A few years back, I was at a used book store that sold albums and a young lady was trying to decide between Chicago II and Chicago X. I told her she had to go with Chicago II, but she wanted the one with “If You Leave Me Now”. So she went with X. So I bought Chicago II and caught up to her and gave it to her. It’s that important of an album I couldn’t let her walk away not knowing what she would’ve missed!
Nice work MP. Though some folks can’t be cured of their innate stupidity. I would argue several other examples: Journey prior to Steve Perry; Fleetwood Mac with Peter Green, Jeremy Spencer, and Danny Kirwin (and no pop Christine Perfect/Stevie Nicks); and the far more avant-garde Syd Barrett rather than David Gilmour, with Floyd.
I love Terry and genuinely feel he's up there with Jimi, but I think Jimi was also very gracious to other musicians and may not have meant us to take that statement as seriously as we do.
'Chicago Transit Authority' is really a MONSTER album from start to finish. Just listen to the first killer track 'Introduction' and you're immediatly inside the music of this band, made of a lot of styles all perfectly mixed together. Stunning, great and huge debut album.
Haha, yes Poem 58 was a monster! The neighbors are getting used to it.
2 года назад+2
Don't forget that Introduction is as great as it is because 1) Terry Kath, 2) Pankow brass arrangements and 3 ) the way it's performed... this is Chicago!
Thank you for doing Chicago - The Terry Kath years. I grew up listening to all these albums. Justice done here for the REAL Chicago. After Terry's passing in Jan 1978, there weren't Chicago anymore. Period. Terry Kath - the most under rated rock guitarist of all time !!!
Chicago's early years show how complete a band they were. They can play anything. Many people talk about their horns, but their rhythm section is absolutely fantastic.
As great as the studio version is (and it's damn great), the live version from Tanglewood just kills it. If you had any doubts that Terry Kath deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Hendrix, this should erase any of them. ruclips.net/video/7uAUoz7jimg/видео.html FYI, the Tanglewood version of I'm a Man is just as good. Also on RUclips. Look it up as well.
ya, as great of a vocalist (and bassist) Peter Cetera was/is, he ruined Chicago by 79/80 with his poppy sappy soft radio hit approach. Made lots of money, so I guess it worked for them but yech, it's hard to listen to post Terry Kath Chicago.. They were great albums 1 through 10 .
@@neuropete1 yes, because it was pop and we all know pop sells. The masses love pop, but the earlier material ruled musically. There's a reason why the first album was so spectacular....
I am 61 and my first cassette tape was Chicago "II", given to me for Christmas when I was 9 years old, only because my father knew I loved 25 or 6 to 4. Fast forward to 2019 and I downloaded the album from Amazon and fell in love with the entire album--kicking myself for wasted years. I just bought a box set of their first 10 studio albums on CDs for $35 and am like a kid in a candy store--everything old is new again!!! They were amazing!
Hard to believe that Chicago started off as a "counterculture" band. Personally, I'd put Chicago II over CTA because I'd say the material is uniformly stronger. I love the Suite It Better End Soon. Other than that I'd rank them just as you did. If people want to SEE Terry Kath and Chicago at their best, then enter Chicago Tanglewood and watch that concert from 7/21/70. It's absolutely astounding! Rest in peace, Terry...you were one of the greatest. Also, his vocals were very powerful and sonorous. When he died Chicago lost most of its muscle. Great job on your channel; I really appreciate it. Peace!
@@GMHG777 Glad that you're enjoying it. The band was in top form. Show's how much Terry Kath meant to the process. Also, has most of the best material from their first two albums.
I'm 66 now, and was in High School in L.A. from '69-'71. My best friend in High School was (and still is!) an outstanding guitarist, and one day he invites me over to his house and says, "Got something that you MUST listen to!" He put the needle down on the opening cut for their 1st album (Chicago Transit Authority), which was "Introduction". WOW, WOW, & WOW!! - - I was HOOKED within the first few notes!! Kath was a MONSTER GUITARIST that NEVER got the credit he was due. Sadly, Chicago would never be the same post his death, though that's not to say that they ceased to be a great band and group of musicians, but the 'Chemistry' they shared was irreparably shattered when he died. (My wife and I got to see them 2 years ago in concert, and to their credit, it was still a great concert w/Jeff Coffey (since departed) on bass and lead (tenor) vocals, and Keith Howland doing a very admirable job as their guitarist for the last 15+ years). Ironically, it was during my High School years in L.A. that Chicago was the 'House Band' for the 'Whiskey-A-Go-Go' (in L.A.), and you could hear them for nothing more than a 'Cover Charge', but unfortunately my best friend and I couldn't get in, as we were under 21 (again, we were in High School)! My all-time-favorite group, though the 'Kath Years' will always be the 'Real' Chicago to me, with no disrespect intended whatsoever towards the lineups that followed; its just that once Terry was gone, so was the 'cornerstone' (imo) that made this group the POWERHOUSE that they were!! And, as was mentioned by Mr. Pardo, IF you THINK that Chicago is the Soft-Rock Ballads of the 80's (as good as some of them were!) you OWE IT TO YOURSELF to listen to the 'Real' Chicago, which without question, WAS 'The Kath Years' !! Thanks for the great review Mr. Pardo, and for the acknowledgement and accolades re Terry Kath, one of the GREATEST guitarist that most people have never had the privilege to truly study and listen to!!
I recently decided to purge my vinyl collection . We were moving and I hadn’t been listening to my vinyl for a few years and had 7 milk crates that I was moving all around .. I listened to all of my Beatles and LZ - I had every one - I sold about 1/3 of them - I mean who need Hollywood bowl and presence , but I couldn’t part with any ! Of my Chicago lps that Terry played on, could listen to these over and over..
Thanks Pete for highlighting this kind of forgotten band at their peak. One of my first true loves as a kid thanks to a cool Uncle ! Terry was a tremendous loss to music.
A while back in Classic Rock magazine they asked famous guitarist to name their fave solo..The legend that is Tony Iommi had 25 or 6 to 4 as his..Top man he is!
Highly recommend two somewhat recent documentaries: 1. Chicago: Now More Than Ever - great vintage footage, everybody participated except Cetera. I think it’s still streaming on Netflix 2. The Terry Kath Experience - made by his daughter, Michelle, this gives a very full, touching account of Kath’s life. There is a thru-story here of Michelle tracking down Terry’s classic guitars, but it also gives a good sense of the band’s actual Chicagoland roots. This was streaming at one time as well.
billymac72, Yes! Both are excellent to watch. I think I love The Terry Kath Experience just a little more because of the premise of the search for Terry’s famous Telecaster.
The Terry Kath Experience was a fantastic documentary. I bought a copy of it because it was so insightful and well put together. It really opened my eyes to Terry's music and his life. And of course that Tele. Great film.
Cetera did the right thing for Terry’s daughter and participated in the Terry Kath experience. Good for Peter. I wish there could be a really in depth book about Chicago during the Terry Kath Years (1967-78). I got Danny‘s book (Street Player ) I have to read it. Actually I would also be interested in reading an in-depth story of what happened with Peter and the band and hearing it from Peter’s side…
I know what you’re talking about! I am so grateful for older siblings to turn me on to this stuff as a kid-i’m 54 now! Great albums all of them. I like the way you chased down the musicality of the albums and not necessarily just your favorites based on emotion. Also loved your comments about Chicago eight! Keep up the great work!
Thank you for making this video! As a huge Chicago fangirl, I felt really sad and disagreed when some online acquaintances said that Chicago started to suck in 1973, even though, in my honest opinion, they had solid albums until around 1979. Also, their newest album, from the parts I’ve heard, is good. I feel like many people are missing out a lot on Kath-era Chicago. Chicago are a musically versatile and artistically underrated band.
1 - CTA 2 - Chicago II 3 - Chicago III 4 - Chicago VIII 5 - Chicago VII 6 - Chicago V 7 - Chicago VI 8 - Chicago X 9 - Chicago XI One of the most important bands in history. As a drummer/musician..I learned more playing to and studying these albums than any other single group. I learned, rock, jazz, swing, odd meters, blues, funk, ballads, how to setup horns, how to play behind a singer, how to solo and how to support a song. Danny Seraphine will forever be in my top five most influential drummers for me. Make no mistake....this was a full on...rocking band that happened to use horns. Losing Terry marked the end in my interest with this band. They were never the same afterwards. Chicago IV - Live at Carnegie Hall is my all-time favorite Chicago album by far...and to this day is one of my top five live albums ever.
I've just bought the 10 albums you just ranked. I'm in shock. What a incredible sounding band. Just listened to the 1st album and you are so right. Never heard guitar work like it. Amazing. Truly amazing
My sentiments EXACTLY!! I only listen to Chicago with Terry Kath. When he passed away he took the group's heart & soul with him. They were never the same again. When he died I bought the next album to see how they sounded. "Hot Streets" 😫That was the last one I got! They were watered down BIG time. I got the compilation album "Only The Beginning" and that was it.
jeffrey, you must have been born in 60 or early 60s? I went to college first semester and then heard Terry had died = Sail flat. Wish Terry could have gone on, but the good stuff he gave us is incredible. Guitar and Voice! Soul Talent Tone
Man ! id love to hang out with you for a weekend talking /listening debating. You always are spot on , your advice is to be considered, always a pleasure Pete
First, I appreciate you doing this on Chicago! As you say, most people only view them as a sappy love/ballad song band. I saw my first concert by them around 1972 as they were really starting to take off. I also appreciate your love of Terry Kath; he was definitely one of the best around and I was also mesmerized by his tremendous skills. I know you qualified this video up front by saying it was a tribute to Terry but......there were others in the band with equal talent; be it playing or songwriting. Robert Lamn carried the load as composer in the early days. Pankow wrote some great tunes and did most all of the horn arrangements. Peter Cetera was an underrated bass player but also wrote a few good tunes and was a great vocalist. Selfishly however, I think the drummer, Danny Seraphine, was probably the most overlooked talent, especially during the early days! A monster technician who could play any style and really drove the band, particularly on the rocking tunes you referenced! I saw him play about six weeks ago and he is still smoking it and he will be 72 in a few months! I was a little disappointed (but not surprised) when you did not list him as one of your favorite drummers. Again, thanks for the Chicago love; few and far between by most all because of what they turned into later!
The solo Terry played on This Time is by far my favorite. So much restrained emotion and perfectly harmonized with the horn arrangement. This was the epitome of his musical maturity.
Just today I bought my first Chicago album, Chicago Transit Authority, a secondhand vinyl copy. It's unbelievably great! From start to finish a masterpiece, with a blistering Terry Kath. I need more Chicago!
Came back to watch this one again. Pete, you are the reason I checked out Chicago, and for the last year, I don’t think there’s a band I’ve listened to more. Love the first four studio albums especially
I was advised to hear the discographies of REO Speedwagon and Fleetwood Mac....glad I took the advice as the back catalogs from these guys is killer! Next : Chicago.
Pedro Delgado ask any of us old rockers what albums people should get as essential listening from the 70’s bands and we’ll be able to tell you as we all have most of each bands material in our collections!
In the 90s they released a album of covers of old jazz standards done in Chicago style called “Night and Day” - it was really awesome. Best version of “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” ever.
It's good to see Chicago VIII ranked where it lands. One single that I've always loved since 1975 was Harry Truman. Why this song has been omitted from a lot of their greatest hits compilations is a head scratcher. Glad you referenced this song...one of my favorites. And yeah, the Kath era of Chicago is the real Chicago. The wife loves the eighties stuff, and I'm always going to be the Kath era fan. And I own all the Mobile Fidelity releases of the early Chicago albums.
I agree. Pete does a wonderful job in mixing things up. I really liked the Megadeth clip. And then, Chicago's Kath years right after it. I'm pushing 60, so I can appreciate many of Pete's clips. I miss that diversity on Rock radio. The 70's were the years of rock discovery for me. Hey Pete, JONI MITCHELL ! I adored her stuff throughout the 70's.
Wow, another excellent show, Pete. I've been listening to a lot of early Chicago the last three months, so this is a valued validation and education around what I've been digging on these albums. I must say, Peter Cetera's bass playing (and tone) was also sensational in these years, supporting and weaving in and out of Kath's all-galactic, single coil chops (ref. Poem 58). Truly great.
Thank you so much for turning me back to those original Chicago records. The first 5 are golden. And TK was a unique guitarist and no wonder Jimi Hendrix loved him.
I was hoping to find a Chicago thing on your Channel...then I see this. And it's brand new, 03/28/20. Happy Birthday to me! Thank you! Their debut would be a 'desert island' album for me.
I have watched and enjoyed many of your videos. I was pleasantly surprised to see you are a fan of the 60/70's Chicago. Great band and Kath was a top (and under appreciated) guitarist of the era. You nailed the ordering as well. I'd probably put VI ahead of VIII, but they are close. You really knew the music! Agree on Poem 58 - Kath is on fire. Thanks for doing this. People need to listen to before the lousy 80's ballad stuff - the Kath years are the real Chicago.
Thanks for doing this one, Pete! In the 70s I owned them all through VIII, so that's what my list comprises. What a great band in those years, they could do it all - radio hits, jazz, blues, you name it they did it. A group of supremely talented and prolific musicians. Kath was the heart of Chicago and his death ripped that heart right out. 1. Chicago Transit Authority 2. II 3. VII 4. V 5. VI 6. VIII 7. III The top two could flip depending on the day, they are that close, but today #1 is the first LP. What a massive debut, maybe the best ever. And I happen to dig "Free Form Guitar", I'm kind of weird that way. Just like the other day when I had "An Italian From New York" playing on my phone, you shoulda seen the looks I got from the family lol.
One of my fav bands! I’m glad I’m not the only one loving early Chicago. Thanks Pete for giving Kath the love and reverence he deserves. Check out the documentary on Kath streaming on Prime
At age 13, my first favorite bands were Chicago and Deep Purple, talk about ends of the spectrum. Chicago had the guitar work of Terry Kath and that horn section...attack, release what a sound. I have either read or saw a video that quoted Jimi Hendrix saying he had always admired the guitar work of Terry Kath, and complemented him by saying Terry was a better guitar player then himself. They both left us way too soon.
Hey Pete I've been a Chicago fan since the very early days ! Yes it's tragic that we lost Terry far too soon , but at least he left us with some amazing music , gone but NEVER forgotten !
Been waiting on that Pete! I love them all. I would go from the bottom - VI, VIII, XI, X, III, V, VII, I and II. Kath was brilliant and the band was so good. CTA was the first album I had - Christmas of 69. Glad you appreciate them so much. The last Kath album came out my senior year of high school. His death hit me very hard. Pankow's horn arrangements were great!
Very well done review, Pete. Was familiar with your channel from your prog reviews, which are always great, had no idea you were so knowledgeable about Chicago. My initial favorite band as a youngster (b4 Genesis, Yes, and Camel).....my favorites in order were: II, VII, and CTA. Couple of years ago on their summer tour they played II in its entirety, and then did all of the other greatest hits afterward......A Springsteen-length performance!
Love you Pete. Terry was one of the most underrated guitar players. I always wanted to be Terry. Great guitar player with a wonderful voice. Closest thing to Ray Charles without being the man himself.
The Terry Kath era is criminally underrated and, as you pointed out, often ignored because of the band’s 80’s and beyond output. I am still missing a few of these albums and plan to do a deep dive after this ranking. Thanks for continuing to shine a light on these great band discographies.
When Chicago put out "Hot Streets" in 1978, that was it!! The song "Paradise Alley" (from 1979 "13") might have been the movie theme song starring Sylvester Stallone in 1978 BUT I did NOT seen that movie!! My favorite is the "yellow" album from 1974!!!
Agreed with CTA! this was the one that got me very interested in Terry as a guitarist. His solos were amazing. Enough to turn even Jimi Hendrix's head. I learned guitar from this album which also got me into " Jazz Chords" Being a Chicago native, I seen the band from Kath times to present at least 8X. Thanks
Pedro Delgado maybe the original Chicago died perhaps? They did put out some decent albums post Kath and I own a few because I was still a fan of Citera’s singing!
@@neuropete1 You are right in the pop scene they didn't die, but what made them a distinct band was their musical jamming type of songs. Yes they always had their hits but after terry Kath died, their music was very formulated..all the jamming stopped and that turned off a lot of us because that's what Chicago was about. So in that sense Chicago did die.
I’ve had “South California Purples” playing in my head since 1970. CTA was always going to be the number one! One of the best albums of all time ever! Even better than the guitar playing is IMHO, the brass section compositions. There are chords in there I have never heard anywhere anytime! Just unforgettable.
I think the guitar work on SCP on Live at Carnegie Hall blows away the studio version. Just brilliant guitar work - melodic, the solos tell musical stories, they are clean, no extraneous notes - just love it. Definitely one of the highlights for me on the album.
Great ranking Pete! Terry Kath was a musical genius IMO. He left this earth way to soon. Chicago (Kath years) was such an amazing band. They were never the same after he was gone.
I did what you asked Pete. Your channel did make me aware of these early Kath Chicago albums prior to this video, and they have become the soundtrack to my year. (so thank you!) The guitar wail at 6:00 minutes into Poem 58 is, like you say, otherworldly.
Thanks Pete for doing this. My first album at 15 was CTA. I must have listened to it everyday for 6 months. It's a wonder my parents didn't throw it away. I was and am a huge Chicago fan of the early years with Terry. Crushed when he died. After that I was embarrassed to tell anyone I was a Chicago fan because of what they became. But this ranking and tribute to a great band is just what I needed to get through this tough time. I actually got into jazz because of them. I listen to the last Chicago album I ever bought Chicago VII and I think what could have been. As far as rankings I'd go with: CTA II V VII III VI Love this channel. Keep up the great work. Thanks!
Great video segment Pete!!!! I love this band, especially the great years you covered here. My ranking of Chicago albums from 1969 to 1978: #1. The Chicago Transit Authority #2. Chicago 2 #3. Chicago 7 #4. Chicago 5 #5. Hot Streets #6. Chicago 6 #7. Chicago 8 #8. Chicago 3 #9. Chicago 10 #10. Chicago 11
2 года назад+1
HOt Street is not from TK era! Donny Dacus was his substuitute! And it wasn't bad!
WOW that debut album is stunning. The musicianship, drive and energy in this album is outstanding. Love tbe whole album. 5/5. Now i will check out Chicago 2. Great work i watch you to help me decide what albums to get.
Pete, as a big fan of Chicago, I am glad you profiled their Terry Kath albums! Sadly, their massive commercial success as a pop band in the 1980s obscured their artistic and commercial success in the 1960s and 1970s. The sheer volume of Chicago's hit songs in the1970s overshadowed their diverse skill as musicians and songwriters - blues, jazz, bossa nova, pop, country, hard rock, soft rock, ballads, ect... They could do it all ... and they continue to do so as they still put out new recordings and tour! Albiet, nothing holds a candle to their "Kath years". RIP, Terry
What's amazing is just how prolific a band Chicago was in the '70s. The power and energy of youth. Imagine 11 albums, nearly half of them double LPs from 1969 to 1977. Other than Blood, Sweat and Tears I can't think of any other band that featured a horn section so predominantly. You had Herb Alpert in the '60s but his band was geared mainly toward an older audience and I don't consider it Rock'n Roll. In the liner notes to Rhino records re-release of the one and only "Chicago Transit Authority" I think it was keyboardist Robert Lamm who said Chicago was always a rock'n roll band. They were never trying for a jazz rock fusion sound though that's how they were initially labeled by some music critics. I think that's correct because when you look at early rock'n roll from the 1950s you had hits like "Jail House Rock" which featured "Spider Murphy on the slide trombone" and there were other r n r songs from that era that had horn sections. What was a rarity was that most of the musicians in Chicago were academically trained musicians who really knew their craft which was why they were so good both in the studio and on stage. I would argue that they were the pinnacle of rock'n roll bands in their '70s prime.
Pete you can not underestimate the power of what you do at sea of tranquility. I would have never given a listen to Chicago with the idea that it was a Sunday afternoon KLOVE type band. I had no idea of this part of their catalogue! Many many thanks!
One of the greatest bands in the Kath days, 2 was the first LP I got. Saw them live at the Albert hall in 71 I think 🤔 terry and danny were amazing! Off to get my original records out now , great video my friend completely agree with you 👍
I’ve been binge watching your channel, and it’s mf amazing, and are music taste are so similar, it’s so cool to hear you talk about kiss and maiden, and Van Halen. You earned yourself a sub, amazing rock channel👍
About 42 years ago, my college roommate introduced me to the Chicago beyond the well-known pop hits. And I was blown away. Chicago V, VII and VIII are my top three. I love all three pretty much equally. Terry Kath was indeed a prodigious talent, taken away from us too soon. I would have loved it if he and Hendrix had lived long enough to produce some big band music together. Big band music punctuated by fiery rock guitar solos, that is!
The only Chicago albums worth listening to are the ones with Terry Kath! Thanks for reviewing and ranking! The first three Chicago albums and the quadruple live album are incredible. Thanks.
Well done list. Impossible to overstate how groundbreaking Kath era Chicago was. Thank You Pete for your hard work giving us thought provoking diversion.
For me, Chicago II is their masterwork, followed by their incredible debut. All their studio albums up to V are essential... and VII was an incredible experimental jazz fusion set. Terry Kath needed to be a guitar virtuoso, considering that he had to play both rhythm and lead parts in a seven-member band with horns. Quite a feat!!!
I feel exactly the way you do about Terry Kath! Amazing, amazing amazing. However, where we may differ is that for me, I get off on the live albums of artists and judge them on where the artist goes above and beyond the studio album. So for me, Live at Carnegie Hall is it - a total masterpiece from beginning to end. I went through two sets of LPs and finally the CD came out thank God because I played it so much.
This is super helpful. I have and love the Chicago Transit Authority record, but was lost for where to go next. Interesting that you gave props to the Steven Wilson remix of II, by the way. Have you changed your mind about the idea of his remixes of Yes? (I seem to recall you weren't interested in them when they were new, at least -- I don't mean to mischaracterize anything, sorry if I have it wrong).
...Hey Pete , Your Show is Kickass and feels like home .....Thanx for sharing and putting yourself out there ....Terry Kath is in my Top Mad Axeman of all Time....Like we know that CTA is Epic and my Early Initiation ....Keep up the Good Work ....!
I don’t as a rule watch analysis videos but I watch you.You are articulate,share my taste and interesting.I especially share your love for the real prog ranging from Yes to Genesis,etc.
So glad I found this. From 1970 in high school through college Chicago was my favorite group with Kaths guitar and singing the heart and soul of that band. You nailed it stating he was so underrated as a guitar player. Our college had a room with private booths with headphones in each booth where students could go pick out an album and listen, via the headphones between or after classes any music that they had.I spent hours listening to that band. Your statements about people’s perception of Chicago is spot on because they’ve never experienced those early years. I’m a man was the one that hooked me and they were a daily part of my life for about 5 years. Those early albums, using horns never before attempted, produced some of the rock ingest music of my life. Crushed me when Terry shot himself and in my opinion became an elevator music band. Lucrative but far from Terrys original vision for that group. There’s a RUclips video of them doing a live concert at Tanglewood and Terrys guitar solo from 25 or 6 to 4 illustrates how great he was . Gives a new listener a taste of how great he really was. And his singing on the condensed song Make me Smile makes that song. Thank you for great memories and for the ones who dislike the dentist office ballad Chicago listen to those first 5-6 albums. Totally different sound and so rocking! Again a very sincere thank you.
Couldn’t press play fast enough on this one. Love the Terry Kath years! Good video, man. I’d rank them similar but a few differences. I agree they’re all really good to great albums! Here’s my list. 1. Chicago Transit Authority 2. Chicago II 3. Chicago V 4. Chicago VII 5. Chicago VI 6. Chicago III 7. Chicago XI 8. Chicago X (The Chocolate bar album) 9. Chicago VIII
Pete great video! Going to show this one to my wife! This era o f Chicago is her favorite music of all time. I took her to see them about 10 years ago. I never was a big fan but the snow was very good to my surprise.
Great video! I grew up listening to Chicago. I agree, the first half of their catalogue is the best. I just ordered the Rhino cd box set Volume One covering all those albums you reviewed. Can’t wait! 👍
Ty for the video Pete. I was going through my record library that has been packed away and found my Chicago albums that I never listened to. I was looking through your channel and saw you ranking Chicago Terry Kath years. So I just started listening to them and your right they are good. I have all except for Chicago 111
A few years back, I was at a used book store that sold albums and a young lady was trying to decide between Chicago II and Chicago X. I told her she had to go with Chicago II, but she wanted the one with “If You Leave Me Now”. So she went with X. So I bought Chicago II and caught up to her and gave it to her. It’s that important of an album I couldn’t let her walk away not knowing what she would’ve missed!
GREAT story!!! Good man!
Good on you, M P !
Nice work MP. Though some folks can’t be cured of their innate stupidity. I would argue several other examples: Journey prior to Steve Perry; Fleetwood Mac with Peter Green, Jeremy Spencer, and Danny Kirwin (and no pop Christine Perfect/Stevie Nicks); and the far more avant-garde Syd Barrett rather than David Gilmour, with Floyd.
Great story. Very cool !
I wonder what she thought of it after she heard it..
When Jimi Hendrix says Terry Kath is the greatest guitarist he ever heard, you must pay attention!
Exactly what I was going to say 😉
Didn't he also say that about Billy Gibbons?
yeah that's right, they told it in the 2016 documentary
Jimmy Hawke I had heard that as well...
I love Terry and genuinely feel he's up there with Jimi, but I think Jimi was also very gracious to other musicians and may not have meant us to take that statement as seriously as we do.
'Chicago Transit Authority' is really a MONSTER album from start to finish. Just listen to the first killer track 'Introduction' and you're immediatly inside the music of this band, made of a lot of styles all perfectly mixed together. Stunning, great and huge debut album.
Haha, yes Poem 58 was a monster! The neighbors are getting used to it.
Don't forget that Introduction is as great as it is because 1) Terry Kath, 2) Pankow brass arrangements and 3 ) the way it's performed... this is Chicago!
The Terry Kath era of Chicago is the REAL Chicago.
you got it!
YOU ARE CORECT
Agreed 100%
100 % truth.
Yes 👍
Thank you for doing Chicago - The Terry Kath years. I grew up listening to all these albums. Justice done here for the REAL Chicago. After Terry's passing in Jan 1978, there weren't Chicago anymore. Period.
Terry Kath - the most under rated rock guitarist of all time !!!
I agree 100%.
Terry was going to leave Chicago, so I guess Chicago wasn't going to be Chicago anymore?
Chicago's early years show how complete a band they were. They can play anything. Many people talk about their horns, but their rhythm section is absolutely fantastic.
25 or 6 to 4 is one of my ALL-TIME favorite guitar solos. Just mind blowing
As great as it is, he has better!
@@seaoftranquilityprog A Hit By Varese is among my favorite solos. Just a freaking eruption of tasteful as fuck riffage.
As great as the studio version is (and it's damn great), the live version from Tanglewood just kills it. If you had any doubts that Terry Kath deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Hendrix, this should erase any of them.
ruclips.net/video/7uAUoz7jimg/видео.html
FYI, the Tanglewood version of I'm a Man is just as good. Also on RUclips. Look it up as well.
@@PHDWhom, there's an underrated song right there. Dynamite.
Way to go! Kath years? The only years that count.
Crawford Glissadevil yep
Absolutely agree
ya, as great of a vocalist (and bassist) Peter Cetera was/is, he ruined Chicago by 79/80 with his poppy sappy soft radio hit approach. Made lots of money, so I guess it worked for them but yech, it's hard to listen to post Terry Kath Chicago.. They were great albums 1 through 10 .
@@neuropete1 yes, because it was pop and we all know pop sells. The masses love pop, but the earlier material ruled musically. There's a reason why the first album was so spectacular....
@@RichusRkr Remember. Their 1st number 1 was, "If you leave me now." Kath was still alive.
Being from Chicago I can appreciate this.
Terry was the man.
Have you seen The Terry Kath Experience documentary? It really opened my eyes to his full talent, and what we lost.
Check out The Director's Cut!
Chicago was the 70s for me.. every song reminds me of my youth... thank you so much for this...
I am 61 and my first cassette tape was Chicago "II", given to me for Christmas when I was 9 years old, only because my father knew I loved 25 or 6 to 4. Fast forward to 2019 and I downloaded the album from Amazon and fell in love with the entire album--kicking myself for wasted years. I just bought a box set of their first 10 studio albums on CDs for $35 and am like a kid in a candy store--everything old is new again!!! They were amazing!
Hard to believe that Chicago started off as a "counterculture" band. Personally, I'd put Chicago II over CTA because I'd say the material is uniformly stronger. I love the Suite It Better End Soon. Other than that I'd rank them just as you did. If people want to SEE Terry Kath and Chicago at their best, then enter Chicago Tanglewood and watch that concert from 7/21/70. It's absolutely astounding!
Rest in peace, Terry...you were one of the greatest. Also, his vocals were very powerful and sonorous. When he died Chicago lost most of its muscle. Great job on your channel; I really appreciate it. Peace!
Thanks for this recommendation watching now great great vid !!
@@GMHG777
Glad that you're enjoying it. The band was in top form. Show's how much Terry Kath meant to the process. Also, has most of the best material from their first two albums.
Don't see what's hard to believe about it.
Tanglewood is legendary.
Wish Terry could have gone on, but the good stuff he gave us is incredible. Guitar and Voice! Soul Talent Tone
I'm 66 now, and was in High School in L.A. from '69-'71. My best friend in High School was (and still is!) an outstanding guitarist, and one day he invites me over to his house and says, "Got something that you MUST listen to!" He put the needle down on the opening cut for their 1st album (Chicago Transit Authority), which was "Introduction".
WOW, WOW, & WOW!! - - I was HOOKED within the first few notes!! Kath was a MONSTER GUITARIST that NEVER got the credit he was due. Sadly, Chicago would never be the same post his death, though that's not to say that they ceased to be a great band and group of musicians, but the 'Chemistry' they shared was irreparably shattered when he died. (My wife and I got to see them 2 years ago in concert, and to their credit, it was still a great concert w/Jeff Coffey (since departed) on bass and lead (tenor) vocals, and Keith Howland doing a very admirable job as their guitarist for the last 15+ years).
Ironically, it was during my High School years in L.A. that Chicago was the 'House Band' for the 'Whiskey-A-Go-Go' (in L.A.), and you could hear them for nothing more than a 'Cover Charge', but unfortunately my best friend and I couldn't get in, as we were under 21 (again, we were in High School)!
My all-time-favorite group, though the 'Kath Years' will always be the 'Real' Chicago to me, with no disrespect intended whatsoever towards the lineups that followed; its just that once Terry was gone, so was the 'cornerstone' (imo) that made this group the POWERHOUSE that they were!!
And, as was mentioned by Mr. Pardo, IF you THINK that Chicago is the Soft-Rock Ballads of the 80's (as good as some of them were!) you OWE IT TO YOURSELF to listen to the 'Real' Chicago, which without question, WAS 'The Kath Years' !!
Thanks for the great review Mr. Pardo, and for the acknowledgement and accolades re Terry Kath, one of the GREATEST guitarist that most people have never had the privilege to truly study and listen to!!
I recently decided to purge my vinyl collection . We were moving and I hadn’t been listening to my vinyl for a few years and had 7 milk crates that I was moving all around .. I listened to all of my Beatles and LZ - I had every one - I sold about 1/3 of them - I mean who need Hollywood bowl and presence , but I couldn’t part with any ! Of my Chicago lps that Terry played on, could listen to these over and over..
Thanks Pete for highlighting this kind of forgotten band at their peak. One of my first true loves as a kid thanks to a cool Uncle ! Terry was a tremendous loss to music.
I love the song Jenny, the vocal and guitar of Terry Kath is a Magic. Congrats...fan of Rio de Janeiro Brazil
the song jenny as a Player in radio FM in Brazil Massively in 1973.😎
@@luquez75 As an FYI, it was about his dog, I believe.
Terry Kath was something else, such a tragic loss.
A while back in Classic Rock magazine they asked famous guitarist to name their fave solo..The legend that is Tony Iommi had 25 or 6 to 4 as his..Top man he is!
thats cool/Jimmy Page's fave solo is Reelin in the years by Steely Dan ,another great solo
That's another great choice...Elliot Randall is a bit more obscure amongst players but turned in an epic performance.
Highly recommend two somewhat recent documentaries:
1. Chicago: Now More Than Ever - great vintage footage, everybody participated except Cetera. I think it’s still streaming on Netflix
2. The Terry Kath Experience - made by his daughter, Michelle, this gives a very full, touching account of Kath’s life. There is a thru-story here of Michelle tracking down Terry’s classic guitars, but it also gives a good sense of the band’s actual Chicagoland roots. This was streaming at one time as well.
billymac72, Yes! Both are excellent to watch. I think I love The Terry Kath Experience just a little more because of the premise of the search for Terry’s famous Telecaster.
The Terry Kath Experience was a fantastic documentary. I bought a copy of it because it was so insightful and well put together. It really opened my eyes to Terry's music and his life. And of course that Tele. Great film.
Cetera did the right thing for Terry’s daughter and participated in the Terry Kath experience. Good for Peter.
I wish there could be a really in depth book about Chicago during the Terry Kath Years (1967-78). I got Danny‘s book (Street Player ) I have to read it. Actually I would also be interested in reading an in-depth story of what happened with Peter and the band and hearing it from Peter’s side…
@@dartsport1974And I would like to know what inspired a number of the songs.
I totally agree with the Chicago albums. This is when they were musicians and played extremely well
I know what you’re talking about! I am so grateful for older siblings to turn me on to this stuff as a kid-i’m 54 now! Great albums all of them. I like the way you chased down the musicality of the albums and not necessarily just your favorites based on emotion. Also loved your comments about Chicago eight! Keep up the great work!
Thank you for making this video! As a huge Chicago fangirl, I felt really sad and disagreed when some online acquaintances said that Chicago started to suck in 1973, even though, in my honest opinion, they had solid albums until around 1979. Also, their newest album, from the parts I’ve heard, is good. I feel like many people are missing out a lot on Kath-era Chicago. Chicago are a musically versatile and artistically underrated band.
VII has become my favorite. It’s their perfect balance of experimental and pop imo.
1 - CTA
2 - Chicago II
3 - Chicago III
4 - Chicago VIII
5 - Chicago VII
6 - Chicago V
7 - Chicago VI
8 - Chicago X
9 - Chicago XI
One of the most important bands in history. As a drummer/musician..I learned more playing to and studying these albums than any other single group. I learned, rock, jazz, swing, odd meters, blues, funk, ballads, how to setup horns, how to play behind a singer, how to solo and how to support a song.
Danny Seraphine will forever be in my top five most influential drummers for me.
Make no mistake....this was a full on...rocking band that happened to use horns. Losing Terry marked the end in my interest with this band. They were never the same afterwards.
Chicago IV - Live at Carnegie Hall is my all-time favorite Chicago album by far...and to this day is one of my top five live albums ever.
I've just bought the 10 albums you just ranked. I'm in shock. What a incredible sounding band. Just listened to the 1st album and you are so right. Never heard guitar work like it. Amazing. Truly amazing
I would rank them in order of release: 1 through 7. “Introduction” is one of the greatest jazz rock songs ever.
yeah … Chicago - Blood Sweat and Tears - Steely Dan
Agree - I can listen to 'Introduction' over and over and never get tired. Its a masterfully blended tour de force thru R&B, Rock, Fusion and Jazz.
@@briann7495 Actually Jim Guercio managed both Chicago and BST. Supposedly Guercio funded Chicago from BST
@@floatsting20 ...thanx for the info.
My sentiments EXACTLY!! I only listen to Chicago with Terry Kath. When he passed away he took the group's heart & soul with him. They were never the same again. When he died I bought the next album to see how they sounded. "Hot Streets" 😫That was the last one I got! They were watered down BIG time. I got the compilation album "Only The Beginning" and that was it.
jeffrey, you must have been born in 60 or early 60s? I went to college first semester and then heard Terry had died = Sail flat. Wish Terry could have gone on, but the good stuff he gave us is incredible. Guitar and Voice! Soul Talent Tone
@@Reapprsr1 born in 53! A Terryless Chicago is for the millennials
Man ! id love to hang out with you for a weekend talking /listening debating. You always are spot on , your advice is to be considered, always a pleasure Pete
Remarkable band, with a great duo: Terry Kath & Peter Cetera. I love their horns so much.
First, I appreciate you doing this on Chicago! As you say, most people only view them as a sappy love/ballad song band. I saw my first concert by them around 1972 as they were really starting to take off. I also appreciate your love of Terry Kath; he was definitely one of the best around and I was also mesmerized by his tremendous skills. I know you qualified this video up front by saying it was a tribute to Terry but......there were others in the band with equal talent; be it playing or songwriting. Robert Lamn carried the load as composer in the early days. Pankow wrote some great tunes and did most all of the horn arrangements. Peter Cetera was an underrated bass player but also wrote a few good tunes and was a great vocalist. Selfishly however, I think the drummer, Danny Seraphine, was probably the most overlooked talent, especially during the early days! A monster technician who could play any style and really drove the band, particularly on the rocking tunes you referenced! I saw him play about six weeks ago and he is still smoking it and he will be 72 in a few months! I was a little disappointed (but not surprised) when you did not list him as one of your favorite drummers. Again, thanks for the Chicago love; few and far between by most all because of what they turned into later!
The solo Terry played on This Time is by far my favorite. So much restrained emotion and perfectly harmonized with the horn arrangement. This was the epitome of his musical maturity.
Just today I bought my first Chicago album, Chicago Transit Authority, a secondhand vinyl copy. It's unbelievably great! From start to finish a masterpiece, with a blistering Terry Kath. I need more Chicago!
Came back to watch this one again. Pete, you are the reason I checked out Chicago, and for the last year, I don’t think there’s a band I’ve listened to more. Love the first four studio albums especially
KATH 4EVER!!!
Glad someone appreciates early Chicago. Seriously some of the best stuff to come out of the 70s. You probably have the closest music taste to me!
I was advised to hear the discographies of REO Speedwagon and Fleetwood Mac....glad I took the advice as the back catalogs from these guys is killer! Next : Chicago.
Pedro Delgado ask any of us old rockers what albums people should get as essential listening from the 70’s bands and we’ll be able to tell you as we all have most of each bands material in our collections!
How did I miss this one!?! Fantastic once again thanks Pete!
In the 90s they released a album of covers of old jazz standards done in Chicago style called “Night and Day” - it was really awesome. Best version of “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” ever.
It's good to see Chicago VIII ranked where it lands. One single that I've always loved since 1975 was Harry Truman. Why this song has been omitted from a lot of their greatest hits compilations is a head scratcher. Glad you referenced this song...one of my favorites. And yeah, the Kath era of Chicago is the real Chicago. The wife loves the eighties stuff, and I'm always going to be the Kath era fan. And I own all the Mobile Fidelity releases of the early Chicago albums.
This is why I dig this channel, love the eclectic range going from Megadeth to Chicago as I'm a fan of both- once again Thank you Pete!
I agree. Pete does a wonderful job in mixing things up. I really liked the Megadeth clip. And then, Chicago's Kath years right after it.
I'm pushing 60, so I can appreciate many of Pete's clips. I miss that diversity on Rock radio. The 70's were the years of rock discovery for me.
Hey Pete, JONI MITCHELL ! I adored her stuff throughout the 70's.
Wow, another excellent show, Pete. I've been listening to a lot of early Chicago the last three months, so this is a valued validation and education around what I've been digging on these albums. I must say, Peter Cetera's bass playing (and tone) was also sensational in these years, supporting and weaving in and out of Kath's all-galactic, single coil chops (ref. Poem 58). Truly great.
Thank you so much for turning me back to those original Chicago records. The first 5 are golden. And TK was a unique guitarist and no wonder Jimi Hendrix loved him.
I was hoping to find a Chicago thing on your Channel...then I see this. And it's brand new, 03/28/20. Happy Birthday to me! Thank you!
Their debut would be a 'desert island' album for me.
I have watched and enjoyed many of your videos. I was pleasantly surprised to see you are a fan of the 60/70's Chicago. Great band and Kath was a top (and under appreciated) guitarist of the era. You nailed the ordering as well. I'd probably put VI ahead of VIII, but they are close. You really knew the music! Agree on Poem 58 - Kath is on fire. Thanks for doing this. People need to listen to before the lousy 80's ballad stuff - the Kath years are the real Chicago.
Thanks for doing this one, Pete! In the 70s I owned them all through VIII, so that's what my list comprises. What a great band in those years, they could do it all - radio hits, jazz, blues, you name it they did it. A group of supremely talented and prolific musicians. Kath was the heart of Chicago and his death ripped that heart right out.
1. Chicago Transit Authority
2. II
3. VII
4. V
5. VI
6. VIII
7. III
The top two could flip depending on the day, they are that close, but today #1 is the first LP. What a massive debut, maybe the best ever. And I happen to dig "Free Form Guitar", I'm kind of weird that way. Just like the other day when I had "An Italian From New York" playing on my phone, you shoulda seen the looks I got from the family lol.
One of my fav bands! I’m glad I’m not the only one loving early Chicago. Thanks Pete for giving Kath the love and reverence he deserves. Check out the documentary on Kath streaming on Prime
I’m 41 years old and just bought my first Chicago album- CTA. Holy crap this is good! Thanks Pete!
Next buy Live at Carnegie Hall. You seriously won’t regret it. That is My favorite Chicago album period!!!
At age 13, my first favorite bands were Chicago and Deep Purple, talk about ends of the spectrum. Chicago had the guitar work of Terry Kath and that horn section...attack, release what a sound. I have either read or saw a video that quoted Jimi Hendrix saying he had always admired the guitar work of Terry Kath, and complemented him by saying Terry was a better guitar player then himself. They both left us way too soon.
Hey Pete I've been a Chicago fan since the very early days !
Yes it's tragic that we lost Terry far too soon , but at least he left us with some amazing music , gone but NEVER forgotten !
Been waiting on that Pete! I love them all. I would go from the bottom - VI, VIII, XI, X, III, V, VII, I and II. Kath was brilliant and the band was so good. CTA was the first album I had - Christmas of 69. Glad you appreciate them so much. The last Kath album came out my senior year of high school. His death hit me very hard. Pankow's horn arrangements were great!
I'm glad you picked their first album CTA as your number one pick I totally agree
Very well done review, Pete. Was familiar with your channel from your prog reviews, which are always great, had no idea you were so knowledgeable about Chicago. My initial favorite band as a youngster (b4 Genesis, Yes, and Camel).....my favorites in order were: II, VII, and CTA. Couple of years ago on their summer tour they played II in its entirety, and then did all of the other greatest hits afterward......A Springsteen-length performance!
Love you Pete. Terry was one of the most underrated guitar players. I always wanted to be Terry. Great guitar player with a wonderful voice. Closest thing to Ray Charles without being the man himself.
The Terry Kath era is criminally underrated and, as you pointed out, often ignored because of the band’s 80’s and beyond output. I am still missing a few of these albums and plan to do a deep dive after this ranking. Thanks for continuing to shine a light on these great band discographies.
When Chicago put out "Hot Streets" in 1978, that was it!! The song "Paradise Alley" (from 1979 "13") might have been the movie theme song starring Sylvester Stallone in 1978 BUT I did NOT seen that movie!! My favorite is the "yellow" album from 1974!!!
Agreed with CTA! this was the one that got me very interested in Terry as a guitarist. His solos were amazing. Enough to turn even Jimi Hendrix's head. I learned guitar from this album which also got me into " Jazz Chords" Being a Chicago native, I seen the band from Kath times to present at least 8X. Thanks
When Kath died so did Chicago.
Pedro Delgado maybe the original Chicago died perhaps? They did put out some decent albums post Kath and I own a few because I was still a fan of Citera’s singing!
THEY DID TO ME
@@neuropete1 You are right in the pop scene they didn't die, but what made them a distinct band was their musical jamming type of songs. Yes they always had their hits but after terry Kath died, their music was very formulated..all the jamming stopped and that turned off a lot of us because that's what Chicago was about. So in that sense Chicago did die.
Dead...then buried when David Foster came onboard. Hell, some of them weren't even playing anymore on THEIR albums.
Chicago died and were resurrected as elevator music.
I didn’t know Steven Wilson had remastered Chicago 2 I will have to buy this as soon as possible.
He did a fantastic job. Stuff that was muddled or buried in the original mix are revealed as clear as can be.
I’ve had “South California Purples” playing in my head since 1970. CTA was always going to be the number one! One of the best albums of all time ever! Even better than the guitar playing is IMHO, the brass section compositions. There are chords in there I have never heard anywhere anytime! Just unforgettable.
I think the guitar work on SCP on Live at Carnegie Hall blows away the studio version. Just brilliant guitar work - melodic, the solos tell musical stories, they are clean, no extraneous notes - just love it. Definitely one of the highlights for me on the album.
Great ranking Pete! Terry Kath was a musical genius IMO. He left this earth way to soon. Chicago (Kath years) was such an amazing band. They were never the same after he was gone.
I did what you asked Pete. Your channel did make me aware of these early Kath Chicago albums prior to this video, and they have become the soundtrack to my year. (so thank you!) The guitar wail at 6:00 minutes into Poem 58 is, like you say, otherworldly.
Thanks Pete for doing this. My first album at 15 was CTA. I must have listened to it everyday for 6 months. It's a wonder my parents didn't throw it away. I was and am a huge Chicago fan of the early years with Terry. Crushed when he died. After that I was embarrassed to tell anyone I was a Chicago fan because of what they became. But this ranking and tribute to a great band is just what I needed to get through this tough time. I actually got into jazz because of them. I listen to the last Chicago album I ever bought Chicago VII and I think what could have been. As far as rankings I'd go with:
CTA
II
V
VII
III
VI
Love this channel. Keep up the great work. Thanks!
Great video segment Pete!!!! I love this band, especially the great years you covered here.
My ranking of Chicago albums from 1969 to 1978:
#1. The Chicago Transit Authority
#2. Chicago 2
#3. Chicago 7
#4. Chicago 5
#5. Hot Streets
#6. Chicago 6
#7. Chicago 8
#8. Chicago 3
#9. Chicago 10
#10. Chicago 11
HOt Street is not from TK era! Donny Dacus was his substuitute! And it wasn't bad!
@ Hi. Yes, you are right. My top ten is from ALL of Chicago's albums and not just from the TK era.
WOW that debut album is stunning. The musicianship, drive and energy in this album is outstanding. Love tbe whole album. 5/5. Now i will check out Chicago 2. Great work i watch you to help me decide what albums to get.
Nice...presentation! Thanks!
Pete, as a big fan of Chicago, I am glad you profiled their Terry Kath albums! Sadly, their massive commercial success as a pop band in the 1980s obscured their artistic and commercial success in the 1960s and 1970s. The sheer volume of Chicago's hit songs in the1970s overshadowed their diverse skill as musicians and songwriters - blues, jazz, bossa nova, pop, country, hard rock, soft rock, ballads, ect... They could do it all ... and they continue to do so as they still put out new recordings and tour! Albiet, nothing holds a candle to their "Kath years". RIP, Terry
You cannot beat the first two Chicago albums! Simply amazing and groundbreaking
Forgot to mention the song Wishing You Were Here.
The backup vocals was contributed by the Beach Boys.
Sweet song
What's amazing is just how prolific a band Chicago was in the '70s. The power and energy of youth. Imagine 11 albums, nearly half of them double LPs from 1969 to 1977. Other than Blood, Sweat and Tears I can't think of any other band that featured a horn section so predominantly. You had Herb Alpert in the '60s but his band was geared mainly toward an older audience and I don't consider it Rock'n Roll.
In the liner notes to Rhino records re-release of the one and only "Chicago Transit Authority" I think it was keyboardist Robert Lamm who said Chicago was always a rock'n roll band. They were never trying for a jazz rock fusion sound though that's how they were initially labeled by some music critics. I think that's correct because when you look at early rock'n roll from the 1950s you had hits like "Jail House Rock" which featured "Spider Murphy on the slide trombone" and there were other r n r songs from that era that had horn sections. What was a rarity was that most of the musicians in Chicago were academically trained musicians who really knew their craft which was why they were so good both in the studio and on stage. I would argue that they were the pinnacle of rock'n roll bands in their '70s prime.
Terry was Jimi Hendrix's favorite guitarist I believe
Pete you can not underestimate the power of what you do at sea of tranquility. I would have never given a listen to Chicago with the idea that it was a Sunday afternoon KLOVE type band. I had no idea of this part of their catalogue! Many many thanks!
One of the greatest bands in the Kath days, 2 was the first LP I got. Saw them live at the Albert hall in 71 I think 🤔 terry and danny were amazing! Off to get my original records out now , great video my friend completely agree with you 👍
I’ve been binge watching your channel, and it’s mf amazing, and are music taste are so similar, it’s so cool to hear you talk about kiss and maiden, and Van Halen. You earned yourself a sub, amazing rock channel👍
About 42 years ago, my college roommate introduced me to the Chicago beyond the well-known pop hits. And I was blown away.
Chicago V, VII and VIII are my top three. I love all three pretty much equally.
Terry Kath was indeed a prodigious talent, taken away from us too soon. I would have loved it if he and Hendrix had lived long enough to produce some big band music together. Big band music punctuated by fiery rock guitar solos, that is!
I’m glad you like Chicago VIII. I don’t really hear that album getting too much love. I thought it was a good album.
Debut is easily one of the best albums of all time. Stunning album. I'm all about the I'm A Man cover. Omg. Danny drum god.
The only Chicago albums worth listening to are the ones with Terry Kath! Thanks for reviewing and ranking! The first three Chicago albums and the quadruple live album are incredible. Thanks.
I dig this band a lot and my my favorite albums are indeed with this line-up.
Well done list. Impossible to overstate how groundbreaking Kath era Chicago was. Thank You Pete for your hard work giving us thought provoking diversion.
For me, Chicago II is their masterwork, followed by their incredible debut. All their studio albums up to V are essential... and VII was an incredible experimental jazz fusion set. Terry Kath needed to be a guitar virtuoso, considering that he had to play both rhythm and lead parts in a seven-member band with horns. Quite a feat!!!
Chicago 2 my all time favorite Chicago album, closely followed by CTA & Chicago 3.
I feel exactly the way you do about Terry Kath! Amazing, amazing amazing. However, where we may differ is that for me, I get off on the live albums of artists and judge them on where the artist goes above and beyond the studio album. So for me, Live at Carnegie Hall is it - a total masterpiece from beginning to end. I went through two sets of LPs and finally the CD came out thank God because I played it so much.
This is super helpful. I have and love the Chicago Transit Authority record, but was lost for where to go next. Interesting that you gave props to the Steven Wilson remix of II, by the way. Have you changed your mind about the idea of his remixes of Yes? (I seem to recall you weren't interested in them when they were new, at least -- I don't mean to mischaracterize anything, sorry if I have it wrong).
Great list! The "Live in Japan" album (recorded in 1972) is well worth checking out as well. That original lineup was a great band!
Great video! Have you considered a dire straits ranking or top ten?
yeah that's a nice short one unless you include the Knopfler solo yrs too.
...Hey Pete , Your Show is Kickass and feels like home .....Thanx for sharing and putting yourself out there ....Terry Kath is in my Top Mad Axeman of all Time....Like we know that CTA is Epic and my Early Initiation ....Keep up the Good Work ....!
Fricken' Poem 58. Kath, Serephine, and Cetera...one of the best power trios that weren't. Officially.
Power trio + horn section and keyboards. :)
poem 58 YES
i owned the 4 album 'live at carnegie hall' back in the day...wore my needle thru that brilliance...one of the best horn sections ever....
I just commented above that I went through 2 LP sets and finally got it on CD. I think Live at Carnegie Hall is their best release by far!!!
I don’t as a rule watch analysis videos but I watch you.You are articulate,share my taste and interesting.I especially share your love for the real prog ranging from Yes to Genesis,etc.
Thanks Pete! Kath was a great underrated Guitarist! No question they rocked back then!
Hi Pete! Great video as usual! The Terry Kath years were the only Chicago albums I consider worth listening to!
Kath years; the only Chicago that matters. Thanks Pete.
So glad I found this. From 1970 in high school through college Chicago was my favorite group with Kaths guitar and singing the heart and soul of that band. You nailed it stating he was so underrated as a guitar player. Our college had a room with private booths with headphones in each booth where students could go pick out an album and listen, via the headphones between or after classes any music that they had.I spent hours listening to that band. Your statements about people’s perception of Chicago is spot on because they’ve never experienced those early years. I’m a man was the one that hooked me and they were a daily part of my life for about 5 years. Those early albums, using horns never before attempted, produced some of the rock ingest music of my life. Crushed me when Terry shot himself and in my opinion became an elevator music band. Lucrative but far from Terrys original vision for that group. There’s a RUclips video of them doing a live concert at Tanglewood and Terrys guitar solo from 25 or 6 to 4 illustrates how great he was . Gives a new listener a taste of how great he really was. And his singing on the condensed song Make me Smile makes that song. Thank you for great memories and for the ones who dislike the dentist office ballad Chicago listen to those first 5-6 albums. Totally different sound and so rocking!
Again a very sincere thank you.
First Chicago album is still in heavy rotation and I’ve been listening to that album for 33 years.
Couldn’t press play fast enough on this one. Love the Terry Kath years! Good video, man. I’d rank them similar but a few differences. I agree they’re all really good to great albums! Here’s my list.
1. Chicago Transit Authority
2. Chicago II
3. Chicago V
4. Chicago VII
5. Chicago VI
6. Chicago III
7. Chicago XI
8. Chicago X (The Chocolate bar album)
9. Chicago VIII
Pete great video! Going to show this one to my wife! This era o f Chicago is her favorite music of all time. I took her to see them about 10 years ago. I never was a big fan but the snow was very good to my surprise.
Never grow tired of their earlier music. They were never afraid to take chances which made for a great variety of styles and sound on their albums.
Great video! I grew up listening to Chicago. I agree, the first half of their catalogue is the best. I just ordered the Rhino cd box set Volume One covering all those albums you reviewed. Can’t wait! 👍
Ty for the video Pete. I was going through my record library that has been packed away and found my Chicago albums that I never listened to. I was looking through your channel and saw you ranking Chicago Terry Kath years. So I just started listening to them and your right they are good. I have all except for Chicago 111
Love Kath era Chicago. Their first 3 albums are probably my favorites, though I love the entire Kath era. I have a massive soft spot for Chicago VII.