So...Chicago is pretty cool.

I got II when it came out, didn't like it nearly as much as the first. I then heard III. I didn't like it as much as the second. I could see the direction they were going in and it didn't interest me. What is there to argue about? It's just a question of different tastes.

 

Then I heard V, it's as good as anything they have done for the past three albums. Then I heard VII, it's as great as the first two albums in different ways.

 

a different but not radically different mix with it's own sound, not terribly opposite the stereo but some talk of the phasing issues with rear channels that me as a lunkhead never really picked up on

 

Chicago is a band that has a fan base with cut off points for sure some only like the 1st, some the first 2, and so on....my cutoff is 7

 

Mine is Chicago XI (1977), the last album with the original lineup and original producer.

 

and some people go even further...so it's great that they can appeal to different audiences

 

That's a good enough cut off date as any although 17 was actually OK for me. I had Hot Streets in my hands today and I swear I couldn't buy, I have an aversion to those last Columbia albums, I find them a bit sad...

 

"Hot Streets" would have been a better album if they continue to work with Guercio as their producer and without the three weakest tracks ("Little Miss Lovin", "Take A Chance" and "Ain't It Time"). If only Terry Kath was still alive in 1978, it would have been another classic album with his guitar, soulful baritone vocals and songwriting. Having said that, I still consider "Hot Streets" as Chicago's strongest post-Terry Kath album that sounds more like a vintage Chicago album.

 

Is there a Chicago 15? I don't recall one.

 

I believe the band considers 'Greatest Hits, Volume II' as '15' (or 'XV').

 

You're better off seeking out Live In Japan. Much better recording.

 

I just picked up IV and it had all the inserts and everything for $3. Records looked in great shape on the surface, but havent listened yet. Either way, for $3 even if I get two sides out of it its worth it.....had it on CD and always enjoyed it.

I see a bunch of I and II everywhere but they always look so beat up....I really need to find decent copies of these.

 

I have always enjoyed IV. It isnt the greatest sound quality in the world but certainly listenable, its not god awful like some say. The performances are great!

 

Did it every have every single one?

 

Just from memory it looked like it (My dad had it growing up) but I have to double check it against a listing. You certainly couldnt squeeze another thing into that box

 

I do like "No Tell Lover" when I first heard I thought it was a few years older than 1978, great song.

 

3 posters, booklet, voter registration info sheet. I've seen a lot copies of this album and all of them missed at least one of those. I bought two cheap copies just to have all of them

 

Definitely 3 posters and the booklet....and I am pretty sure I saw the voter registration sheet. You have me curious though, will check when I get home

 

I got I and II last Friday night for 3.99 and they're in excellent condition. Not original pressings, but CTA sounded awesome, I'm spinning II right now and it's fidelity is **** like said, but it's a solid VG-VG+ set. Plus I got the poster in II.

 

I concur that I find CTA beat all to hell when I see them at record shops. I rarely see it in pristine shape unless I wanna buy it from Barnes and Noble

 

I was lucky that when I bought used records of them, the well-worn jackets on both CTA and II contained some really nice quality records. No surface noise or skips, sounding pristine while appearing to be early '70s pressings. Regardless of sound quality, the songs on those first 2 Chicago records are something truly special, and are worth hearing at least once by every serious music fan.

And for people with excellent taste in music, they're worth hearing much more than once

 

They sound good, I don't know what the best pressing is but I had to get CTA on the 360 label.

 

Still waiting for my cut off point. So far, I can usually find something worthwhile on each release.

NJB

 

After a long search, I found an original two-eye Columbia pressing of Chicago II in NM- condition and the quad pressing on vinyl so in NM- condition and they both sound nice in my stereo system. I'm excited to hear the new Steve Wilson remix on vinyl.

 

My favorite track from Chicago's very first post Terry Kath album is the title cut "Hot Streets" followed by another Lamm track "Love Was New." They both sound very much like Robert Lamm tracks from the preceding albums X and XI except for the absence of Terry's guitar. Kath's replacement Donnie Dacus did a good job in playing his Frampton- influenced guitar licks on the title track.