Artist Survey #9: Chicago

[Dawn]

Thanks, everyone, for the messages of support I have received here on the Click since getting the MS diagnosis. Thankfully, I am feeling much better now than I did in the weeks immediately following, and hope things will continue that way for a long time to come. I wanted to resume doing this feature as soon as things settled down, and look forward to seeing your responses. Also, suggestions are always welcome!

Today's featured artist is:

Chicago[/b]


(The group as they appeared in 1971, from their official site)


Favorite group member: Terry Kath

Most underrated group member: Walt Parazaider

Best Vocalist: Peter Cetera

Best Musician: Terry Kath

Best Writer: Terry Kath

Favorite Chicago songs:
1. Beginnings
2. Wishing You Were Here
3. Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?
4. Call on Me
5. Old Days
6. No Tell Lover
7. Song of Evergreens
8. Thunder & Lightning
9. What You’re Missing
10. Saturday in the Park
11. Feelin’ Stronger Every Day
12. If You Leave Me Now
13. Byblos
14. (I’ve Been) Searchin’ So Long
15. Colour My World

Most underrated song: No Tell Lover

Any songs you feel are overrated? I Don’t Wanna Live Without Your Love

Best vocals: Wishing You Were Here & If You Leave Me Now

Best instrumentation: 25 or 6 to 4

First Chicago song you can remember hearing: Beginnings or Saturday in the Park

Favorite album: Chicago VII

Favorite album cover: Chicago XV (Greatest Hits Vol. 2)

First 45 you owned: If You Leave Me Now
First LP: Chicago 16
First cassette: If You Leave Me Now (hits collection)
First CD: Very Best of: Only the Beginning

[djdave]

Glad you're feeling better and this has returned.

Favorite group member: Robert

Most underrated group member: Walt

Best Vocalist: Peter

Best Musician: Robert

Best Writer: Peter

Favorite Chicago songs:
1. BEGINNINGS (with full percussion outro)
2. Make me smile
3. Old days
4. Searchin' so long
5. Colour my world
6. Baby what a big surprise
7. 25 or 6 to 4
8. Questions 67 and 68
9. Alive again
10. If you leave me now
11. Just you 'n me
12. Hard to say I'm sorry
13. Feelin' stronger every day
14. Lowdown
15. Does anybody really know what time it is
16. Saturday in the park
17. Love me tomorrow
18. Little one
19. You're the inspiration
20. Wishing you were here
21. I'm a man
22. Another rainy day in NYC
23. Call on me
24. Dialogue (1 & 2)
25. Free form guitar

Most underrated songs: Lowdown and Little One

Any songs you feel are overrated? All their top 5 hits after 1985, especially Look Away

Best vocals: Colour my World (no question!)

Best instrumentation: Alive again

First Chicago song you can remember hearing:
"Does anybody really know what time it is", or "Searching so long" (knew both by 1974)

Favorite album: First album, Chicago Transit Authority

Favorite album cover: Hmmm...they're all kinda alike, right? ;D
OK, the chocolate bar one, someone can fill me in...Chicago X?

First 45 you owned: none
First LP: First 2 (got both at a used LP store)
First cassette: none
First CD: Very Best of: Only the Beginning (same)

[55dodger]

Favorite Member: Terry Kath
Underrated: Lee Loughnane & Jame Pankow. I was always partial to those who played brass instruments.
Vocalists: Peter Cetera
Musician: Terry Kath
Writer: Terry Kath
Songs:
1. Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?
2. Beginnings
3. 25 or 6 to 4
4. Saturday in the Park
5. Old Days
6. Feelin' Stronger
7. Just You & Me
8. Questions 67 & 68
9. Make Me Smile
10. If You Leave Me Now
Underrated Song: Free Form Guitar & Southern California Purples
Overrated: Colour My World
Vocals: Saturday in the Park & Old Days
Instrumentation: Not counting Free Form Guitar, I would say Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?. Love the trumpet solo
First song I remember hearing: Questions 67 & 68
Favorite Album: Tough one to answer. The first two are so good, it would be a toss up between those two.
First 45: Don't know
First Album: Chicago Transit Authority I (still got it)
CD: Greatest Hits

[SAT-I need more room!!]

I printed that picture up years ago, and used to have it up here at my desk!

Fave member-Terry Kath
Underrated-Gotta be Terry again. Superb musician.
Vocalist-Terry. I love that deep voice.
Musician-Terry. What a mark I am!
Writer-Probably Terry again.

Songs-

25. Feelin’ Stronger Every Day
24. If You Leave Me Now
23. Baby, What a Big Surprise
22. Old Days
21. Beginnings
20. I’m a Man
19. Make Me Smile
18. Free
17. Colour My World
16. Listen
15. (I’ve Been) Searchin’ So Long
14. Call On Me
13. Flight 602
12. No Tell Lover
11. Mother
10. Saturday in the Park
9. Questions 67 & 68
8. Lowdown
7. Song of Evergreens
6. Happy Man
5. Dialogue (Parts 1 and 2)
4. Byblos
3. What Else Can I Say
2. Just You-n-Me
1. Wishing You Were Here

Underrated song-What Else Can I Say (great album cut)
Overrated-Will You Still Love Me?
Vocals-Wishing You Were Here
Instrumentation-I'm a Man (no question)
First heard-Probably 25 or 6 to 4
Fave album-CTA
Cover-the chocolate bar!

First 45-none!
LP-CTA as a kid, on my own, Chicago V
Cassette-Greatest Hits
CD-CTA

[Triple J]

YAY! It's back!

I don't know this band very well, but I'll give it a shot

Favorite group member: Peter Cetera

Most underrated group member: I don't know

Best Vocalist: Peter Cetera

Best Musician: I don't know

Best Writer: I don't know

Favorite Chicago songs:

1. You Come To My Senses
2. If You Leave Me Now
3. You're The Inspiration
4. Hard Habit To Break
5. Along Comes A Woman
6. Stay The Night
7. Will You Still Love Me?
8. Saturday in the Park
9. 25 Or 6 To 4
10. Hard To Say I'm Sorry

Most underrated song: You Come To My Senses

Any songs you feel are overrated? Can't think of any

Best vocals: If You Leave Me Now

Best instrumentation: 25 Or 6 To 4

First Chicago song you can remember hearing: I think "Stay The Night"

Favorite album: Chicago 17

Favorite album cover: I don't know... I'll go with the one Sat mentioned, Chicago X, the candy bar one

First 45 you owned: none
First LP: Mom had one of them... "V" I think
First cassette: none
First CD: Either 17 or 18

[Dawn]

DJ said:

Glad you're feeling better and this has returned.

Best instrumentation: Alive again

Favorite album cover: Hmmm...they're all kinda alike, right? ;D
OK, the chocolate bar one, someone can fill me in...Chicago X?

Thanks!

I agree about the great instrumentation on Alive Again. An excellent song, although unfortunately very overlooked these days, especially on the oldies stations.

The chocolate bar cover is one of my favorites also.

[Dawn]

55dodger said:

Favorite Member: Terry Kath
Underrated: Lee Loughnane & Jame Pankow. I was always partial to those who played brass instruments.

Instrumentation: Not counting Free Form Guitar, I would say Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?. Love the trumpet solo

I agree that Lee and James' brass playing really adds to this group's classic sound. The trumpet work on Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is is outstanding, and I also love the brass riffs on 25 or 6 to 4.

[Dawn]

SAT-Laney's said:

I printed that picture up years ago, and used to have it up here at my desk!

Underrated-Gotta be Terry again. Superb musician.

Cool! That's a really good picture of them in their prime! But it surprised me a little how few photos there are of them on the 'net, considering the group's longevity.

I agree with you. Terry was an amazing guitarist, and it's a shame that he still hasn't gotten the recognition that he should from the music critics.

[Dawn]

TripleJ said:

Favorite album: Chicago 17

I remember getting this album on cassette from one of the music clubs back then and listening to it quite a bit!

[Ken]

Hey Dawn

I'm so happy you're feeling better and to see the return of this feature - woo hoo!


Favorite group member: Terry Kath

Most underrated group member: Danny Seraphine

Best Vocalist: Peter Cetera , Walt Parazaider

Best Musician: Danny Seraphine , Terry Kath

Best Writer: Terry Kath

Favorite Chicago songs:
1. Saturday In The Park
2.Beginnings
3.Make Me Smile
4.Old Days
5.25 0r 6 To 4
6.Wishing You Were Here
7.Colour My World
8.Baby , What a Big Suprise
9.Free
10.Feelin' Stronger Everyday
11.Lowdown
12.Hard Habit to Break
13. Just You "N" Me
14.I'm a Man
15.If You Leave Me Now
16. (I've Been) Searchin' So Long
17.Alive Again
18. Questions 67 & 68
19.No Tell Lover
20.Dialogue Parts 1 & 2
21. Love Me Tomorrow


Most underrated song: Lowdown

Any songs you feel are overrated? Not Really

Best vocals: Wishing You Were Here & If You Leave Me Now

Best instrumentation: There are so many Make Me Smile

First Chicago song you can remember hearing: Saturday In The Park , Feeling Stronger Everyday

Favorite album: Chicago IX (Greatest Hits)

Favorite album cover: Chicago X

First 45 you owned: never owned any
First LP: Chicago IX
First cassette: If You Leave Me Now (hits collection)
First CD: Very Best of: Only the Beginning

[Dawn]

Ken said:

Hey Dawn

I'm so happy you're feeling better and to see the return of this feature - woo hoo!


Favorite group member: Terry Kath

Most underrated group member: Danny Seraphine

Best Vocalist: Peter Cetera , Walt Parazaider

Best Musician: Danny Seraphine , Terry Kath

Best Writer: Terry Kath

Favorite Chicago songs:
1. Saturday In The Park
2.Beginnings
3.Make Me Smile
4.Old Days
5.25 0r 6 To 4
6.Wishing You Were Here
7.Colour My World
8.Baby , What a Big Suprise
9.Free
10.Feelin' Stronger Everyday
11.Lowdown
12.Hard Habit to Break
13. Just You "N" Me
14.I'm a Man
15.If You Leave Me Now
16. (I've Been) Searchin' So Long
17.Alive Again
18. Questions 67 & 68
19.No Tell Lover
20.Dialogue Parts 1 & 2
21. Love Me Tomorrow


Most underrated song: Lowdown

Any songs you feel are overrated? Not Really

Best vocals: Wishing You Were Here & If You Leave Me Now

Best instrumentation: There are so many Make Me Smile

First Chicago song you can remember hearing: Saturday In The Park , Feeling Stronger Everyday

Favorite album: Chicago IX (Greatest Hits)

Favorite album cover: Chicago X

First 45 you owned: never owned any
First LP: Chicago IX
First cassette: If You Leave Me Now (hits collection)
First CD: Very Best of: Only the Beginning

Hi Ken - thanks!

I completely agree about Lowdown being underrated - very good song.

I remember not long after I joined YL, I read a post that you had made about getting the If You Leave Me Now cassette, and thought it was cool that we had both gotten that collection at almost exactly the same time!

[Pete70s]

All of the above: Terry Kath

Favrite songs:
If it's on the first 7 albums, it's on my list!

Most Underrated: Goodbye (Chicago V album cut), Along Comes A Woman (One of their better 80's songs)

Most Overrated: Any ballad done after Hard To Say I'm Sorry

Best Vocals: Wishing You Were Here (with a little help from two famous brothers and their friend...)

Instrumentation: Introduction

First heard: Lowdown or Make Me Smile

Favorite album: II

Favorite cover: The fingerprint (Chicago 14, crappy album but cool cover!)

First LP: II and III
First cassette: Don't think I ever had one
First CD; Chicago IX (Greatest Hits)

[Ken]

Dawn said:

Hi Ken - thanks!

I completely agree about Lowdown being underrated - very good song.

I remember not long after I joined YL, I read a post that you had made about getting the If You Leave Me Now cassette, and thought it was cool that we had both gotten that collection at almost exactly the same time!

Yeah I remember that!

[Dawn]

Pete70s said:

Best Vocals: Wishing You Were Here (with a little help from two famous brothers and their friend...)

Favorite cover: The fingerprint (Chicago 14, crappy album but cool cover!)

I agree - those background vocals on Wishing You Were Here are amazing. Carl sounds especially wonderful.

I was disappointed with 14 - there are a couple of songs I like, but overall it doesn't stand up well at all to their early albums. But the cover is pretty cool, I agree!