Monday, October 23, 2017

CHICAGO NOW MORE THAN EVER: COMPREHENSIVE STORY OF ONE OF THE GREATEST BANDS



If you know me at all you know that I’m a huge fan of the rock band Chicago. The first rock album I ever owned was CHICAGO AT CARNEGIE HALL and given to me by my uncle. My first rock concert was to see Chicago just after V was released. I’ve seen them live well over a dozen times, the only band I’ve done that with. And to this day I consider their tour with Earth Wind & Fire to be one of the best sound experiences I’ve ever heard. So when word of this documentary came out I was anxious to see it.

First shown on CNN (where I first saw it) the documentary takes a look at the band from when they began in 1967 all the way through their current lineup. It’s hard to believe they’ve been around that long but they have and are still going strong today. The documentary looks at how they came together, how they met and how they came up with a sound that is all their own.

Many won’t recall that when they began Chicago was more inclined to use political lyrics as well as pop tunes. That eventually changed to softer tunes and more ballads as time passed. The group is the most successful of all time in singles charts kept by Billboard magazine. They’ve sold over 100 million records and were the first rock band to sell out Carnegie Hall for a solid week.

All of that is the stats that the band has racked up but the men behind the music, those that came together to create this unique sound, is what this documentary is about. It doesn’t hold back on anything, discussing the ups and downs the band suffered. The two most notable issues were the death of lead guitarist Terry Kath and the dismissal of long time drummer Danny Seraphine. Both shook fans to the core and both are discussed here and not glossed over.

Through it all, the losses and the redirection towards ballads and then back to more aggressive rock as well as experimental music, the band has stayed together. That the core of the group, Robert Lamm, James Pankow, Lee Loughnane and Walter Parazaider have stuck together for more than 50 years now says something as well. Each has brought something different to the band and the end result is music that is as memorable now as when it was first released.

The documentary also takes time to look at the different incarnations of the band as well. When Peter Cetera left the band to go solo he was replaced by Jason Scheff who handled the job easily and brought a new sound to the band.  It looks at the different replacements for Kath after his tragic accident. Each guitarists brought in were great but it wasn’t until the addition of Keith Howland that any lasted. Other have come along as well and the sound has remained the same but gathered something new as well.

Perhaps the only disappointment with the documentary is that Cetera made the decision not to participate. Then again his comments after leaving the band show a lot of ill feelings about the band. As that longtime fan I can recall the band wished him well but it always seemed his ego stood in the way of his reciprocating those feelings. It hasn’t prevented the band from continuing successfully though.

Fans of the band will want to make a point of adding this DVD to their collection. Not only will it provide you to see the band performing live, to get a glimpse of them at various stages of their career and to enjoy the music, you’ll see the band members in interviews talking about their career as well.

The band was just inducted last year into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, something that should have happened long ago. Rumor has it that was prevented by Rolling Stone publisher Jann Wenner having a personal grudge against the band. It’s a mistake that has been rectified finally though and just in time as the band celebrates 50 years together this year, still touring over 100 concerts a year and having fan meet and greets at their fan convention.

The documentary is the most inclusive and revealing look at the band ever done. It is a treat for fans and a great introduction to anyone unfamiliar with them if that’s possible. When the credits roll I dare you to either not be singing one song or another the group has done over the years or to not go searching for that album or CD you’ve held onto while remembering moments from your past when those song came on the radio. Chicago is still around and still worth seeing in concert. Not many bands can say the same after 50 years.

Click here to order. 

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