contract? But they had lots of powerful numbers they had played to a loyal following and so, they could lay down the tracks and this album produced hits immediately. So, they had lots of word of mouth going for them. But even without that, every record shop you walked into in 1969 after this was released was playing it. Interestingly, the band was named Chicago Transit Authority at the time but had to shorten their name when the actual transit authority in the city of Chicago sued them.
"Now More Than Ever" is a must see documentary on this incredible band Chicago. Just like the Rush documentary, this will help you understand everything they went through. Enjoy you too!!!👍
For me Chicago(CTA) started at the very peak of the mountain and gradually slid down it. This album would never be bettered by them IMO. with Poem 58 the pinnacle of this pinnacle
Poem 58 proved when Jimi Hendrix told Chicago that their guitar player was better than Jimi himself that he was right! Terry Kath was criminally underrated by the media but musicians recognized his incredible self-taught talent.
When I met James Pankow backstage a few years ago, here’s what he said: “you know what’s really amazing, is that we got people to listen to this music!”
I'm so glad that you two reacted to this incredible song and touched upon the dilemma that all of us who love this music are facing. People think that the popular stuff is definitive of the bands they have heard (Genesis, Yes, Chicago..Etc.) but buried is the history of these bands that were putting out revolutionary and groundbreaking music that was extraordinary. That's where you reaction channels come in to get everyone back on track and get to the real meat and potatoes and not the garbage or shit that everyone has been fed. You guys along with other reaction channels are doing a tremendous service by introducing younger generations to this incredible music. I can't start a reaction channel because it wouldn't be genuine. I'm a musician who knows all of this music because I was a child of the 70s with it on the radio. However, I am warmed to no end when i see folks like you two discovering this and realizing that what you've been fed, isn't good at all compared to the fulfilling quality of what you've missed. Keep up the great work and because you've reacted to this, I am subscribing to your channel. You've done great stuff since I have checked in before, and seen you two, but this is exceptional to react to this song and have this epiphany. Peace friends!
Thank you for what you said about Owner of a Lonely Heart. Many people don't understand the difference between 'popular' YES vs classic YES, but you understand music in ways that many people don't, so you get it. Owner of a Lonely Heart is fine, but it's nothing compared to all the amazing music they put out on their first 8 albums. Hope you go through all 8 of them, because they're all phenomenal.
I think that's what gets me, owner of a lonely heart is an ok song. But for people to refer to it as one of their best when close to the edge and fragile exist, its like the biggest slap to the face. This is probably an extreme opinion but old yes pushed the limits with each release. Then the 80s hit and yes decided to settle into the norm of "pop" music. Same with Chicago however part of it could be contributed to the death of Terry
In the 80's the record company said, we need a cute little song, so we can make a cute little movie and put it on MTV, and you can have a nice big stack of cash.
It's the perfect example to show the difference between 70s and 80s music. In the 70s the bands played the music they liked personally, in the 80s they composed music, they hoped for to be liked by any listeners and become commercially successful. I remember hearing Follow you, follow me by Genesis the first time, my reaction was WTF ? Or do you remember REO becoming commercial, all these "love" songs, compare it to the Golden Country of the live LP, it's two different bands sounding similar only because of the singer
'25 or 6 to 4' plays at my work almost every day, and it NEVER gets old. Chicago is one of those amazing bands that never seems to amaze. It almost seems like a pick a new element every time I listen to them.
Chicago Introduction is the greatest song ever recorded. It is my favorite right now and it was great seeing you guys from the next generation experience it for the first time. Watching you react in real time was hysterical.
1969 was an incredible year for music. Every sort of musical genre was being "rockified." Between 1968-1969 you had Santana, CCR, Hendrix, Grand Funk, the James Gang, YES, CSN, Joni Mitchell, Canned Heat, Sly & the Family Stone, Led Zeppelin all blowing up. Of course, it was also the year of Woodstock...
I´m 56, and I found this video right now. I was 3 when Chicago recorded this... But I didin´t put some attention of this song untill months ago. It´s lovely to find in the music on your favourites groups new sensations and watching you enjoy and feeling it was amazing. My Favourite groups are Beatles, Toto, Steely Dan and Chicago. They shown us many new and amazing things even nowadays.
I was 16 yrs old when I bought this in '69. At that time I was still discovering my genre, and I purchased it (like so many other albums at that time) on the strength of the cover design. It was a reliable method of finding 'my' music, and rarely let me down.
It was Chicago 2 where I first heard them as a college freshman, and that's always been their defining record for me. There was just so much great music coming out at the time, I never went back to listen to CTA. Thanks for helping me get into this "missed gem" after 50 years!
Yes--this album got lots of play at my house. Was glad for the chance to see them live not long after this release. They opened for Jimi Hendrix--what a show!!!
Early Chicago is my favorite Chicago. You guys keep going into the early Chicago and you will have a blast, and we will too, watching you react to it. 👍
I'm always excited to see listeners discover old Chicago. The Terry Kath years were pretty amazing and very cutting edge. This is not to take away from the other musicians but Terry was the soul. Peter Cetera's bass playing is freakin' awesome,,Danny Seraphine's drumming was give a thumbs up by Buddy Rich and Robert Lamm was an all around solid keyboardist/vocalist that would have made it on his own. And yes, those horns brought jazz, funk, classical, and just about anything they could to add to the sound. A great innovative band for sure.
"Now we put you through the Changes and Turned Around the Mood, We hope it Sparked a Difference, Hope you Feel Moved. So Forget all of your Troubles as we Search for Something New and we Play for You." Terry Kath, Rest In Peace, "Introduction" is one of The Finest Musical Compositions, It's stood the Test of Time and Sounds as Fresh as The day it was Recorded! Non Musicians with Favorite Guitar Players were Stunned when they first heard Chicago's Powerful Horn Section and Silenced when Realized "Introduction" was a Terry Kath Composition! Critics ignore Terry Kath, because it's Above alot on Their List. Thanks for playing this Epic and Awesome Tune! I love both of your Reactions! :)
Also check out the 1st album from Blood, Sweat & Tears. 1968's Child Is Father to the Man. It's the only one with founder & original singer/keyboardist Al Kooper.
Also on this album is Poem 58, Terry Kath on guitar blends funk and rock for the opening 4 minutes, backed by Danny Seraphine on drums and Peter Cetera on bass, in an mind blowing experience before the song transitions and Robert Lamm comes in on lead vocals. Jimi Hendrix told the band "You guys have a horn section that sounds like one set of lungs and a guitar player that's better than me!"
This album come out when I was just getting into High School. All of us band geeks were absolutely crazy about it. Finally, horn players were getting their place in Rock and Roll! Coolest thing EVER!! After the first album, the actual Chicago Transit Authority sued the band to make them change the name to just Chicago. All of the early Chicago albums with Terry Kath (through Chicago XI) are outstanding. It gets spotty after that, and eventually they became the ballad band that you were familiar with. Glad you guys found your way to this great 'rabbit hole'.
Incredibly talented band. This whole album is perfection. Jazz, rock,...yup! 25 or 6 to 4 live at Tanglewood is transcendental. Don't worry about the haters. They can watch a different video. I watch you two because you two are just real.
Back in the 70s, I bought Chicago II first and loved it so much, I bought this album and was blown away. Saw them 3 times in concert in Toronto. Great showmen. In later years, like Chicago X, producers like David Foster told them to do three slow songs without horns to release as singles. The band resisted but ultimately went along. The singles did sell, but never gave listeners a true sense of the band. Glad you enjoyed. Happy weekend!
Yes, The 1st Song on the "Chicago Transit Authority Lp, "Introduction" was Written by The Guitarist Terry Kath, The Band was Amazed at the Time Changes, Crescendos, Harmonic & Melodic Interwoven and Terrys ability to score all the parts for the Band. Awesome & Powerful Horn Section. Jimi Hendrix Became an instant Fan of Chicago and Friend to Terry Kath. Jimi told Mitch Mitchell & Noel Redding, and Chas and Mike at Management "I heard this Band Chicago, Their Horn Section Sounds like 1 Set of Lungs and Their Guitar Player is as Good as Me! I want them to be The Opening Act on our next Tour."
This was my first album. I literally thought all rock music was this good for a long time. I loved that it had trombone parts that I could play. As you said this was the first song anyone ever hears from this band and was written to ‘introduce’ the group. Listen to the whole double album. The only filler is Free Form Guitar, something that is more experimental than melodic.
Hi kids,I’m so happy for you too.This band helped to set the musical direction of my life . The first time I heard the band Chicago I was in my early teens,Of course living in the suburbs of Chicago. My mom brought home a box of breakfasts cereal and on the back of the box was a sampler of 4 songs by different bands one being Chicago and the other three quite forgettable. The song was Does anybody know what time it is? Cut the record off the box and play we did over and over again. Took my paper route money and bought this album.And the rest is my musical history!! Thanks Nicknlex enjoy your vids
So good that you have both been introduced to this album. CTA is one of the greatest albums of all time. And one of the most played in my collection which I first heard complete in 1978. I now have two vinyl copies including a 1969 original pressing. Not a duff track on t and side three with 'Free Form Guitar', 'South California Purples' and 'I'm a Man' is just awesome.
When I hear this, I feel it's actually a shame how a band with an exciting sound such as this could go on turning into a cheesy soft-ballad act later on. Guys, this was awesome stuff :-)
Being a trumpet player myself, I was a HUGE fan of Chicago back in the day. I think along about the seventh album was where I decided I didn't care for the direction they were headed and we parted ways...There's a Rhino remix of the "Live at Carnegie Hall" album that I still listen to regularly. There's also a Steven Wilson remix of the "Chicago II" album that's very good. Additionally, since I'm from West Virginia, I'm partial to the whole "Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon" suite.
You can really hear some signature horn stabs and figures they go on to use in some more well known tracks. They definitely have a fingerprint, you wouldn't confuse this horn section or arrangements with Tower of Power. Good stuff.
I bought this when it first came out. I had friends that were really plugged into the music scene back then. I think this was an early fusion of rock and jazz. My dad was a big jazz lover who was raised in Chicago, so he and I used to listen to this and those were special moments. We had somewhat different musical tastes (I bought the first Led Zeppelin album when it first came out, and he didn't like it at all.). However, Chicago Transit Authority (as it was known back then), was a band that we both liked. Every time I hear a song like this from their first album, I think of him (He has since passed away). I love that you have such a passionate, appreciative reaction to such a talented group of musicians. You're correct in saying that they changed their style over the years to something on the softer side. My guess is that this is partly a natural progression as we age, and also due to the fact that Terry Kath, the lead guitarist passed away in the late 70's. Terry brought an edge to the music that seems to be missing in later incarnations of the band.
Check out a tune from a group called Diesel. The tune is "Sausalito Summer Night." The live versions suck, but give a listen to their digitally remastered original album compilation. If this tune doesn't get your feet to tapping, it's because you're comatose, or you've died and gone to musical Hell.
Chicago's first album, Chicago Transit Authority, was inducted into the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame in 2014, and the band performed on the Grammy stage for the first time that year. Robert Lamm and James Pankow were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2017.
Blood, Sweat, and Tears probably wouldn't have even happened if it hadn't been for Chicago. Al Kooper saw Chicago (then by a different name) playing at the Whiskey in LA and was inspired to create a band like them. He assembled a group of New York session musicians and, because James Guercio (Chicago's producer and manager) was still negotiating a record deal for Chicago, actually beat Chicago to the punch in getting a first record out. It's a twist of irony, IMHO, that Columbia had Guercio produce "Spinning Wheel" by BS&T for their second album. All of this comes from an interview between Joe Chambers and James Pankow (trombonist and horn arranger for Chicago): th-cam.com/video/F87DGkstoXQ/w-d-xo.html
I love how they tried to speak to the listener, the final lyric: Now we put you through the changes And turned around the mood We hope it's struck you different And hope you feel moved So forget all of your troubles As we search for something new And we play for you As a sophomore in high school, this was certainly different from Cream and Hendrix. Love it still.
The first time I heard this was in a group room in 1969 on one the counselor's high end stereo he set up there and I think I was 15 or 16 and I was hooked. In my opinion,this number is Terry Kath's finest composition. And it is an introduction, you literally hear every member of the band. If you like this, (and obviously you do) in your spare time, watch Chicago live at Tanglewood. Every time I watch it I end up watching the whole thing. After be Terry passed Chicago changed, he was the heart.
Saw Chicago in Dallas, 6 months before album was released. They were touring with Jimi Hendrix as the first act. They blew us away and couldn’t wait for the album to be released. What a band back then!!
Chicago Are Legendary Music Icons With An ABSOLUTELY HUGE Catalog Of Classics...If You Think You Liked This One,, Just Wait Till You Get To The Next Song On The Album.
I follow a few reactors. I’ve recommended this song to all, I mean if your hearing a new band, doesn’t it make sense, first album, first song called INTRODUCTION? Thank you, you two got it right.
When It Comes To Consistently Beautiful Music That You Can Always Count On & Tons Of Must Hear Classics,, "Crosby,, Stills & Nash",, "Crosby,, Stills,, Nash & Young",, "Chicago",, "America",, "Bread",, "Firefall" & "Seals & Crofts"
My 67 year old neck does not allow my head to wobble anymore. I could get hurt! Seriously wish I still could. Great reaction to a great song! I forgot how much I loved this particular song. I lost interest in Chicago after the first 3 albums, gradually. Their early double albums unfortunately had a bit too much experimental filler for my taste, and the later ones were too poppy but there are real gems in the vintage years. Worth digging for them. From Chicago Transit Authority continue Beginnings, Question 67&68, and Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?. From the second album, where they renamed themselves Chicago, Fancy Colours, 25 or 6 to 4. and Colour my World are the standouts. Your gems may differ from mine.
I first fell in love with horn-based rock when I heard The Outsiders "Time Won't Let Me" in early 1966. Still remember the thrill of dropping the needle onto track 1 of "Chicago Transit Authority" in Sept. 1969, my freshman year in college. By the time their 3rd album dropped I got to see them live at Fort Wayne, Indiana's Memorial Coliseum. Guitar god Terry Kath, force of nature on drums Danny Seraphine and a horn section to die for. This was the album all the music majors in college were raving about -- and for good reason!
25 or 6 to 4 live at Tanglewood is a must see! The late great Terry Kath's guitar solo is legendary.
The entire set at Tangle wood is killer, one of several amazing shows there in that era. I.e. The Who, Jethro Tull, Santana & The Jefferson Airplane.
It's 25 or 6 to 4
Had to rewind and watch again immediately, Thought no way someone play that fast.
Yep especially 25 or 6 to 4 that guitar solo
Both Hendrix and Clapton called Terry Kath the fastest guitar player they ever saw.
This was the original sound from Chicago were they fused elements of Jazz and Rock into a whole new sounding form. When terry Kath, lead guitar and vocals, was leading the band this is music Chicago consistently put out. Sadly terry left us too early and the band changed it's direction to more of a pop and ballad sound. For me a must for you to react to is "25 or 6 to 4" which is their absolute masterpiece.
David Foster fucked it up........
@@parkermills3328 Not really. Musical tastes change, they had not had a hit in a while and drugs were taking over the band. The record company would also not let them put out anything with horns. So the horn players moved to guitar/synths and they went more electronic in the 80s and sang ballads. I'm not a big fan of their stuff from that era, but their lyrics and musicianship of their best-selling songs were still first-rate. Kath was also getting ready to leave the band before he passed, so they would have had to reconfigure anyway.
Terry was not the band's leader; it was a pretty democratic group. Also, the band had begun to change direction years before his death. The last album in the real Chicago mold--the last good album, in fact--was VII from1974.
@@Music--ng8cd Hi. The band had singles but were an album band, not a "singles" band, hence all of the double albums with experimental work. Things do change. Lamm stopped writing as much and then there was Kath. And they took forever finally replacing him with someone with chops (though never really did). Once they released that chocolate bar album with If You Leave Me Now, the die was cast toward singles ever after. I stopped buying right after that.
Peter Cetera doesn’t get enough credit for his playing. Any bassist who can keep up with and complement Danny Seraphine is a 1%er in my book.
Peter Cetera was a tremendous bassist! Amazing bass lines.
Yeah, but he gets a lot of credit for the vocals even though Robert Lamm did quite a handful too. I always love when Peter and Terry or Peter and Bob switch verses in a song. They all have their own unique style.
He was just KILLIN’ it after the guitar solo. It sounded so much like JPJ.
@@NH2112, I love JPJ! He's the most underrated member of Led Zeppelin. His keyboard stuff on their later albums (especially the solo in All My Love) is super inspiring to me as a piano player.
@@LedBeatle-vz4ui He was the glue that held Zeppelin together. I think The Rain Song and Carouselambra are his masterpieces.
This entire album, in track order would be terrific.
I was going to say the same thing.
Yes, and then the Tanglewood concert!
Yes please
@@michaelheimlich9161 absolutely. I go watch it on my own occasionally just cause it's that GREAT.
You literally have no idea how happy this makes us "Baby Boomers" for young people to rediscover this amazing music that we grew up with. Continue to discover music from the 60's and the 70's as this was "Real" music. Please, please keep this great music alive! Teach it to your children and your grandchildren. It's way to good to let it slip away......
oh, I was in a Cream cover band and we loved it, but when this came out, we looked at each other and said, "let's get a horn section"
Can't speak for anyone else, but when Terry Kath pulled the trigger that morning, Chicago died. This whole album is great! Now that you've heard "this" band, you can hear a totally different band, from the same album, when you hear "I'm a Man" or "Questions 67 and 68" or "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" Lot of diversity on this first album! Listen to it all, it's all over the place! That moment when Lex spontaneously busted out with a "Ha, Ha" during a change is what music is all about! Hope you never lose that enthusiasm!
Terry Kath's guitar solo on 25 or 6 to 4 is so friggin awesome.
I completely agree! The heart and soul of the band died when Kath died. The edge of the band was lost after that pivotal moment….
@@briangregory6303, I've also always loved his solo on "Make Me Smile."
Agree.
I love the choppy work he did on Im a Man!
Mr. Danny Seraphine slaying the drums... An unsung, underappreciated legend.
OMG he was such a beast. I've heard other reactors say there were two drummers...no just him killing it.
Absolutely, and he still plays like a beast.
Danny really got treated like shit when David Foster started producing the band and every drummer in the biz was expected to play like a drum machine.
@@kevinmauch5622 yes!! He was with them for over 20 years and then all the sudden they were like “he can’t keep time”! I can’t stand David Foster!!
And this was all all done on essentially a "starter kit" Bass, Snare, Floor Tom, couple baby Toms, High Hat, Crash & Rider Cymbals.
Unlike others who needs to surrounded by a gazillion drums & cymbals (Neil Peart, comes to mind). Another unsung & underappreciated drummer is Michael Shrieve from Santana.
You owe it to yourselves to just make your way through the entire album. It will be time well spent. All the members of Chicago were barely in their early 20s when this album was being made. This debut was so mature for musicians so young.
I second this wholeheartedly.
I agree as well, is because they were not playing music, they were musicians!!! Well said
Yes, this debut double album was as good as any Beatles album. It had four radio hit songs. Chicago just doesn't get the credit they deserve.
This song is titled Introduction for a reason. Terry Kath wanted a song that highlighted each instrument and group of instruments in the band. Vocals, Horns, Keyboards, Percussion, Bass, Guitar. Brilliant.
The lyrics are self- explanatory..
And the band still opens their shows with it.
Terry Kath was the guitarist. He wrote this but he couldn’t read or write music. So Jim Pankow (trombone) sat down with him and transcribed every note. The band called it Terry’s Masterpiece.
Everyone in the Band Chicago had Degrees in Music
@@rickhickman45except Terry...
I am so glad somebody finally decided to start with Chicago at the beginning of the beginning. You're the first ones to get this right. This song is exactly what it says it is, an introduction. Let the goose bumps happen. Terry Kath was a monster singer and guitarist
Spot on! As someone who grew up with Chicago. Yup!
In '68 I was 7yrs old so I didn't actually experience this until the live 4 album set whenever it came out. I was still a kid but I was sold on the music !!
Early Chicago was one of THE greatest bands. Three singers, multiple songwriters, and boy did they take chances. Fabulous brass arrangements throughout. Really fun watching you react. Yes, this music was life-changing for us when we grew up with it -- glad it's still affecting people like you today.
They insisted this album be a double .. unheard of for a debut.. they had to agree on reduced royalties
Well-stated, David!
Everything….. EVERYTHING on this album is incredible. It’s really one of the best debut albums of all time.
My older brother brought this album home when I was 11 years old. We played it incessantly. Finally my dad (a professional jazz and swing trumpet player) poked his head in the room and said, "Those cats are really good!" Needless to say, all four of us brothers waited for each new album to come out. They were very good for a very long time. They still sound great in concert FIFTY TWO YEARS LATER.
This cut is one that is mostly ignored by others. It is an incredible piece writen by the late Terry Kath. Guitarist ,vocalist and founding member of "Chicago". Thanks for bringing it out to peoplle's attention!
I was so pleasantly surprised when I saw a Chicago tribute band at a local town summer festival play this song as part of their set. That’s how you can tell TRUE Chicago fans.
In an interview, original Chicago drummer Danny Seraphine said that “Introduction” was the best opening track on any album, ever. I agree.
'Make Me Smile' will make you smile for sure. Terry Kath shines.
time and time again
Yup.
Hey guys. You didn't ask, but it's worth noting, Chicago had three lead vocalists on their early albums. This song featured Terry Kath (guitars), and there's also Robert Lamm (keyboards), and finally Peter Cetera (bass). Cetera, of course, went on to sing most (not all) of their hits. Yes, those sappy ballads you've heard. Still, he is a great singer, and an awesome bass player.
One of those sappy ballads helped me to quit smoking.
Jimi Hendrix had the utmost respect for Terry Kath's guitar playing.
Chicago opened for Hendrix at the helLA Forum when I saw them in '69... I honestly don't remember much about their performance, cuz Jimi's set was life transforming.
"Praise from Cesar, is praise indeed."
I'm excited for both of you guys you finally discovered the biggest thing in music
Impossible to overstate how groundbreaking this was for the time. Kudos for starting right at the beginning rather than with just their well worn hits. Great choice!
I was 16 years old, living in Chicago and early in my music career when this album came out. It was a total game changer. Every garage band in town was searching through their high school band friends for horn players who could add "that sound". Chicago opened a whole new vista to what a rock band could be. Blood Sweat & Tears had introduced jazz sounds to rock but Chicago just skyrocketed past anything we had ever heard. So glad to see you enjoying this track. The first few albums were very experimental and everyone in the band had their chance to shine. So much talent in that group.
The trumpet solo by Lee Loughnane is absolutely stunning and breathtaking as well as the trombone solo by James Pankow!!!
I never want to fall into the trap of saying that today's music is terrible and the music of yesterday is the best. Nevertheless, if you think about the music that was released between 1964 and 1974, it is possible to say that there has never been before or since a 10 year period where music experienced such an explosion of diversity and excellence. Thank you for the reaction.
💯 totally agree!!! I've also been a preacher of this same philosophy of time and music experience. Unrefutable!
I wouldn't stop at '74 but I get your point.
For me at 66, it was 1964 to 1994, the British Invasion though the Seattle Grunge movement, 30 years of excellence then bam, grunge is all but over and we have a musical wasteland until rocks resurrection in the past decade. Great era, the rock era, will be listened to forever.
I would almost agree. '66-'76 was just off the charts good.
Agree
OMG!!! Couldn't hit play fast enough. The Chicago Transit Authority album is one of my all-time favorite albums by anyone. It's so good from beginning to end. I pretty much love 99% of their catalog all the way to the present day. They will have a new album coming out in January 2022. It'll be their first album of all original music, not including their 2019 Christmas album, since 2014. That last album called "Now: Chicago XXXVI (36th album) might not be this kind of Chicago as their sound has changed quite a bit over the years but, I still like it a lot. Their current guitarist, Keith Howland, is the closest they've come to having another guitarist like Terry Kath.
I loved that you both loved the song instantly. Again, the rest of the album is killer. Check it out. Also, they still play this song live in concert and still do it very well. The trombone player and trumpet player are still in the band and are still tearing it up live. They only have three original members left, James Pankow (trombone), Lee Loughnane (trumpet) and Robert Lamm (keyboards and lead vocals on many Chicago classics) but they all three still give it their all in concert. I might be biased because I grew up listening to these guys since I was a kid in the 70s, so they are one of my favorite bands, but they do have a lot of great songs from the late 60s through the 80's that I think you would both love. Thanks for another great reaction video.
My favorite album by Chicago. I think its their best album
Well you two adorable people just made my night! Bless you. I m 68 years old with tears in my eyes. I first heard this in the fall of 1969 on the FM radio. A life changing moment for a 16 year old black teenager. I saw them in Philly a few months later.....came out with this song. Straight up fire! Thanks again.Btw, you would have enjoyed the 60s...you both have kind souls. I can tell.
Chicago during the years Terry Kath was alive was pure magic. He was the heart and soul of their rock/jazz years. I’m a Man, Make Me Smile, Beginnings…all Terry Kath on the lead vocals and lead guitar and all just plain phenomenal. And his guitar work on the live version of 25 or 6 to 4 at Tanglewood is some of the greatest guitar work you’ll ever lay your eyes on.
Robert sang lead on Beginnings and all three of them did I'm A Man.
Kath was not lead vocals on Beginnings - Robert Lamb was.
I love how the soloists are not afraid to go "off note" and flatten or sharpen the note for a second to create an "edge" of dissonance on purpose
to flavor the passage and add a bit of chaos to the harmony. Those jazz notes add some 'sourness' that is so tasty.
Modern music is so afraid to do any of that.
Early Journey albums are like kind of like this too, before they went AOR.
@Chris Reid, this is just a small taste of Terry Kath's vocal skills. He's fabulous.
I think maybe you mean MOR - middle of the road. AOR was a format that made us happy back in the 70’s… so we could hear album cuts they wouldn’t play on pop radio.
The first 3 albums by Chicago were all double albums. Extremely rare.
I was a freshman in high school when this was released and it was an instant mind-blower. This album impacted so many of us listeners who discovered them on FM due to the album format. Although CTA would eventually become a double-platinum record, It did not find instant success on AM radio and that was where the money was at the time. I was already a big fan of Blood Sweat and Tears and these guys were on the same label, Columbia. Jazz-Rock was starting to hit its stride and man you are going to enjoy the discovery you listen to this fabulous record. One of the big strengths of this band is it has 3 exceptional vocalists (Kath, Lamb & Cetera) and a real gifted guitarist in Terry Kath. I am excited to join you vicariously on your journey.
Terry Kath (vocalist on this song, his voice had so much soul) was an excellent guitarist. Unfortunately he was taken way too soon. This first album was brilliant. You should definitely listen to more. "Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon" off of the next album, is another good one to check out.
TH-cam blocked it when Sight After Dark tried to play it.
Loved your reactions. And yes the greatest hits never do a band justice especially if they have a long history. I heard Chicago for the first time when they did 25 or 6 to 4, which was an air guitar staple. After Terry Kath faded away (accidentally shot himself), the band got more pop and sappy. Another group you may like that had a similar horn sound was Blood Sweat and Tears. Their first two albums were very different but I think you’d like both.
If you had continued listening beyond this introduction song, you’d come across a jazzy piano hit (Does anyone know what time it is?) and then the very inspiring guitar song (Beginnings). Both were hits but the radio singles cut out great portions of the songs. Ugh.
Beginnings too!
Questions 67 & 68, I’m A Man, Someday.
I was a drafted GI stationed in Budingen Germany. On 12-19-69 I went by train to Frankfiurt with some buddies to see a band I had never heard of, Chicago Transit Authortity. The concert at Ein Hundert Jahre Halle was filled with other GIs and German fans of the group. It was a memorable concert needless to say. The original Chicago was made up of supremely talented musicians and the tunes were electifying and uplifting. We left the concert completely blow away.
Saw them in 1970 in an arena. They sounded the same live as they do on record. No mistakes, drops, just a total groove for over 2 hours. They created a high level of energy and excitement. Everyone in the audience--- didn't shout or scream during the songs but the applause was deafening between songs. People sat with their jaws dropped to their chest. A total W-0-W. Blown away
FINALLY someone reacts to this song! I've only been recommending it to people for the last fifteen years or so! This is the real Chicago, not that wimpy emo crap from the 80s.
Amen to that!
Some of love this, and that 'wimpy' stuff to come later...
This album has no fillers. Every track is special.
Maybe "Free Form Guitar" lol
Well, it's DEFINITELY..."special."
I haven't heard this song in 40 years! OMFG I forgot how incredible it is. I love the early CTA sound. Thank you for reintroducing me to it! ❤️
I guess the big question is why 40 years????? Music like this needs to be listened to constantly.
@@rubicon-oh9km totally. I just kind of put Chicago in my back pocket once Terry Kath died and Cetera left and they went all ballads on me. Now I've listened to it like 20 times in the past month.
You can still listen to what you love, man.
Just listen to this entire album. It's the best. Chicago Transit Authority was their original name but they had to change the band name because that was already the city of Chicgo's public transit agency name...so they shortened it to Chicago.
I had this album when it came out! CTA! I haven’t heard that Introduction for literally 45 years or so, as I drifted away from the band when it got all schlocky. Man, that horn section was TIGHT. I actually appreciate it more now than I did when it first came out, as I was more into hard rock and psychedelia in 1969, so it was great to see you both so enthusiastic over this music. Your enthusiasm is infectious! Thanks! New sub!
Lol, hi Helene...so cool you are re-discovering Chicago after all these years! Now that you have heard the studio version of Introduction and dug it, take a listen to the last 2 quads I gave Wayne to react to.....the last one about 3 weeks ago of early Chicago, where it has live concert Introduction from CTA and then 3 more studio tracks from CTA. Fun to see your comments, always like your feedback!
If you like this brass arrangement, I HIGHLY recommend the song "Questions 67 and 68" from this album. Fantastic arrangement!! The first time I saw them live was in 1974, and have seen them 18 times altogether with the most recent being in 2016 and 2018. Although they only have three of the original members still in the band, they are sounding the best they ever have! I know there are a lot of Chicago purists and I am also going back to when I first heard Chicago II at my friend's house in 1972, but they really sound fantastic (maybe updates in live mixing). Like other Chicago fans also recommend their live 1970 version of "25 or 6 to 4" and the epic guitar solo by Terry Kath!!!! Just bought my ticket to see them for the 19th time this March in Austin!!
Best debut album ever, and a double album to boot. These guys had a lot to say, and what a way of saying it they had!
You guys really need to sit and listen to this album sometime, even if not for reactions. Your lives will be changed by it.
Their 1st 3 studio albums were each double albums! These guys were busting at the seams to put out all their wonderful ideas!
My was
Firstly, you guys are great!
Don't take any notice of these trolls who feed on negativity. You guys keep groovin' and shaking your heads and dancing and showing your love for the discovery of old and new sounds.
Chicago was one of those experimental groups to come out of the crossfertilization of jazz, funk, rock and avante guard in the late 60s through the early 70s. Their early albums reflect that harder rock/jazz sound and Terry Kath was one of greatest guitarists and singer of his day. There are so many great tracks from the 70s albums that I'm sure others here will recommend.
KEEP GROOVIN'
There is a great documentary, "Terry Kath Experience," where his daughter goes back and tells his story. It's fantastic, and the band explains how this song was Terry Kath's vision come to life, literally written to introduce this music to the world. There is also a Chicago documentary, but for my tastes - and I started listening to Chicago when this came out, I was 11 - there is Chicago before TK died, and then after. Two completely different bands. They turned into a soft pop ballad band, which is fine if you like that kind of thing; but their first two albums rocked my preteen brain. I started playing trombone because of this album. Chicago was my very first unchaperoned rock concert. Thanks for the memory blast ✌😎
Hehe, I have made sure to let N&L know about it and to remember seeing it here at Yt, which they have available for free :). EVERYONE Should watch it!
Like u i played trombone in grade school but before CTA, so when 1st heard this and then later saw in concert many many times in early 1970s, Chicago was my inspiration!
The same rock-to pop metamorphosis that ruined a number of other bands for me - most notably REO Speedwagon and Journey.
@@williamosborne6866 One thing you have to give them, they never stopped. That horn section, and Pankow's arrangements have my respect. And Cetera has a beautiful voice, great for ballads. But, yeah. When TK died, I stopped paying attention
One hell of a debut album! Gotta do "Beginnings" now. Chicago had built a reputation doing live performances and yes, this was a double LP - who gets that kind of recording contract? But they had lots of powerful numbers they had played to a loyal following and so, they could lay down the tracks and this album produced hits immediately. So, they had lots of word of mouth going for them. But even without that, every record shop you walked into in 1969 after this was released was playing it. Interestingly, the band was named Chicago Transit Authority at the time but had to shorten their name when the actual transit authority in the city of Chicago sued them.
I appreciate you appreciating the music that was real
"Now More Than Ever" is a must see documentary on this incredible band Chicago. Just like the Rush documentary, this will help you understand everything they went through. Enjoy you too!!!👍
For me Chicago(CTA) started at the very peak of the mountain and gradually slid down it. This album would never be bettered by them IMO. with Poem 58 the pinnacle of this pinnacle
I also HIGHLY recommend Poem 58 off this album. Be prepared to be blown away. I love this channel!!
Poem 58 proved when Jimi Hendrix told Chicago that their guitar player was better than Jimi himself that he was right! Terry Kath was criminally underrated by the media but musicians recognized his incredible self-taught talent.
Absolutely the best guitar work I think I’ve ever heard!
When I met James Pankow backstage a few years ago, here’s what he said: “you know what’s really amazing, is that we got people to listen to this music!”
That you did, James
I'm so glad that you two reacted to this incredible song and touched upon the dilemma that all of us who love this music are facing. People think that the popular stuff is definitive of the bands they have heard (Genesis, Yes, Chicago..Etc.) but buried is the history of these bands that were putting out revolutionary and groundbreaking music that was extraordinary. That's where you reaction channels come in to get everyone back on track and get to the real meat and potatoes and not the garbage or shit that everyone has been fed. You guys along with other reaction channels are doing a tremendous service by introducing younger generations to this incredible music.
I can't start a reaction channel because it wouldn't be genuine. I'm a musician who knows all of this music because I was a child of the 70s with it on the radio.
However, I am warmed to no end when i see folks like you two discovering this and realizing that what you've been fed, isn't good at all compared to the fulfilling quality of what you've missed. Keep up the great work and because you've reacted to this, I am subscribing to your channel. You've done great stuff since I have checked in before, and seen you two, but this is exceptional to react to this song and have this epiphany. Peace friends!
Thank you for what you said about Owner of a Lonely Heart. Many people don't understand the difference between 'popular' YES vs classic YES, but you understand music in ways that many people don't, so you get it. Owner of a Lonely Heart is fine, but it's nothing compared to all the amazing music they put out on their first 8 albums. Hope you go through all 8 of them, because they're all phenomenal.
Here here!
I think that's what gets me, owner of a lonely heart is an ok song. But for people to refer to it as one of their best when close to the edge and fragile exist, its like the biggest slap to the face. This is probably an extreme opinion but old yes pushed the limits with each release. Then the 80s hit and yes decided to settle into the norm of "pop" music. Same with Chicago however part of it could be contributed to the death of Terry
@@nrs10001 agreed
In the 80's the record company said, we need a cute little song, so we can make a cute little movie and put it on MTV, and you can have a nice big stack of cash.
It's the perfect example to show the difference between 70s and 80s music. In the 70s the bands played the music they liked personally, in the 80s they composed music, they hoped for to be liked by any listeners and become commercially successful. I remember hearing Follow you, follow me by Genesis the first time, my reaction was WTF ? Or do you remember REO becoming commercial, all these "love" songs, compare it to the
Golden Country of the live LP, it's two different bands sounding similar only because of the singer
I have been trying to get numerous reactors to do this song. Thank you. What a great introduction to early Chicago. First two albums are great.
'25 or 6 to 4' plays at my work almost every day, and it NEVER gets old. Chicago is one of those amazing bands that never seems to amaze. It almost seems like a pick a new element every time I listen to them.
"Make Me Smile", and "Dialogue" are a couple more great early Chicago songs....
Chicago Introduction is the greatest song ever recorded. It is my favorite right now and it was great seeing you guys from the next generation experience it for the first time. Watching you react in real time was hysterical.
1969 was an incredible year for music. Every sort of musical genre was being "rockified." Between 1968-1969 you had Santana, CCR, Hendrix, Grand Funk, the James Gang, YES, CSN, Joni Mitchell, Canned Heat, Sly & the Family Stone, Led Zeppelin all blowing up. Of course, it was also the year of Woodstock...
Also the Allman Brothers!
Love this Chicago song. Love this album, probably still my fave. Yeah, the band took a different turn after the tragic death of Terry Kath.
I´m 56, and I found this video right now. I was 3 when Chicago recorded this... But I didin´t put some attention of this song untill months ago. It´s lovely to find in the music on your favourites groups new sensations and watching you enjoy and feeling it was amazing. My Favourite groups are Beatles, Toto, Steely Dan and Chicago. They shown us many new and amazing things even nowadays.
I was 16 yrs old when I bought this in '69. At that time I was still discovering my genre, and I purchased it (like so many other albums at that time) on the strength of the cover design. It was a reliable method of finding 'my' music, and rarely let me down.
It was Chicago 2 where I first heard them as a college freshman, and that's always been their defining record for me. There was just so much great music coming out at the time, I never went back to listen to CTA. Thanks for helping me get into this "missed gem" after 50 years!
Yes--this album got lots of play at my house. Was glad for the chance to see them live not long after this release. They opened for Jimi Hendrix--what a show!!!
Their "Fancy Colors" has some astounding Rock flute action worth exploring! Every member of this group is a virtuoso!!!
This álbum was so well produced, that for 1969; is incredible, even the you tube compactation Doesnt afect it.
Early Chicago is my favorite Chicago. You guys keep going into the early Chicago and you will have a blast, and we will too, watching you react to it. 👍
I'm always excited to see listeners discover old Chicago. The Terry Kath years were pretty amazing and very cutting edge. This is not to take away from the other musicians but Terry was the soul. Peter Cetera's bass playing is freakin' awesome,,Danny Seraphine's drumming was give a thumbs up by Buddy Rich and Robert Lamm was an all around solid keyboardist/vocalist that would have made it on his own. And yes, those horns brought jazz, funk, classical, and just about anything they could to add to the sound. A great innovative band for sure.
"Now we put you through the Changes and Turned Around the Mood, We hope it Sparked a Difference, Hope you Feel Moved. So Forget all of your Troubles as we Search for Something New and we Play for You." Terry Kath, Rest In Peace, "Introduction" is one of The Finest Musical Compositions, It's stood the Test of Time and Sounds as Fresh as The day it was Recorded! Non Musicians with Favorite Guitar Players were Stunned when they first heard Chicago's Powerful Horn Section and Silenced when Realized "Introduction" was a Terry Kath Composition! Critics ignore Terry Kath, because it's Above alot on Their List. Thanks for playing this Epic and Awesome Tune! I love both of your Reactions! :)
Also check out the 1st album from Blood, Sweat & Tears. 1968's Child Is Father to the Man. It's the only one with founder & original singer/keyboardist Al Kooper.
Just bought a used cd last week.
One of the best albums ever.
Also on this album is Poem 58, Terry Kath on guitar blends funk and rock for the opening 4 minutes, backed by Danny Seraphine on drums and Peter Cetera on bass, in an mind blowing experience before the song transitions and Robert Lamm comes in on lead vocals.
Jimi Hendrix told the band "You guys have a horn section that sounds like one set of lungs and a guitar player that's better than me!"
This album come out when I was just getting into High School. All of us band geeks were absolutely crazy about it. Finally, horn players were getting their place in Rock and Roll! Coolest thing EVER!! After the first album, the actual Chicago Transit Authority sued the band to make them change the name to just Chicago. All of the early Chicago albums with Terry Kath (through Chicago XI) are outstanding. It gets spotty after that, and eventually they became the ballad band that you were familiar with. Glad you guys found your way to this great 'rabbit hole'.
CHICAGO "COLOUR MY WORLD" & "WISHING YOU WERE HERE"...BOTH ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL CLASSICS.
Oh YEAH!
Love that you went back to their 'Beginnings', which by the way is another great song by them 🙂
Incredibly talented band. This whole album is perfection. Jazz, rock,...yup! 25 or 6 to 4 live at Tanglewood is transcendental. Don't worry about the haters. They can watch a different video. I watch you two because you two are just real.
Back in the 70s, I bought Chicago II first and loved it so much, I bought this album and was blown away. Saw them 3 times in concert in Toronto. Great showmen. In later years, like Chicago X, producers like David Foster told them to do three slow songs without horns to release as singles. The band resisted but ultimately went along. The singles did sell, but never gave listeners a true sense of the band. Glad you enjoyed. Happy weekend!
Foster put the nail in the Chicago sound. Soft ballad band after that- Foster did some good things ie, The Tubes but IMO he ruined Chicago.
Yes, The 1st Song on the "Chicago Transit Authority Lp, "Introduction" was Written by The Guitarist Terry Kath, The Band was Amazed at the Time Changes, Crescendos, Harmonic & Melodic Interwoven and Terrys ability to score all the parts for the Band. Awesome & Powerful Horn Section. Jimi Hendrix Became an instant Fan of Chicago and Friend to Terry Kath. Jimi told Mitch Mitchell & Noel Redding, and Chas and Mike at Management "I heard this Band Chicago, Their Horn Section Sounds like 1 Set of Lungs and Their Guitar Player is as Good as Me! I want them to be The Opening Act on our next Tour."
This was my first album. I literally thought all rock music was this good for a long time. I loved that it had trombone parts that I could play. As you said this was the first song anyone ever hears from this band and was written to ‘introduce’ the group. Listen to the whole double album. The only filler is Free Form Guitar, something that is more experimental than melodic.
Hi kids,I’m so happy for you too.This band helped to set the musical direction of my life . The first time I heard the band Chicago I was in my early teens,Of course living in the suburbs of Chicago. My mom brought home a box of breakfasts cereal and on the back of the box was a sampler of 4 songs by different bands one being Chicago and the other three quite forgettable. The song was Does anybody know what time it is? Cut the record off the box and play we did over and over again. Took my paper route money and bought this album.And the rest is my musical history!! Thanks Nicknlex enjoy your vids
There is no other Chicago song like this, as many great songs as they have, this song is unique!
when Nick gets the "stank face" ya Know is Good stuff! Great react, Thanks!
What an unbelievable first ever song. That first album is the best album I’ve ever heard in my life. You will never hear anything like it
The whole album is GREAT.Listen to all of them.
I love you’re diversity in music is refreshing. Don’t worry about losers
So good that you have both been introduced to this album. CTA is one of the greatest albums of all time. And one of the most played in my collection which I first heard complete in 1978. I now have two vinyl copies including a 1969 original pressing. Not a duff track on t and side three with 'Free Form Guitar', 'South California Purples' and 'I'm a Man' is just awesome.
When I hear this, I feel it's actually a shame how a band with an exciting sound such as this could go on turning into a cheesy soft-ballad act later on.
Guys, this was awesome stuff :-)
Well, the drugs came in and they burned out, plus the constant touring. But the radio loved their pop ballad songs.
Being a trumpet player myself, I was a HUGE fan of Chicago back in the day. I think along about the seventh album was where I decided I didn't care for the direction they were headed and we parted ways...There's a Rhino remix of the "Live at Carnegie Hall" album that I still listen to regularly. There's also a Steven Wilson remix of the "Chicago II" album that's very good. Additionally, since I'm from West Virginia, I'm partial to the whole "Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon" suite.
Terry Kath, the guitarist and vocalist on this song, wrote this song with James Pankow the trombonist arranging the horns. Simply awesome music.
Poem 58 and South California Purples will forever change your preconceived conceptions of Chicago.
You can really hear some signature horn stabs and figures they go on to use in some more well known tracks. They definitely have a fingerprint, you wouldn't confuse this horn section or arrangements with Tower of Power. Good stuff.
Jimi Hendrix was asked how it feels to be the greatest guitarist in the world. He said "I don't know ask the guy in Chicago." RIP Terry Kath.
I bought this when it first came out. I had friends that were really plugged into the music scene back then. I think this was an early fusion of rock and jazz. My dad was a big jazz lover who was raised in Chicago, so he and I used to listen to this and those were special moments. We had somewhat different musical tastes (I bought the first Led Zeppelin album when it first came out, and he didn't like it at all.). However, Chicago Transit Authority (as it was known back then), was a band that we both liked. Every time I hear a song like this from their first album, I think of him (He has since passed away).
I love that you have such a passionate, appreciative reaction to such a talented group of musicians. You're correct in saying that they changed their style over the years to something on the softer side. My guess is that this is partly a natural progression as we age, and also due to the fact that Terry Kath, the lead guitarist passed away in the late 70's. Terry brought an edge to the music that seems to be missing in later incarnations of the band.
They became the ballad band much later in their career. The first 4 albums are fire.
Early Chicago is the best. So funky and jazzy. Really gets in your soul! LOVE!!!!
Check out a tune from a group called Diesel. The tune is "Sausalito Summer Night." The live versions suck, but give a listen to their digitally remastered original album compilation. If this tune doesn't get your feet to tapping, it's because you're comatose, or you've died and gone to musical Hell.
Try Blood, Sweat, and Tears, another horn-heavy band from the same era; Spinning Wheel, You've Made Me so Very Happy, When I Die. Best Record of 1969.
Love Blood Sweat and Tears
Blues Part 2 is a great jam that didn't get airplay.
Best record of 1969. Is that official or your opinion? I’m not being a jerk…..I really want to know if it won awards.
Chicago's first album, Chicago Transit Authority, was inducted into the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame in 2014, and the band performed on the Grammy stage for the first time that year. Robert Lamm and James Pankow were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2017.
Blood, Sweat, and Tears probably wouldn't have even happened if it hadn't been for Chicago. Al Kooper saw Chicago (then by a different name) playing at the Whiskey in LA and was inspired to create a band like them. He assembled a group of New York session musicians and, because James Guercio (Chicago's producer and manager) was still negotiating a record deal for Chicago, actually beat Chicago to the punch in getting a first record out. It's a twist of irony, IMHO, that Columbia had Guercio produce "Spinning Wheel" by BS&T for their second album. All of this comes from an interview between Joe Chambers and James Pankow (trombonist and horn arranger for Chicago): th-cam.com/video/F87DGkstoXQ/w-d-xo.html
I love how they tried to speak to the listener, the final lyric:
Now we put you through the changes
And turned around the mood
We hope it's struck you different
And hope you feel moved
So forget all of your troubles
As we search for something new
And we play for you
As a sophomore in high school, this was certainly different from Cream and Hendrix. Love it still.
Chicago poem 58
The first time I heard this was in a group room in 1969 on one the counselor's high end stereo he set up there and I think I was 15 or 16 and I was hooked. In my opinion,this number is Terry Kath's finest composition. And it is an introduction, you literally hear every member of the band. If you like this, (and obviously you do) in your spare time, watch Chicago live at Tanglewood. Every time I watch it I end up watching the whole thing. After be Terry passed Chicago changed, he was the heart.
25 or 6 to 4. You won't regret it.
I'll be shocked if they haven't heard it.
Terry Kath plays a guitar solo on the wah-wah pedal that can fry brains.
Saw Chicago in Dallas, 6 months before album was released. They were touring with Jimi Hendrix as the first act. They blew us away and couldn’t wait for the album to be released. What a band back then!!
Chicago Are Legendary Music Icons With An ABSOLUTELY HUGE Catalog Of Classics...If You Think You Liked This One,, Just Wait Till You Get To The Next Song On The Album.
I follow a few reactors. I’ve recommended this song to all, I mean if your hearing a new band, doesn’t it make sense, first album, first song called INTRODUCTION? Thank you, you two got it right.
Please do every single song from this album (with the exception of Free Form Guitar). Every song on this album is brilliant!
When It Comes To Consistently Beautiful Music That You Can Always Count On & Tons Of Must Hear Classics,, "Crosby,, Stills & Nash",, "Crosby,, Stills,, Nash & Young",, "Chicago",, "America",, "Bread",, "Firefall" & "Seals & Crofts"
My 67 year old neck does not allow my head to wobble anymore. I could get hurt!
Seriously wish I still could. Great reaction to a great song! I forgot how much I loved this particular song. I lost interest in Chicago after the first 3 albums, gradually. Their early double albums unfortunately had a bit too much experimental filler for my taste, and the later ones were too poppy but there are real gems in the vintage years. Worth digging for them. From Chicago Transit Authority continue Beginnings, Question 67&68, and Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?. From the second album, where they renamed themselves Chicago, Fancy Colours, 25 or 6 to 4. and Colour my World are the standouts. Your gems may differ from mine.
I first fell in love with horn-based rock when I heard The Outsiders "Time Won't Let Me" in early 1966. Still remember the thrill of dropping the needle onto track 1 of "Chicago Transit Authority" in Sept. 1969, my freshman year in college. By the time their 3rd album dropped I got to see them live at Fort Wayne, Indiana's Memorial Coliseum. Guitar god Terry Kath, force of nature on drums Danny Seraphine and a horn section to die for. This was the album all the music majors in college were raving about -- and for good reason!