Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon - Chicago

[@gkett001]

this is an absolute masterpiece of American music

[@maxdingotm]

Gregory Kett yes and underappreciated

[@Tammyperry1]

maxdingotm and NO 21st artist or band can touch this....pure genius......

[@Tammyperry1]

+Willie Gordon Especially NOT him. :P

[@JL03241]

This is a masterpiece of any music! Period.

[@ShaunSkelton-d6d]

Brilliant composition, as good as it gets

[@brendanseanbarry]

Not a single wasted or unnecessary note. That's why it's a masterpiece.

[@211bill]

70's Chicago crushes 80's Chicago. No competition.

[@willard2729]

It’s not a fair fight

[@mikefrance7498]

Amen !

[@cleroyster2610]

Terry kath

[@patrickmurphy1607]

@@cleroyster2610 THE consumate musician! I cried the day he died. I felt the gods got jealous and pulled him out too early. Then I slowly realized he probably had important business elsewhere. His sort will be forever needed and in short supply. Hello Terry!

[@dannylgriffin]

Very, very, very early Chicago only, Chicago I-IV. Once Chicago V came out in 1972 they were hopelessly lost. Of course, that's when they became most popular. Saturday In the Park and all. Gag me with a spoon.

[@donnafrost12strings]

Terry Kath's vocals so full of soul

[@FPChris]

Now days they'd destroy them by trying to "fix" it with autotune.

[@felixgomez3603]

Morning. Greatest band ever.

[@bugmandu1]

When he died they lost their soul.

[@AlainQuinn]

@@bugmandu1 why put your negative feelings on here? Danny Seraphine is one of the most soulful drummers in the universe.

[@floatsting20]

@@bugmandu1 They sure lost their quarterback on stage

[@THEbadlnb]

Absolutely Brilliant! This music really takes me back to the Carefree Days Of my childhood in the 1970’s. I married my girl from Buchanan. Color my world was our Wedding song played on Piano and Guitar with a flute solo. Best part of the wedding (after she said “I do”) with my wife of 30 years now. She makes me smile every day.

[@henrrycapiro2045]

Congrats bro hope you both be happy

[@THEbadlnb]

@@henrrycapiro2045 Thank you! this July it will be 30 years. I told my wife she needs an endurance trophy for putting up with me for this long.

[@mbishop76]

Chicago is being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this Spring. Does anybody really know what time it is?....IT'S ABOUT F--ING TIME!

[@thechapman5951]

Way past time. It should have been done a very long time ago.

[@SJSUPhil]

Great post. :)

[@pablomalaga4676]

They were busy inducting Madonna and Miley. I don´t care about the hall of shame

[@jamescox2749]

my question is WHY HAS IT TAKEN SO LONG FOR THEM TO GET IN THE HALL OF SHAME i mean hell they put janet jackson in how is she rock?

[@hootervilleworldguardian170]

They're in good company (the "took way too long" company). Rush was inducted about...oh, 20 years too late as well.

[@peteranthony51]

Nothing like them. Ever. Brilliant, brilliant. Frozen in time. Still makes me smile:):)

[@TravelinBand747]

The individual pieces of the song are great, but the whole thing played as it was intended to be is just outstanding. James Pankow's masterpiece, with lots of help from the original lineup of Chicago.

[@avjake]

Cry sweet tears of joy Touch the sky

[@Molly1173]

Greatest lyric ever

[@fredkruse9444]

Thanks -- that's exactly the lyric I couldn't understand.

[@Tammyperry1]

LOVE this song the whole song....Terry sings this like a true rock star...great vocals...awesome brass and guitars....this just rocks! true classic

[@socalfamilyfan53]

Terry Kath, Robert Lamm, Peter Cetera, Danny Seraphine, Walt Parazaider, Lee Loughnane and James Pankow...the original Chicago band!

[@thomasmaxwell8353]

unparrelled

[@thomasmaxwell8353]

say no more

[@thomasmaxwell8353]

THAT is CHICAGO

[@andyrock6481]

Richard Oropeza yeah ! And I saw them play the whole side of this album in 72

[@thomasmaxwell8353]

perfection and excellence

[@kriskittleson634]

I can listen to Terry's voice over and over. Love this classic piece..the original members can't be paralleled. R.I.P. my Guitar God!

[@dougtudor9278]

I was 10 or 12 when I first heard this, and it totally changed my understanding of what rock and roll could be. From the horns, growls, and urgency of "Make Me Smile," to the sweet repeating rhythm of "Color My World," which was the soundtrack for my first slow dances. Absolutely beautiful.

[@steveskouson9620]

Stairway To Heaven, just might be better, as a slow dance song. It is longer, and you can dance close to a lovely lady longer. But, Colour My World has that Brass section! Jimmy "Trombone!" (Thank you, Terry!) steve

[@Justin72walker]

This song, and a warm night breeze... man what bliss.

[@prahamusic0194]

The compositions Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon and Elegy changed my life for the better, they gave me hope. Thank you Chicago!

[@davehall4497]

My All Time Favorite Group!!!!!! Makes Me Smile!!!😎

[@Sweet--Richard.4981]

One of the best voices and guitarists ever - period

[@mrrusswright]

This song is such a treasure.

[@amazingmrtitts]

Just listened to this for the first time in almost 40 years. Brought back a flood of memories of my teen years. All good memories. Remembering the sad loss of Terry Kath and the changes that precipitated from that loss. Made me want to shed tears. I was wondering what happiness and enjoyment he could have brought to the world if he were still here. I feel that losing him diminished all of us.

[@theresaskelaney7913]

I used to dance to this in my bedroom with lights off...swirling around in circles

[@xerses53]

Thank God for XM Radio. Every few days or so Deep Tracks will play the entire uncut version of this song. Chicago Rocks!!!!!

[@foreignfilmfan711]

I've seen Chicago in concert 5 or 6 times, alone, or with Earth Wind & Fire (which many consider a great combination) or the Dobbie Brothers. I consider the 'make me smile medley' the highlight of their concerts. To me, it's almost the perfect album side. I saw them 2-3 times outdoors at the PNC Art Center (NJ), and they usually start playing this when the sun sets. When it's getting dark, there's a summer breeze, and Color My World comes on, it's sheer bliss! One of my best concert experiences.

[@clouddweller1195]

This is about Chicago and this song only.

[@gramztoker842]

The last part of the song is way more powerful when you hear it at the end of this version instead of 'make me smile'.

[@maxdingotm]

ztoker yes indeed dig that!!!!

[@lucyarroyo]

This is a masterpiece!!!!!!

[@Byzantine41]

47 years old, never got really into Chicago's music at all and finally out of the blue started appreciating the early stuff, the Terry Kath years....Great music

[@mikew6025]

So much going on in 1970. Saw them that year, Steel Pier, Atlantic City. Three (short) shows a day. The one I saw, they did this (all of it), "25 or 6 to 4", and "I'm A Man".

[@ghiaman65]

Mike W Same here - saw them in Chicago that year. Awesome, breathtaking concert.

[@donaldmandel7179]

EARLY CHICAGO NONE BETTER

[@AIKevorkian]

Listening to this again, I cannot believe I am approaching 50 "at 55 MPH". I was a little kid when this came out! Still love it! Chicago II !

[@johnchiocchi7270]

Hey don't feel bad, I'm coming up on 64. I first saw them at the old coliseum at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Spring of 1970

[@paulrooks8071]

played color my world at my wedding, on piano, dedicated it to my bride. Simply awesome.

[@4beer5beer]

This represents some of the best music ever written. The recorded performance is second to none. If i could only have one record to listen to for the rest of my life, it would be Chicago 2

[@kerrygauffin2946]

My favs are CTA and 2. This music defines my teen years❤️💕

[@operatorkf4stl]

Such a Tour De Force in Rock and Roll Music. One of my favorites of all time.

[@juliehargous2531]

This so beautiful!!!

[@classichost]

Back when bands produced suites and not just singles. Though this did yield not just one but two hits!

[@garywells4969]

That's what I always thought this was. The two hit's were due too the cookie cutters that were produced for AM Radio.

[@iamhistorygeek]

Beautifully composed. Melodic rock. Rhythmic jazz. Classically balanced.

[@tehayes99]

Chicago is one of my favorite (top 2 or 3) of all time. This 'song' absolutely blows me away....

[@Tammyperry1]

this song kicks ASS completely! A MASTERPIECE!

[@georgefranklin4402]

Friggin' stellar. A masterpiece.

[@boblewis1227]

My first album! Fantastic band, three talented lead singers, Danny on drums! Can’t beat early Chicago! Terry Kath was amazing on guitar! Rock On!

[@nashtndawg]

Happy 70th Birthday Terry and RIP....

[@bigcwdbjd78]

great great medley of songs from Chicago. into one supersong.

[@supyoist]

+bigcwdbjd78 No, bud, this was composed as a multiple song suite. There's a reason that these occur sequentially on Chicago II. This is intentionally a single narrative of multiple songs, and was arranged as such at its conception.

[@yvwic50]

Thanks for uploading! I came of age in HS while this was out, and I consider it to be their best work, and believe that it holds up well today. I once sang "As TIme Goes On" to one of my girlfriends back then, and she remarked "I love you, but you should have just played the album." We're still friends on FB!

[@stevenwickes7156]

my 'Girl in Buchannon' was actually born in Evanston. Diane Bartmann, met her my senior year of high school, we graduated together in Rockford from East High in 1970. Sadly, we did not make it through my Vietnam service as a couple. I just found out she passed away in 1984, half our lifetimes ago now, and I am heartbroken. I never forgot her, or stopped loving her! sleep gently my love

[@marklothes8884]

God bless you Steven. I am from South Charleston, West Virginia. I saw Chicago three times. The first time I was in high school, and they were the warm up band for The Jimi Hendrix Experience in Charleston, West Virginia (1968 or 1969?) At that time, they were the Chicago Transit Authority, and no one knew them. They brought the house down, everybody was going nuts. And then The Jimi Hendrix Experience took stage, and everyone went ballistic. The crowd was insane. So happy to hear from you, Steven, you knew that girl. James Pankow obviously loved her, the Girl from Buckhannon. Interestingly, the town Buckhannon, is spelled incorrectly. Buckhannon is in Upshur County, West Virginia. I understand that Diane was a student at West Virginia Wesleyan College, in Buckhannon.

[@carlanthony1225]

I remember picking up that album, I think it was a double, they were ahead of their time. Chicago Transit Authority was and still is an epic work of art. The first song is sort of an introduction to who they were and talk about drums and percussion..I'm A Man is incredible.

[@RAY2424]

So sorry

[@RAY2424]

I still have that vinyl I bought 1971

[@whiteray1]

My "Girl In Buchannon" was born in Moline, and we met later in life. It did not work, and we moved on. I am now with my everlove but will ever remember. Peace and light for you and your memories.

[@dendroicazenaida]

Thank you so much for posting! You just made me smile! Not playing full versions of songs on the radio is sacrilege!

[@dangabor8585]

Many never realize just what great musicians these cats were. Everyone are impeccable on this song.

[@Frankincensedjb123]

Over 122 million units sold. Only a couple dozen of artists have sold more all time. What an amazing band of musicians, song writers, people. LOVE them.

[@ajdurbano]

Forty years down the pike? Has to be. I took Chicago III with me to Vietnam. But true then, true now: Chicago -- Sooner or Later (or somewhere in between) -- Your Favorite Band. This 12:40 cut remains one of the signature song cycles of the rock era. Better than "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes." right?

[@Bill2II]

Ballet vs SJBE is sort of an apples vs oranges comparison. They are both great, but are too different to make a direct comparison.

[@jd.elie1]

Apples and oranges, but this is still better...😂

[@jhandle4196]

I was in a horn band that played this entire suite. I played both the trombone, and trumpet parts at different times, and ran over to the piano to play "Color My World" when the lead singer wanted to step out with the mic, and try to get the girls to swoon. I can't listen to this without tears welling in my eyes.

[@jhnstn1]

Sorry for going old school on you here for a moment but...................back when this was new the radio versions most of us heard were on a single speaker AM radio in a car. The few that were lucky enough to have a FM radio to listen to didn't have the equipment to do it justice. Amazing that almost 45 years later a cheap $9 set of earbuds with this amazing music will almost blow your mind. Sound wise these guys were light years above the technology to deliver what they were doing.

[@garyradtke2825]

Love listening to this complete. Fantastic all the way through.

[@JRP020563]

Gracias por compartir material de este fabuloso grupo de rock clásico. Chicago por siempre.

[@plasticbleach4004]

I listened to this ballet on the way home from band camp and saw a billboard for McDonald's frappes. This is what the lyrics are truly about

[@ChihuahuaboyDH]

Now, this is CHICAGO in all its musical glory! This ain't that other "Chicago" post-Kath, who cranked out all those sappy ballads in the 1980s. When Terry Kath left this world, so did CHICAGO. "Ballet For A Girl In Buchannon" is their finest intermeshing of tracks & instrumentals, bar none! R.I.P., Terry Alan Kath...1/31/1946-1/23/1978. Thanks for your gift of music, Sir.

[@johnlatour9935]

Man I feel so freaking good when these guys bring all this together. Spiritual. Inspire me my amazing brothers!

[@nokewan]

I can't tell how happy you made me by uploading the complete 'Balet'. Thanks you SO much!!!!. Somehow, neither 'Make Me Smile' or 'Colour My World' sound complete to me without the total emotional voyage this piece takes you through.

[@throwsand]

So much counterpoint... it's eargasmic. These guys were excellent composers.

[@MyyNAMEisBEN]

In sincere humbleness before such Musical Greatness as this, I have to say * 'GOD-GIVEN' * . Refer to 'Introduction' ( "With heavens help it mended... " ). - Big Thanks for the upload !

[@გორგასლანი]

30 years listening to this masterpiece ....never tired !!

[@JonP1961]

Their debut album will always have a special place for me. The first vinyl of theirs I owned was the 45 of "Beginnings" and used to play it over and over again. Thanks for reminding about VII. It's been years since I've listened to it. Lots of progressive cuts with experimentation as well as some awesome straight up jazz and swing jazz and some great free wheeling jamming!

[@SeantheBaldman]

Best. Medley. Ever.

[@TheDrewRobertsShow]

I was 2 when this came out and I can remember my parents listening to this album, especially this side. Great memories.

[@au81rxfiller]

Thx..GRunHap for posting the complete Ballet..Saw Terry Kath,One of the Greatest Guitarist of MY time,and Chicago 3 times before his death in 1978..This Truly.."Makes Me Smile!!!"

[@arhuxtable]

Terry Kath did a beautiful job singing COLOUR MY WORLD. After his death,there were occasions when Robert Lamm sang it. Composer James Pankow could even sing this himself since the song doesn't involve his trombone. RIP Terence Alan Kath(1/31/46-1/23/78). That man was very soulful for someone who was white.

[@theresaskelaney7913]

I go right back to high school when I hear this...

[@juliocalderon2992]

Brilliant! One of their masterpieces. They were true, trained musicians that could play classical, rock or blues. Most rock stars can barely read music.

[@anjelicamarrujo8621]

Yeah 74bshs, you said it all.....ditto and bravo Chicago, one of the great American bands from the 60's, 70's.....this Ballet is unbelievable, and yes, Danny Seraphine's drums in Anxiety's Moments, DO send chills up my spine, too!!!!! Play on, Brothers!!!!

[@wizerulz]

Best Chicago album. Great memories of playing an improvised version of Colour my world with my friend Laura after music class when we were like 14

[@DrewSeifert]

Great song from a superb band. Always a joy to hear. Thanks for posting.

[@mariodibari9486]

MAGNIFICO!!

[@donnafrost12strings]

this is the best!

[@74bshs]

I think you might be a little hard on this great group. V, VI, and VII were terrific albums, to a song. I agree, the band was not the same after the passing of Kath, but life goes on, and so did Chicago, and to their credit, they made a good job of it. Let's be happy that we had (and still have) such a great musical presence with us.

[@garycolon4213]

But Terry was still with them on V, VI and VII....Terry passed after their 11th album.

[@Krutter123]

Bought the vinyl for "25 or 6 to 4". Then this blew my mind. Old Chicago is $#%^ing incredible. RIP Mr. Kath.

[@Clown90125]

Epic music.

[@thomasarabia8895]

James Pankow is a MUSICAL GENIUS!!!!

[@jimmagrini3071]

classic awesome!

[@naut6606]

I was in sixth grade. Got this album for a birthday present. Just watched a net flix documentary of Chicago. We are so lucky

[@DrCanary]

wait, there's a netflix documentary?

[@nashtndawg]

Happy Birthday to Robert Lamm and THANKS for posting this!! Back in my day, we had stuff like this. I'm sorry they are crammming stuff like Gaga and Bieber down the throats of kids today...

[@garygiampa2557]

Hi great songs from 1970 thank you

[@garygiampa4175]

hi the best from 1970 I love it thank you

[@promobob]

Thanks so much for posting this, which I have not heard in YEARS, even though I own the vinyl in storage... This is how Make Me Smile/Color My World was supposed to be heard, not the chopped to bits stuff of radio programmers. Thanks again!

[@moormagic1]

Thank you for posting the FULL version.

[@teresathomley3703]

My parents love this music and they turned me on to it. This suite makes me tear up thinking about them. You all should be jealous of me because of the parents I have!!♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@fazlurbaksh5969]

I saw Chicago perform live once and this was during the post terry kath period. They put on an excellent show and they are the band that sets the standard for what live performances should be. My favorite Chicago song is 25 or 6 to 4. There is no other rock song that can match the intensity of that song when it comes to playing long rock songs with extended guitar solos except for can't you hear me knocking by the Stones. Chicago rocks and I would love to see them play live again.

[@jasonmullins7115]

A lot of people put an unfair share of the change in Chicago's "sound" on Cetera. Did he have a lot to do with that? Absolutely. But so did David Foster, so did the record company, so did changing musical styles and so did the band, who was more than happy to cash in on the "soft rock/power ballad" sound of the 1980's. As great as CTA, Chicago (II) and their albums up to Chicago X were...Chicago 17 is still the band's best-selling album of all-time, followed, I think, by Greatest Hits 82-89. Nothing wrong with the 80's stuff. A lot of people won't admit to liking it because it's "not cool," but come on. If you're like me, you listened to the 80's stuff before you found the 70's Chicago. First album I ever bought was GH 82-89 and that led me to discovering the early stuff, which is absolutely amazing. And yes, as someone else said, "how is Chicago not in the RRHOF?" Absolutely ludicrous!

[@kctransplant70]

Many people forget the band's first two charting ballads were released by the band while Terry Kath was still alive, and naturally still part of the band.

[@jasonmullins7115]

That is absolutely true.

[@harryd2294]

The lousy music industry had MUCH to do with it. Notice that this happened to a number of other bands from this time leading up into the early 80s.. Reasons why *most* everything today sounds like the same watered down crap ( similar beat or whatever ) no matter if it is rock, R&B or whatever. Thus the goal of the music industry.. They hated songs like this and thus the so called long versions and this had most to do with $$$$..

[@harryd2294]

See Led Zeppelin for another example..

[@kctransplant70]

Couldn't agree more Harry. The morons running the music industry became more concerned with how pretty the people in the band were. They became more concerned about creating hits instead of creating great music and letting the hits come naturally. I never understood why the length of a song matters SO much. If a shitty song comes on the radio, I change the station no matter how long or short it is. An hour of music is still an hour of music whether you play 15 songs, or 20 songs in that hour. It took a long time, but the morons in the music industry finally have managed to kill it dead. If you want to find music that isn't horrible, talentless shit these days you have to look to the indie labels because the major labels have none. It's sad.

[@robertmmar]

By listening Chic@go and the music from all my favorite groups that L❤VE I am not alone. You make happier than before. Thanks to OUR G💖D WHO KNOWS MY GOALS. MERRY, MERRY CHRISTMAS !

[@aelizahibbs9092]

Great song. I'm from Buckhannon. And that's how it's spelled. Buckhannon. In Buckhannon, they are building a Jimmy Pankow stat- well, I wouldn't call it a statue, but it's cool. The mayor and him are friends actually. :)

[@electronmusicjunkie]

One of the best pieces I ever heard to just about fill an entire lp side. It's neat how Make Me Smile was done and Color My World included with all of the other pieces.

[@alfredferrarini6781]

I love the first 3 and at Carnegie hall.that live package is so great.they are still great but different the original members are still kicking it.but those first albums can't be beat.I had realized how much terry influenced my play in in the beginning.from the rhythm to the fast leads still miss him.

[@classichost]

CTA is still in my mind a slightly better album just because side four gets a little noodly until where do we go from here. But this is such a great segment it almost carries the album.

[@popwiz3029]

I bought this cd when I was 12 back in 1996 thinking it was their greatest hits collection (before I had access to internet). Then I found out it wasn't a hits album ( jaw dropped! 😮). So many great songs here!

[@manco828]

Chicago (1970) is one of the greatest LPs ever.

[@74bshs]

This is probably the best set of songs since the second side of the Beatles "Abbey Road", and that was only a year behind this great set. Thank you for this post! :)

[@fijababe]

EXTRAORDINARY !!!!

[@WaltGekko]

Of course from this came two hits for them, "Make Me Smile" and "Colour My World," the latter only having one verse because they never intended for it to be a single as I remember. This is also known as "The Make Me Smile Medley" because of the first song (which was combined with "Now More Than Ever" to be the single version of "Make Me Smile").

[@maxdingotm]

+Walt Gekko you are correct

[@stevensaulque6147]

They are still rocking it! My favorite is Lee’s Ballet to a girl in Buchanan 🤠

[@sludge4125]

Buchannon, West Virginia.

[@MrEverdred]

I saw them live in September and they started off the show with this entire suite, man was that awesome! I'm glad they played the full thing and not just "Make me smile" or "Colour my World" This album came out more than 10 years before I was born but it is one of my favorites.

[@marielleng2919]

Hi sounds great I love it summer of 70 by the swimming pool wow good music too

[@Frankincensedjb123]

Their earlier stuff was certainly their best, but you can't take them down for the later stuff. Everyone changes, especially great artists. If you look at the legends, none of them stay in the same genre forever. Certainly, their later stuff was watered down and not as interesting, but there's still good songs no matter what recording you pick up. One of the most talented groups ever to assemble, and we have been the more blessed for it, regardless of the output.

[@TheKhaibear]

All these are spot on descriptions of the song but Pure Joy is my favorite.

[@stevensaulque6147]

Add to my playlist

[@dc4580]

@MUSESQ "where the audience was so small that we sat on the floor"...Love second album along with CTA. It fit the times and thinking back in late 60's, early 70's. Many nights listening to these guys! You were lucky to see them in such a venue.

[@jamescox2749]

pure classic rock

[@MosinMauserSmith9130]

Many times composers thrive in the midst of conflict. During the Vietnam War Robert Lamm wrote with a chip on his shoulder. This album is probably Jim Pankow's best effort and Chicago V was Lamm's best. By 1973 the Vietnam War was over and after then Lamm lost his creative edge. For the next ten years or so Chicago became a hit factory. Terry Kath's loss was a severe blow, and some speculate that he was on the way out of the band. Still, Chicago is one of the very best bands of all..

[@scrod5150]

Colour My World ... Was my 8th grade graduation song !

[@tobye1748]

+scrod5150 . I remember dancing in the basement with my new corduroy's, penny loafers and paisley shirt with Bonnie Crosley, Mt. Prospect, IL

[@ur5nfr]

Masterpiece classic!