Search - Chicago :: Chicago Xxvi: Live Album

Sounds Great; Lacks Heart

J. Conrad Guest | Northville, MI United States | 03/09/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I grew up with this band and can recall when they sold out the Pine Knob Music Theatre every summer for five consecutive nights - 10,000 plus each night. With their original lineup, which included the late Terry Kath, Chicago was definitely one of the monster bands of the 70's. Unfortunately that was then, and this is now. This live compilation, while it sounds great (courtesy of various studio tricks and overdubs), lacks the intensity of the band's earlier days and hardly chronicles their 30-year play list of hits. While it was great to hear Ballet for a Girl In Buchanan in its entirety (Bill Champlin fills in admirably for Terry Kath on Make Me Smile), and Bobby Lamm never sounded so good on Beginnings, conspicuously missing are such stalwart favorites as Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?, Saturday In the Park, and Dialogue. What remains are nice renditions of songs from the band's early years: I've Been Searching So Long, Call On Me, Feeling Stronger Everyday, Just You 'N Me, and a rather watered down version of the ultimate party song, Mongonucleosis (a three and a half minute radio edit version that doesn't come close to measuring up to the version they did in the 70's, which included a lengthy percussion duet between Danny Seraphine and Laudir de Oliveira). Rounding out the set are Hard Habit to Break, Hard to Say I'm Sorry/Getaway and the classic rocker 25 or 6 to 4 (a song I've heard maybe 3 or 4 hundred times over the years and never seem to tire of). As indicated earlier, nice renditions, but they lack the edge of their early years when Chicago was hungry. The Carnegie Hall CD and the Live in Japan in 1972 CD both showcase Chicago at their best.The last time I saw Chicago perform was maybe 10 years ago, and it seemed then that they were merely going through the motions. Admittedly, they've gone through several lineup changes over the years, but even Bobby Lamm admits, "This isn't Chicago". Still, one must wonder why they continue to embarrass themselves by releasing nothing more than greatest hits compilations every couple of years, along with a Christmas album, a big band CD, and a collection of tunes dedicated to the memory of Terry Kath. Their last CD containing all original music was released eight or 10 years ago and contained some good music, but again they seemed to rely on their old tried and true formula for ballads.The critics have always loved to hate Chicago - the nameless, faceless band with the trademarked logo that first eschewed commercialism and later turned into a top 40 hit machine. Personally, their last good album was Chicago 17, but even it pales beside their best-ever effort: Chicago VII - which embodies everything this band proclaimed itself to be... diverse. Some of Chicago's best music were the tunes that never got any airplay because they pushed the limits of contemporary music, and that's something that's been missing from this band for years, along with heart.I read years ago that Chicago very nearly packed it in after the death of Terry Kath, and that Doc Severinson was in part responsible for their perseverance. I'm glad they stayed together - they've recorded a lot of good music over the years. Still, one must wonder if the heart of Chicago died the night Terry Kath - a monster talent who even Jimi Hendrix idolized - accidentally shot himself with what he thought was an empty gun."

Chicago 26: Live and Alive

J. Conrad Guest | 03/04/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Chicago 26 finds the veteran band finally releasing a clean-sounding live album after more than 30 years in the music business. Sonically superior to "Carnegie Hall", "Live in Japan" and (horrors) "Live in Toronto 1969", this release is a fine addition to your Chicago collection. The horns shout, the vocals are convincing (especially Champlin & Lamm) and the band is TIGHT & rockin'! Minor quibbles:1. MAJOR studio doctoring is obvious (Bil, Jason and Robert can't sing harmonies to themselves)2. WAY too many Peter Cetera via Jason Scheff lead vocals. Scheff is a much better bass player than Cetera, but is not in his league as a lead vocalist. The best singers in Chicago (in order): Bill Champlin, Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane (!), Jason Scheff. Why do Bill ,Robert & Lee always get the shaft as far as leads are concerned?3. The three new studio cuts are not all that great except for "Your Love is Lifting Me Higher." However, Champlin and/or Lamm should have done the lead vocal instead of Michael McDonald (even though I am a big MMD fan) on "Your Love".4. With so much great music in their history, this should have been a double album. My sister was at one of the concerts taped for the live album. She said they also did "I'm a Man," "Free," "Questions 67 & 68," "Look Away," 'Let It Snow", "You're the Inspiration" (with a great new horn part!), "Show Me a Sign" and of course, "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" Where are these classics?Oh well, it 's good to have Chicago rockin' again!"

Chicago Live - Good stuff

Figgie | Williston Park, NY United States | 12/08/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I've been reading some of the reviews posted here and there are people complaining about how "its not the same as the old Chicago". Well you know what they are right.Terry Kath and Peter Cetera are gone. What you do get is the sound of Chicago today. I am 43, so I know the old sound and loved it. If you liked this band and still like them some 30 years or so later as much as I do, you cannot go wrong with this CD. This is how the band sounds live today and I for one am very glad I bought it."