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Chicago|Chicago II  (Steven Wilson Remix)

Chicago II (Steven Wilson Remix)

Chicago

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The Chicago Transit Authority recorded this double-barreled follow-up to their eponymously titled 1969 debut effort. The contents of Chicago II (1970) underscore the solid foundation of complex jazz changes with heavy electric rock & roll that the band so brazenly forged on the first set. The septet also continued its ability to blend the seemingly divergent musical styles into some of the best and most effective pop music of the era. One thing that had changed was the band's name, which was shortened to simply Chicago to avoid any potential litigious situations from the city of Chicago's transportation department -- which claimed the name as proprietary property. Musically, James Pankow (trombone) was about to further cross-pollinate the band's sound with the multifaceted six-song "Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon." The classically inspired suite also garnered the band two of its most beloved hits -- the upbeat pop opener "Make Me Smile" as well as the achingly poignant "Color My World" -- both of which remained at the center of the group's live sets. Chicago had certainly not abandoned its active pursuit of blending high-octane electric rockers such as "25 or 6 to 4" to the progressive jazz inflections heard in the breezy syncopation of "The Road." Adding further depth of field is the darker "Poem for the People" as well as the politically charged five-song set titled "It Better End Soon." These selections feature the band driving home its formidable musicality and uncanny ability to coalesce styles telepathically and at a moment's notice. The contributions of Terry Kath (guitar/vocals) stand out as he unleashes some of his most pungent and sinuous leads, which contrast with the tight brass and woodwind trio of Lee Loughnane (trumpet/vocals), Walter Parazaider (woodwinds/vocals), and the aforementioned Pankow. Peter Cetera (bass/vocals) also marks his songwriting debut -- on the final cut of both the suite and the album -- with "Where Do We Go from Here." It bookends both with at the very least the anticipation and projection of a positive and optimistic future.

© Lindsay Planer /TiVo

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Chicago II (Steven Wilson Remix)

Chicago

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1
Movin' In (Steven Wilson Remix; 2016)
00:04:06

James William Guercio, Producer - Chicago, MainArtist - JAMES PANKOW, Trombone, Writer - LEE LOUGHNANE, Trumpet, Vocals - PETER CETERA, Bass Guitar, Vocals - ROBERT LAMM, Keyboards, Vocals - Walter Parazaider, Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone, Vocals - Terry Kath, Guitar, Lead Vocals - STEVE Woolard, ReissueProducer - Donald Puluse, Engineer - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - CHRIS HINSHAW, Engineer - DANNY SERAPHINE, Drums - Steven Wilson, Engineer, MasteringEngineer - Robert Honablue, Engineer

© 2017 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company. All Rights Reserved. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company. Made In U.S.A. ℗ 1970 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

2
The Road (Steven Wilson Remix; 2016)
00:03:10

James William Guercio, Producer - Chicago, MainArtist - JAMES PANKOW, Trombone - LEE LOUGHNANE, Trumpet, Vocals - PETER CETERA, Bass Guitar, Lead Vocals - ROBERT LAMM, Keyboards, Vocals - Walter Parazaider, Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone, Vocals - Terry Kath, Guitar, Vocals, Writer - STEVE Woolard, ReissueProducer - Donald Puluse, Engineer - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - CHRIS HINSHAW, Engineer - DANNY SERAPHINE, Drums - Steven Wilson, Engineer, MasteringEngineer - Robert Honablue, Engineer

© 2017 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company. All Rights Reserved. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company. Made In U.S.A. ℗ 1970 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

3
Poem for the People (Steven Wilson Remix; 2016)
00:05:35

James William Guercio, Producer - Chicago, MainArtist - JAMES PANKOW, Trombone - LEE LOUGHNANE, Trumpet, Vocals - PETER CETERA, Bass Guitar, Lead Vocals - ROBERT LAMM, Keyboards, Lead Vocals, Writer - Walter Parazaider, Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone, Vocals - Terry Kath, Guitar, Vocals - STEVE Woolard, ReissueProducer - Donald Puluse, Engineer - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - CHRIS HINSHAW, Engineer - DANNY SERAPHINE, Drums - Steven Wilson, Engineer, MasteringEngineer - Robert Honablue, Engineer

© 2017 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company. All Rights Reserved. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company. Made In U.S.A. ℗ 1970 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

4
In the Country (Steven Wilson Remix; 2016)
00:06:34

James William Guercio, Producer - Chicago, MainArtist - JAMES PANKOW, Trombone - LEE LOUGHNANE, Trumpet, Vocals - PETER CETERA, Bass Guitar, Lead Vocals - ROBERT LAMM, Keyboards, Vocals - Walter Parazaider, Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone, Vocals - Terry Kath, Guitar, Lead Vocals, Writer - STEVE Woolard, ReissueProducer - Donald Puluse, Engineer - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - CHRIS HINSHAW, Engineer - DANNY SERAPHINE, Drums - Steven Wilson, Engineer, MasteringEngineer - Robert Honablue, Engineer

© 2017 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company. All Rights Reserved. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company. Made In U.S.A. ℗ 1970 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

5
Wake up Sunshine (Steven Wilson Remix; 2016)
00:02:32

James William Guercio, Producer - Chicago, MainArtist - JAMES PANKOW, Trombone - LEE LOUGHNANE, Trumpet, Vocals - PETER CETERA, Bass Guitar, Lead Vocals - ROBERT LAMM, Keyboards, Lead Vocals, Writer - Walter Parazaider, Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone, Vocals - Terry Kath, Guitar, Vocals - STEVE Woolard, ReissueProducer - Donald Puluse, Engineer - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - CHRIS HINSHAW, Engineer - DANNY SERAPHINE, Drums - Steven Wilson, Engineer, MasteringEngineer - Robert Honablue, Engineer

© 2017 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company. All Rights Reserved. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company. Made In U.S.A. ℗ 1970 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

6
Make Me Smile (Steven Wilson Remix; 2016)
00:03:15

James William Guercio, Producer - Chicago, MainArtist - JAMES PANKOW, Trombone, Writer - LEE LOUGHNANE, Trumpet, Vocals - PETER CETERA, Bass Guitar, Vocals - ROBERT LAMM, Keyboards, Vocals - Walter Parazaider, Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone, Vocals - Terry Kath, Guitar, Lead Vocals - STEVE Woolard, ReissueProducer - Donald Puluse, Engineer - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - CHRIS HINSHAW, Engineer - DANNY SERAPHINE, Drums - Steven Wilson, Engineer, MasteringEngineer - Robert Honablue, Engineer

© 2017 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company. All Rights Reserved. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company. Made In U.S.A. ℗ 1970 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

7
So Much to Say, so Much to Give (Steven Wilson Remix; 2016)
00:01:12

James William Guercio, Producer - Chicago, MainArtist - JAMES PANKOW, Trombone, Writer - LEE LOUGHNANE, Trumpet, Vocals - PETER CETERA, Bass Guitar, Vocals - ROBERT LAMM, Keyboards, Lead Vocals - Walter Parazaider, Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone, Vocals - Terry Kath, Guitar, Vocals - STEVE Woolard, ReissueProducer - Donald Puluse, Engineer - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - CHRIS HINSHAW, Engineer - DANNY SERAPHINE, Drums - Steven Wilson, Engineer, MasteringEngineer - Robert Honablue, Engineer

© 2017 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company. All Rights Reserved. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company. Made In U.S.A. ℗ 1970 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

8
Anxiety's Moment (Steven Wilson Remix; 2016)
00:01:01

James William Guercio, Producer - Chicago, MainArtist - JAMES PANKOW, Trombone, Writer - LEE LOUGHNANE, Trumpet - PETER CETERA, Bass Guitar - ROBERT LAMM, Keyboards - Walter Parazaider, Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone - Terry Kath, Guitar - STEVE Woolard, ReissueProducer - Donald Puluse, Engineer - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - CHRIS HINSHAW, Engineer - DANNY SERAPHINE, Drums - Steven Wilson, Engineer, MasteringEngineer - Robert Honablue, Engineer

© 2017 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company. All Rights Reserved. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company. Made In U.S.A. ℗ 1970 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

9
West Virginia Fantasies (Steven Wilson Remix;2016)
00:01:34

James William Guercio, Producer - Chicago, MainArtist - JAMES PANKOW, Trombone, Writer - LEE LOUGHNANE, Trumpet - PETER CETERA, Bass Guitar - ROBERT LAMM, Keyboards - Walter Parazaider, Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone - Terry Kath, Guitar - STEVE Woolard, ReissueProducer - Donald Puluse, Engineer - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - CHRIS HINSHAW, Engineer - DANNY SERAPHINE, Drums - Steven Wilson, Engineer, MasteringEngineer - Robert Honablue, MasteringEngineer

© 2017 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company. All Rights Reserved. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company. Made In U.S.A. ℗ 1970 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

10
Colour My World (Steven Wilson Remix)
00:03:00

James William Guercio, Producer - Chicago, MainArtist - JAMES PANKOW, Trombone, Writer - LEE LOUGHNANE, Trumpet, Vocals - PETER CETERA, Bass Guitar, Vocals - ROBERT LAMM, Keyboards, Vocals - Walter Parazaider, Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone, Vocals - Terry Kath, Guitar, Lead Vocals - STEVE Woolard, ReissueProducer - Donald Puluse, Engineer - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - CHRIS HINSHAW, Engineer - DANNY SERAPHINE, Drums - Steven Wilson, Engineer, MasteringEngineer - Robert Honablue, MasteringEngineer

© 2017 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company. All Rights Reserved. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company. Made In U.S.A. ℗ 1970 Rhino Entertainment Company, A Warner Music Group Company.

11
To Be Free (Steven Wilson Remix; 2016)
00:01:15

James William Guercio, Producer - Chicago, MainArtist - JAMES PANKOW, Trombone, Writer - LEE LOUGHNANE, Trumpet - ROBERT LAMM, Keyboards - Walter Parazaider, Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone - Terry Kath, Guitar - STEVE Woolard, ReissueProducer - Donald Puluse, Engineer - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - CHRIS HINSHAW, Engineer - DANNY SERAPHINE, Drums - Steven Wilson, Engineer, MasteringEngineer - Robert Honablue, MasteringEngineer

© 2017 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company. All Rights Reserved. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company. Made In U.S.A. ℗ 1970 Rhino Entertainment Company, A Warner Music Group Company..

12
Now More Than Ever (Steven Wilson Remix; 2016)
00:01:26

James William Guercio, Producer - Chicago, MainArtist - JAMES PANKOW, Trombone, Writer - LEE LOUGHNANE, Trumpet, Vocals - PETER CETERA, Bass Guitar, Vocals - ROBERT LAMM, Keyboards, Vocals - Walter Parazaider, Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone, Vocals - Terry Kath, Guitar, Lead Vocals - STEVE Woolard, Producer, ReissueProducer - Donald Puluse, Engineer - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - CHRIS HINSHAW, Engineer - DANNY SERAPHINE, Drums - Steven Wilson, Engineer, MasteringEngineer - Robert Honablue, MasteringEngineer

© 2017 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company. All Rights Reserved. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company. Made In U.S.A. ℗ 1970 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

13
Fancy Colours [2016 Remaster] (Steven Wilson Remix; 2016)
00:05:10

James William Guercio, Producer - Chicago, MainArtist - JAMES PANKOW, Trombone - LEE LOUGHNANE, Trumpet, Vocals - PETER CETERA, Bass Guitar, Lead Vocals - ROBERT LAMM, Keyboards, Lead Vocals, Writer - Walter Parazaider, Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone, Vocals - Terry Kath, Guitar, Vocals - STEVE Woolard, ReissueProducer - Donald Puluse, Engineer - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - CHRIS HINSHAW, Engineer - DANNY SERAPHINE, Drums - Steven Wilson, Engineer, MasteringEngineer - Robert Honablue, MasteringEngineer

© 2017 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company. All Rights Reserved. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company. Made In U.S.A. ℗ 1970 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

14
25 or 6 to 4 (Steven Wilson Remix; 2016)
00:04:58

James William Guercio, Producer - Chicago, MainArtist - JAMES PANKOW, Trombone - LEE LOUGHNANE, Trumpet, Vocals - PETER CETERA, Bass Guitar, Lead Vocals - ROBERT LAMM, Keyboards, Vocals, Writer - Walter Parazaider, Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone, Vocals - Terry Kath, Guitar, Vocals - STEVE Woolard, ReissueProducer - Donald Puluse, Engineer - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - CHRIS HINSHAW, Engineer - DANNY SERAPHINE, Drums - Steven Wilson, Engineer, MasteringEngineer - Robert Honablue, MasteringEngineer

© 2017 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company. All Rights Reserved. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company. Made In U.S.A. ℗ 1970 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

15
Prelude (Steven Wilson Remix; 2016)
00:01:10

James William Guercio, Producer - Chicago, MainArtist - JAMES PANKOW, Trombone - LEE LOUGHNANE, Trumpet - PETER CETERA, Bass Guitar - ROBERT LAMM, Keyboards - Walter Parazaider, Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone - Terry Kath, Guitar, Writer - STEVE Woolard, ReissueProducer - Donald Puluse, Engineer - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - CHRIS HINSHAW, Engineer - DANNY SERAPHINE, Drums - Steven Wilson, Engineer, MasteringEngineer - Peter Matz, Orchestral Arranger, Writer - Robert Honablue, MasteringEngineer

© 2017 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company. All Rights Reserved. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company. Made In U.S.A. ℗ 1970 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

16
A.M. Mourning (Steven Wilson Remix; 2016)
00:02:06

James William Guercio, Producer - Chicago, MainArtist - JAMES PANKOW, Trombone - LEE LOUGHNANE, Trumpet - PETER CETERA, Bass Guitar - ROBERT LAMM, Keyboards - Walter Parazaider, Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone - Terry Kath, Guitar, Writer - STEVE Woolard, ReissueProducer - Donald Puluse, Engineer - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - CHRIS HINSHAW, Engineer - DANNY SERAPHINE, Drums - Steven Wilson, Engineer, MasteringEngineer - Peter Matz, Writer - Robert Honablue, MasteringEngineer

© 2017 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company. All Rights Reserved. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company. Made In U.S.A. ℗ 1970 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

17
P.M. Mourning (Steven Wilson Remix; 2016)
00:01:58

James William Guercio, Producer - Chicago, MainArtist - JAMES PANKOW, Trombone - LEE LOUGHNANE, Trumpet - PETER CETERA, Bass Guitar - ROBERT LAMM, Keyboards - Walter Parazaider, Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone - Terry Kath, Guitar, Writer - STEVE Woolard, ReissueProducer - Donald Puluse, Engineer - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - CHRIS HINSHAW, Engineer - DANNY SERAPHINE, Drums - Steven Wilson, Engineer, MasteringEngineer - Peter Matz, Writer - Robert Honablue, Remastering Engineer

© 2017 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company. All Rights Reserved. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company. Made In U.S.A. ℗ 1970 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

18
Memories of Love (Steven Wilson Remix; 2016)
00:03:59

James William Guercio, Producer - Chicago, MainArtist - JAMES PANKOW, Trombone - LEE LOUGHNANE, Trumpet, Vocals - PETER CETERA, Bass Guitar, Vocals - ROBERT LAMM, Keyboards, Vocals - Walter Parazaider, Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone, Vocals - Terry Kath, Guitar, Lead Vocals, Writer - STEVE Woolard, ReissueProducer - Donald Puluse, Engineer - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - CHRIS HINSHAW, Engineer - DANNY SERAPHINE, Drums - Steven Wilson, Engineer, MasteringEngineer - Robert Honablue, MasteringEngineer

© 2017 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company. All Rights Reserved. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company. Made In U.S.A. ℗ 1970 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

19
It Better End Soon (1st Movement) (Steven Wilson Remix; 2016)
00:02:33

James William Guercio, Producer - Chicago, MainArtist - JAMES PANKOW, Trombone - LEE LOUGHNANE, Trumpet, Vocals - PETER CETERA, Bass Guitar, Vocals - ROBERT LAMM, Keyboards, Vocals, Writer - Walter Parazaider, Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone, Vocals, Writer - Terry Kath, Guitar, Lead Vocals, Writer - STEVE Woolard, Producer, ReissueProducer - Donald Puluse, Engineer - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - CHRIS HINSHAW, Engineer - DANNY SERAPHINE, Drums - Steven Wilson, Engineer, MasteringEngineer - Robert Honablue, MasteringEngineer

© 2017 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company. All Rights Reserved. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company. Made In U.S.A. ℗ 1970 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

20
It Better End Soon (2nd Movement) (Steven Wilson Remix; 2016)
00:03:40

James William Guercio, Producer - Chicago, MainArtist - JAMES PANKOW, Trombone - LEE LOUGHNANE, Trumpet - PETER CETERA, Bass Guitar - ROBERT LAMM, Keyboards, Writer - Walter Parazaider, Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone, Writer - Terry Kath, Guitar, Writer - STEVE Woolard, Producer, ReissueProducer - Donald Puluse, Engineer - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - CHRIS HINSHAW, Engineer - DANNY SERAPHINE, Drums - Steven Wilson, Engineer, MasteringEngineer - Robert Honablue, MasteringEngineer

© 2017 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company. All Rights Reserved. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company. Made In U.S.A. ℗ 1970 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

21
It Better End Soon (3rd Movement) (Steven Wilson Remix; 2016)
00:03:18

James William Guercio, Producer - Chicago, MainArtist - JAMES PANKOW, Trombone - LEE LOUGHNANE, Trumpet, Vocals - PETER CETERA, Bass Guitar, Vocals - ROBERT LAMM, Keyboards, Vocals, Writer - Walter Parazaider, Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone, Vocals - Terry Kath, Guitar, Lead Vocals, Writer - STEVE Woolard, ReissueProducer - Donald Puluse, Engineer - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - CHRIS HINSHAW, Engineer - DANNY SERAPHINE, Drums - Steven Wilson, Engineer, MasteringEngineer - Robert Honablue, MasteringEngineer

© 2017 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company. All Rights Reserved. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company. Made In U.S.A. ℗ 1970 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

22
It Better End Soon (4th Movement) (Steven Wilson Remix; 2016)
00:00:56

James William Guercio, Producer - Chicago, MainArtist - JAMES PANKOW, Trombone - LEE LOUGHNANE, Trumpet, Vocals - PETER CETERA, Bass Guitar, Vocals - ROBERT LAMM, Keyboards, Vocals, Writer - Walter Parazaider, Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone, Vocals - Terry Kath, Guitar, Lead Vocals - STEVE Woolard, Producer, ReissueProducer - Donald Puluse, Engineer - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - CHRIS HINSHAW, Engineer - DANNY SERAPHINE, Drums - Steven Wilson, Engineer, MasteringEngineer - Robert Honablue, MasteringEngineer

© 2017 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company. All Rights Reserved. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company. Made In U.S.A. ℗ 1970 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

23
Where Do We Go from Here (Steven Wilson Remix; 2016)
00:02:49

James William Guercio, Producer - Chicago, MainArtist - JAMES PANKOW, Trombone - LEE LOUGHNANE, Trumpet, Vocals - PETER CETERA, Bass Guitar, Lead Vocals, Writer - ROBERT LAMM, Keyboards, Vocals - Walter Parazaider, Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone, Vocals - Terry Kath, Guitar, Vocals - STEVE Woolard, ReissueProducer - Donald Puluse, Engineer - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - CHRIS HINSHAW, Engineer - DANNY SERAPHINE, Drums - Steven Wilson, Engineer, MasteringEngineer - Robert Honablue, MasteringEngineer

© 2017 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company. All Rights Reserved. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company. Made In U.S.A. ℗ 1970 Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.

Album review

The Chicago Transit Authority recorded this double-barreled follow-up to their eponymously titled 1969 debut effort. The contents of Chicago II (1970) underscore the solid foundation of complex jazz changes with heavy electric rock & roll that the band so brazenly forged on the first set. The septet also continued its ability to blend the seemingly divergent musical styles into some of the best and most effective pop music of the era. One thing that had changed was the band's name, which was shortened to simply Chicago to avoid any potential litigious situations from the city of Chicago's transportation department -- which claimed the name as proprietary property. Musically, James Pankow (trombone) was about to further cross-pollinate the band's sound with the multifaceted six-song "Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon." The classically inspired suite also garnered the band two of its most beloved hits -- the upbeat pop opener "Make Me Smile" as well as the achingly poignant "Color My World" -- both of which remained at the center of the group's live sets. Chicago had certainly not abandoned its active pursuit of blending high-octane electric rockers such as "25 or 6 to 4" to the progressive jazz inflections heard in the breezy syncopation of "The Road." Adding further depth of field is the darker "Poem for the People" as well as the politically charged five-song set titled "It Better End Soon." These selections feature the band driving home its formidable musicality and uncanny ability to coalesce styles telepathically and at a moment's notice. The contributions of Terry Kath (guitar/vocals) stand out as he unleashes some of his most pungent and sinuous leads, which contrast with the tight brass and woodwind trio of Lee Loughnane (trumpet/vocals), Walter Parazaider (woodwinds/vocals), and the aforementioned Pankow. Peter Cetera (bass/vocals) also marks his songwriting debut -- on the final cut of both the suite and the album -- with "Where Do We Go from Here." It bookends both with at the very least the anticipation and projection of a positive and optimistic future.

© Lindsay Planer /TiVo

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