PLEASE, JUST DO THE WHOLE DAMN ALBUM. I am a 76 man who listened to this album constantly and wore one out, and bought another. My favorite Era was the 70s with great bands CTA, Eagles, Blood Sweat and Tears, Three Dog Night, The Guess Who, Santana, and soooo many more. Love your reactions. Peace, Bill.
Get medieval on their asses..its ridiculous to me why beginnings isnt on everyones best of list..Im sure ive listened to over 15000 unique songs.. this is top 2 yes.. between Reelin in the Years
One of their GREATEST songs! Can’t believe it took this long to get around to it. And perhaps Robert Lamm’s best vocals of all time. The layering of the horns is amazing. And I gotta say thank you for not pausing on this one - the build is so important! Great reaction!
I agree, JK! I was a huge fan since age 13 and had a big crush on Robert Lamm, his vocals were so great! Later on Terry Kath became my favorite, as his singing had SO MUCH SOUL!! I saw them 6 times in high school!
Danny Seraphine is a B.A. drummer. I believe the legendary Buddy Rich once commented on how he loved his drumming. Peter Cetera's bass playing, Robert Lamb on keys, the legendary Terry Kath, and the horn section ... all unbelievably great musicians. This is the era of Chicago that I personally love. Glad you loved it. Don't be afraid to do the whole Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon, or Introduction .. they'll knock your sox off.
While I was at Wayne Hills HS (1968), someone thought it would be a good idea to get Blood Sweat & Tears to play at a sock hop. Needless to say, they were so popular at the time that getting them to play a HS gig was impossible . Someone then suggested CTA as they were virtually unheard of. They played in the gym. No one danced. We just stared in amazement at this incredible group an arms length away. Awesome
Same .. graduated 1968 .. the Doors played at my HS .. although I didn’t get to see them .. didn’t sell the peanutbrickle for the assembly .. still my favorite LA band .. grew up in LA
ZZ Topp had a similar situation way back when. They had signed to play the prom at a fairly small high school there in Texas quite a bit early. In between the time they signed the contracts and the actual date of the prom, their first big hit exploded. The story is that kids were coming from all over the area and pulling all kinds of stunts trying to get in.
My all-time favourite Chicago song. The vocal melody is pure magic, the horns, rhythm section and percussion are astounding, and the transitions are seamless and beautiful. Simply their best song.
The amount of talent in this band is incredible. You will never run out of amazing Chicago tunes to react to. PS I adore those earrings and yes please to doing the next song!
Always loved Beginnings from the beginning,......lol. And it was composed and lead singing by Robert Lamm as often in the first years of the band Chicago !!
You should really give a listen to "Ballet for a Girl in Buchanan". It's 5 or so short songs tied together. There are two notable songs that got tons of airplay, with the great Terry Kath
People do not comment on the percussion section of Chicago enough, esp the exotic non drum pieced What a great band! They had it all; a fresh take on rock with the brass section, several lead singers, the hard rock guitar of Terry Kath, great songwriting. Miraculous!
@@markmurphy558 dude i been running around telling people on the reaction channels that Danny Seraphine is to be included on all 70s best drummer lists .. Collins, Powell, Palmer, Bonham, Cobham Bruford,Shreive, etc
I was born in ‘58 & heavily influenced by my mother. She bought every Chicago album, the first two she played the most. By ‘76 when Terry Kath was still alive she took me & my brother to see them at the Inglewood Forum, front row! It’s plainly difficult, but in a good way, to share these songs with you folks as I do get terribly, nostalgically verklempt to the point I can’t even sing along. So glad you’re all digging it, keep exploring. Their second album was their best, in my humble opinion.
I might have been at that concert too. I've seen Chicago so many times it's hard to remember. But I do remember seeing them at the Forum in the mid 70's when Terry Kath was still alive. You had much better seats than I had.
One of my favorite songs by Chicago. I bought the CTA album when it was released. I was in graduate school in California at the time. My friends and I fell in love with the band.
What’s astonishing is to think that “rock” evolved from early Beatles to this level of harmonic sophistication in only five years. I saw Chicago warming up for Mahavishnu Orchestra. What a show!
Focusing on three spectacular parts... Robert Lamm's lead vocals Danny Seraphine's drumming and Jimmy Pankows trombone ....Early Chicago is just EPIC music... My cousin got me into them in the early 70s. I've seen them only 3 times to my dismay and never with Terry Kath 😕 but to me are still awesome.. my now 3 adult daughters saw them when they were younger as their first full concert and still recall it fondly. ❤❤❤ Hearing the guys always brings a tear to my eyes because my late cousin is who got me into them and I know he's happy about that ...
If you ever get a chance to see Leonid and Friends in concert, GO! They play note for note versions of Chicago songs with such enthusiasm that you can close your eyes and swear you were hearing the original musicians! I've experienced them, (and saw Chicago 6 times in the '70s!)
Haven't heard this in a long time. Chicago had so many hits it's mind boggling. And they were around forever but yes, in many different forms. But their enormity is undeniable. Good choice!
One of my favorite Chicago songs and yes do Question 67 and 68 next! I really appreciate your open mindedness about the band’s transformation. They did commercialize immensely with top 40 hit after hit, but most of their music highlights their signature horns and harmonies. So many amazing albums and songs over decades.
You should have seen this 67 year old white haired lady (me) dancing around the kitchen to that!! 😂 When this song first came out, it was always a treat when the radio DJ played this extended album version. So much joy!!
After 50 some years, still my favorite Chicago song and one of my favorites songs of all. Robert's vocals, Jimmie's horn arrangements, Danny's intricate and precise drumming, and the heartfelt love and joy of the lyrics. I knew that ending would speak to Lex's heart; that's the entire band picking up percussion on the final rhythm section. Much of the credit for the quality of this recording goes to the producer James William Guercio. Both he and Terry would be with the band through Chicago XI, when Terry died and the band fired Guercio, that's when the band's sound changed.
Big hit on NYC FM stations back then, we loved hearing these long songs, a real jam vibe from many bands back then. Don’t forget to check out their closest rival “horn” band of the time, Blood, Sweat and Tears.
My favorite Chicago track! I had a radio alarm clock as a kid. One day my alarm clock went off and it was Beginnings playing from the very start of the song. I was amazes at the timing and the song hooked me from ahem, "The Beginning." Thanks for sharing this. I love your enthusiasm and appreciation of music from that era!
So many great songs from their first album - CTA. You've already listened to 2: "Introduction" written and sung by Terry Kath (lead guitar); and " Does anybody really know what time it is" written and sung by Robert Lamm (keyboards). This song too is written and sung by Lamm. Next up, especially if you like horns, is "Questions 67 & 68" written by Lamm and sung by Cetera (bass). CTA album also contains the only cover they ever did - "I'm a Man" which also contains a nice drum solo.
Guys this a song when i was young driving to work or just driving that came on the radio it just put me in a great mood. Such a great upbeat song. It still does that today. Chicago is great.
Well, I'm looking forward to this. I grew up playing the Trumpet, and in High School I got together with some friends who tried to put a band together, and they asked if I'd like to join them, because this was one of the songs that they wanted to learn. Let's just say that while I was a good Trumpet player in my High School, I was maybe only about half as good as this Trumpet player, which is why you never heard of me. Maybe if I was committed to practicing more, I could've made it 😏
As a 6th grade trumpet player someone gave me this album and I later got sheet music of their songs to learn and yes... lots of practice necessary. Coincidentally Danny became my favorite drummer when I switched to drums
I've always loved the battling solos between Loughnane (trumpet) and Pankow (trombone) near the end. I mean, how many killer rock songs had a trombone solo? And I think one reason (in addition to Kath's death) for their descent into pop was the rise of MTV--Cetera had the teen idol appeal in the new video medium.
In August of 1969 my best friend received this double album as a present on his 18th birthday. We played it once on my stereo and I went out the very next day and bought my own copy. I always like instrumental bands. Probably because I played the saxophone as a kid in school. I've seen Chicago probably at least a dozen times over the years, including the early days when they had the late, great Terry Kath. I never saw Hendrix but I can't imagine a better guitar player than Terry Kath. Legend has it that when Jimi Hendrix heard Terry Kath, he said Terry was a better guitar player.
Hello Nick n Lex, I'm glad you played this song and I never tire of listening to it. I have been listening to Chicago since I was 14 years old in the Summer of 1970 when CTA was released. I was attending a family church camp at the Sacramento Methodist Assembly in New Mexico when I first heard that album. A Viet Nam Vet was playing it on a cassette tape player in our dorm and the first track I heard was Free Form Guitar. The track that got me hooked was Questions 67 & 68! Yes, you should play that one! I know Chicago has changed over the years, especially with the passing of their lead guitarist and one of their lead vocalists, Terry Kath in 1978. They came so close to breaking up, but Doc Severinsen (band leader and trumpeter of the Tonight Show) met with them and convinced them to continue (that's the way I heard it). They did go through several lead guitarists. Dawayne Baily stands out since he had a hard rock style of playing. He was great to hear and watch in concert. The longest tenured lead guitarist was Keith Howland whose style closely resembled Terry Kath. Other significant changes that impacted them include the departure of Peter Cetera, bass player and tenor vocals in the late 1980s (he drove them in the direction of ballads - especially influenced by their then producer, David Foster). Cetera was replaced with Jason Scheff who just happened to sing tenor and was a member for a long time! Their drummer, Danny Seraphine departed shortly after Cetera. He was replaced by another long tenured member, Tris Imboden. Tris is an amazing drummer and a Cancer survivor. Their current drummer, Walfredo (Wally) Reyes was a percussionist while Tris was on drums and replaced him as drummer after Tris left. If you really want to hear the versatility of the band listen to Chicago VII. It is probably their best and most diverse album before the passing of Terry Kath. My favorite track is Call on Me written by their trumpeter, Lee Loughnane. I'll keep following you all and provide my inputs. Thanks, Henry
This beautiful song is structured like "Hey Jude": an involved ballad with a heartfelt lead vocal, evolving into an infectious fadeout chorus. The decision to further proceed to a drum circle jam at the end just illustrates how the the band that inspires all (Beatles) can be improved upon by one of their own devotees.
Nick, the reason this sounds so good, and that the drums are indeed clear, is that Columbia Records had the best engineers. The other labels had great sound men as well, and they also did great work, but remember, this label signed 3 of your favorite horn bands, Chicago, EWF, and BS & T. Look up the names of these guys on whatever project by any of these 3 groups, and you're likely to see some names appearing more than once. Look for the name Fred Catero, in particular, as he seemed to get a lot of work in those days.
Definitely some of Robert Lamm's most epic songwriting - this debut album was absolutely incredible! On the changes to Chicago's style post-Kath: personally, I acknowledge that Chicago was still a good band and very popular, I simply didn't enjoy the style as much as that of the early albums. The band could never truly replace Terry Kath, which was a big factor in the changes, but a lot of it was egos and especially that of producer David Foster who drove the band in a direction that was great for Peter Cetera but not really for the rest of the band. BUt that's me - I know lots of fans love what the band evolved into and that's great. I still miss the style and sound of those early albums, blending amazing brass arrangements with solid rock riffs.
A MONSTER 👹 album and I’ve been wanting you to hear this song forever. Everybody is on fire from Lamm’s vocal Peter Cetera’s bass grooving in the pocket, the legend Terry Kath Danny Seraphine’s drums, all the horn players and a percussion cow bell solo totally epic. You need to do the whole album it’s a musical landmark, bone breaker, rule breaker and soul shaker.
This song took me back to 1971. I remember fishing on a small lake jamming to the tunes and this song playing. Right when he sang the word silent, I bumped my radio and it rolled into the lake. It did get silent. I remember it like it happened yesterday. Thanks
Questions 67 & 68 is a GREAT SONG -- yes, you absolutely *should* react to that one!! It's got all the instruments on display, with terrific vocals, and a fantastic arrangement.
Thank you, thank you, for playing the song all the way through! This is the song that changed everything for me. Fourteen years old, and on a trip with family to Petoskey, Michigan. The surroundings were beautiful on the edge of Little Traverse Bay, and this song, which was already my favorite, was playing on the radio. In a sense, it was an awakening to the possibilities and opportunities that would be my life. To this day, I get the same feelings when I hear "Beginnings". Thanks Mom and Dad for all you did for us! ❤ Mark
Chicago at Carnegie Hall (4 record set, 1971) has amazing live versions from the first three albums, including a 90-second shorter version of Beginnings.
The sessions for this song must have been a blast, whoever said “we should end it with a Latin jam” was an effin’ genius. And YES! Absolutely do Questions 67 & 68 next. I first heard that one around 1980, I was about 12 and didn’t know much about music but knew I’d just heard something special. I’m 55 now and know a little more about music, enough to know I was right back then.
I was 15 years old in '69 and remember hearing this new group on the radio. Such a great group of songs, so unique. CTA and the following four albums are my favorites. But, I have always like the other iterations of Chicago over the years. I would vote that you keep listening to CTA in consequential order, as you've been doing so far.
This track was just amazingly dense & exceptional. Wonderful musicianship, song writing & arrangement. Brilliant. First time hearing this track. Thank you NicknLex. Cheers from Glasgow, Scotland.
Man this takes me back to when I was a kid. This was one of the first albums I bought. My friends and I would save up $ by mowing lawns and delivering newspapers and flyers. I was always so proud to buy an album. I bought this for $5.99 from 'Sam the Record Man' because it was $1 less than at Sunrise. P.S. Yes do the next song, and the next ... ThX & Cheers guys 👍
I believe The Daily Doug reacted to all of side 1 on a masterpiece Friday a couple years ago. Then he waited several months to get back to CTA. When he did, he reacted to the remaining 3 album sides all at once on another masterpiece Friday. Great songs.
@@MonsterSound.Bradley Gordon Rensaelier III from apt 3b next door to mine was always taking advantage of Columbia House's great 12 for a penny record promotion..amd then I never understood why he would never take them in..I felt it my duty to bring them in for safekeeping and to check for damage..Gordon was quite the misanthrope..But if you're out out there dude.. they're in good hands..yours for thee asking
When you get to their jazzy album, Chicago VII, "BYBLOS" is a MUST. Terry Kath wrote it, sings lead and harmonies, and lays down multiple guitar tracks. A BEAUTIFUL song!
LOVE this Chicago tune!! Such a dynamite band, those horns and drums - wow just wow!! I saw them in a free outdoor concert at Amercian University in early 70's. Truly magical experience🎶Lead singer's voice is perfect. Thanks so much Nick and Lex for this great reaction. Always wonderful to see you Lex!❤
...so happy seeing you following that legendary album further... yes, I love later Chicago too, but this album is so unique and refreshing - you never know what they come up next with... and this song goes through so different stages... starting like an almost 'conventional', melodic, really nice song, then the horns ramp up and get more and more chaotic, messing around all over, to then fade away against a rising percussion, that seems to draw us into a shamanic ritual, until this also fades away... if you only listen to the 1st and the last minute, its hard to believe, that we are still in the same song, and yet: it all jells seamlessly together, like magic 🌈 ...definitely continue with 'Questions 67 and 68' 🌟
CTA was recorded on an 8 track reel to reel in about 2 weeks. Thank you for this reaction. I am 70 years old and looking forward to you getting through this masterpiece 1st album.
I saw them perform in ‘69, at DePaul University in Chicago, where the horn section went to school. They were an awesome jam band live (have you done 25 or 6 to 4 from Tanglewood in ‘70?). The horns would join in the percussion jams. In the early ‘70’s this was a popular prom theme. Great reaction. ✌️❤️🎶
The tour they did after releasing this album included my high school. See trombonist James Pankow talking about how Hendrix wanted to record with them on the Musician's Hall of Fame channel. See "Jimi Hendrix Meets Terry Kath & Talks About Recording With Chicago".
Living just outside of Chicago it seems I saw them play dozens of times, always outdoors in the summer headlining the last night of a fest of some kind. They sound like summer to me
Absolute fire‼️‼️‼️‼️ My favorite song of theirs! And yeah I think we had the best music back in those days. U had to have pure raw talent. So cool that u younger people r bringing this music to the forefront! I love watching reactions to old tunes.✌🏻😎
1st time stumbling on to this channel. Early Chicago, while Terry was still alive is my favorite. Excellent reaction! Try Colour My World, one of the most beautiful songs ever.
Chicago............one of THE greatest Rock bands of all time. Brom the very beginning thru every single album. Early Chicago with Robert Lamm, Terry Kath, Peter Cetera.........absolute masterpiece songs lone "Make Me Smile" and 25 or 6 to Four" "Question 67 & 68" "Dialog Parts 1 & 2" to the AMAZING Chicago in the 1980s with Peter Cetera on vocals exclusively. Totally an INCREDIBLE band......PLEASE, I am begging you.............MORE Chicgap !!!
As a trumpet player in school band, I was keen on listening to anything but trumpet, although I did enjoy their music. Most of the favorite music was coming out of England, and I sadly didn't know the music of Miles Davis, which made the trumpet into a synthesizer, which I was most crazy about, along with the unattainable Mellotron. One night I couldn't sleep. I guess it was 25 or 6 to 4:00am, and I found myself waiting for the break of day and a thing to say. Go Chicago!
Probably my most favorite song by them. I just love this tune, this album and this band. Saw them live in Memphis Tennessee back in the early 80’s. Just a Fantastic band!!!
Listen for a couple of them starting to sing the song "Iko Iko" at the fadeout. ("My grandma and your grandma sitting by the fire...") When performed live in the old days, the horn section picked up percussion instruments and played a part of the wonderful soundscape at the end of the song.
I always loved Chicago. If you get a chance there is a cover band from Russia called Leonid And Friends. They cover Chicago and they sound just like them.
My sister in law living in Chicago back in the day threw a party with a piano player .. who said he interviewed w a band w horns .. didn’t think they would make it .. Chicago !!
Try listening to this album some time time from start to finish (if you haven't already). And imagine, it's early 1969. The Beatles just released the White Album a few months earlier. The Stones released Beggars banquet in 68 and were recording Let It Bleed. Hendrix is still in his prime. the James Gang just released their first album, The Allman Brothers are just around the corner. And here comes this band called Chicago Transit Authority, brand new on the scene, their debut album. And you hear all this stuff for the very first time - this, I'm A Man, Questions 67 and 68, Poem 58, Does Anybody Really Know What TIme It Is... Every musician is fantastic, and there are three lead singers with great and diverse voices. What an album, what a band.
![OUR FIRST TIME LISTENING TO [REAL] Chicago - Introduction | COUPLE REACTION & RE-Discovery!](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/XcXoNiWXRUs/mqdefault.jpg)
PLEASE, JUST DO THE WHOLE DAMN ALBUM. I am a 76 man who listened to this album constantly and wore one out, and bought another. My favorite Era was the 70s with great bands CTA, Eagles, Blood Sweat and Tears, Three Dog Night, The Guess Who, Santana, and soooo many more. Love your reactions. Peace, Bill.
I did the same thing. I listened to this album so many times that I had to buy another one. I still have both albums....they're priceless to me.
@@vickiguyer3807 I still have the second, but the first was too far gone, lol.
Time's running out! I feel ya, man.
I have this on vinyl since the beginning😂😂😂😂. But i need to grab a cd
Get medieval on their asses..its ridiculous to me why beginnings isnt on everyones best of list..Im sure ive listened to over 15000 unique songs.. this is top 2 yes.. between Reelin in the Years
I'm 71 yrs old & my generation had "the best" music 🎶 🎵 ❤
My first concert in 1975 was Chicago at Pine Knob in Michigan...loved them ever since.
This song is a celebration of music and musicianship.
Perfection.
Doesn't get any better than that! Chicago at its finest.
One of their GREATEST songs! Can’t believe it took this long to get around to it. And perhaps Robert Lamm’s best vocals of all time. The layering of the horns is amazing. And I gotta say thank you for not pausing on this one - the build is so important! Great reaction!
💯
If it's not a MasterPiece of a song, it's pretty darn close 🙂😻☺
I agree, JK! I was a huge fan since age 13 and had a big crush on Robert Lamm, his vocals were so great! Later on Terry Kath became my favorite, as his singing had SO MUCH SOUL!! I saw them 6 times in high school!
Danny Seraphine is a B.A. drummer. I believe the legendary Buddy Rich once commented on how he loved his drumming. Peter Cetera's bass playing, Robert Lamb on keys, the legendary Terry Kath, and the horn section ... all unbelievably great musicians. This is the era of Chicago that I personally love. Glad you loved it. Don't be afraid to do the whole Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon, or Introduction .. they'll knock your sox off.
the White Sox ;) :)
Yeah, gotta do that Ballet in its entirety!
@@zenams63 All the voice & horn harmonies, I love horn bands & they were a cut above.
While I was at Wayne Hills HS (1968), someone thought it would be a good idea to get Blood Sweat & Tears to play at a sock hop. Needless to say, they were so popular at the time that getting them to play a HS gig was impossible . Someone then suggested CTA as they were virtually unheard of. They played in the gym. No one danced. We just stared in amazement at this incredible group an arms length away. Awesome
Same .. graduated 1968 .. the Doors played at my HS .. although I didn’t get to see them .. didn’t sell the peanutbrickle for the assembly .. still my favorite LA band .. grew up in LA
You incredibly lucky kids. Wow! I would have loved to witness that!
They used to play my High School, also. Seems impossible...
@@kms01112011 got chills running up and down my . arms
ZZ Topp had a similar situation way back when. They had signed to play the prom at a fairly small high school there in Texas quite a bit early. In between the time they signed the contracts and the actual date of the prom, their first big hit exploded. The story is that kids were coming from all over the area and pulling all kinds of stunts trying to get in.
At the end, the horn section (Pankow, Parazaider & Loughnane) does all the percussion.
Whaaaat?!
I think this is one of my earliest childhood memories of a song that told me what love looked like
My all-time favourite Chicago song. The vocal melody is pure magic, the horns, rhythm section and percussion are astounding, and the transitions are seamless and beautiful. Simply their best song.
This song is epic! It amps up higher and higher with the horns at the end. And the percussion! Great choice!
Yes! I was fortunate to see this great band shortly after the release of this album. (opened for Jimi Hendrix).
Hendrix loved Terry Kath, could not praise him enough.
And Hendrix reportedly said..DAMN! Terry Kath is an incredible guitarist!. :-) T
Hey...and what about those lyrics? If you've ever had a real "true love" in your life...those lyrics are spot on!!
Finally! A reviewer plays the entire song all the way to the end.
The amount of talent in this band is incredible. You will never run out of amazing Chicago tunes to react to.
PS I adore those earrings and yes please to doing the next song!
Agree, Lex always looks great! Just curious, are you a Raider fan from CA or Vegas?
@@Jules-um4yy The answer is both but I'm from Ohio.
@@raiderfan346 Ok, very cool. I have lots of family in Ohio:)
Always loved Beginnings from the beginning,......lol. And it was composed and lead singing by Robert Lamm as often in the first years of the band Chicago !!
You should really give a listen to "Ballet for a Girl in Buchanan". It's 5 or so short songs tied together. There are two notable songs that got tons of airplay, with the great Terry Kath
Just letting you know Nick reacted to the live video from Tanglewood a while ago. Check it out!
No question, you should DEFINITELY listen to "Questions 67 and 68". It's epic!
Perfect album
People do not comment on the percussion section of Chicago enough, esp the exotic non drum pieced
What a great band! They had it all; a fresh take on rock with the brass section, several lead singers, the hard rock guitar of Terry Kath, great songwriting. Miraculous!
@@markmurphy558 dude i been running around telling people on the reaction channels that Danny Seraphine is to be included on all 70s best drummer lists .. Collins, Powell, Palmer, Bonham, Cobham Bruford,Shreive, etc
@@chrisross-fd3foPreach! Saw them 6 times from 1970-1974 and Danny Seraphine was amazing to watch live!
I was born in ‘58 & heavily influenced by my mother. She bought every Chicago album, the first two she played the most. By ‘76 when Terry Kath was still alive she took me & my brother to see them at the Inglewood Forum, front row! It’s plainly difficult, but in a good way, to share these songs with you folks as I do get terribly, nostalgically verklempt to the point I can’t even sing along. So glad you’re all digging it, keep exploring. Their second album was their best, in my humble opinion.
Agreed.
I can relate. My late sister took me to my first Chicago concert when I was 14 at the Seattle Coliseum and it still brings back fond memories
I might have been at that concert too. I've seen Chicago so many times it's hard to remember. But I do remember seeing them at the Forum in the mid 70's when Terry Kath was still alive. You had much better seats than I had.
One of my favorite songs by Chicago. I bought the CTA album when it was released. I was in graduate school in California at the time. My friends and I fell in love with the band.
If you haven't heard Make Me Smile you will love it! Terry sings lead on that one.
What’s astonishing is to think that “rock” evolved from early Beatles to this level of harmonic sophistication in only five years. I saw Chicago warming up for Mahavishnu Orchestra. What a show!
Absolutely do Question 67 &68! Then the next one, and the next, etc, etc! It's ALL great!
Beginnings is one of those perfectly crafted songs that still sounds fresh. It always lifts my spirits when I listen to it! Excellent reaction 👌
Focusing on three spectacular parts... Robert Lamm's lead vocals Danny Seraphine's drumming and Jimmy Pankows trombone ....Early Chicago is just EPIC music... My cousin got me into them in the early 70s. I've seen them only 3 times to my dismay and never with Terry Kath 😕 but to me are still awesome.. my now 3 adult daughters saw them when they were younger as their first full concert and still recall it fondly. ❤❤❤ Hearing the guys always brings a tear to my eyes because my late cousin is who got me into them and I know he's happy about that ...
Robert Lamm always deserves more praise. Maybe my favorite composer in Chicago. And I have two of his solo albums, and love both of them.
If you ever get a chance to see Leonid and Friends in concert, GO! They play note for note versions of Chicago songs with such enthusiasm that you can close your eyes and swear you were hearing the original musicians! I've experienced them, (and saw Chicago 6 times in the '70s!)
@@debrabrabenec3731 yes that is on my bucket list ... Have been listening/watching them since they first started creating videos.
😊I forgot how good the drum mix is on this! It's like my brain is sitting behind the kit!
Haven't heard this in a long time. Chicago had so many hits it's mind boggling. And they were around forever but yes, in many different forms. But their enormity is undeniable. Good choice!
I always appreciate it when you listen through instead of stopping.
One of my favorite Chicago songs and yes do Question 67 and 68 next!
I really appreciate your open mindedness about the band’s transformation. They did commercialize immensely with top 40 hit after hit, but most of their music highlights their signature horns and harmonies. So many amazing albums and songs over decades.
You should have seen this 67 year old white haired lady (me) dancing around the kitchen to that!! 😂 When this song first came out, it was always a treat when the radio DJ played this extended album version. So much joy!!
You're not old (I'm a year ahead) just matured! Age is just a number!
Thanks for bringing back great music. Wow that brass, and the drums were cooking.
Senior year of high school when this came out….amazing how music awakens memories from long ago! Thank you for another great reaction.
After 50 some years, still my favorite Chicago song and one of my favorites songs of all. Robert's vocals, Jimmie's horn arrangements, Danny's intricate and precise drumming, and the heartfelt love and joy of the lyrics. I knew that ending would speak to Lex's heart; that's the entire band picking up percussion on the final rhythm section.
Much of the credit for the quality of this recording goes to the producer James William Guercio. Both he and Terry would be with the band through Chicago XI, when Terry died and the band fired Guercio, that's when the band's sound changed.
Big hit on NYC FM stations back then, we loved hearing these long songs, a real jam vibe from many bands back then. Don’t forget to check out their closest rival “horn” band of the time, Blood, Sweat and Tears.
My favorite Chicago track! I had a radio alarm clock as a kid. One day my alarm clock went off and it was Beginnings playing from the very start of the song. I was amazes at the timing and the song hooked me from ahem, "The Beginning." Thanks for sharing this. I love your enthusiasm and appreciation of music from that era!
So many great songs from their first album - CTA. You've already listened to 2: "Introduction" written and sung by Terry Kath (lead guitar); and " Does anybody really know what time it is" written and sung by Robert Lamm (keyboards). This song too is written and sung by Lamm. Next up, especially if you like horns, is "Questions 67 & 68" written by Lamm and sung by Cetera (bass). CTA album also contains the only cover they ever did - "I'm a Man" which also contains a nice drum solo.
Guys this a song when i was young driving to work or just driving that came on the radio it just put me in a great mood. Such a great upbeat song. It still does that today. Chicago is great.
Love the early Chicago the best.
Well, I'm looking forward to this. I grew up playing the Trumpet, and in High School I got together with some friends who tried to put a band together, and they asked if I'd like to join them, because this was one of the songs that they wanted to learn. Let's just say that while I was a good Trumpet player in my High School, I was maybe only about half as good as this Trumpet player, which is why you never heard of me. Maybe if I was committed to practicing more, I could've made it 😏
As a 6th grade trumpet player someone gave me this album and I later got sheet music of their songs to learn and yes... lots of practice necessary. Coincidentally Danny became my favorite drummer when I switched to drums
@@jimmoore8951 very cool 🙂
I know what you mean. I played the saxophone but I quit while in high school to concentrate on playing sports. Big mistake.
I've always loved the battling solos between Loughnane (trumpet) and Pankow (trombone) near the end. I mean, how many killer rock songs had a trombone solo?
And I think one reason (in addition to Kath's death) for their descent into pop was the rise of MTV--Cetera had the teen idol appeal in the new video medium.
In August of 1969 my best friend received this double album as a present on his 18th birthday. We played it once on my stereo and I went out the very next day and bought my own copy. I always like instrumental bands. Probably because I played the saxophone as a kid in school. I've seen Chicago probably at least a dozen times over the years, including the early days when they had the late, great Terry Kath. I never saw Hendrix but I can't imagine a better guitar player than Terry Kath. Legend has it that when Jimi Hendrix heard Terry Kath, he said Terry was a better guitar player.
Uplifting music at its finest.
Hello Nick n Lex, I'm glad you played this song and I never tire of listening to it. I have been listening to Chicago since I was 14 years old in the Summer of 1970 when CTA was released. I was attending a family church camp at the Sacramento Methodist Assembly in New Mexico when I first heard that album. A Viet Nam Vet was playing it on a cassette tape player in our dorm and the first track I heard was Free Form Guitar. The track that got me hooked was Questions 67 & 68! Yes, you should play that one! I know Chicago has changed over the years, especially with the passing of their lead guitarist and one of their lead vocalists, Terry Kath in 1978. They came so close to breaking up, but Doc Severinsen (band leader and trumpeter of the Tonight Show) met with them and convinced them to continue (that's the way I heard it). They did go through several lead guitarists. Dawayne Baily stands out since he had a hard rock style of playing. He was great to hear and watch in concert. The longest tenured lead guitarist was Keith Howland whose style closely resembled Terry Kath. Other significant changes that impacted them include the departure of Peter Cetera, bass player and tenor vocals in the late 1980s (he drove them in the direction of ballads - especially influenced by their then producer, David Foster). Cetera was replaced with Jason Scheff who just happened to sing tenor and was a member for a long time! Their drummer, Danny Seraphine departed shortly after Cetera. He was replaced by another long tenured member, Tris Imboden. Tris is an amazing drummer and a Cancer survivor. Their current drummer, Walfredo (Wally) Reyes was a percussionist while Tris was on drums and replaced him as drummer after Tris left. If you really want to hear the versatility of the band listen to Chicago VII. It is probably their best and most diverse album before the passing of Terry Kath. My favorite track is Call on Me written by their trumpeter, Lee Loughnane. I'll keep following you all and provide my inputs. Thanks, Henry
This beautiful song is structured like "Hey Jude": an involved ballad with a heartfelt lead vocal, evolving into an infectious fadeout chorus. The decision to further proceed to a drum circle jam at the end just illustrates how the the band that inspires all (Beatles) can be improved upon by one of their own devotees.
Nick, the reason this sounds so good, and that the drums are indeed clear, is that Columbia Records had the best engineers.
The other labels had great sound men as well, and they also did great work, but remember, this label signed 3 of your favorite horn bands, Chicago, EWF, and BS & T.
Look up the names of these guys on whatever project by any of these 3 groups, and you're likely to see some names appearing more than once.
Look for the name Fred Catero, in particular, as he seemed to get a lot of work in those days.
The tomtoms were never mic'ed good enough in the big venues they had to play to capture Danny like in the studio
When Chicago was founded and produced by James William Guercio, he was also the producer for Blood Sweat and Tears!
Great drums, percussion and bass. Balanced and lyrical with restrained emotion about this young love.
This is one of my favorite songs of all time 😊❤
Definitely some of Robert Lamm's most epic songwriting - this debut album was absolutely incredible! On the changes to Chicago's style post-Kath: personally, I acknowledge that Chicago was still a good band and very popular, I simply didn't enjoy the style as much as that of the early albums. The band could never truly replace Terry Kath, which was a big factor in the changes, but a lot of it was egos and especially that of producer David Foster who drove the band in a direction that was great for Peter Cetera but not really for the rest of the band. BUt that's me - I know lots of fans love what the band evolved into and that's great. I still miss the style and sound of those early albums, blending amazing brass arrangements with solid rock riffs.
Totally agree, I find post Terry Chicago unlistenable.
100%
They went from awesome rock band to good pop band.
The Hot Streets album is one of my favorites.
A MONSTER 👹 album and I’ve been wanting you to hear this song forever. Everybody is on fire from Lamm’s vocal Peter Cetera’s bass grooving in the pocket, the legend Terry Kath Danny Seraphine’s drums, all the horn players and a percussion cow bell solo totally epic. You need to do the whole album it’s a musical landmark, bone breaker, rule breaker and soul shaker.
This song took me back to 1971. I remember fishing on a small lake jamming to the tunes and this song playing. Right when he sang the word silent, I bumped my radio and it rolled into the lake. It did get silent. I remember it like it happened yesterday. Thanks
Cool story and what an experience to remember forever!
Questions 67 & 68 is a GREAT SONG -- yes, you absolutely *should* react to that one!! It's got all the instruments on display, with terrific vocals, and a fantastic arrangement.
One of their best .. love this song .. yes the ‘next song’ Questions 67 and 68 .. fantastic!
I didn't realize how great the drumming was, until you played it back, and I concentrated more, great song, dyno reaction, thanks, keep us informed!
Yes, do the next song 😊
The whole album!
Thank you, thank you, for playing the song all the way through! This is the song that changed everything for me. Fourteen years old, and on a trip with family to Petoskey, Michigan. The surroundings were beautiful on the edge of Little Traverse Bay, and this song, which was already my favorite, was playing on the radio.
In a sense, it was an awakening to the possibilities and opportunities that would be my life. To this day, I get the same feelings when I hear "Beginnings". Thanks Mom and Dad for all you did for us! ❤ Mark
the rare instance of a band hitting their peak first time out. this whole album is a gem.
My boy Danny beating the drums like they owe him money.
Chicago at Carnegie Hall (4 record set, 1971) has amazing live versions from the first three albums, including a 90-second shorter version of Beginnings.
The sessions for this song must have been a blast, whoever said “we should end it with a Latin jam” was an effin’ genius.
And YES! Absolutely do Questions 67 & 68 next. I first heard that one around 1980, I was about 12 and didn’t know much about music but knew I’d just heard something special. I’m 55 now and know a little more about music, enough to know I was right back then.
One of the best albums to play while on a road trip.
I was 15 years old in '69 and remember hearing this new group on the radio. Such a great group of songs, so unique. CTA and the following four albums are my favorites. But, I have always like the other iterations of Chicago over the years. I would vote that you keep listening to CTA in consequential order, as you've been doing so far.
This track was just amazingly dense & exceptional. Wonderful musicianship, song writing & arrangement. Brilliant. First time hearing this track. Thank you NicknLex. Cheers from Glasgow, Scotland.
We played this in marching band. What a blast.
Man this takes me back to when I was a kid. This was one of the first albums I bought. My friends and I would save up $ by mowing lawns and delivering newspapers and flyers. I was always so proud to buy an album. I bought this for $5.99 from 'Sam the Record Man' because it was $1 less than at Sunrise.
P.S. Yes do the next song, and the next ... ThX & Cheers guys 👍
I believe The Daily Doug reacted to all of side 1 on a masterpiece Friday a couple years ago. Then he waited several months to get back to CTA. When he did, he reacted to the remaining 3 album sides all at once on another masterpiece Friday. Great songs.
Sounds like Toronto to me.
@@davidgale7384 TO indeed 🍁
@@MonsterSound.Bradley Gordon Rensaelier III from apt 3b next door to mine was always taking advantage of Columbia House's great 12 for a penny record promotion..amd then I never understood why he would never take them in..I felt it my duty to bring them in for safekeeping and to check for damage..Gordon was quite the misanthrope..But if you're out out there dude.. they're in good hands..yours for thee asking
Danny Seraphine's drumming is outstanding in this song. I love how the song devolves into all percussion at the end.
Question 67-68 one of their best. Make Me Smile another must listen.
And Call on Me.
When you get to their jazzy album, Chicago VII, "BYBLOS" is a MUST. Terry Kath wrote it, sings lead and harmonies, and lays down multiple guitar tracks. A BEAUTIFUL song!
LOVE this Chicago tune!! Such a dynamite band, those horns and drums - wow just wow!! I saw them in a free outdoor concert at Amercian University in early 70's. Truly magical experience🎶Lead singer's voice is perfect. Thanks so much Nick and Lex for this great reaction. Always wonderful to see you Lex!❤
...so happy seeing you following that legendary album further... yes, I love later Chicago too, but this album is so unique and refreshing - you never know what they come up next with... and this song goes through so different stages... starting like an almost 'conventional', melodic, really nice song, then the horns ramp up and get more and more chaotic, messing around all over, to then fade away against a rising percussion, that seems to draw us into a shamanic ritual, until this also fades away... if you only listen to the 1st and the last minute, its hard to believe, that we are still in the same song, and yet: it all jells seamlessly together, like magic 🌈 ...definitely continue with 'Questions 67 and 68' 🌟
CTA was recorded on an 8 track reel to reel in about 2 weeks. Thank you for this reaction. I am 70 years old and looking forward to you getting through this masterpiece 1st album.
I saw them perform in ‘69, at DePaul University in Chicago, where the horn section went to school. They were an awesome jam band live (have you done 25 or 6 to 4 from Tanglewood in ‘70?). The horns would join in the percussion jams. In the early ‘70’s this was a popular prom theme. Great reaction. ✌️❤️🎶
Thank you for playing the whole song.
Most definitely do question 67&68 one of my favorites
The tour they did after releasing this album included my high school. See trombonist James Pankow talking about how Hendrix wanted to record with them on the Musician's Hall of Fame channel. See "Jimi Hendrix Meets Terry Kath & Talks About Recording With Chicago".
Living just outside of Chicago it seems I saw them play dozens of times, always outdoors in the summer headlining the last night of a fest of some kind. They sound like summer to me
Maybe check out Chicago's 'Lowdown'
Absolute fire‼️‼️‼️‼️ My favorite song of theirs! And yeah I think we had the best music back in those days. U had to have pure raw talent. So cool that u younger people r bringing this music to the forefront! I love watching reactions to old tunes.✌🏻😎
1st time stumbling on to this channel. Early Chicago, while Terry was still alive is my favorite. Excellent reaction! Try Colour My World, one of the most beautiful songs ever.
Chicago............one of THE greatest Rock bands of all time. Brom the very beginning thru every single album. Early Chicago with Robert Lamm, Terry Kath, Peter Cetera.........absolute masterpiece songs lone "Make Me Smile" and 25 or 6 to Four" "Question 67 & 68" "Dialog Parts 1 & 2" to the AMAZING Chicago in the 1980s with Peter Cetera on vocals exclusively. Totally an INCREDIBLE band......PLEASE, I am begging you.............MORE Chicgap !!!
Yes, keep on listening. Do as many live videos as possible. Live is exceptionable.
My favorite Chicago song of all time, followed by Make Me Smile.
As a trumpet player in school band, I was keen on listening to anything but trumpet, although I did enjoy their music. Most of the favorite music was coming out of England, and I sadly didn't know the music of Miles Davis, which made the trumpet into a synthesizer, which I was most crazy about, along with the unattainable Mellotron. One night I couldn't sleep. I guess it was 25 or 6 to 4:00am, and I found myself waiting for the break of day and a thing to say. Go Chicago!
Every song on this double album is special. Just do the all one by one until you've done them all.
Claves are a wooden clam shell type percussion instrument. I played them when I was a young percussionist.
I saw them twice in concert. My favorite band!😊
Just one concert? I've seen them so many times I've lost count.
Probably my most favorite song by them. I just love this tune, this album and this band. Saw them live in Memphis Tennessee back in the early 80’s. Just a Fantastic band!!!
Listen for a couple of them starting to sing the song "Iko Iko" at the fadeout. ("My grandma and your grandma sitting by the fire...") When performed live in the old days, the horn section picked up percussion instruments and played a part of the wonderful soundscape at the end of the song.
Absolutely do the next song!!!
I always loved Chicago. If you get a chance there is a cover band from Russia called Leonid And Friends. They cover Chicago and they sound just like them.
My sister in law living in Chicago back in the day threw a party with a piano player .. who said he interviewed w a band w horns .. didn’t think they would make it .. Chicago !!
Thank you. I needed this today.
Shout out to James Pankow for his great horn arrangements.
Yes, Questions 67 & 68 next
69? Me and my long hair were working in a record shop just off Carnaby Street, London playing this album full blast all day...
❤CHICAGO❤
My favourite album... that's it.
Variety Stadium... 16th birthday.... Terry live.... no contest.
Try listening to this album some time time from start to finish (if you haven't already). And imagine, it's early 1969. The Beatles just released the White Album a few months earlier. The Stones released Beggars banquet in 68 and were recording Let It Bleed. Hendrix is still in his prime. the James Gang just released their first album, The Allman Brothers are just around the corner. And here comes this band called Chicago Transit Authority, brand new on the scene, their debut album. And you hear all this stuff for the very first time - this, I'm A Man, Questions 67 and 68, Poem 58, Does Anybody Really Know What TIme It Is... Every musician is fantastic, and there are three lead singers with great and diverse voices. What an album, what a band.
You have to listen to this entire album. It is in my top 5 of all time. Every song is a banger! You haven't even go to best bangers on the album yet!