Chicago (a.k.a. Chicago II)

PAGE INITIATED:  FEBRUARY 9, 2003.

LAST UPDATED:  SEPTEMBER 3, 2005!

Chicago (a.k.a. Chicago II)

Originally released as Columbia KGP 24 in January, 1970.
Peak Hot 200 Album chart position:  #4.
Reissued as Chicago Records 3002 in 1995.
New remastered edition reissued as Rhino R2 76172 on July 16, 2002.

DVD-Audio Dolby 5.1 Surround version issued as Rhino 73841 on June 24, 2003.

Produced by James William Guercio for Poseidon Productions.
Engineered by Donald Puluse, Brian Ross-Myring, and Chris Hinshaw.
Recorded August 1969.  Recorded and mixed at CBS Studios, New York, NY and Hollywood, CA.

Cover design by John Berg.  Cover art and logo by Nicholas Fasciano.

THE BAND
Robert Lamm -- Keyboard and lead vocals
Terry Kath -- Guitar and lead vocals
Peter Cetera -- Bass and lead vocals
Daniel Seraphine -- Drums and percussion
Lee Loughnane -- Trumpet and background vocals
James Pankow -- Trombone
Walter Parazaider -- Woodwinds and background vocals

PRODUCER'S NOTE
"This endeavor should be experienced sequentially."

-- James William Guercio, from the liner notes

ARTIST'S NOTE
"With this album, we dedicate ourselves, our futures, and our energies to the people of the revolution....... And the revolution in all its forms."

-- From the liner notes

REVIEWER'S NOTES

You've already read a good portion of the back story as to how this record came to fruition, the sequence of release of the singles from it, and the reason for the name change.  Now I'll go into more detail about this great American classic album.

Chicago II opened the ears of AM radio and many music listeners to just what this band could do, and as a pleasant consequence, would open their ears to the songs from the first album as well.  The "Ballet For A Girl In Buchannon" was excerpted for a double-sided hit single, and "25 Or 6 To 4" firmly established their sound.

Fans cheer whenever the band does the complete Ballet, and they still use "25 Or 6 To 4" to close their live shows.

This album has (and, IMHO, will continue to) stand the test of time and the ever-changing tides and tastes (and even those infamous 'open mouth, insert both feet, echo internationally, and alienate the record-buying public' RIAA presidents) of the music industry.

On a technical note, some of the tracks as originally recorded have a rather dim sound quality, especially on the horn riffs.  I was rather disappointed that these were not cleaned up in the remastered version.  The most noticeable examples are on the following tracks as listed below:  1, 2, 3 (lead-in), 5, 6 (lead-in), and 14.

DID YOU KNOW...?

...that Chicago had enough songs for two double albums when they recorded The Chicago Transit Authority?  Robert Lamm had written a lot of songs and James Pankow came up with what would become the centerpiece for this album on tour in various motels.  Terry Kath also wrote some more songs, and Peter Cetera makes his first songwriting contribution to close it out.

MY TRACK-BY-TRACK REVIEW

01) Movin' In (James Pankow) -- 4:05
(Lead Vocals:  Terry Kath)

A nice little ditty written, presumably, about the move from Chicago to LA, and an off-key sax solo by Walt no doubt to envision the chaos that ensues with any move, and an invitation for "everybody please give a listen" to the rest of the album.

02) The Road (Terry Kath) -- 3:10
(Lead Vocals:  Peter Cetera)

Another ditty about life on the road, and a relationship with a groupie that isn't going to last
("I may be gone tomorrow, and not even know your name").

03) Poem For The People (Robert Lamm) -- 5:30
(Lead Vocals and brass arrangement:  Robert Lamm)

Much in the vein of "Poem 58" from the first album, but much more insightful lyrics about what America was going through at the time.

04) In The Country (Terry Kath) -- 6:33
(Lead Vocals:  Terry Kath with Peter Cetera)

Terry does a precognition of the '70s country-rock fusion; very nice guitar, horns, and bass throughout.

05) Wake Up Sunshine (Robert Lamm) -- 2:29
(Lead Vocals:  Terry Kath, Peter Cetera, Robert Lamm)

This track was in Chicago's repertoire long before the first album was recorded, and they put it on acetate for the first time here.
A simple tune about waking up a girlfriend from her slumber.

(Tracks 6-12 -- BALLET FOR A GIRL IN BUCHANNON (James Pankow) )

06) Make Me Smile -- 5:30
(Lead Vocals:  Terry Kath)
Edited version issued as Columbia single #4S-45127 on March 17, 1970.  Peak position:  Pop #9.

This is the first song by the original lineup that many people heard, and Jimmy's lyrics were very captivating;
not bad for a song written in various motels while on tour!  :-)

07) So Much To Say, So Much To Give -- 1:12
(Lead Vocals:  Robert Lamm with Peter Cetera and Terry Kath)

A short lyric about having so much to give, yet being unable to because the audience was unreceptive
("in spite of our words, they all turn away").

08) Anxiety's Moment -- 1:01
(INSTRUMENTAL)

09) West Virginia Fantasies -- 1:33
(INSTRUMENTAL)

A nice intertwined pair showcasing the band's talents.  "West Virginia Fantasies" would have a chant added for the Chicago IV gig (and just an instrumental-only addition for Live In Japan).

10) Colour My World -- 2:59
(Vocal:  Terry Kath)
Issued as B-side of Columbia single #4S-45127 on March 17, 1970.
Re-issued as B-side of Columbia single #4-45417 on June 11, 1971.  Peak position:  Pop #7.

A simple piano-backed vocal, a great flute solo, and Voila!  Instant classic!  Very hopeful lyric about love.

11) To Be Free -- 1:15
(INSTRUMENTAL)

A nice showcase for Danny.

12) Now More Than Ever -- 1:26
(Lead Vocals:  Terry Kath)
Edited version issued as last part of "Make Me Smile", Columbia single #4S-45127 on March 17, 1970.  Peak position:  Pop #9.

The logical conclusion to "Make Me Smile".

13) Fancy Colours (Robert Lamm) -- 5:10
(Lead Vocals:  Peter Cetera)

The opening wind chimes, the slow build-up of the B-3 before the drum and bass slowly kick in and Peter 's vocals start, and then shifting to a very up-tempo chorus, and the lock-groove that closes it out...  The guys had a ball with this!  One reason this web site was named in honor of this song.   :-)

14) 25 Or 6 To 4 (Robert Lamm) -- 4:50
(Lead Vocals:  Peter Cetera)
Edited version issued as Columbia single #4-45194 on June 30, 1970.  Peak position:  Pop #4.

A song about the time of day and what songwriters sometimes go through to come up with them.  Anyone who doubts that Terry Kath was a great guitar master need only listen to this song to see what they missed.

(Tracks 15-18 -- The untitled "Memories Of Love" suite)
Orchestrations on Tracks 15-17 by Peter Matz.

15) Prelude (Terry Kath-Peter Matz) -- 1:10
(INSTRUMENTAL)

16) A.M. Mourning (Terry Kath-Peter Matz) -- 2:05
(INSTRUMENTAL)

17) P.M. Mourning (Terry Kath-Peter Matz) -- 1:58
(INSTRUMENTAL)

This lead-in is a stroke of genius in experimentation, with Peter Matz (Carol Burnett's orchestrator) giving the boyz a lesson in classical stylings, and a wonderful backdrop for the rhythm and horn sections to spread their wings (not to mention giving a chance for Lee and Jimmy to use mutes in their horns, something rarely used on rock records then).

18) Memories Of Love (Terry Kath) -- 3:58
(Vocal:  Terry Kath)

A very wistful reminiscing about a love who had passed away.  As with "Colour My World", Terry's vocal and Walt's flute carry the song, but add Lee and Jimmy, and plucked violins as well (a la Buddy Holly's "Raining In My Heart").

(Tracks 19-22 -- "It Better End Soon")

An anti-Vietnam War anthem.  Given the liner notes, this fits rather nicely.

19) 1st Movement (Robert Lamm) -- 2:33
(Lead Vocals:  Terry Kath)

20) 2nd Movement (Walter Parazaider-Robert Lamm) -- 3:41
(INSTRUMENTAL)

Walt's motto here was if you've got it, flaut it; and flaut it he does.  Check out the live versions on Chicago IV and Live In Japan for some other non-Chicago tunes that Walt throws in.

21) 3rd Movement (Terry Kath-Robert Lamm) -- 3:18
(Preach:  Terry Kath)

Great guitar riff and preach by Terry; nice bass by Peter.

22) 4th Movement (Robert Lamm) -- 0:51
(Lead Vocals:  Terry Kath)

23) Where Do We Go From Here? (Peter Cetera) -- 2:34
(Vocals:  Peter Cetera)

Peter's first songwriting contribution, based on Walter Cronkite's quote about the first moon walk the month before this album was recorded.  Also, perhaps, a reflection about what the band would do after they finally achieved success?  A simple country harmony, with piano, bass, drum and acoustic guitar.  (Graham Nash would later use this harmony as an influence for the Crosby, Stills, & Nash tune "Our House".)
(REVIEWER'S NOTE:  Early copies of the remaster incorrectly list this as part of "It Better End Soon".)

BONUS TRACKS ON 2002 REMASTER

24) Make Me Smile (Single Version) (James Pankow) -- 3:00
(Lead Vocals:  Terry Kath)
Issued as Columbia single #4S-45127 on March 17, 1970.  Peak position:  Pop #9.

25) 25 Or 6 To 4 (Single Version) (Robert Lamm) -- 2:53
(Lead Vocals:  Peter Cetera)
Issued as Columbia single #4-45194 on June 30, 1970.  Peak position:  Pop #4.