So...Chicago is pretty cool.

I was at my local record shop a few days ago, and I found copies of CTA, Chicago II, III, V, VIII, and X, loving III right now.

Kinda shocked at how this band became the AOR mega band they became.

Is it bad that Chicago 13 intrests me btw?

 

I love Chicago 13. I like everything until Cetera left.

 

No. It's not bad. Concerning, maybe, but not bad.

 

Why is that bad? Check it out. It's not a great album but it does have some interesting music. Street Player is a great track! Also my favorite Chicago album cover.

 

I was the same as well - all I knew was those bloody dreck AOR ballads. Picked up a copy of V and loved it, then started going backwards from there. Some really great stuff on those first 5 albums,

 

I want to say "yes", but go ahead and give it a listen if you're curious and then get rid of it.

There's really no need to go beyond 'X'.

 

I think you guys mean MOR, not AOR. I don't think AOR ever touched the likes of "You're The Inspiration".

 

Street Player I think is the best track on the album. The remix is even better.

 

If Jimi Hendrix had decided to take up trumpet or trombone, it would probably have sounded like some of the early CTA stuff.

 

Chicago III is one of my favorites (minus side 4). Enjoy!

 

I think the reason 13 intrests me is the album cover, plus Street Player is funky as hell.

Is IV as bad as they say? I love live records, and this band seems like it would lend itself to some awesome jams.

 

Good on ya. And especially CTA!

 

Great album (don't listen to 'them').

 

I passed up a bunch of early Chicago albums recently. Were they not always polished horn rock?

 

I think it's a very good live album. It's issue is that it overstays its welcome and can be an exhausting listen because of its length but it's got some great performance. The sound quality, while not great, is not as bad as most people say.

 

Early era Chicago is absolutely marvelous!

 

No. The first album is dominated by guitar and is the only one worth owning IMO. I know others won't agree.

 

That one is just called "Chicago"?

 

no, that's II.

the first one is transit authority

i am one of the others who disagrees.

every album with terry kath is worth owning, every one.

 

To me, CHICAGO ceased to exist as a band when monster guitarist Terry Kath died. There's no other CHICAGO to me other than the original lineup comprising of the seven original members 1969-1977. These magnificent seven were the only members who got inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame as shown below:

Terry Kath - vocals, guitar
Peter Cetera - vocals, bass
Robert Lamm - vocals, keyboards
Danny Seraphine - drums
James Pankow - trombone
Lee Loughnane - trumpet, flugelhorn
Walter Parazaider - woodwinds

In 1974, they added former Sergio Mendes percussionist Laudir de Oliveira as full-time member and Chicago became an eight-man band.

As a hard core fan of the original CHICAGO, I highly recommend all of their first eleven albums with Terry Kath who died in January 1978. All of these albums were produced by their mentor, James William Guercio from 1969-1977. This era is known as the band's "classic years." Some call it the Terry Kath years or Guercio years.

Chicago Transit Authority (1969) - peaked #17 - 2 x platinum
Chicago (1970) - peaked #4 - 2 x platinum
Chicago III (1971) - peaked #2 -platinum
Chicago At Carnegie Hall (1971) - peaked #3 - platinum
Chicago V (1972) - peaked #1 - 2 x platinum
Chicago VI (1973) - peaked #1 - 2 x platinum
Chicago VII (1974) - peaked #1 - platinum
Chicago VIII (1975) - peaked #1 - platinum
Chicago IX Greatest Hits (1975) - 5 x platinum
Chicago X (1976) - peaked #3 - 2 x platinum
Chicago XI (1977) - peaked #6 - platinum

 

I love the entire side 4 of Chicago III, the instrumental "Elegy" specially the melodic third movement called "Once Upon A Time..." which segues into "Progress?"

 

Yes, it's side 3 that does the least for me

 

Yes it's bad

 

You're missing VII ... their best album.

 

I'm glad they did the documentary, it's really fun to see new fans coming 'round to the band....
All studio albums up to 7 are magnificent IMHO.