So...Chicago is pretty cool.

They lost me after 17 but I got XXX when it came out some 20 odd years later, and rather enjoyed it.

 

That's cool. A copy of Hot Streets is in a local record shop, I'll have to buy it and give it a listen.

 

I wonder if that will be shown on TV at all.

 

"Hot Streets" (1978) sounds differently from X and XI in terms of production as it was the first Chicago album not produced by James William Guercio. Its sound is similar to Billy Joel's albums of the same era because they were produced by Phil Ramone with the help from the band members and engineered by a different team of recording engineers. Personally, I prefer the sound of the Guercio- produced albums.

 

I prefer the sound of the Guercio produced albums too. The Guercio albums had a specific, muscular yet defined sound. The style got even more precise by 1973 or when they moved to Caribou. Chicago VI is still one of my favorite sounding albums, that's pure Chicago to me, production values wise.

Really having Chicago produced by Phil Ramone in Criteria sounds like a bit of a mishmash. Certainly some good work was done but nothing compared to the Kath/Guercio days.

 

Just spinning Chicago 13 right now, I think it's kinda underrated. It's a fun poppy disco record. It's not that bad, but it's not what I'd call "Classic Chicago" by any means.

 

Absolutely not. It's all good through 17. After that, you're on your own.

 

I'm gonna go up to 20 plus Live in Japan. I know, I know 18 and 19, ugh, but I feel like I need to visit that and finish out the 80's.

 

I get it. Enjoy!

 

Just think, someday they'll be a Chicago CMXCIX

 

You might as well go through Twenty 1 to really finish out that period. I think it compares favorably to 19 despite the lack of chart success.

 

I would've, but I haven't seen Twenty 1 on vinyl. I could just Spotify it.

 

Yes, featuring Jeff Corey Bot No. 117 and a re-imagined, half alien version of Walter Parazaider.

 

The original vintage Chicago sound stopped at Chicago XI (1977). The next three albums after XI have some remnants of the vintage Chicago sound specially the first post Terry album "Hot Streets" (1978) which is the band's 12th album release.

 

A rare photo of the original lineup.



The next one is more common.

 

Chicago put out lots of great records. Esp. The first 3 and Chicago 7 which all explored JAMS. The BEST.
I recommend that listeners of Chicago and those that appreciate great horn based rock and jamming explore groups such as Mandrill, War, Kool and the Gang, early Ohio Players, Sly,Earth Wind and Fire,Grover Washington, James Brown, etc.
A good time can be had by all.

 

I wish my local record shop had more Chicago vinyl. They rarely get in CTA but have plenty of Chicago XI and Hot Streets in the racks.

 

There are a couple good tunes on 18 and 19, and lots of filler.

My brother won a cassette copy of 19 from the local pop radio station and gave it to me!

 

I would get both albums specially if they are still sealed.

 

I love Terry Kath, but "Hour in the Shower" is a turd, IMO. But I will give him credit for making a 5 1/2 minute song SEEM like its an hour long....

 

If you're going to buy it, go for the Rhino remaster. The sound is the best it has been on CD, and there's a bonus disc of previously unreleased material. Not to mention, the cover art reproduction (posters, booklets and all) is pretty cool... personally, I always liked this album.

 

I have always thought that "An Hour In The Shower" is one of the highlights of the album Chicago III and among Kath's best songs.

 

There isn't much in the way of 'jams' on it. They play most of the songs pretty close to the original arrangements.

Which is one of the reasons the album suffers, IMO. Too much of it is just like the studio versions but they don't sound as good. Give me a live album that takes the songs or the band in a new direction. There are some good moments on "Carnegie Hall", but not enough considering the length of the entire album.

And the mix isn't great. Too dry and separated sounding, for lack of better terms. And lacking some heft. Pankow once infamously referred to the horns sounding like kazoos on that album. It's not too far off from the truth.

 

Then I'm glad it's there for you!

Whatever the charms of it might be, they've never connected with me.

For me, it's hardest to get past these lyrics early on:

Now I usually have my breakfast
Which consists of tasty spam
Yeah, I could eat it all day long
But I only love one brand
And I can't find it way out here
So, I have to take a pass
And settle for some hash
When I drive and you're not here
Oh, sweet sweet spam

And I personally like spam. Just don't wanna hear anyone sing about it, I guess.... lol

 

Lol. I'm one of those music fans who are attracted first to the melody and arrangement of the songs and not paying too much attention to the lyrics.