I hear you all screaming that I didn't listen to the Tanglewood version. So, should I do this again? If this pinned comment gets over 3k likes, I'll add it to my queue!
This is the only version I'm familiar with, and also one of my favorite classic rock songs. I kinda don't want to hear another version for fear of it sounding "wrong."
@@smoothmove7566it is. Inspired by an all night writing session. Someone asked what time it was and was answered “about 25 or 26 minutes to four in the morning. Lyrics are describing the scenery.
One of the greatest guitar solos ever! From the beginning I was waiting for Beth's reaction to it . She liked it but I've seen her more excited by Randy Rhodes and a few others. Chicago has so much to listen to during the course of a song, the horn's and vocals seemed to be a lot to take in on first listen. I was just 7 when my brother's friend taught me the du nu nu nu nump bass line and Smoke on the Water on one string and then I really began playing at 15 so I'll always remember that. I remember he sang 25 or 6 to 4 while I played and at 7 hearing "That was really good considering you weren't playing with a drummer" He gave me a Yamaha acoustic to learn on if I'd promise not to "let it collect dust" and I assured him I wouldn't buy, I never did learn the solo. I don't think it's out of reach but, I'd need a wah peddle and quite a bit of time to get close but, it'd be worth it! I play a mean _air_ guitar every time, while the drums are on fire! Beth didn't mention the drums at all! Too much going on in the song I think. On a long enough timeline she'd have to mention both but, horn's and vocals alone are what she was drawn to. That infectious smile of hers, the giggling always makes me happier than before I was during those moments so , I can easily forgive her 🤣 See ya around man ✌️❤️🎸🎶🙏
when terry died imho Chicago lost their soul, saw they for the last time in concert about 30 years ago and I was not inspired at all by the concert unlike before
Like Earth, Wind and Fire, Chicago's horn section were members of the band and not hired sidemen. This early material features Chicago as an American counterpart to the English prog rock sound. Even this guitarist sounds like a parallel to Steve Howe.
Chicago was at its best when the late great Terry Kath was still alive and playing lead guitar. In my opinion, that never quite sounded as good after his tragic passing. He was known as one of the great guitarists. Their live version of this song at Tanglewood is worth a watch to see the whole band in action, but with Terry Kath on a great solo. Also, early Chicago is just like discovering a lost continent full of music.
Terry was Jimi Hendrix's favorite guitarist at the time. Glad to see this amazing record/song getting it's due after many years. This record was formative for me musically.
Hearing this for the first time? Imagine growing up with this music, learning to play a saxophone then joining a cover band a playing these songs for decades and never getting tired of playing them.
So awesome, Craig! Dang, I remember as a junior in highschool, hearing three new songs on my car radio, all within a few weeks of one another, it seems, and not realizing that they were all being done by the same band! They were "Make Me Smile", "25 or 6 to 4", and "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" Then I realized each song featured a different lead vocalist! Chicago!!!!!
Now that you’ve heard and appreciate this song, you must listen to “Saturday in the Park”. It epitomizes all that was great with early Chicago, the horns. A must!
I cheerfully agree that "Saturday in the Park" is four minutes of feel-good fun, but it's probably not quite the extraordinary tour-de-force of "25 or 6 To 4".
I mean, this is kinda true, but Chicago was two bands, right? The 70s jazzy, prog-y, horn-flecked ensemble, and the 80s Peter Cetera pop machine. No one song is gonna capture both sides of this band.
I gotta say, one of the best parts of my day is watching Elizabeth get all giddy about some new music. Her happiness is seriously contagious. Thanks for the good feel, Elizabeth!
Jim Pankow (trombone) wrote most of the horn arrangements for the band. As a trombone player when I was younger, he was a musical hero... A trombone palyer in a rock band??? Heck yeah!!!
Met Panko after a concert and Lamm and told him we were not worthy of Kath a tear went down his eyes I apologize told him i meant that as respect he said" so is my tear " Kath devastated this band Like Bonham did to Zeppelin " Alive Again " in 78 was a tribute to Kath but unfortunately the 80's changed The band to a lot of Synthesizers and Robert Lamm has a great Voice as well she will have a blast with Chicago as she has with ELO the 70's was the epicenter of beyond rock it was all music!! Soft hard disco R&B I'm only said that she was to young to have experienced the whole deal i would like her to revisit Jethro Tull " thick as a brick" 77 live london same deal totally better and his voice has no nasality to it as his albums all were the 2 videos she watched were actually in 82 he went through vocal issues but still did albums great!
Trummy Young, Jack Teagarden, Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, Jim Pankow ... all so influential in the sounds of their time, and yet ask someone to name a trombone player!
Same for me. I majored in low brass (Euphonium for classical, trombone for jazz) and my trombone teacher, who was lead for the Army Blues, named Pankow as his greatest influence so the two of us would both geek out over how amazing Chicago was. Such a piercing laser tone that is so counter to how most are taught to play...but in the right setting is amazing to have that tone in your hip pocket to pull out.
Not to take away from Cetera's voice, but his incredible bass lines/progressions were the perfect complement to Kath's manic lead guitar riffs & leads. Fantastic stuff!
Elizabeth's unabashed glee in discovering new music is a joy to behold. She is simply delightful in addition to being so musically knowledgeable and insightful. I learn something about music from every one of her videos.
Well said!! Makes me smile ear to ear every time I listen to her analysis. She is just so pleasant as well (all around).. and I love that kind of sideways smile..
I love watching her reactions the first time she hears a band - like the brass in Chicago, which was a part of their sound. Watching and listening to her while she is watching and listening to music that I grew up with is such a positive and enjoyable experience.
Same age here. This is "THE Song" that delivered rock and roll to my young self. Never looked back. This is still one of, if not, the best songs ever written and performed. Terry just shreds on guitar.
I've always loved Page because of Zeppelin. Hendrix because, hey its Hendrix. But Kath leaves me speechless, emotional and there's soooo much feeling in his playing
Chicago (original band name was Chicago Transit Authority) was one of two that innovated rock music with horn sections/arrangements; the other was Blood, Sweat & Tears. Chicago had the longer career as a band, but BS&T's music is well worth listening to, also, especially under vocalist David Clayton-Thomas.
Even though there were other horn bands (agreed Chicago and BS&T were the most successful) that were also putting out horn based rock music at the same time as Chicago circa late 69 to early 70s. Arguably both bands blazed the trail and opened the door. (Chase with "Get It On", Canadian Band Lighthouse with "One Fine Morning" Tower of Power with "What Is Hip" and Cold Blood with cuts like "Down To The Bone" as examples) ruclips.net/video/64ylNXAt-1Q/видео.html
Another controlled chaos guitar song is Steely Dan's Showbiz Kids. Rick Derringer sounds like he's loosing his mind playing in a psychotic frenzy throughout the song. But it fits within the framework.
@tessmage_tessera You gonna find the same quote of Hendrix for different guitarists, from Terry Kath, to Rory Gallagher, to Billy Gibbons. In fact, I don't think he ever said something like that, though he probably mentioned Billy Gibbons and Terry Kath as guitarists that he enjoyed listening to.
After this you need to react to songs featuring Chicago's other two main vocalists! I recommend "Make Me Smile" (Terry Kath) "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is (Robert Lamm), and "Saturday in the Park" (Lamm, with Cetera joining on the chorus)
Totally agree! Musicianship aside, to have this collection of vocalists who all do lead is unfair. Although I love the clarity of the studio versions, Charismatic Voice should also see the live Tanglewood videos, as well, because you know how she loves to comment on their mouth movements
You are SO adorable! I love watching your thrill over music I grew up with: Chicago, ELO, Fleetwood Mac, Heart. I got an artist soul (music skills missed me 😂) so have a lot to learn about music-it’s a joy using my formative music as the study materials. Thank you!
As a trombonist, I have played "25 or 6 to 4" sooo many times, and I never get sick of it. How can you with a horn part like THAT?!? There was a whole subgenre of late 60s and 70s bands of jazz-rock with horn sections: Chicago, Earth Wind & Fire, Blood Sweat & Tears, Tower of Power, Sons of Champlin, and others. Basically, people who grew up with their parents listening to Glenn Miller and Duke Ellington, and they wanted to recapture that sound from their childhood, blending a brassy sound with rock. A powerhouse horn player of the time, Mic Gillette, was the son of a trombonist for Tommy Dorsey, so you hearing that big band element in the sound is spot on. I've been lucky enough to know and even befriend brass players from these bands, including Mic (RIP horn daddy, you're the reason I still use a Marcinkiewicz mouthpiece). They are some of the best musicians I have ever met of any genre. Sadly, these weren't bands my parents liked, so I didn't grow up listening to them, but my husband's parents were HUGE fans of Chicago, ELO, EW&F, and others, and before Covid I was in a band and getting private lessons from a guy who had played in Sons of Champlin. (Bill Champlin was the singer for Chicago from 1981-2009. All of these bands were close knit, and players crossed over all the time.) As my musical journey shifted away from orchestra and into playing with jazz-rock and fusion bands, these are the sorts of songs I now love to perform the most, with such clever play between horn and guitars, not just background coloring, but as a main feature. I mean... that trombone slide in "25 or 6 to 4" is ICONIC!
Fellow trombonists unite! Everyone knows James Pankow even if they don't realize it! I'll have to check out Sons of Champlin; hadn't heard of them before. And if you can find a recording of Watrous with Ten Wheel Drive, let me know :-)
Bill Champlin is still making music, I believe. And his sister Sally is, or at least was, involved in theater production in L. A. and has a social presence on Facebook.
Fellow trombonist here. Used to play a lot of their songs in stage band when I was in high school. Man some of the trombone links laid down in their music is insane. Still listen to them to thus day.
Fun Fact: Earth Wind and Fire got their break doing the score to Melvin Van Peebles' (father of Mario) film Sweet Sweetback's Badasss Song a crazy independent film that kicked off the Blaxsploitation genre as imitators sought to cash in on the underserved urban black audience. I think Melvin's cheque to the band bounced.
🇨🇦 I sympathise with you upon hearing this band for the first time, but now can you imagine us hearing it for the first time in 1970 ?? We changed the world with music and bands like this !
I think it's really cool how you expand your music gaunre. I learned that from my Dad. Chicago was the band that got me into bands with horn sections. I dont know your age but look young and find it crazy you have never listened to Chicago. You started out with a great song.
The "power horn section" was a hallmark of so many great bands from the early 70s. Usually consisted of a couple of trumpets, a trombone, and at least one, usually two saxophones. It carried through into the 80s, even, with bands like Huey Lewis and the News, that emulated that older classic rock style.
The ending of Chicago's, "Make Me Smile" lets you hear one of the hardest things a wind player or singer can do - crescendo over a very long, sustained note. The baroque horns going into that are pretty great, too. Went to see them and Earth, Wind and Fire a couple years ago; one of the best shows ever!
Having grown up with Chicago, arguably one of the most groundbreaking bands of the era, it's hard to believe there are people who haven't heard them before.
Same, I'm only 42, didn't think I was that old - this song has been ingrained in me since I was like, 5, with all the play it used to get on the radio.
Three lead singers in this band. Sometimes they sang a song by themselves, sometimes they'd each take a part. All three of them were great, and very distinct from each other.
Yeah, it brings back memories. This song was a staple back in the '70s with HS and college bands everywhere. I played solo bari sax in stage and athletic bands and had to carry the bass part of this song by myself. Fun song and I still like it in spite of having to play it so many times, but the bass part was (is) incredibly repetitive and took so much wind to play with almost no break, and being solo bari as opposed to one of several altos and tenors there was no place for me to hide or drop out for a quick breath. It required a lot of breath discipline. That was true for several songs out of our repertoire back then though, such as Wiggy, Peter Gunn, and Theme from Shaft.
My HS band played this. It was seriously my favorite piece. Which was crazy, I normally played bass clarinet, and that baseline is annoyingly repetitive. However, my perpetually drunk band instructor somehow dug up a contra bass clarinet, and picked me to play it for this song. Because SURE, let's pick the 85lb, 4'10" girl to play contra bass for 25 or 6 to 4. I did it, but it probably stunted my growth in the process. Haha. Still love this song, even if all I hear is bass half the time.
Chicago and bands like Lighthouse were a boon in high school. They were common musical ground and a place of compromise between high school band teachers saying "classical only" and the students wanting to play rock music. They made band class fun.
Trombonist Jimmy Pankow scored the horn arrangements as a 4th lead voice of the band juxtaposed to the three lead singers. His arrangements gave Chicago its unique character in addition to all the seven musicians and their screaming talents.
Yes, according to drummer Danny Seraphine it was saxophonist Walt Parazaider who introduced the idea of forming a band where the horns were a leading voice, not merely playing supportive riffs, which at the time was the thing to do in all the soul tunes the lads were playing. Pankow developed a vision of how to do that and it was him who has since written all those clever charts. What I enjoy about this reaction is that the horns are noted for their nuances as well as their collective power and overall effect. There is much brilliance still to be discovered within this tune and so much of Chacago's music.
I 1000th recommend the Tanglewood live version. Terry Kath was so underrated. So many great songs, Make Me Smile and Does Anyone Really Know What Time It Is have great horn sections. Also Just You and Me! There is a great documentary that Terry Kath’s daughter did about him and the band’s origins.
When you listen to Terry Kath you're listening to one of the best rock guitarists of that time. Chicago played a show where they opened for Jimi Hendrix and after the show Hendrix came backstage and told the other members of Chicago that Terry was a better guitar player than he was. High praise, indeed. They later became friends and would jam together when their respective schedules allowed. Jimi even talked to Terry about the possibility of forming a band together, but then Jimi passed. A band with those two playing guitar would have really been something to see.
1968 L.A. Whiskey a Go Go. Chicago was playing when Jimi came in and listened. He approached a horn player and said, "who is that guy, he's better than me!" Later they became good friends and discussed them opening for Jimi on the road. Unfortunately, Hendrix died shortly there after.
Now I'm gonna be waiting for more Chicago reactions. The four-headed monster: 3 lead singers who also played bass, guitars and keyboards, plus the "lung" (horn section), had an amazing run of 10 records (plus several live recordings too). Every member was a virtuoso musician, with great team composing among everyone. Truly a unique band.
@@patrickhenry4675 Didnt Terry Kath died just after releasing Chicago XI? That'd be 9 studio, plus the Chicago IX "greatest hits" and Chicago IV "At Carnegie Hall"
My dad was a classically trained bass player who listened to the debut album so much as a kid that he eventually wore it out. My oldest brother was also an incredibly talented musician and the last time I saw him we were in the car singing through the first album together. Both have since passed so I think of them both whenever I hear Chicago. Brings back so many fond memories.
Also missed in this is Peter Cetera's killer bass playing. I hate the word "underrated" but it definitely applies to Peter Cetera's skills as a bass player....
James Pankow is still there - visions of Monty Python's "I'm not dead yet!". We enjoyed Chicago (again) a few weeks ago. They're on tour now - go experience his amazing playing with Lee Loughnane (original trumpet) and the current crew too. Robert Lamm, another of the original members, is also touring. Some older bands on tour are essentially cover bands of themselves. Not Chicago. They are still making music and rocking hard for more than half a century on tour. That's right, they have been touring for longer than most of us have been alive.
I am so amazed that you chose this particular song to do today. This song played in my sophomore year on the field with the marching band. I played bass, my best friend, played guitar, and the drum line backed us up. I was not more proud in my life and anything better than I had done at that point. To see you give this a thumbs up turns my world up!
Jimi Hendrix was once asked in an interview what it's like being the best guitar player in the world, he said I'm not the best guitar player in the world. The interviewer then asked "If you're not the bestthen who is?" Hendrix replied "It's not a competition, but when I heard Terry Kaths solo on 25 or 6 to 4 it's scared me so much I almost quit player guitar." Terry Kath is extremely under rated. Also just fyi this song is about staying up all night writing music and they looked up at the clock and it was either 25 or 26 minutes till 4 am. Another great Chicago song to check out is Feeling stronger Everyday.
Next on the docket from Chicago has to be "Make Me Smile / Now More Than Ever". It is an amazing song that shows Terry Kath on lead vocals and the tightness of the band on a whole new level.
One of the greatest bands ever! Brilliant at every position but still a mainstream band. I had the honor to mix the drummer about 10 years ago when he played a big charity event at a very high end country club with an all star audience and the dude was NEXT LEVEL when he soloed. They are one of the top 10 bands I've ever heard in terms of talent, versatility, staying power, and songwriting. Awesome choice!
MAKE ME SMILE!!!!! With the late, great Terry Kath on lead vocals and lead guitar, PLEASE!!! I hear Cetera with my ears and head, but I feel Terry with my body and soul. Please make sure you listen to the longer version with the guitar solo rather than the radio edit. It’s such a musical powerhouse of a song. ✌🏼🙏🏼
Chicago came out of the late '60s. They were originally called "The Chicago Transit Authority". But after their first album they shortened it to just "Chicago". Great band with a huge catalog and a larger number of hits. You can really delve deep into this band.
They shortened it to Chicago after the actual Chicago Transit Authority served them a cease and desist letter, pretty short sighted if you ask me, they should have asked them to write a jingle.
@@Wungolioth They CTA never would have won the lawsuit because they're a governmental organization so they don't own the rights to that name. But I think just being Chicago actually benefited them for the long run.
@@thomasm9552 Fair, but my point is that was what they were reacting to, and I think their motivation was probably the notion that "you can't fight city hall", but I do agree, Chicago probably worked out better for their brand.
I'm over 50 and this song came out just before I was born. I was listening to their stuff, and singing it, in high school. I still love the music, and so many of the memories of my life are tied to their songs. Great music has a way of enduring.
I absolutely love watching these videos. I learn SOOOO much!! I've listened to Chicago for over 50 years, and your insights added to my understanding and enjoyment of the music. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge of and joy for music. :)
I absolutely love your passion for music! I don't normally tell folks this, but I used to work for several Boston-based bands. Aerosmith, J. Geils Band, the Cars, Duke & The Drivers, and of course, Boston (the band). But when I stopped to check this out, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Your passion for music is as unmatched as I've ever seen before! This reminds me of the old days sitting in the studio with Boston watching Brad Delp sing his parts. The entire process was pure joy to him. He'd smile like a kid on Christmas day. He loved music that much!!! I just saw his face in yours. What I mean to say is that you just showed me the passion that I haven't seen in years. Thank you for your musical passion. I feel we've lost so much of it in the last 30 years or so. By the way, I noticed as you were commenting on Peter Cetera's voice, you mistakenly referred to him as "Peter Sellers!" Seriously. I thought it was great. You were so into what you were saying that it just flew on by. You never noticed it. Yes, you were most definitely into engaged with your viewers. Again, thank you for a most enjoyably time.
That's what makes this channel for me. Seeing these things that I'm honestly jaded about through the eyes of somebody who hasn't experienced them before. It reinvigorates an awe that has long flown by that really should still be there. A reminder that we've been immersed in wonders and not giving the proper notice.
Make Me Smile is a great song featuring Terry Kath singing. To me, Terry had a very Ray Charles quality to his voice. So much soul. Live in Tanglewood 1970 is a great concert if you want to see these masterpieces live.
In Chicago's early days in the late '60s through the '70s, Chicago was very experimental, and they performed a number of suites. Their record company at the time, Columbia, cut up some of those suites to release singles. Their hits "Make Me Smile" and "Colour My World" were extracted from a seven-movement suite on their eponymous second album. That suite entitled "Ballet For A Girl In Buchannon", is best experienced in one continuous play rather than listening to the hits by themselves. The single release of "Make Me Smile" features the suite's opening track of that name and appended to it is the suite's closing track "Now More Than Ever", which is a reprise of "Make Me Smile". The suite running time is 12:55, you will hear Terry Kath sing lead on three movements (MMS, CMW, NMTE) and Robert Lamm sing lead on the second movement "So Much To Give, So Much To Say". I feel you will thoroughly enjoy the suite not only for their vocals but for their musicianship. Early Chicago is NOT THE SAME as their heavy pop/ballad post-Kath era with tenor Peter Cetera heavily influencing their direction to soft stuff and away from their progressive jazz/rock/blues founding. Historical note: When they were performing as "The Chicago Transit Authority", they were playing at the Whiskey A Go Go in LA. In the audience was the legendary Jimi Hendrix. Jimi went to their dressing room as they were coming out to do their second set, grabbed their sax player Walt Parazaider and told the band "You guys have a horn section that sounds like one set of lungs and a guitar player that's better than ME! You wanna go on the road?" They said yeah and became Jimi's opening act on a tour of stadiums and arenas that gave them the exposure for their success as a headline act.
Chicago was (and is) one of the great brass/rock bands. They were all over the airwaves for years after they came out, and they always sound fantastic. Great writing, great instrumentals, solid vocals and harmonies.
Awesome song, but I predict several dozen people suggesting that you should have gone with the 1970 Tanglewood live version instead. I mean, they're not wrong...
I didn't recommend that song because their equipment wasn't ready, the sound mix was waaaay off, and you can't tell that behind the screwy audio there's a great performance. This is one of the few times I think the studio serves better.
Bad Audio??? What are you guys talking about? What I heard was great audio and it is interesting seeing Terry on his guitar while they are fixing the cymbal.
Check out their haunting tune 'Wishing You Were Here.' Terry Kath on lead vocals, Peter Cetera comes in on the bridge section, and The Beach Boys help out on the harmonies. Gorgeous tune.
I'm 56. Chicago is one of my fav bands who I've seen sooo many times! Growing up, I never liked older Chicago songs bc of the horns. Then one day it clicked and made sense. They're ALL so incredibly talented and Terry Kath's playing/singing added such a different layer to Peter Cetera's parts. Lizzie- you should see Leonid & Friends (amazing Chicago tribute band)! They're from Russia, but tour the U.S. often. It's the closest you'll get to the live Tanglewood sound of Chicago's glory days!
You should check out the version of this song live at Tanglewood. The whole concert is great but the solo in the performance of this song is just spectacular.
This album came out in 1970, and as a band kid in high school at the time, it was a revelation to me. Before then all the rock bands were what you have come to expect -- guitar, bass, drums and lead vocal. Chicago showed that a rock band could be so much more.
They had three great singers on this record and when asked what it was like to be the best guitarist in the world, Jimmy Hendrix said go ask Terry Kath.The solo in the Tanglewood clip is insane.
I'm a huge Chicago fan and fan of Terry Kath. I've heard different versions of different musicians what it's like to be the best and they defer to someone else. I'm not buying the Hendrix story since I've heard similar stories with different parties. This album came out in '70, Jimi died 7 mos. after it was released. Which makes it more unlikely.
Three different lead singers, multiple songwriters but Terry Kath truly was the band leader. After his passing, the band was never the same. Took three guitarists to attempt to replace him.
Ever since he broke his jaw, Peter Cetera continued to sing in this way (with a tight jaw) for the rest of his career. It’s amazing how he managed to produce such a unique and full voice like that.
This group was the leader of bringing jazz musician chops to rock/pop listener sensibilities - and radio play victories. Their first 3 albums are astounding & innovative. For me , it was as a sensitive 15 , 16 yr old when they were in their non-commercial heyday.
If I can recommend another Chicago song with Peter singing again, I would pick “Feelin’ Stronger Every Day”. That’s another song that has an uplifting feeling, especially the end.
I like Wishing you were here for vocals. You have Terry singing the verses, The beach boys singing the chorus and backup and Peter sings the bridge. Peter wrote the song but quickly realized that particular song was better suited for Terry's lower vical range.
Watching you listen to this is just amazing! James Pankow, the trombonist is an amazing horn arranger. For a trombone, trumpet, and tenor sax, the section sounds so much bigger than it actually is!
This is fascinating! It’s almost like watching a baby or toddler taste ice cream for the first time. I’ve heard this song live dozens of times and thousands of other times. Seeing how you appreciate the nuances is awesome.
I think I discovered my Walkman in 1985 walking home from HS. I always listed to the local FM rock channel, and one day I heard this song. I immediately knew this was a band that had special talent . WAAYY more than the others.
The chord progression throughout the song is Am, Am7(Gbass), Am6(F# bass), F, E; bridge is F, F, C, C, G, G, F, F, then back to the Am descending. The ending-just to blow your mind-is Dm, C, Bm, Bb, Am, but with the horns ending on a B MAJOR Triad. Loved your expression upon hearing that. (FWIW, I played bass in a "Chicago/Blood Sweat & Tears" cover band in the early 70s).
I was the percussionist in our high school band when I was in grade ten...a long time ago. We played this song. Great tune. You know what I love about your review(s) is your ability to disect a song, everything from the vocals, the instruments, the beat count and how you appreciate the brilliance of music, the singing and all that constructs a complete song. Your explanations of each segment that you freeze gives us something that we might not necessarily be cognizant of. Keep up the good work and keep on digging up these classic tunes. Cheers!
Chicago at this point in time was at the height of their powers. Multiple singers and incredible instrumentation. The backstory is that he (Robert Lamm the keyboard player) was up at 3:34am-3:35am (25 or 26 minutes to 4am) trying to write a song, but was struggling with it. So, he basically went with the Smoke On The Water route and wrote a song about writing a song.
This was an exceptional song, Guitar and vocals , Raw and loud... alot of us grew up with this, it was magic then and STILL Magic ... sometimes, a song just knocks it out of the park for a homerun ! This is just one of those that are beyond ...
I have to say, your reaction to this song is priceless. Just to watch your surprised expressions and astonishment as this masterpiece progressed was so rewarding to me. Keep up the great work!!!
My girlfriend convinced me to see Chicago at the Cumberland county civic center in the late 80's. I was a metal head so my expectations were low, especially with assigned seating on the floor. Blown away would be an understatement. The level of talent and perfect live performance along with absolutely amazing extended solos from all the members puts Chicago as one of the best concerts I've ever seen.
I'm sure there will, as always, be lots of comments from purists saying you need to listen to the "best" version of this song. For me, though, the fact you have done ELO and Chicago on back-to-back days makes me very happy. I was 12 years old when this song came out and, with the rest of Chicago's music, it formed a big part of the soundtrack to my teen years.
This one came out in the year before I was born. I grew up knowing a lot of their music, but 16 was the first album I really remember, and "Hard To Say I'm Sorry" has been a favorite since it was hot. My 9th grade chorus performed "You're the Inspiration", which only made me love Chicago more. And a couple of years later, I borrowed friend's songbook for 18 so that I could learn the words for all of the songs. Honestly, one of my favorite bands, and probably my favorite that isn't a New Wave group. And so unique with the horns!
And the thing is there is no such thing as "the best version" of ANY song. The so called "best version" is very subjective to each and every listener. Using an example of two of my favorite songs from Nightwish, Amaranth and I Wish I Had An Angel. While I am a Floor fan for life and really like her versions, to me the "best versions" of those two songe belong to Annette for Amaranth and Tarja for I Wish I Had An Angel where as others will feel the best version is Floor's.
BTW, you mentioned Cetera's rhythmic feel. In case no one else has mentioned it, it's probably not just coincidental that he was first and foremost (back then) a member of the rhythm section. He was the bass player!
Please do Make Me Smile by Chicago with the other singer and lead guitarist, Terry Kath (r.i.p.). He was an amazing talent and his singing and soloing in that song is legendary. The emotion is unreal. Thank you for doing these videos and I'm glad an ELO fan finally got around to Chicago. PS> Yes, the horns are, always have been and always will be central to Chicago.
I think the best way to hear Terry Kath and "Make Me Smile" is to hear it within the whole "Ballet For a Girl In Buchannon" which also includes Terry's soulful vocals in "Colour My World".
Back in the carefree 1970's there was this little rock club in Richmond VA we used to go to after work, to relax and enjoy the music. One night we walked in just as the DJ said "Ladies and Gentlemen, Chicago." My brother and I looked at each other in disbelief - sure enough here was Chicago playing to maybe 100 people total. They were doing a concert gig in Richmond, and they used the club to run through their entire concert to check for problems - there weren't any I could hear. So I got to hear one of the truly great bands, up close and personal, and for free. WOW.
What glorious luck. I couldn't believe my glorious luck when a friend and I were seated in the last row all the way to the left watching Edgar Frose with Tangerine Dream in the basement of a row home in center city Philadelphia. My God! It's like having this phenomenal band playing in your living room!
Well, I can only hope you’ll be reacting to the 1970 live at Tanglewood version. Usually I prefer reactions to original studio versions, but the Tanglewood 25 or 6 to 4 contains one of the top ten all-time guitar solos. I know you’re doing vocal analysis, but you still deserve to hear that guitar solo. RIP Terry Kath.
Kath's vocals is a must hear all the same... Kath had monster chops and taste on top of it all, especially live as far as I know he was always in the zone when he played. Is no wonder Jimi was enthralled with his playing, I wish and wonder if there was ever a decent capture of Poem 58.
The band had two main writers - Robert Lamm (who wrote this song) on keyboards and James Pankow who played trombone and generally did all the brass arrangements. Terry Kath (the original guitarist) also wrote quite a few songs in the early days and Peter Cetera wrote a few. The three lead singers (Cetera, Kath, and Lamm) all had very different vocal sounds.
Just hearing the greatest rock guitarist shred what’s considered the best rock guitar solo ever and one of the most prolific American bands over the last 50 years for the first time? Wow! Now you can look forward to listening to dozens of brilliantly constructed jazz rock songs for years to come.
That was the best and most honest song review I have seen on youtube...your facial expressions on the dissonance in the chording at the end was priceless...excellent job :)
I lived near the city of Chicago when this song came out long ago, and it floored me. The force, the steady beat, the fantastic guitar solo - it felt like a ride on the trains there, and I have never forgotten that vital spirit of the whole piece. There is nothing like it.
Elizabeth, you should really do your next Chicago review with Terry Kath on vocals. "Make Me Smile" shows off the power in his voice. Give it a go! You will not be disappointed!
@@dawncapps5172 I know Elizabeth likes her live recordings, but you just HAVE to go with the studio tracks for a group like Chicago. They're masterpieces of recording and production.
What blows me away (every time) is how you listen to songs (once) that I've heard a thousand times for decades and, still, you catch little things, I'm embarrassed to say, I never noticed before. Of course, now, I can't unhear them. Thank you for your channel, Elizabeth.
This song holds a special spot in my heart. It’s the first song of theirs I heard, and when my parents showed it to me, it was on an old cassette tape that belonged to my late uncle that I never met(dad’s brother, they also named me after him!). Chicago was one of his favorites and also an inspiration of his as he was an aspiring musician. I can’t hear this song without thinking about him, what it would have been like to meet him, and the awesome music he would have made.
I also love the part in the solo where the bass line is walking down, the horns are climbing up, and the guitar is shooting through the middle, cutting clear through the mix.
I freakin' WORE OUT ALL my Chicago Albums in high school! I LOVED their brass section! But the one you are listening to is a recording of the song. But if you want to see/hear a LIVE "studio performance" of this song......look up the COVER version of 25 or 6 to 4 as performed by "Leonid and Friends" Their reproduction of this song is MASTERFUL! And the LEAD GUITARIST just KILLS IT!!!! I could watch that song ALL day! And they have SO MANY MORE! Its SO COOL they have done these songs as a "TRIBUTE" to "Chicago's original works! 😎
@@bwaredapenguin 😀 I was a freshman in high school at that time. And yes I agree with the nitpick now that I think on the timeline....ahhh, where di the last 53 years go??? 😂
We played this song in marching band! Super fun. One of my favorites. Also did MacArthurs Park. Saw Chicago live in 1982-83. The horns definitely peel your hair back! Love it
So did I. We also did "Color My World". Grew up in Chicago in the Eastside neighborhood. "Saturday In the Park" was written about "Calumet Park Beach" in the Eastside neighborhood, we practiced at that Park.
I grew up with this song. In fact, this was, in part, inspiration for my older brother to become a professional musician. He and his friends formed a band in high school called Chicargo (Chi-cargo.) He's now a professional arrainger and trumpet player in Las Vegas and Reno. The song, as you mentioned, is about the struggles of writing music, particularly very early in the morning. Have you ever pulled an all-nighter? You struggle with the job at hand, but also with all the caffine and other stuff you may have taken to stay awake and keep your energy up. Then, finally, you hit a wall, the energy is gone, things turn a little sour, a little off-kilter, and you finally succumb to sleep. THAT is the ending of this song. The tempo drops, the horns become dissonant, and the chord resolves with just a hint of dissonance in the background, because you know the job's not yet finished. At least that's how I interpret it.
I'm 27 and my first CD was Chicago IX. This was my first stepping stone into great music. My parents and Chicago are responsible for my taste in music. 25 or 6 to 4 is a killer song, one of my favorites. I'd love to see more of them on the channel.
Every member of Chicago was legit amazing on their instruments. The combination of all that awesome is just tight and sharp and properly bad ass through and through.
Saw Chicago 5 times. They are amazing. If I may, a cover band called Leonid and Friends, and they started out with Chicago, and each cover was perfection. They delved into Earth Wind & Fire, all amazing, and this you need to react to their cover of Superstar from The Carpenters. Superstar will bring tears, as it was insanely done. Happy New Year.
Chicago was the second concert I ever went to (in 1975). Terry Kath was still the singer and their song 'Colour My World' took my heart then and still does to this day. And the memories associated with it... Wow... 😍 And it has a flute in it!
They have a song (really, a suite) called Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon, which contains 7 "tracks". Two of the tracks were released separately as singles (Colour My World and Make Me Smile). And as much as you might like this song (and it's my personal favorite Chicago song), I would bet that you would LOVE listening to the full "Ballet". I highly recommend this.
@@SepticFuddy ONe Chicago concert I attended started with Ballet. I turned to my friend and said, " I can go now." That is the essence of Chicago, IMO.
@@jackarmstrong1838 I envy having been able to live the music of that era. Instead, I've had to pour through the archives with my dad's guidance and actively ignore the garbage being put out the last 20 years. Sure I've seen quite a few of the older bands in person, including Chicago, but of course it was not Terry Kath Chicago
I hear you all screaming that I didn't listen to the Tanglewood version. So, should I do this again? If this pinned comment gets over 3k likes, I'll add it to my queue!
I always thought 25 or 6 to 4 was referring to the time on the clock on the wall....
This is the only version I'm familiar with, and also one of my favorite classic rock songs. I kinda don't want to hear another version for fear of it sounding "wrong."
Absolutely yes. Tanglewood. ruclips.net/video/7uAUoz7jimg/видео.html
@@Nareimooncatt.. You need to checkout the Tanglewood version and see for yourself..
@@smoothmove7566it is. Inspired by an all night writing session. Someone asked what time it was and was answered “about 25 or 26 minutes to four in the morning. Lyrics are describing the scenery.
Chicago’s horn section is legendary. Also, this song has one of my all-time favorite guitar solos. RIP Terry Kath. He left us way too soon.
One of the greatest guitar solos ever! From the beginning I was waiting for Beth's reaction to it . She liked it but I've seen her more excited by Randy Rhodes and a few others.
Chicago has so much to listen to during the course of a song, the horn's and vocals seemed to be a lot to take in on first listen.
I was just 7 when my brother's friend taught me the du nu nu nu nump bass line and Smoke on the Water on one string and then I really began playing at 15 so I'll always remember that.
I remember he sang 25 or 6 to 4 while I played and at 7 hearing "That was really good considering you weren't playing with a drummer" He gave me a Yamaha acoustic to learn on if I'd promise not to "let it collect dust" and I assured him I wouldn't buy, I never did learn the solo. I don't think it's out of reach but, I'd need a wah peddle and quite a bit of time to get close but, it'd be worth it!
I play a mean _air_ guitar every time, while the drums are on fire! Beth didn't mention the drums at all!
Too much going on in the song I think. On a long enough timeline she'd have to mention both but, horn's and vocals alone are what she was drawn to.
That infectious smile of hers, the giggling always makes me happier than before I was during those moments so , I can easily forgive her 🤣
See ya around man ✌️❤️🎸🎶🙏
when terry died imho Chicago lost their soul, saw they for the last time in concert about 30 years ago and I was not inspired at all by the concert unlike before
This was the funnest song to just blast out during pep band. Good times. :)
Like Earth, Wind and Fire, Chicago's horn section were members of the band and not hired sidemen. This early material features Chicago as an American counterpart to the English prog rock sound. Even this guitarist sounds like a parallel to Steve Howe.
@@markldavis1I agree 💯 Terry WAS Chicago in my mind
Chicago was at its best when the late great Terry Kath was still alive and playing lead guitar. In my opinion, that never quite sounded as good after his tragic passing. He was known as one of the great guitarists. Their live version of this song at Tanglewood is worth a watch to see the whole band in action, but with Terry Kath on a great solo.
Also, early Chicago is just like discovering a lost continent full of music.
She needs to listen to the version from Tanglewood. Flat out the greatest guitar solo in history, IMHO.
ruclips.net/video/7uAUoz7jimg/видео.html, One of the best shows..
Absolutely from Tanglewood. Terry was on FIRE !
Yes Tanglewood Terry at his best
Terry was Jimi Hendrix's favorite guitarist at the time. Glad to see this amazing record/song getting it's due after many years. This record was formative for me musically.
Hearing this for the first time? Imagine growing up with this music, learning to play a saxophone then joining a cover band a playing these songs for decades and never getting tired of playing them.
So awesome, Craig! Dang, I remember as a junior in highschool, hearing three new songs on my car radio, all within a few weeks of one another, it seems, and not realizing that they were all being done by the same band! They were "Make Me Smile", "25 or 6 to 4", and "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" Then I realized each song featured a different lead vocalist! Chicago!!!!!
Now that you’ve heard and appreciate this song, you must listen to “Saturday in the Park”. It epitomizes all that was great with early Chicago, the horns. A must!
Totally agree
And this time a live version is best! Plus a bonus with "Does Anybody Know What Time It Is?" ruclips.net/video/Cab_XlnJZjc/видео.html
@@jasonmaceyko1902AGREED... you stole my thunder!👍😊🎵🎶🎵🎶
I cheerfully agree that "Saturday in the Park" is four minutes of feel-good fun, but it's probably not quite the extraordinary tour-de-force of "25 or 6 To 4".
Saturday’s lead vocals are Lamb and Cetera.
25 or 6 To 4 is the perfect introduction to Chicago because the song captures the groups' essence in every inch of the song's structure.
The perfect introduction to Chicago is Introduction. 25 or 6 to 4 comes in a close second though.
Their best song.
I mean, this is kinda true, but Chicago was two bands, right? The 70s jazzy, prog-y, horn-flecked ensemble, and the 80s Peter Cetera pop machine. No one song is gonna capture both sides of this band.
@@danielleyton596 Early Chicago was the best.
Wait Peter Cetera was the original Kanye?!
I gotta say, one of the best parts of my day is watching Elizabeth get all giddy about some new music. Her happiness is seriously contagious. Thanks for the good feel, Elizabeth!
Opera involves acting as well as singing. Elizabeth's a great actress, and gives her viewers what they want.
I so agree!!! She’s often the best part of my day & I’ve learned so much from her.
While I understand that applies to new music, this song is almost 50 years old! How can she have never heard this song before?
@@davidbreuning1333 This channel is a contrived work of fiction. If you can accept that, it's enjoyable.
It cracks me up cuz it's music I've loved for forever!!!! Get from under that Taylor swift rock and experience real music with real musicians!!!!
There is nothing more satisfying than Elizabeth finally getting to the part you REALLY want her to hear! And then her face 😂❤YES!
Terry Kath's Solo went to a Wah-wah pedal, similar to Gary Richrath with "Golden Country"
Jim Pankow (trombone) wrote most of the horn arrangements for the band. As a trombone player when I was younger, he was a musical hero... A trombone palyer in a rock band??? Heck yeah!!!
Met Panko after a concert and Lamm and told him we were not worthy of Kath a tear went down his eyes I apologize told him i meant that as respect he said" so is my tear " Kath devastated this band Like Bonham did to Zeppelin " Alive Again " in 78 was a tribute to Kath but unfortunately the 80's changed
The band to a lot of Synthesizers and Robert Lamm has a great Voice as well she will have a blast with Chicago as she has with ELO the 70's was the epicenter of beyond rock it was all music!! Soft hard disco R&B I'm only said that she was to young to have experienced the whole deal i would like her to revisit Jethro Tull " thick as a brick" 77 live london same deal totally better and his voice has no nasality to it as his albums all were the 2 videos she watched were actually in 82 he went through vocal issues but still did albums great!
Trummy Young, Jack Teagarden, Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, Jim Pankow ... all so influential in the sounds of their time, and yet ask someone to name a trombone player!
Same for me. I majored in low brass (Euphonium for classical, trombone for jazz) and my trombone teacher, who was lead for the Army Blues, named Pankow as his greatest influence so the two of us would both geek out over how amazing Chicago was. Such a piercing laser tone that is so counter to how most are taught to play...but in the right setting is amazing to have that tone in your hip pocket to pull out.
Think he was credited as James Pankow. I played in big-bands thru college, & beyond; love horns!
As a sax player, this was the music I wanted to play. But I gave up band for football and baseball. Boy did I screw up! 😂
Not to take away from Cetera's voice, but his incredible bass lines/progressions were the perfect complement to Kath's manic lead guitar riffs & leads. Fantastic stuff!
Yes! Peter Cetera was a fantastic bass player! I’m glad you mentioned this.
In Tanglewood Kath is prominent on vocals she will have a treat!
Absolutely right! Cetera was a monster technical bass player.
Elizabeth's unabashed glee in discovering new music is a joy to behold. She is simply delightful in addition to being so musically knowledgeable and insightful. I learn something about music from every one of her videos.
The look on her face when the song is stopping is equally as cute.
very insightful her comments. Helps me appreciate the song more.
AMEN!!!!
Well said!! Makes me smile ear to ear every time I listen to her analysis. She is just so pleasant as well (all around).. and I love that kind of sideways smile..
I love watching her reactions the first time she hears a band - like the brass in Chicago, which was a part of their sound. Watching and listening to her while she is watching and listening to music that I grew up with is such a positive and enjoyable experience.
At 62, I’ve been a CHICAGO Fan since this song came out in 1970! Terry Kath was THE BEST Lead Guitarist EVER.🇺🇸
And such a senseless, accidental death. RIP Terry.
Same age here. This is "THE Song" that delivered rock and roll to my young self. Never looked back. This is still one of, if not, the best songs ever written and performed. Terry just shreds on guitar.
"if you leave me now" has haunted me for decades! Awesome band.
No less a guitar genius than Jimi Hendrix admitted Kath was the best.
I've always loved Page because of Zeppelin. Hendrix because, hey its Hendrix. But Kath leaves me speechless, emotional and there's soooo much feeling in his playing
Chicago (original band name was Chicago Transit Authority) was one of two that innovated rock music with horn sections/arrangements; the other was Blood, Sweat & Tears. Chicago had the longer career as a band, but BS&T's music is well worth listening to, also, especially under vocalist David Clayton-Thomas.
Even though there were other horn bands (agreed Chicago and BS&T were the most successful) that were also putting out horn based rock music at the same time as Chicago circa late 69 to early 70s. Arguably both bands blazed the trail and opened the door. (Chase with "Get It On", Canadian Band Lighthouse with "One Fine Morning" Tower of Power with "What Is Hip" and Cold Blood with cuts like "Down To The Bone" as examples) ruclips.net/video/64ylNXAt-1Q/видео.html
ruclips.net/video/pvVN_KRriTM/видео.html
I must agree with you, not only because I agree with all pirates, but because BS&T are amazing.
Came here to mention BS&T. You said it better than I would've.
@@samtheman1957 You beat me to it. Tower of Power is right up there. While I enjoy "What is Hip?", my favorite is "So Very Hard to Go".
Terry Kath's guitar work could be described best as controlled chaos. Absolute musical genius and one of Jimi Hendrix's favorite guitarists.
Additionally Hendrix said their horn section played as if they had one set of lungs.
I’ve read that Jimi was asked what it was like to be the greatest guitarist in the world. His response, “you’ll have to ask Terry Kath.”
@@Gdisele One really, really large and capable set of lungs!
Another controlled chaos guitar song is Steely Dan's Showbiz Kids. Rick Derringer sounds like he's loosing his mind playing in a psychotic frenzy throughout the song. But it fits within the framework.
@tessmage_tessera You gonna find the same quote of Hendrix for different guitarists, from Terry Kath, to Rory Gallagher, to Billy Gibbons. In fact, I don't think he ever said something like that, though he probably mentioned Billy Gibbons and Terry Kath as guitarists that he enjoyed listening to.
After this you need to react to songs featuring Chicago's other two main vocalists! I recommend "Make Me Smile" (Terry Kath) "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is (Robert Lamm), and "Saturday in the Park" (Lamm, with Cetera joining on the chorus)
Totally agree! Musicianship aside, to have this collection of vocalists who all do lead is unfair. Although I love the clarity of the studio versions, Charismatic Voice should also see the live Tanglewood videos, as well, because you know how she loves to comment on their mouth movements
The guy that sings Make me smile reminds me of Fred Turner from BTO. Great vocals
This is a fantastic suggestion 👏
Beginnings, my favorite Chicago song. (Needs more cowbell.)
Can't forget "Color My World." Terry Kath did amazing vocals on that one.
You are SO adorable! I love watching your thrill over music I grew up with: Chicago, ELO, Fleetwood Mac, Heart. I got an artist soul (music skills missed me 😂) so have a lot to learn about music-it’s a joy using my formative music as the study materials. Thank you!
As a trombonist, I have played "25 or 6 to 4" sooo many times, and I never get sick of it. How can you with a horn part like THAT?!? There was a whole subgenre of late 60s and 70s bands of jazz-rock with horn sections: Chicago, Earth Wind & Fire, Blood Sweat & Tears, Tower of Power, Sons of Champlin, and others. Basically, people who grew up with their parents listening to Glenn Miller and Duke Ellington, and they wanted to recapture that sound from their childhood, blending a brassy sound with rock. A powerhouse horn player of the time, Mic Gillette, was the son of a trombonist for Tommy Dorsey, so you hearing that big band element in the sound is spot on. I've been lucky enough to know and even befriend brass players from these bands, including Mic (RIP horn daddy, you're the reason I still use a Marcinkiewicz mouthpiece). They are some of the best musicians I have ever met of any genre.
Sadly, these weren't bands my parents liked, so I didn't grow up listening to them, but my husband's parents were HUGE fans of Chicago, ELO, EW&F, and others, and before Covid I was in a band and getting private lessons from a guy who had played in Sons of Champlin. (Bill Champlin was the singer for Chicago from 1981-2009. All of these bands were close knit, and players crossed over all the time.) As my musical journey shifted away from orchestra and into playing with jazz-rock and fusion bands, these are the sorts of songs I now love to perform the most, with such clever play between horn and guitars, not just background coloring, but as a main feature. I mean... that trombone slide in "25 or 6 to 4" is ICONIC!
Fellow trombonists unite! Everyone knows James Pankow even if they don't realize it! I'll have to check out Sons of Champlin; hadn't heard of them before. And if you can find a recording of Watrous with Ten Wheel Drive, let me know :-)
Bill Champlin is still making music, I believe. And his sister Sally is, or at least was, involved in theater production in L. A. and has a social presence on Facebook.
Fellow trombonist here. Used to play a lot of their songs in stage band when I was in high school. Man some of the trombone links laid down in their music is insane. Still listen to them to thus day.
Fun Fact: Earth Wind and Fire got their break doing the score to Melvin Van Peebles' (father of Mario) film Sweet Sweetback's Badasss Song a crazy independent film that kicked off the Blaxsploitation genre as imitators sought to cash in on the underserved urban black audience. I think Melvin's cheque to the band bounced.
I play Trombone too. This song is only second to Al Jarreau - Back and Blues
Chicago's hook was their brass section. It made them stand out and their music unique.
"Make Me Smile" was another up-tempo hit.
A beautiful song!
The brass section was not really a "hook". Walt Parazaider envisioned this band not as a rock band with horns, but as a horn band that played rock.
Make Me Smile is my personal favorite 😍
🇨🇦 I sympathise with you upon hearing this band for the first time, but now can you imagine us hearing it for the first time in 1970 ?? We changed the world with music and bands like this !
1970,, 2023 is 53 years
I think it's really cool how you expand your music gaunre. I learned that from my Dad. Chicago was the band that got me into bands with horn sections. I dont know your age but look young and find it crazy you have never listened to Chicago. You started out with a great song.
The "power horn section" was a hallmark of so many great bands from the early 70s. Usually consisted of a couple of trumpets, a trombone, and at least one, usually two saxophones. It carried through into the 80s, even, with bands like Huey Lewis and the News, that emulated that older classic rock style.
Chicago was one of each, trumpet, tenor sax, trombone
Blood, Sweat and Tears was similar with a more jazz sound.
The ending of Chicago's, "Make Me Smile" lets you hear one of the hardest things a wind player or singer can do - crescendo over a very long, sustained note. The baroque horns going into that are pretty great, too. Went to see them and Earth, Wind and Fire a couple years ago; one of the best shows ever!
You are so right
Having grown up with Chicago, arguably one of the most groundbreaking bands of the era, it's hard to believe there are people who haven't heard them before.
The riff/solo is even more famous than the song.
@@hugojack2005And I've heard that riff from Led Zeppelin..I don't know know who did it first.
I gotta agree with you...
Search for Leonid & Friends. A re-birth of the original Chicago. You'll find yourself liking them better than the originals.
Same, I'm only 42, didn't think I was that old - this song has been ingrained in me since I was like, 5, with all the play it used to get on the radio.
Three lead singers in this band.
Sometimes they sang a song by themselves, sometimes they'd each take a part.
All three of them were great, and very distinct from each other.
RIP Terry Kath.
Also, "Saturday in the Park" is one of those with multiple lead singers, and it's an amazing song.
@@johncrafton8319 You're right guys. Chicago was really good with the "call and response" approach on certain tunes!
As a saxophone player, I got to play this song a lot. And it was the one song I never got tired of playing. Still a fave to this day!
Yeah, it brings back memories. This song was a staple back in the '70s with HS and college bands everywhere. I played solo bari sax in stage and athletic bands and had to carry the bass part of this song by myself. Fun song and I still like it in spite of having to play it so many times, but the bass part was (is) incredibly repetitive and took so much wind to play with almost no break, and being solo bari as opposed to one of several altos and tenors there was no place for me to hide or drop out for a quick breath. It required a lot of breath discipline. That was true for several songs out of our repertoire back then though, such as Wiggy, Peter Gunn, and Theme from Shaft.
My HS band played this. It was seriously my favorite piece. Which was crazy, I normally played bass clarinet, and that baseline is annoyingly repetitive. However, my perpetually drunk band instructor somehow dug up a contra bass clarinet, and picked me to play it for this song. Because SURE, let's pick the 85lb, 4'10" girl to play contra bass for 25 or 6 to 4. I did it, but it probably stunted my growth in the process. Haha. Still love this song, even if all I hear is bass half the time.
Chicago and bands like Lighthouse were a boon in high school. They were common musical ground and a place of compromise between high school band teachers saying "classical only" and the students wanting to play rock music. They made band class fun.
Trombonist Jimmy Pankow scored the horn arrangements as a 4th lead voice of the band juxtaposed to the three lead singers. His arrangements gave Chicago its unique character in addition to all the seven musicians and their screaming talents.
Jimmy Pankow was a great songwriter. The entire "Ballet for a Girl In Buchannon" suite he wrote, and it's brilliant.
Yes, according to drummer Danny Seraphine it was saxophonist Walt Parazaider who introduced the idea of forming a band where the horns were a leading voice, not merely playing supportive riffs, which at the time was the thing to do in all the soul tunes the lads were playing. Pankow developed a vision of how to do that and it was him who has since written all those clever charts.
What I enjoy about this reaction is that the horns are noted for their nuances as well as their collective power and overall effect. There is much brilliance still to be discovered within this tune and so much of Chacago's music.
Three great lead singers, fabulous writing, unbelievable musicians and that amazing horn section. Nothing beats early jazzy Chicago with Terry Kath.
I 1000th recommend the Tanglewood live version. Terry Kath was so underrated. So many great songs, Make Me Smile and Does Anyone Really Know What Time It Is have great horn sections. Also Just You and Me! There is a great documentary that Terry Kath’s daughter did about him and the band’s origins.
I watched the documentary. It was great.
One more, Beginnings with a 3 minute killer finish! Lots of horns
Where can I find the doc?
I highly recommend that docu as well!
@@BC-ui9yt its called The Terry Kath Experience, its free on a few streaming services
When you listen to Terry Kath you're listening to one of the best rock guitarists of that time. Chicago played a show where they opened for Jimi Hendrix and after the show Hendrix came backstage and told the other members of Chicago that Terry was a better guitar player than he was. High praise, indeed. They later became friends and would jam together when their respective schedules allowed. Jimi even talked to Terry about the possibility of forming a band together, but then Jimi passed. A band with those two playing guitar would have really been something to see.
chris I had heard that Hendrix was thinking of joining Chicago?... Hendrix and Kath in the same band??? ABSOLUTELY insane!!!
1968 L.A. Whiskey a Go Go. Chicago was playing when Jimi came in and listened. He approached a horn player and said, "who is that guy, he's better than me!" Later they became good friends and discussed them opening for Jimi on the road. Unfortunately, Hendrix died shortly there after.
I saw Chicago open for Hendrix in Indianapolis when their first album came out. Blown away.
Now I'm gonna be waiting for more Chicago reactions. The four-headed monster: 3 lead singers who also played bass, guitars and keyboards, plus the "lung" (horn section), had an amazing run of 10 records (plus several live recordings too). Every member was a virtuoso musician, with great team composing among everyone. Truly a unique band.
You may need to adjust your count. Their number of studio recording stretch at least into the mid 20's.
@@patrickhenry4675 Didnt Terry Kath died just after releasing Chicago XI? That'd be 9 studio, plus the Chicago IX "greatest hits" and Chicago IV "At Carnegie Hall"
My dad was a classically trained bass player who listened to the debut album so much as a kid that he eventually wore it out. My oldest brother was also an incredibly talented musician and the last time I saw him we were in the car singing through the first album together. Both have since passed so I think of them both whenever I hear Chicago. Brings back so many fond memories.
Also missed in this is Peter Cetera's killer bass playing. I hate the word "underrated" but it definitely applies to Peter Cetera's skills as a bass player....
@@heathercollins4432 incredible bass player, absolutely!
Amazing bass player
James Pankow was the band's trombonist and horn arranger. His influence on the band's sound is enormous.
James Pankow was also the primary song writer on most of the early stuff
James Pankow is still there - visions of Monty Python's "I'm not dead yet!".
We enjoyed Chicago (again) a few weeks ago. They're on tour now - go experience his amazing playing with Lee Loughnane (original trumpet) and the current crew too. Robert Lamm, another of the original members, is also touring.
Some older bands on tour are essentially cover bands of themselves. Not Chicago. They are still making music and rocking hard for more than half a century on tour.
That's right, they have been touring for longer than most of us have been alive.
James Pankow is the reason I play the Trombone.
His solo in "Beginnings" showed me the Trombone can be and is a cool instrument to play!
I am so amazed that you chose this particular song to do today. This song played in my sophomore year on the field with the marching band. I played bass, my best friend, played guitar, and the drum line backed us up. I was not more proud in my life and anything better than I had done at that point. To see you give this a thumbs up turns my world up!
Jimi Hendrix was once asked in an interview what it's like being the best guitar player in the world, he said I'm not the best guitar player in the world. The interviewer then asked "If you're not the bestthen who is?" Hendrix replied "It's not a competition, but when I heard Terry Kaths solo on 25 or 6 to 4 it's scared me so much I almost quit player guitar." Terry Kath is extremely under rated. Also just fyi this song is about staying up all night writing music and they looked up at the clock and it was either 25 or 26 minutes till 4 am. Another great Chicago song to check out is Feeling stronger Everyday.
Jimmi said that about a lot of guitarist, he was a very humble man who loved a lot of his peers.
I thought it was about staying up doing cocaine...
@@wardsdotnet that may have been involved also lol but there's a documentary about Terry Kath that they say that's how the song came to be
"should I try to do some more?"
@@wardsdotnet according to the band they were talking about doing some more song writing
Next on the docket from Chicago has to be "Make Me Smile / Now More Than Ever". It is an amazing song that shows Terry Kath on lead vocals and the tightness of the band on a whole new level.
Good call.
Actually, she needs to find a live version of Ballet for a Girl from Buchannon.
Especially the full length version. The radio cut just removes too much of a great song.
@@jackarmstrong1838 live at Carnegie hall
Make Me Smile is a stone cold vocal performance classic for the ages from Terry Kath.
One of the greatest bands ever! Brilliant at every position but still a mainstream band. I had the honor to mix the drummer about 10 years ago when he played a big charity event at a very high end country club with an all star audience and the dude was NEXT LEVEL when he soloed. They are one of the top 10 bands I've ever heard in terms of talent, versatility, staying power, and songwriting. Awesome choice!
You can tell when she’s loving it - watch her blink speed. Amazing artists and appreciation!!!
MAKE ME SMILE!!!!! With the late, great Terry Kath on lead vocals and lead guitar, PLEASE!!! I hear Cetera with my ears and head, but I feel Terry with my body and soul. Please make sure you listen to the longer version with the guitar solo rather than the radio edit. It’s such a musical powerhouse of a song. ✌🏼🙏🏼
Rather than the single, listen to the entire "Ballet for a Girl in Buchanon"
Chicago came out of the late '60s. They were originally called "The Chicago Transit Authority". But after their first album they shortened it to just "Chicago". Great band with a huge catalog and a larger number of hits. You can really delve deep into this band.
They shortened it to Chicago after the actual Chicago Transit Authority served them a cease and desist letter, pretty short sighted if you ask me, they should have asked them to write a jingle.
With all their hits, they definitely are a deep dive worth taking!
@@Wungolioth They CTA never would have won the lawsuit because they're a governmental organization so
they don't own the rights to that name. But I think just being Chicago actually benefited them for the long run.
But I think this is their best song.
@@thomasm9552 Fair, but my point is that was what they were reacting to, and I think their motivation was probably the notion that "you can't fight city hall", but I do agree, Chicago probably worked out better for their brand.
"Chicago" was the background of my teenage life... yes, I'm old and retired and reliving those fabulous days! Still 16 in my head. 👍
Isn't it weird being the same age as old people?
I'm over 50 and this song came out just before I was born. I was listening to their stuff, and singing it, in high school. I still love the music, and so many of the memories of my life are tied to their songs. Great music has a way of enduring.
@@kat021171 100% agree! 👍
Aren't we all, LoL. ❤️❤️❤️
@@CorpseBride64 Absolutely! 😉
I absolutely love watching these videos. I learn SOOOO much!! I've listened to Chicago for over 50 years, and your insights added to my understanding and enjoyment of the music. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge of and joy for music. :)
The Horn section from this band is legendary. In the 70's, 80's and 90's, if you heard horns in a rock bands song, it was probably these guys.
Tower if power had a legendary horn section also.
All Graduates of DePaul University in Lincoln Park. My Middle Son Graduated there in 2013.
@@gaetanoschristmaschannel - I came here to say this....👍
Lots of 70s bands had horn sections and some 80s bands. They used EVERYTHING in the 70s. Blood, Sweat and Tears was just as big on horns
I absolutely love your passion for music! I don't normally tell folks this, but I used to work for several Boston-based bands. Aerosmith, J. Geils Band, the Cars, Duke & The Drivers, and of course, Boston (the band). But when I stopped to check this out, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Your passion for music is as unmatched as I've ever seen before! This reminds me of the old days sitting in the studio with Boston watching Brad Delp sing his parts. The entire process was pure joy to him. He'd smile like a kid on Christmas day. He loved music that much!!! I just saw his face in yours. What I mean to say is that you just showed me the passion that I haven't seen in years. Thank you for your musical passion. I feel we've lost so much of it in the last 30 years or so. By the way, I noticed as you were commenting on Peter Cetera's voice, you mistakenly referred to him as "Peter Sellers!" Seriously. I thought it was great. You were so into what you were saying that it just flew on by. You never noticed it. Yes, you were most definitely into engaged with your viewers. Again, thank you for a most enjoyably time.
I noticed the name slip as well. Imagine this. Peter Cetera in his best Clouseau voice saying, "Thautz naut ma name."
@@axeman03 hahaha! I just saw him saying that!
That's what makes this channel for me. Seeing these things that I'm honestly jaded about through the eyes of somebody who hasn't experienced them before. It reinvigorates an awe that has long flown by that really should still be there. A reminder that we've been immersed in wonders and not giving the proper notice.
Make Me Smile is a great song featuring Terry Kath singing. To me, Terry had a very Ray Charles quality to his voice. So much soul. Live in Tanglewood 1970 is a great concert if you want to see these masterpieces live.
I encourage you to listen to the entire “Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon.” Chicago had no ‘lead singer.’ Kath, Lamm, and Cetera shared that duty.
It is so much fun watching someone discover how incredible this band has been and still producing great music. But just listen!
In Chicago's early days in the late '60s through the '70s, Chicago was very experimental, and they performed a number of suites. Their record company at the time, Columbia, cut up some of those suites to release singles. Their hits "Make Me Smile" and "Colour My World" were extracted from a seven-movement suite on their eponymous second album. That suite entitled "Ballet For A Girl In Buchannon", is best experienced in one continuous play rather than listening to the hits by themselves. The single release of "Make Me Smile" features the suite's opening track of that name and appended to it is the suite's closing track "Now More Than Ever", which is a reprise of "Make Me Smile".
The suite running time is 12:55, you will hear Terry Kath sing lead on three movements (MMS, CMW, NMTE) and Robert Lamm sing lead on the second movement "So Much To Give, So Much To Say". I feel you will thoroughly enjoy the suite not only for their vocals but for their musicianship. Early Chicago is NOT THE SAME as their heavy pop/ballad post-Kath era with tenor Peter Cetera heavily influencing their direction to soft stuff and away from their progressive jazz/rock/blues founding.
Historical note: When they were performing as "The Chicago Transit Authority", they were playing at the Whiskey A Go Go in LA. In the audience was the legendary Jimi Hendrix. Jimi went to their dressing room as they were coming out to do their second set, grabbed their sax player Walt Parazaider and told the band "You guys have a horn section that sounds like one set of lungs and a guitar player that's better than ME! You wanna go on the road?" They said yeah and became Jimi's opening act on a tour of stadiums and arenas that gave them the exposure for their success as a headline act.
I saw CHicago last year and they now do the Buchannon suite in its entirety. The horn run Chicago now.
0:47 You know you have a kickass horn section when the vocals analyst pauses the video before anyone starts singing. Absolute banger.
Chicago was (and is) one of the great brass/rock bands. They were all over the airwaves for years after they came out, and they always sound fantastic. Great writing, great instrumentals, solid vocals and harmonies.
Awesome song, but I predict several dozen people suggesting that you should have gone with the 1970 Tanglewood live version instead. I mean, they're not wrong...
It's great , too bad audio is not the greatest
Well, in my case you “postdicted” it. Pretty close, though.
The Tanglewood performance stands out for seeing Terry Kath absolutely manhandle that Strat. Nothing short of jaw dropping.
I didn't recommend that song because their equipment wasn't ready, the sound mix was waaaay off, and you can't tell that behind the screwy audio there's a great performance. This is one of the few times I think the studio serves better.
Bad Audio??? What are you guys talking about? What I heard was great audio and it is interesting seeing Terry on his guitar while they are fixing the cymbal.
Check out their haunting tune 'Wishing You Were Here.' Terry Kath on lead vocals, Peter Cetera comes in on the bridge section, and The Beach Boys help out on the harmonies. Gorgeous tune.
Oh Yes ! Absolutely love "Wishing You Were Here" !!!
Wailing guitar songs like a black cat. The song gives he Halloween vibes.
❤
The 70s were a very optimistic time in US history. Much of the popular music was upbeat...through the 80s.
Yes one of my favorites. Their musicianship is unmatched.
Everyone should watch their live version recorded at the Tanglewood concert. It really shows you how great the whole band is!
They have a trio of amazing vocalists. Terry's voice was outstanding
Masterful band at the hand of the man Terry Kath. You git my 64 year old energy of tge hiooies of tge 1970s
Not just another rock & roll band, Chicago was special!
I'm 56. Chicago is one of my fav bands who I've seen sooo many times! Growing up, I never liked older Chicago songs bc of the horns. Then one day it clicked and made sense. They're ALL so incredibly talented and Terry Kath's playing/singing added such a different layer to Peter Cetera's parts. Lizzie- you should see Leonid & Friends (amazing Chicago tribute band)! They're from Russia, but tour the U.S. often. It's the closest you'll get to the live Tanglewood sound of Chicago's glory days!
This has been my favorite Chicago song since the 70's. They have so many fantastic songs, they are definitely worth a deep dive.
Still one of my favorite guitar solos, even after all the years of Eddie Van Halen, Uli Roth, Yngwie, Glenn Tipton and KK Downing...
Completely agree! The other one that I love is from the extended version of Make Me Smile. Kath was such a gifted musician, singer and writer
You should check out the version of this song live at Tanglewood. The whole concert is great but the solo in the performance of this song is just spectacular.
An all time great rock and roll song. Actually my favorite.
The horns, the voice, the guitar, the bass....all of it is fabulous. Never get tired of this song. Perfect song. Crank it up.
This album came out in 1970, and as a band kid in high school at the time, it was a revelation to me. Before then all the rock bands were what you have come to expect -- guitar, bass, drums and lead vocal. Chicago showed that a rock band could be so much more.
They had three great singers on this record and when asked what it was like to be the best guitarist in the world, Jimmy Hendrix said go ask Terry Kath.The solo in the Tanglewood clip is insane.
Yes!!
Yes, the Tanglewood version is absolutely fab! And Jimi noticed Terry's talent indeed! RIP for both superb guitarists.
I'm a huge Chicago fan and fan of Terry Kath. I've heard different versions of different musicians what it's like to be the best and they defer to someone else. I'm not buying the Hendrix story since I've heard similar stories with different parties. This album came out in '70, Jimi died 7 mos. after it was released. Which makes it more unlikely.
Actually, when asked by Dick Cavett what it was like to be the best guitarist in the world, he said to ask Rory Gallagher.
The "go ask" line has been said about every person's favorite guitarist ever. Urban legend.
Three different lead singers, multiple songwriters but Terry Kath truly was the band leader. After his passing, the band was never the same. Took three guitarists to attempt to replace him.
Jimi Hendrix used to talk aboth Terry Kath as a guitarist....
indeed. Hendrix was one of Kath's biggest fans
Terry Kath will always be a legend!♥️
"Do we have a horn section,?" That floored me.
😂😂😂 y e s!!!
Ever since he broke his jaw, Peter Cetera continued to sing in this way (with a tight jaw) for the rest of his career. It’s amazing how he managed to produce such a unique and full voice like that.
I noticed that in the music video for Hard to Say I'm Sorry. I never knew it was because he'd had a broken jaw.
It's astonishing. I sing and play lead guitar in a band. I can only hit high notes like Peter does with my mouth wide open.
@@Dragonblaster1 He's one of a kind for sure.
@@jringo45acp⁷EXTRAORDINARY !!!
Man, those horns are freaking TIGHT!!!!
This group was the leader of bringing jazz musician chops to rock/pop listener sensibilities - and radio play victories. Their first 3 albums are astounding & innovative. For me , it was as a sensitive 15 , 16 yr old when they were in their non-commercial heyday.
If I can recommend another Chicago song with Peter singing again, I would pick “Feelin’ Stronger Every Day”. That’s another song that has an uplifting feeling, especially the end.
Yes! My favorite “get up and get back in the fight” song!
The drumming in that song is mind blowing! The entire song is great! When I want to feel uplifted, "Feelin' Stronger Everyday" is my go to.
I like Wishing you were here for vocals. You have Terry singing the verses, The beach boys singing the chorus and backup and Peter sings the bridge. Peter wrote the song but quickly realized that particular song was better suited for Terry's lower vical range.
The version from Chicago in the Rockies is great. It also kinda shows how Cetera doesn't use much jaw movement in his singing.
Watching you listen to this is just amazing! James Pankow, the trombonist is an amazing horn arranger. For a trombone, trumpet, and tenor sax, the section sounds so much bigger than it actually is!
The utter joy you have when listening to the music and vocals of a song is wonderful.
This is fascinating! It’s almost like watching a baby or toddler taste ice cream for the first time. I’ve heard this song live dozens of times and thousands of other times. Seeing how you appreciate the nuances is awesome.
How do you like the songs from the 60s? 70s and 80s. That is why the baby boomers don't want to lose that time. We got so much to go on.
Oooh yess.
I think I discovered my Walkman in 1985 walking home from HS. I always listed to the local FM rock channel, and one day I heard this song. I immediately knew this was a band that had special talent . WAAYY more than the others.
@@Harley492you put the nail on a hammer in that moment
The chord progression throughout the song is Am, Am7(Gbass), Am6(F# bass), F, E; bridge is F, F, C, C, G, G, F, F, then back to the Am descending. The ending-just to blow your mind-is Dm, C, Bm, Bb, Am, but with the horns ending on a B MAJOR Triad. Loved your expression upon hearing that. (FWIW, I played bass in a "Chicago/Blood Sweat & Tears" cover band in the early 70s).
I was the percussionist in our high school band when I was in grade ten...a long time ago. We played this song. Great tune.
You know what I love about your review(s) is your ability to disect a song, everything from the vocals, the instruments, the beat count and how you appreciate the brilliance of music, the singing and all that constructs a complete song. Your explanations of each segment that you freeze gives us something that we might not necessarily be cognizant of. Keep up the good work and keep on digging up these classic tunes. Cheers!
Chicago at this point in time was at the height of their powers. Multiple singers and incredible instrumentation. The backstory is that he (Robert Lamm the keyboard player) was up at 3:34am-3:35am (25 or 26 minutes to 4am) trying to write a song, but was struggling with it. So, he basically went with the Smoke On The Water route and wrote a song about writing a song.
This was an exceptional song, Guitar and vocals , Raw and loud... alot of us grew up with this, it was magic then and STILL Magic ... sometimes, a song just knocks it out of the park for a homerun ! This is just one of those that are beyond ...
I have to say, your reaction to this song is priceless. Just to watch your surprised expressions and astonishment as this masterpiece progressed was so rewarding to
me. Keep up the great work!!!
My girlfriend convinced me to see Chicago at the Cumberland county civic center in the late 80's. I was a metal head so my expectations were low, especially with assigned seating on the floor. Blown away would be an understatement. The level of talent and perfect live performance along with absolutely amazing extended solos from all the members puts Chicago as one of the best concerts I've ever seen.
I'm sure there will, as always, be lots of comments from purists saying you need to listen to the "best" version of this song. For me, though, the fact you have done ELO and Chicago on back-to-back days makes me very happy. I was 12 years old when this song came out and, with the rest of Chicago's music, it formed a big part of the soundtrack to my teen years.
I have to agree, Norman!
This one came out in the year before I was born. I grew up knowing a lot of their music, but 16 was the first album I really remember, and "Hard To Say I'm Sorry" has been a favorite since it was hot. My 9th grade chorus performed "You're the Inspiration", which only made me love Chicago more. And a couple of years later, I borrowed friend's songbook for 18 so that I could learn the words for all of the songs. Honestly, one of my favorite bands, and probably my favorite that isn't a New Wave group. And so unique with the horns!
And the thing is there is no such thing as "the best version" of ANY song. The so called "best version" is very subjective to each and every listener.
Using an example of two of my favorite songs from Nightwish, Amaranth and I Wish I Had An Angel. While I am a Floor fan for life and really like her versions, to me the "best versions" of those two songe belong to Annette for Amaranth and Tarja for I Wish I Had An Angel where as others will feel the best version is Floor's.
BTW, you mentioned Cetera's rhythmic feel. In case no one else has mentioned it, it's probably not just coincidental that he was first and foremost (back then) a member of the rhythm section. He was the bass player!
And a great bass player he was.
Please do Make Me Smile by Chicago with the other singer and lead guitarist, Terry Kath (r.i.p.). He was an amazing talent and his singing and soloing in that song is legendary. The emotion is unreal. Thank you for doing these videos and I'm glad an ELO fan finally got around to Chicago. PS> Yes, the horns are, always have been and always will be central to Chicago.
Chicago is Rock and Roll, but the horns are their soul
Terry Kath 😢 RIP, they are the pride of the great city Chicago
You'd love their song "Beginnings". These guys were all dripping with talent.
Absolutely.
I think the best way to hear Terry Kath and "Make Me Smile" is to hear it within the whole "Ballet For a Girl In Buchannon" which also includes Terry's soulful vocals in "Colour My World".
Back in the carefree 1970's there was this little rock club in Richmond VA we used to go to after work, to relax and enjoy the music. One night we walked in just as the DJ said "Ladies and Gentlemen, Chicago." My brother and I looked at each other in disbelief - sure enough here was Chicago playing to maybe 100 people total. They were doing a concert gig in Richmond, and they used the club to run through their entire concert to check for problems - there weren't any I could hear. So I got to hear one of the truly great bands, up close and personal, and for free. WOW.
What glorious luck. I couldn't believe my glorious luck when a friend and I were seated in the last row all the way to the left watching Edgar Frose with Tangerine Dream in the basement of a row home in center city Philadelphia. My God! It's like having this phenomenal band playing in your living room!
Well, I can only hope you’ll be reacting to the 1970 live at Tanglewood version. Usually I prefer reactions to original studio versions, but the Tanglewood 25 or 6 to 4 contains one of the top ten all-time guitar solos.
I know you’re doing vocal analysis, but you still deserve to hear that guitar solo. RIP Terry Kath.
It's great , too bad audio is not the greatest
Kath's vocals is a must hear all the same...
Kath had monster chops and taste on top of it all, especially live as far as I know he was always in the zone when he played. Is no wonder Jimi was enthralled with his playing, I wish and wonder if there was ever a decent capture of Poem 58.
@@metalmark1214 not bad really, for a live recording from 1970 in an outdoor venue!
@@stvbrsn Yeah, but nearly as good as a HQ recording. Moot point anyway, Elizabeth has made the recording and that's what you'll get.
@@metalmark1214 You must have gotten a bad version of that concert because I don't know what you are talking about.
The band had two main writers - Robert Lamm (who wrote this song) on keyboards and James Pankow who played trombone and generally did all the brass arrangements. Terry Kath (the original guitarist) also wrote quite a few songs in the early days and Peter Cetera wrote a few. The three lead singers (Cetera, Kath, and Lamm) all had very different vocal sounds.
Just hearing the greatest rock guitarist shred what’s considered the best rock guitar solo ever and one of the most prolific American bands over the last 50 years for the first time? Wow! Now you can look forward to listening to dozens of brilliantly constructed jazz rock songs for years to come.
That was the best and most honest song review I have seen on youtube...your facial expressions on the dissonance in the chording at the end was priceless...excellent job :)
I lived near the city of Chicago when this song came out long ago, and it floored me. The force, the steady beat, the fantastic guitar solo - it felt like a ride on the trains there, and I have never forgotten that vital spirit of the whole piece. There is nothing like it.
Elizabeth, you should really do your next Chicago review with Terry Kath on vocals. "Make Me Smile" shows off the power in his voice. Give it a go! You will not be disappointed!
Listen to “Feeling Stronger Every Day”. Peter’s vocals and amazing bass skills along with each band member’s talents are a perfect blend.♥️
Absolutely. Cetera absolutely crushes that song. And the song rules generally
@@alanfulcher460 my favorite! Cetera totally kills it!
Studio version. Can’t get link to paste. Not the live version. Studio. Feeling Stronger Every Day.
My favorite!!
@@dawncapps5172 I know Elizabeth likes her live recordings, but you just HAVE to go with the studio tracks for a group like Chicago. They're masterpieces of recording and production.
What blows me away (every time) is how you listen to songs (once) that I've heard a thousand times for decades and, still, you catch little things, I'm embarrassed to say, I never noticed before. Of course, now, I can't unhear them. Thank you for your channel, Elizabeth.
Color My World is a must listen. Terry Kath's vocals are amazing in that song.
That was actually my wedding song
💕♥️💕
This song holds a special spot in my heart. It’s the first song of theirs I heard, and when my parents showed it to me, it was on an old cassette tape that belonged to my late uncle that I never met(dad’s brother, they also named me after him!). Chicago was one of his favorites and also an inspiration of his as he was an aspiring musician. I can’t hear this song without thinking about him, what it would have been like to meet him, and the awesome music he would have made.
I also love the part in the solo where the bass line is walking down, the horns are climbing up, and the guitar is shooting through the middle, cutting clear through the mix.
I freakin' WORE OUT ALL my Chicago Albums in high school! I LOVED their brass section! But the one you are listening to is a recording of the song. But if you want to see/hear a LIVE "studio performance" of this song......look up the COVER version of 25 or 6 to 4 as performed by "Leonid and Friends" Their reproduction of this song is MASTERFUL! And the LEAD GUITARIST just KILLS IT!!!! I could watch that song ALL day! And they have SO MANY MORE! Its SO COOL they have done these songs as a "TRIBUTE" to "Chicago's original works! 😎
That was the first song I heard from Chicago back in 1969 and made me an instant fan. Peter Cetera is an amazing singer.
I agree about Peter but I like Terry's vocals better JMO
Minor nitpick, the song and the album this song was on didn't come out until June 1970.
@@bwaredapenguin 😀 I was a freshman in high school at that time. And yes I agree with the nitpick now that I think on the timeline....ahhh, where di the last 53 years go??? 😂
We played this song in marching band! Super fun. One of my favorites. Also did MacArthurs Park. Saw Chicago live in 1982-83. The horns definitely peel your hair back! Love it
So did I. We also did "Color My World". Grew up in Chicago in the Eastside neighborhood. "Saturday In the Park" was written about "Calumet Park Beach" in the Eastside neighborhood, we practiced at that Park.
Colour My World was so popular as a prom theme and certainly as a great slow song for young couples. Worth a listen.
I grew up with this song. In fact, this was, in part, inspiration for my older brother to become a professional musician. He and his friends formed a band in high school called Chicargo (Chi-cargo.) He's now a professional arrainger and trumpet player in Las Vegas and Reno.
The song, as you mentioned, is about the struggles of writing music, particularly very early in the morning.
Have you ever pulled an all-nighter? You struggle with the job at hand, but also with all the caffine and other stuff you may have taken to stay awake and keep your energy up.
Then, finally, you hit a wall, the energy is gone, things turn a little sour, a little off-kilter, and you finally succumb to sleep.
THAT is the ending of this song. The tempo drops, the horns become dissonant, and the chord resolves with just a hint of dissonance in the background, because you know the job's not yet finished.
At least that's how I interpret it.
The joy in your expressions are so wonderful, I'm not sure if I ever have seen so much smiling and laughing before! So glad you like this song!
I'm 27 and my first CD was Chicago IX. This was my first stepping stone into great music. My parents and Chicago are responsible for my taste in music. 25 or 6 to 4 is a killer song, one of my favorites. I'd love to see more of them on the channel.
Thank you, thank you for listening to "our" music!! The bands were incredible. Keep Rockin' !!
I'm 63. Great to see that the younger generation get into the music us old folks grew up on!!!!
Now that you've heard the studi version check out the live version from Tanglewood.... Terry Kath's guitar solo is incredible....
Every member of Chicago was legit amazing on their instruments. The combination of all that awesome is just tight and sharp and properly bad ass through and through.
Saw Chicago 5 times. They are amazing. If I may, a cover band called Leonid and Friends, and they started out with Chicago, and each cover was perfection. They delved into Earth Wind & Fire, all amazing, and this you need to react to their cover of Superstar from The Carpenters. Superstar will bring tears, as it was insanely done. Happy New Year.
Chicago was the second concert I ever went to (in 1975). Terry Kath was still the singer and their song 'Colour My World' took my heart then and still does to this day. And the memories associated with it... Wow... 😍 And it has a flute in it!
Saw them on Father’s Day outside Chicago - they are still a blast to watch.
They have a song (really, a suite) called Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon, which contains 7 "tracks". Two of the tracks were released separately as singles (Colour My World and Make Me Smile). And as much as you might like this song (and it's my personal favorite Chicago song), I would bet that you would LOVE listening to the full "Ballet". I highly recommend this.
Ballet is peak Chicago
@@SepticFuddy ONe Chicago concert I attended started with Ballet. I turned to my friend and said, " I can go now." That is the essence of Chicago, IMO.
@@jackarmstrong1838 I envy having been able to live the music of that era. Instead, I've had to pour through the archives with my dad's guidance and actively ignore the garbage being put out the last 20 years. Sure I've seen quite a few of the older bands in person, including Chicago, but of course it was not Terry Kath Chicago
Sad that you missed all these great bands but so great that you're finding them now.