Classical Composer Reacts to Chicago Transit Authority (Side 1) | The Daily Doug (Episode 481)

#chicagotransitauthority #chicagoreaction
In this #masterpiecefriday edition of #thedailydoug, I'm listening to side 1 from the debut album by Chicago Transit Authority (now known simply as Chicago). I was pretty familiar with Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is, but Introduction and Beginnings were largely unknown to me. The music is full of live and color and optimism and beauty...come along for the ride!
Reference Video: • Introduction (2002 Rem...
Reference Video: • Chicago Transit Author...
Reference Video: • Beginnings
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[@robbie4860]

One of the best bands EVER existed. Especially the Terry Kath years. The world STILL misses you Terry!

[@alcambrola2834]

I saw Terry play 8 times and it was beyond words. The band was never the same after he was gone.

[@heathercollins4432]

Yes.....I'm one of those "old timers" who feels like they really went downhill after we tragically lost Terry....

[@alcambrola2834]

@@heathercollins4432 Sad but true. He was actually the band leader. If you watch a lot of the videos, Terry cues a lot of the other musicians when to come in. Check them out at Tanglewood, 1970. 25 or 6 to 4 is a good one to start with.

[@heathercollins4432]

@@alcambrola2834 - Yes - I've watched that one, as well as other videos from that show...amazing...

[@popgrubbs]

After Terry died, it just wasn't the same. And when the producer and Peter took over, it sadly became a pop band.

[@gi4sky]

I’m a 72 year old once touring rock musician who just realized why I watch reaction videos, by the way I like yours very much, it’s because I miss sitting down with a friend, opening up a new album, reading the liner notes, looking at the photographs and critiquing the cover art and then sitting there like having a great meal and consuming that album. This is why I’m here because I miss the fellowship of active listening with a friend. Thank you Doug. The success that you found here is well deserved. I have a good sense for such things and the way you treat your wife and look in your eyes when you’re with her reveals you’re a real human being. Thank you for everything

[@hustonbop]

Well said

[@christianugolini8493]

I am "only" 66 years old, I am not a rock musician, but I am a lover of good music, and listening to good music is something that should be shared, like tasting a good wine.. . And besides, you can do both things at the same time! I completely agree with you

[@Plantagenet1956]

Great post. I’m mostly a classical musician, but I can sympathise, here, now I’m retired.

[@drmorqWarrenProject]

im only 65... and never really toured but have played many clubs in Seattle and Wichita, Kansas.. Chicago was my starting point for many reasons. I mean of course the Beatles... started this 'thing'.. where we saw people write their own songs and perform them. But Chicago was the American band who I could sneak past my parents who hated rock music. And man, I took advantage of that. I got Transit Authority in 1970 and a week later got Chicago 2.. I got turned on along with many other students when our band instructor Mr. Roper brought Transit Authority into band practice to inspire the horns and strings that they didnt have to play in orchestras and marching bands... I was the bass drummer and cymbals... The Terry Kath era of Chicago has very few flaws or mistakes in my ears.

[@evanmarshall4378]

Same here. "Only" 53, but I know absolutely no one right in person who shares my interests in music to discuss/enjoy with. Found this channel and many others during Covid and this is my outlet. And I am thankful that these channels and other like-minded individuals exist!

[@ralphmarrone3130]

One of the greatest debut albums of all time.

[@taylorjocelyn1587]

One of. For sure. Boston is another one

[@Gregor9043]

@@taylorjocelyn1587 Boston would be a great one for Doug to do!

[@sidewinderguitars3034]

Too bad we lost Terry Kath so young. The best guitarist of that generation and only us old guys know it.

[@alcambrola2834]

Saw him 8 times. When Terry was gone, so was their heart and soul.

[@danbarton2360]

His Poem 58 on this album still gives me chills.

[@alcambrola2834]

@@danbarton2360 Great tune.

[@RicardoRoams]

I saw him a few times with Chicago before his tragic death. He was special.

[@taylorjocelyn1587]

100%

[@pbs58]

Terry Kath was amazing!!!! He was a standout in a band of standouts!!!

[@CasperLCat]

Well said ! What a loss as a singer and of course one of our best guitarists. It’s a shame that, arguably, the 3 greatest rock guitar players America ever produced, Hendrix, Duane Allman, and Terry Kath, all died so young. Imagine if the Brits lost Page, Clapton and Beck that young...

[@DerBlutenPat1348]

Early Chicago, up until Terry Kath’s tragic untimely death, gave us some of the greatest rock music ever put to record. This album particularly is an absolute masterpiece by any measure. The band was never the same after his death, but David Foster really tarnished their legacy with his direction on their later work consisting of mostly soft rock. Early Chicago stands the test of time.

[@blakeh6250]

Totally agree..

[@garychristensen8025]

CTA And ii ARE ALL YOU NEED FROM THIS BAND

[@harleyhexxe9806]

@@garychristensen8025 I agree with all of you. I never get tired of listening to their first two albums. They still rock my world.

[@TheAcgtrs]

One of the greatest debut albums of all time. Pretty much perfect. And Danny deserve more recognition for how great a percussionist he was. Truly a remarkable ensemble of musicians.

[@nealeger8154]

Peter Cetera was always underrated as a bass player I always thought.

[@spin979]

I totally agree. His bass licks were what initially drew me into "Beginnings." Not that it's not a great song on its own, but Peter's bass makes it something special.

[@heathercollins4432]

Same....

[@jaimesolorza4186]

Yes

[@miguelortega452]

He prefers maybe go out of the band because of his voice, but he was a great bass player indeed

[@MisterWensleydale]

Excellent bassist. I really like his playing on the first track-Introduction.

[@shootermcgavin1554]

One of the most talented bands of all time. NOBODY comes close to making music this good anymore. Dam shame.

[@EatMyFist777]

I'd suggest you listen to Snarky Puppy (Doug has a video on them too) and Chick Corea, even tho he died recently. Contemporary bands are still making similar music, it's just more niche now so it's harder to find.

[@jazzpunk]

@@EatMyFist777 Yeah, niche now...back then, though, it was Pop Music & all over AM Radio...'cause that's all we had. ;-)

[@stephanea5364]

Nobody plays golf better than Happy Gilmore, chump.

[@ernestoparodi7515]

As a current excel tribute band, Leonid & Friends!

[@popgrubbs]

I used to think the same thing (as an old guy), but I abandoned radio and went on a journey to find good music and I have found quite a number of bands in a few genres that are worth our time to pay attention. If you're interested, I can make some recommendations.

[@alwaysprepared]

I think Introduction ranks with the best songs Chicago has ever had. And this album certainly ranks with the best first album released by any band ever.....

[@kimbruns2084]

This has always been my favorite Chicago album, this one jams like no other Chicago album. This album actually didn't get much recognition until after Chicago II came out.

[@caballero3601]

Right. I bought Chicago II first around 1974; THEN I bought CTA.

[@jaymorin7131]

@@caballero3601 I actually listen to II more than CTA.

[@charliemoody7168]

For me, CTA is the *only* album

[@helterskelter1178]

A perfect album. Need I say no more. A Ray Charles vocal and Jimi Hendrix guitar courtesy of the late great Terry Kath.

[@robtgoldstein]

Hendrix considered Kath the best guitarist of that generation. What a high compliment

[@davidjames8433]

This first song Introduction, was written by Terry Kath who could not read music. He brought it to James Pankow and asked him to chart it for all the guys. James Pankow is quoted as saying that this is when he realized that Terry was a GENIUS!!! So sad that he died so young!! I love this whole album!! I am a huge fan and I have all of their music in my musical library. My Dad was a huge Big Band Jazz fan and generally poo-poohed Rock Music. But when he heard these guys he was really impressed.!! I loved it so much because I loved Rock and Jazz from my Dad's influence. These guys were the perfect combination!! Thanks Doug!! I hope you do the whole album!!

[@andreatutrani]

Been listing to this album since 1969. Never gets old. Saw them live in 1977 with both the fabulous Terry Kath & Peter Cetera 🎸🎤🔥

[@johnrobbins8093]

Same story here, almost. Been listening to this album since it was released. Saw them live (with Santana) in an outdoor venue at Balboa Stadium, in San Diego, on the afternoon of July 16, 1974.

[@studio151llc5]

Their 1st 3 albums were 2 record sets, album 4 was a 4 record 'live' recording...it wasn't until the 5th album that they released a single record.... Epic band!

[@richpeltier9519]

Chicago, along with Blood Sweat and Tears and Tower of Power, make up a trio of incredibly talented fusion bands. Hell, BST's 2nd album beat out Sgt. Pepper's at the Grammys when it was released. These bands revolutionized popular music in a way very few were qualified to follow. Was lucky enough to see them in 1986 in Vegas. Amazing!

[@jazzpunk]

Edgar Winter's White Trash is another cool horn band from that era...

[@tomtortolani7616]

He should react to the 2nd B,S&T album, at least side one

[@Dirgnimai7]

To be clear, the 2nd BS&T album came out 2 years after Sgt Pepper's ('67 and '69). Regardless, the trio of "horn bands" you mention are all amazing. What a great time it was then!

[@richpeltier9519]

@@Dirgnimai7 my bad, it was Magical Mystery Tour that lost to BST.

[@Dirgnimai7]

@@richpeltier9519 Actually, MMT was also released in '67. Okay. I figured this out. I looked it up and it was Abby Road that the 2nd BS&T album beat out for the Grammy, in '69. I also discovered that that BS&T album was released in late '68, and not '69 as I thought. Bottom line: Your basic point is established. For BS&T to beat The Beatles says a whole lot!

[@robertkerr9738]

There is nothing like early Chicago. Truly amazing music.

[@mariachinn7136]

RIP Terry Kath....Most under rated guitarist and showman on stage..Going to concert, people never thought about race, until news media brings it up constantly. More now than ever..Sad

[@jazzpunk]

In the late '70s, I attended a share of R&B/Funk band's concerts. Everybody just had a great, fun evening. Walking out to the parking lot afterwards was just a whole lot of fellowship & conversations.

[@howiebradley9486]

Check out leonid and friends version

[@pucky900]

I think Jimmy Hendrick was really impressed with Terry the first time he heard him

[@heathercollins4432]

There it is - "under rated..." Let me translate: "Under rated" means "Maria had no idea who Terry Kath was, so according to her, he never even existed until she heard about him..." Pro tip, Maria - almost every one who has ever picked a guitar to really learn how to master it knows who Terry Kath was.....😉

[@Solidst8dad2112]

Terry was only his early 20s and had the soul of a 50 year old. RIP. Also I know Cetera gets some flack, but he is such a solid bassist.

[@joey_bonin]

Peter took the band into syrupy ballads, much like what Paul did with the Beatles at the end.

[@kaveman1021]

@@joey_bonin that was more David Foster's doing. And without Terry, Robert Lamm, and Jimmy Pankow and the others were way too deep in their questionable personal habits of supporting the economies of Bolivia, Colombia and Peru to contribute anything.

[@stepheneson4107]

I'm currently 68 years old. Chicago was literally the first concert I was allowed to attend as a young teenager and will never forget it. Most of us old timers began to lose interest with the tragic loss of Terry Kath. As each succeeding album was released, we'd search mostly in vain for their signature up-tempo jazz-rock sound; but they steered increasingly towards ballads. Today, I'm satisfied with owning only Chicago I-III and the excellent, groundbreaking Chicago Live.

[@sandiebabie1111]

Chicago at Tanglewood is an epic live version of these songs. Highly recommend watching the video here on youtube. 1970 at it’s best!!!! 👍😎

[@jeffmyers]

I second this. Even though I am sure they did overdubs in the studio the sound of the album is true to their live performance. Long before backing tracks and autotune.

[@jefftis1]

AGREED. The Tanglewood video is Fantastic!

[@jeffthal1919]

Best live performance I ever saw! Yep! I was there, in the front row.

[@joegenovese9962]

And Danny Seraphine is horribly underrated. At Tanglewood he was insane.

[@mattjack70]

They need to release this as a video and album. Such a great show

[@gizmodelicious]

This album still sends shivers up my backbone 53 years later. This was an incredibly exciting sound when it first hit FM on release. I couldn't get enough of it. The musicianship is excellent, the songwriting great, and you get to hear the influence of classical composition and performance studies from DePaul and Roosevelt Universities (go Lakers !) on some of the band members. You've got that little bit of reverb on the horns, and emphasizing the trumpet and trombone (not the reeds) which gave it depth and such a unique atmosphere. And yes, Peter Cetera was a pretty exciting bassist on this album, his playing on 'Liberation', especially.

[@francispower1418]

My only regret as I get older is that they were so young when they made it that the lyrics never quite stood up to the music itself. They weren’t bad lyrics (for the most part) but the music was so exceptional it betrayed a maturity beyond the years of the players. The lyrics did not. For me, as the years went by, they got better at song writing and certainly more sophisticated as musicians, but never quite found the raw excitement in their music as they bottled on this wonderful; occasion. “If you leave me now” was probably a bigger commercial success and I’m glad for them, but it never started the march of the goose bumps up my spine like ‘Chicago Transit Authority’ did.

[@murrayshaver4917]

When you have finished listening to this great music, check out the KZbin videos from Leonid and Friends. They are a Russian cover band who have replicated many Chicago songs with perfection. Incredibly talented and you can really see how complex Chicago's music was. Make sure to pack a lunch because it will drag you down a rabbit hole of amazing songs.

[@wallihaley5194]

Oh yes! LAF is a fantastic band, who has no doubt introduced a whole new generation to the great music of Chicago.

[@tehayes99]

I saw L&F on tour this summer in Lincoln, NE. Fun fun band. Turned on to them during the pandemic.

[@Chicago_Podcast_Authority]

I hope this means you’ll be doing the whole album 🙏🏻❤

[@robertcussins2807]

Absolutely!!!

[@apooyosucks]

P L E A S E

[@rickkratz2979]

Please all 3 sides that demonstrate how CTA wanted to be a voice of their generation.

[@rickkratz2979]

How do I do this?

[@helpme8742]

@@rickkratz2979 The message above is a scam

[@rodneyhearne3405]

What a great band and introduction LP for a lifetime. I was 15 years old when this came out and I bought the record. Wow, so good and truly their best work overall. 1969 was loaded with great debut albums, Led Zeppelin, Santana, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Yes, It's a Beautiful Day, The Allman Brothers Band, Flock and oh so many more. Thanks for this one Doug!

[@gregraines1599]

Cool. Flock is a band you don’t hear much about. Violinist Jerry Goodman was in it before moving on and working with Mahavishnu Orchestra. His unique wa-wa effected electric violin helped define their sound.

[@rodneyhearne3405]

@@gregraines1599 John Mclaughlin and the Mahavishnu Orchestra were a wonderful fusion band. Heady times!

[@williamstlouis3368]

@@gregraines1599 So glad and amazed to see someone mention the Flock. A great, great band. Tall Trees, Store Bought Store Thought, Truth, etc. Peace out.

[@jeffp3415]

Amazing what a music education can do! All 3 of the horn players were music majors at De Paul University when the band was formed. Jimmy Pankow composed all of the horn arrangements throughout the life of the band. Beginnings is my favorite Chicago song of all time, a love song that evolves into a banger. What an arrangement, what talent! Chicago was one of the first pop bands to dig into what became "World Music" in the 80's.

[@tehayes99]

What a treat. I never ever ever tire of hearing this album. Definitely Top 2 or 3 in my collection and albums of all time.

[@therealstuffedzebra]

I’ve always held that classically trained musicians are the best, regardless of genre they’re known for.

[@christophernoto]

I saw these guys play in a junior college gym in Fort Lauderdale, December 1968. They were so tight, so powerful! It still raises goosebumps, hearing them!

[@jveebklyn1644]

All great musicians. Remember Pirate's World in Hollywood? Steely Dan opened for Chicago in 1972.

[@ukiahsguitarsolos3436]

One of the best albums ever recorded.

[@jazzpunk]

IMO, the production (James Guercio) is perfect. Every instrument sits just right in the mix.

[@spikeysnack]

I was only a child in 1970, and I was depressed because we had moved out to Kodiak Island for my dad's work, and I was lost and thought it was going to be terrible (in my young way). I remember hearing "Only the Beginning" on the radio and getting teary with joy for some reason -- I had never heard music that moved me before and I knew that I was going on an adventure in this new town, and that it was going to be fun. I mean I was like 6, so its all hazy, but I remember my whole feeling about the future got brighter. I later bought the album from the Salvation Army for $0.99 when I was 15 or 16. The outside was all scratched up and had that thing where the outline of the records has worn a white round outline through the cheap cardboard. There was one scratch on side one, about 10 seconds in, the rest was just fine. I played those records for years. in the 1990's I bought the CD album, but it sounded not so good as I remembered. I now know that it was a bad process as a lot of 1990s CDs were that sounded crappy because the digitization reduction to 16bit/44.1khz was cheap and flawed. I recently obtained a 24bit/96khz vinyl rip and it sounds fantastic. The "space" and harmonic interplay of HD audio really makes a difference, especially with old stuff. There is nothing that sounds like this album. It is a bright star in the sky.

[@gregraines1599]

These guys were 100% professional right out of the gate.

[@lindazee]

I love how, at the tender age of 6, your soul was able to gain a spiritually deep, musical connection to Beginnings that upliftedyou. What a beautiful experience to remember! Thanks for sharing.

[@donbirren9401]

Your comments about the poor sound on the first two albums are spot-on. I always thought it sounded like the horns were in a studio down the hall from the room the microphones were in! It turns out that the recording engineers employed by Columbia really didn't know HOW to record horns. Steve Wilson's remastering of the second album is a marked improvement, but it's limited by the original poor mic'ing.

[@stpnwlf9]

When it comes to introducing a band to the world, side 1 of CTA might be the greatest example of perfection! In high school jazz band, the chart we had of Beginnings concluded with that repeating 'Only the beginning' section with the annotation, "Keep repeating until you have the greatest thing of all time going."

[@vagabond7883]

The of the greatest band ever, who introduced Rock-Jazz to the world. An incredibly talented group of musicians!

[@elkennedystrat7894]

I was blessed to see them as CTA at The Atlanta Pop Festival, 1969. Phenomenal. Terry Kath, RIP big guy.

[@swankiestnerd8277]

Kath wrote the intro song “Introduction” one of the greatest most complex first songs on any first albums. Also check out “Questions 67 and 68.”

[@dianemadigan3252]

Terry had all of this “playing” in his head. James Pankow wrote it all out for the band to play.

[@Greg-vq8ct]

I second d motion

[@jroberthadden]

I can't believe that you never listened to this before. As a music major this was a MUST album to listen to back in the day. By the way, Terry Kath was, quite possibly, as great a guitar player as there was. R.I.P. Terry!

[@billwilson7948]

Incredible Bass playing by Peter Cetera? I had to smile 😍 (I hope I get this story right). So Lou Simon has a radio show on Sirius XM called “The Diner” (AKA “Talk Talk” @ one time) _ He’s told the story on the air, several times, of bumping into Peter Cetera at an airport. And he says to him “You’re Peter Cetera, the SECOND greatest bass player of ALL TIME! Peter Cetera smiled at him and said “Paul McCartney?”….. and Lou said…. “Yep”! I mean wow!

[@jefftis1]

Great story Bill!

[@georgedavis8412]

So, where is James Jamerson on that list, if he’s not #1?

[@Tarkus7]

@@georgedavis8412 I'm sure they both would agree Jamerson was first, if they had remembered to include him.

[@thomasconlee4939]

Doug, I am so glad that someone with your background and education has finally given this music the review it deserves! As an aside, Chicago 1, 2.and 3 (numbered like super bowls) were all double albums. Chicago 4 (or IV) was a 4 disc set, recorded live at Carnegie Hall.

[@randolphfritz6163]

One thing that impresses me, listening to these songs again after all these years (and hearing the album versions for the first time) is how strong the lyrics were. You can hear the words, and the words make sense. Strong imagery - the people asking for the time, the kiss - and, oh, I forget the name for the poetic device, making time concrete with "time enough to cry."

[@manco828]

Amen.

[@NoviJimB]

There's a video of them playing live at Tanglewood in 1970 that is incredible. I'm guessing a lot of people on here already know about it, but it's a must see. In the drum solo portion of 'I'm A Man' they all start playing percussion, similar to what goes on at the end of 'Beginnings' here. A group of us have been doing jam sessions for the last few months on Friday nights, and we do 'Beginnings'. Inspired by that portion of the 'I'm A Man' video, we started all playing percussion at the end of the song after 'fading out'. Wood sticks, tambourines, cowbell, our drummer on his little percussive drums (I'm not sure what you call those)... Fun stuff! This is one of the best debut albums ever. Amazing stuff. Robert Lamm wrote the majority of songs on this album, but Pankow, Kath and Cetera all contributed a lot on later albums. It sure doesn't hurt to have multiple songwriters! Their musicianship and vocals are soooo good. I say this a lot about bands from back then, but they were a great example of the talent and diversity in the music scene back in the 60's and into the 70's. I try to find new music I like, and there is some, but I'm pretty sure the music from that era will never be matched. Ever.

[@1planetmusic294]

Yay! Been hoping and wondering if early Chicago would get on your radar for listening and reaction. This is one of the great (double) albums of all time. Monster songwriting and musicianship, great improvisation. Back when they really rocked and many of their songs had a social message (up through Chicago VIII) - though side one is the least heavy of the four sides, with two quality popular radio hits.

[@esava44]

Introduction is one of the most interesting tunes ever recorded. Circle of 5ths. Each player has their own stylized solo. Just. great.

[@philsmith2444]

Such a great album! These guys had a lot to say, and what a way of saying it! The only thing I wish is that you’d done side 1 of the CD LOL. “I’m A Man” is a real treat

[@skiptrace1888]

I am a drummer and since Jazz-rock is my fav genre, Danny Seraphin, one of the co-founders of the band, was a very big influnence on my style (just search Rogers Double Bass & you can see my drumming). My fav group, only surpassed by The Beatles, got to see them live in 1971 in Germany, stationed there in the Army. Thanx for you reaction, bro!

[@warrenwilson1437]

Always being in to Chicago, I only recently started listening to Danny. He is such a great drummer. I think he esp shines on their second double album.

[@julianortiz4151]

Excellent debut from an awesome band. This is one of my favorite albums by anyone and I never tire of listening to it. Introduction is such an epic way to begin their first album. It’s an incredibly good song still by today’s standards. I can’t tell you how many of my Metalhead friends I’ve showed this song to and they always are blown away by the musicianship and energy of the track. Can’t wait for you to get into the rest of the album. The next track on side two, Question 67 and 68, is another one of my favorites by them and have been lucky enough to see them perform it live and they always nail it. I’m a huge fan of the brass section of the band. James Pankow and Lee Loughnane (pronounced Lock-Nane, by the way) still bring it live. The touring fill in for Walter Parazaider, Ray Herman, is no slouch either. He plays sax and flute just like Walt used to. This was always what made them so special… they’re a Rock band with a brass section and they all have insane capabilities that border on virtuosity. They can do it all Rock, Blues, Jazz, and Funk. This is considered their best album for good reason but, I urge you to check out the second album in its entirety. I actually love everything through Chicago 16, many of the songs of which were all over the radio from 1984-1986. What I’m saying is don’t listen to the casual fans… this band has a really solid discography, though they did lose a bit of steam in the late 70s after the death of Terry Kath. Still a treasure trove of discovery worth investigating.

[@Ryan-on5on]

The secret to early Chicago's success was the eclectic professional music background of its personnel. On paper, one might expect the concept of pairing classically-trained conservatory students with self-taught players to be a recipe for absolute artistic disaster. But, in the CTA's case, both sets of musicians brought forth musical ideas and playing techniques particular to their kind of musical schooling that, when combined together, resulted in a unique fusion sound not heard before or since in the rock genre. It's a damn shame Chicago lost the experimental edge that made it stand out from other early-to-mid 1970s bands soon after major commercial success began to cast its gaze on the band.

[@joaquinlezcano2372]

I'm curious. Which ones are the schooled and which ones are the self taught?

[@FrasSmith]

Wow. I grew up in the '70's in the UK, where you were either into Yes, or Genesis or Floyd (or ACDC or Rush for the heavy guys). By the time Chicago hit my radar it was the 80's and they and Peter Cetera seemed to be everything that was wrong with American FM radio. Thank you for broadening my horizons.

[@chrisgross2043]

This is the first song off their debut album and this opening song is all you need to know what they're all about 😊And it's pretty incredible that a new band had enough material for a triple album ! That's pretty ballsy if you ask me 👍

[@he5975]

Courtesy-of-R.Lamm

[@1953bassman]

My first band, formed in 1971 from high school friends, played a number of songs by Chicago. "Beginnings" was one we performed early on. We didn't have a horn section, but we all grabbed percussion instruments to play at the end. Always lots of fun. They had other songs that incorporated percussion segments, as this one does. I still have my pair of maracas from that time.

[@rickstadel5285]

Wow -- that's brave, doing early Chicago without horns! Good on ya'.

[@skatemetrix]

Chicago is gold and old- great rock, amazing jazz and an in-your-face brass section. A true American rock band and one of the greats.

[@captainpike8908]

THIIS! This album influenced me to a point that shaped my entire life starting at 11 years old. It's the reason I played Trombone professionally for 40 years, dabbled in the bass, and keyboards. In school I transcribed South California Purples for Jazz band. I wore out 5 copies of this vinyl. All 4 sides. Thanks for the reaction Doug!!

[@shredofmalarchi]

Chicagoan here, grew up listening to this with my dad driving through the city. He was a Trumpet player in a drum corps and lived by these jams.

[@timcotton1782]

Cetera's bass riffs are under-rated. He's not up there with Geddy Lee or Chris Squire, but he absolutely managed and bottom end with Seraphine's drums amidst all of the great instrumentals.

[@MisterG75]

Amen.....

[@scottydog62]

They were also young and so mature as musicians, But you really have to give it to Peter's baselines , I mean they're constantly moving, I don't think he ever thumps the same note through a full measure, He really helps move the song With transitioning the chord changes. He certainly knew what he was doing as well as the whole band . I can never get enough of this band and this masterpiece.

[@vincentnigro1496]

Chicago was the first concert I ever went to at the brand new Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, Long Island in July 1972. Terrific.

[@shyshift]

I believe the percussion is the whole band live. They did it when I saw them in Las Vegas New Year’s Eve 1971.

[@thachakal]

About a decade ago, someone who knew my tastes suggested I give this album a listen. When Introduction started, I was blown away. Little Nicky was right, Chicago kicks ass!

[@georgejones5659]

Lewisville Pop Festival - 1969 -Texas - the last band every night for 3 nights was Chicago Transit Authority - I had never heard this band before. I left with a great memory that I still cheirsh today. I saw them a few years ago and they played the whole Chicago Album #2. It was great.

[@blakeh6250]

Saw them about 3 years ago..same

[@ledded1]

For me their finest album. And what a debut. I bought it around 1971 when I was 15 and it was so different from the other albums I was buying back then.

[@markmaioli4]

One of my favorite debut albums of all time! The record company cut the piano intro off of the Does Really Anybody Know What Time It Is? single. This happened to them multiple times

[@jazzpunk]

Yeah, that intro wouldn't have played too well on AM Radio. ;-)

[@noelcunningham7184]

I've just discovered CTA as a band as opposed to their hits and they are blowing my mind. Sooo much more to these guys than I ever imagined. There's a concert at tanglewood that is available on youtube that's incredible.

[@graybeard2113]

I heard them about 1971, or possibly 72. A double date.. borrowed Dad's Buick. I remember that piano solo intro.. a few years later, saw Emerson, Lake and Palmer, at the same coliseum at SC in Columbia. Had some awesome area bands, Marshall Tucker, and Allman Brothers.. Had a radio station in Columbia that would play long versions at certain hours.. Like the 20+minutes of Rare Earth's Get Ready. Fun memories. Thanks for this review!

[@danielandersson7530]

Just a Fantastic record. Thanks for your great comments and reactions Doug!

[@sentryfe74]

Chicago is one of my all time favorite bands. And Leonid and Friends is probably the best band to cover them.

[@rickstadel5285]

Leonid & Friends are *The Only* band to cover Chicago respectably.😉

[@_richardleon]

@@rickstadel5285with too much production of course... there are many bands better than 11 members from L&F. listen them live... ughh

[@gipstetz6720]

Wow! Fantastic music.... Fantastic musicianship...What a joy to listen to. Thanks for posting. You just won't be hearing anything close to that these days!!

[@mvpjosh9392]

68 yrs old and with money earned from my high school part time job this was the very first album I ever bought. Just saw Chicago in concert here in NC a few months ago and they sounded great. My mind was taken back to playing this album over and over as a teenager. Love this band and its special unique sound.

[@MisterG75]

Album versions vs. singles edits..... Was a great surprise to me back in 1970/71 after "Does Anybody...." and "Beginnings" had become hit singles on AM radio to discover the full "album" versions when I got the money together to actually purchase the records. Chicago was the band that inspired me to explore music more deeply and to get into a pop/rock band and then to do record copies/arrangements of pop tunes for that band - leading me to playing high school dances & proms, attending music school, and becoming a music educator and lifelong gigging musician. Saw Chicago a few times, but the best was being up close in the 4th row at the old Boston Garden in October of '74 with the original line-up - absolute heaven to watch them live (the opening act was totally unknown to me at the time - some scruffy looking guy and his band......didn't realize until a few months later that it was Springsteen.....)!

[@freddieqmercury5961]

I bought this album when it came out and it still holds its own, absolutely brilliant sound and fantastic musicians.

[@manlioyllades]

Some years ago I played with a band several Chicago songs and let me tell you that, as a bassist, I really had to work hard to read Cetera's bass lines 😅

[@jazzpunk]

Cetera is no joke. My 1st-ever issue of Downbeat mag (a Jazz rag) from the early '70s had Cetera in the list for "Best Bassist"...he was not #1...but he was in there with Ron Carter, Mingus, Dave Holland, Stanley Clarke, Ray Brown, etc. Pretty unbelievable when you think of it.

[@optimus163]

@@jazzpunk Just cause he made a list doesnt mean he's as good as the others. Those are some phenomenal players. All it takes is someone in Downbeats staff adding Cetera's name to that list or a few hundred people sending the name in. But by no means is it a blanket statement that he is a great player. Great for Chicago at the time ? Yes. But a fantastic bassist ? No. He even quit playing bass and moved to guitar. A true Bassist will always play bass.

[@jazzpunk]

@@optimus163 IIRC, it was Readers' Poll (DB also had a Writers' Poll). In that time, trust me, DB wouldn't have put any Rock guy on a Best Of List. ;-) They were hardcore critics...even the Jazz guys took a lot of heat. I reread some of these issues I still have & cannot believe what they say. ;-)

[@jazzpunk]

@@optimus163 ...also, IIRC, Cetera started on guitar. I dig him, Jimmy Fielder, & the others in those '70s horn bands. We had some cool players here in SE VA during that time, as well.

[@tehayes99]

I never tire of hearing this album. Never ever. Put it on loop for me when I pass. Definitely Top 2-3 in my collection and one of my all time favorites. Great musicians.

[@brianbraswell434]

In regard to "Introduction" Terry Kath had all those chord and key changes changes in his head ... it was all James Pankow could do to keep up with him trying to write it all down. All of the tracks on this album were way too long to get mainstream AM radio airplay, thus they all went thru brutal edits to get them down to 3 1/2 minutes. Thanks for reacting to the longer versions.

[@chrisgross2043]

They were like the Beatles with three really good lead singers

[@jeffthal1919]

What’s more fun than anything is watching your joy as you discover for the first time stuff that has been moving us to tears for more than 50 years.

[@mizzo9]

I’m 62. Grateful that I got to see them with Terry Kath. An incredible talent. I think Danny Seraphine was one of the best drummers I’ve seen live. I played trumpet so of course I loved the brass. Incredible Band.

[@TheAcgtrs]

Wow, I’ve been asking for this for weeks… This makes me so flippin happy. I can’t wait… 🎉

[@hustonbop]

A great album by a great band, never mind that it was their first release… a wonderful snapshot of a hungry and talented rock band with horns announcing to the world their arrival… the playing on this album is, in a word, incredible… the songwriting is already highly developed… a landmark debut that sets the stage for the even greater “Chicago II”… thanks for presenting this album!

[@abyios]

Even though these are Old songs, they still light me up

[@mpuckett]

You cannot imagine how great it was listening to this band live in concert back in the day. I heard CTA live in concert as the second concert that I attended. ELP was the first concert I attended. I miss the bands of that era, which just seem so musical.

[@fenderchamp8241]

Over time the greatness of this album has faded a little. But one of the greatest debuts of all time.

[@richardanderson3322]

I walked into my local record store at age 16, saw this album, and knowing what the CTA was (I was born in Chicago) I thought what kind of band would name themselves after a major metropolitan transit system. I'll give it a try. I had no idea what I had in my hands. I unleashed a 53 year love affair with a band. You did a great job breaking it down. What a great album. I still play it today, through a few scratches. Vinyl rules!!!

[@Maydoggie]

This is what happens when you combine talent with skill and knowledge and passion and creativity and endless hours of practice.

[@pocopico7409]

Strangely, this is so much fun to watch someone’s first time reaction to the genius of Chicago. Seeing someone so esteemed react with the same amazement I had for them over 50 years ago is somehow quite satisfying to watch.☺️

[@markjacobsen8335]

Not only was this debut album a double LP, so was Chicago II and Chicago III. I mean, who starts their career with three straight double albums, and they're all full of rocket sauce? Chicago did. Great reaction and analysis.

[@craigw1911]

Then they followed those three doubles up with a monster FOUR LP LIVE box set recorded at Carnegie Hall! Chicago VII was another double LP after the two single LP releases Chicago V and Chicago VI.

[@kurtv4946]

They were one of the first Jazz/rock bands along with Blood, Sweat, & Tears. Good stuff.

[@MrCherryJuice]

Worth noting that Blood Sweat & Tears was supposedly formed in response to Chicago Transit Authority. Al Kooper, who was previously with the Blues Project, saw CTA playing the Whiskey on Sunset Strip prior to them recording their debut album. Excited by the concept, he flew back to New York and assembled his own jazzy-rock band of hot players. Given the power and pull he had in the local recording scene (he had co-penned 'This Diamond Ring' for Gary Lewis & the Playboys, played keys on Bob Dylan's 'Like a Rolling Stone' and in his debut electric band etc.) Kooper acquired a recording contract and released BS&T's 'Child is the Father to Man' album debut prior to CTA releasing theirs. Indeed, producer James William Guercio used the money he made from producing BS&T's second album to finance support CTA's efforts at recording their first album. Yes, to have a double album the band did take a cut in royalties. The smart thing was that the saving was passed along to record buyers who could purchase the 2-LP set for just a little more than a single album (I think a single LP was about $4.29 and their double was about $4.98). Jimi Hendrix also saw the band at the Whiskey and was smitten by Terry Kath's playing, saying that Kath was the best guitarist he had ever heard (or something similar). He also had CTA added as openers for his own tour at that time. Plus, I think he might have nicked the idea for 'Star Spangled Banner' from Kath's 'Free Form Guitar'. As we've just heard with this video, CTA was a killer concept with wickedly fine players. Indeed, this band kick the doors wide open to the concept of jazz-rock and horn bands.

[@alpascarella8794]

I'm 71. In the summer of 1969 Chicago's cover of the Spencer Davis Group's "I'm a Man" was figuratively the hottest song in NYC where I grew up. FM radio was just coming into its own and WNEW played the extended version with the outrageous drum solo. That year (besides going to Woodstock), I started my freshman year at the University of Connecticut and CTA was performing as the warm up band for Tim Hardin. Apparently CTA's music hadn't yet reached the popularity that it did in NYC. I remember encouraging everyone I knew to go to the concert. It blew us all away! We knew we were witnessing the start of something special. I still have one of Danny Seraphine's drum sticks. After that high energy performance with the audience screaming for encores, here comes poor Tim Hardin, the headliner. I almost felt sorry for him as he came out with his acoustic guitar, sat on a stool, and sang his ballads.

[@robertperrella4194]

there are truly many great jazz ensembles and anad amazing rock and roll bands ,,,,,,,,,,,,,AND THEN THERE IS CHICAGO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the great buddy rich was truly impressed with danny seraphine's drumming !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@craigw1911]

On this album is "Poem 58". Jimi Hendrix told Chicago that their guitar player Terry Kath was better than Jimi himself. Poem 58 PROVES IT.

[@kimbruns2084]

on "Does Anyone Really Know What Time It Is" radio typically cut off the piano intro.

[@mirandak3273]

The single did that, radio just played the single

[@MrPsaunders]

'No chord left behind.' Great philosophy.

[@randyjordan5521]

I bought that album in 1971, when I was 16. Still one of the best albums in history IMO. I saw Chicago live about six years ago, and they opened the show with "Introduction." My favorite song of all time is "Beginnings".

[@vincentnigro1496]

The great Danny Seraphine on drums.

[@joerosenfield3092]

I think this is my favorite side of all the many Chicago albums.

[@PriorityNewsNow]

My favorite band of all time. They got me started in music. Their mastery of musical styles, while adding an inimitable touch of their own, is unmatched in pop music.

[@francispower1418]

I was eight years old when this came out. My Father bought it for my elder brother after a business trip to New York from my native London. It literally helped to shape my love and understanding of what good music is. Beginnings has been a most played song on my list for decades but it was only recently I discovered that Jimi Hendrix was himself a huge fan (they shared stages). He said “their horn/rhythm section sounds like one lung and their guitarist is better than me”. How lovely too revisit an old friend in this way.

[@harleyhexxe9806]

Every song from Chicago that you've ever heard on the radio was always edited for time. Commercial radio just couldn't deal with the length of their songs. I grew up listening to them, and I still have them in my collection. I've always referred to Chicago as the original American Progressive Rock Band.

[@pbwbrian53]

I was lucky enough to have been a DJ at a college station when these guys came out. We were not restricted to three minute edits nor even single songs. We could play entire album sides if we wanted. Those were the days, my friend.

[@bart1506]

If you want the good stuff, you always have to listen to the album. 🔥

[@dicknodnfs]

The arrangement is impeccable for these three songs. I was 14 when I heard "Introduction". I have played this for millennials without their knowledge and they love it. Fattest three horns ever. Thanks.

[@godsendministryinternation3968]

I am a minister who had a great music appreciation background from my father who was a big band man. The old warner brothers cartoons use to always play the basic repritar of classical music. Now this is all mixed in with James Brown, Motown Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane Iron Butterfly and so much more. Everything was less than big band. Until Chicago 2 and CTA came out about the same time. I was hooked for all the Terry Kath years. Here was a band that every album was a treasure hunt. When ran into your reaction video curiosity killed me. There was one thing about that period of time that is unique. The chances of you being discovered was so rare. My brothers boy bands which played every they could get their hands on. Back there when money wasn’t as important has having your own unique sound that distinguished you from the other bands. I remember the original “Soul Searchers” (pre Chuck Brown Lead). From the late sixties to the seventies They were not known until “Busting Loose”. Very few bands from the DC area survived. It was always wonderful to see a band like Chicago to make it based on their creativity I went through both reaction videos and it took me back to my boy days. Thanks for sharing.

[@davidenders9282]

The Piano intro to Time & the Percussion outro to Beginnings were omitted on the radio edit versions. The same with make me smile & colour my world, the omission of the ballet for the radio edit versions. That's why you didn't recognize them. You had to have the albums to hear all this fantastic music this band made. Please do a reaction to the other 3 sides. This Chicago album today stands up to one of the best rock albums of all time.

[@manitobuckles]

One of my favourite albums of all time!

[@That_Tuning_Guy]

I was 10 years old when I first heard Chicago and, as you said, they've been my friends and companions for over 50 years now. My world would not be complete without them! I'm so glad you played the actual introduction to "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is"! Not many people know about it. To me, the song is not complete without it. Also, the ending of "Beginnings" is not complete without the rhythm ending you played. Those things were always cut in the radio versions. Thank you for sharing these songs! Please do more Chicago!!

[@Bryman1970]

I grew up hearing Chicago on the radio in the late 70s. Their classic 70s stuff was my favorite material. After a long hiatus, something brought me back to them and I started listening to their stuff after years of not hearing it. Brings back some great memories. Great stuff. For all those interested, there's a great documentary on KZbin called The Terry Kath Experience. He wrote out ALL the parts to Introduction on paper and handed them to the horn players, who were completely blown away by the composition. Great musician gone way too soon. Hendrix called him the best guitarist he ever heard. I highly recommend it. Thanks, Doug!

[@zoktoberfest]

Thanks Doug for finally reviewing side one of this masterpiece by Chicago

[@neonpark1874]

Yes, thanks for doing side one. Now it's time to continue your exploration with side two!