If you "train: your mind, to listen to a particular part of a song, regardless of everything else being played, you can appreciate these songs so much better. And each time you listen, you can appreciate EVERY part of the song. At least that's what I do.
Saw a few of your yes reactions... Now early Chicago with Terry Kath singing and playing guitar ! Your on a roll... This is another song that immediately goes on your playlist.
Great reaction, and I appreciated the fact that you let the song go until it was over instead of interrupting it like some people do. "Beginnings" is a great song, one of their timeless hits, and you should really do a reaction to that one as well.
The two main differences in the band are before and after the untimely death of Terry Kath, he’s the one belting out the lyrics and was also their great guitarist. Hendrix once said he was his favorite guitarist 🔥
Agreed. This is the most difficult thing about a lot of reactors is that they don't turn the media playback volume up in relation to their microphone so you have to ride the volume up and down constantly and if they talk over it constantly it makes it impossible. But if they have the relative volumes set right, they can talk over at all they want and I'll still find it fascinating.
"Make Me Smile" is the opening track of a seven-movement suite titled "Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon", written by their trombone player James Pankow for their second album. To truly appreciate the song, you need to experience the entire suite from their second album. Columbia Records, their label at the time, released a single version of "Make Me Smile" that mashed the opening and closing tracks of the suite together, as "Now More Than Ever" is a reprise of "Make Me Smile". That single version is what you played here. The following I clipped from Wikipedia to save the time of me typing: "Ballet" takes up most of side two of Chicago and consists of seven tracks, three of which are instrumentals: "Make Me Smile" (Lead vocal by Terry Kath) "So Much to Say, So Much to Give" (Lead vocal by Robert Lamm) "Anxiety's Moment" (Instrumental) "West Virginia Fantasies" (Instrumental) "Colour My World" (Lead vocal by Terry Kath) "To Be Free" (Instrumental) "Now More Than Ever" (Lead vocal by Terry Kath)
This is the Only the Beginning edit which is longer than the original single edit. 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". - AllMusic
Yea I was going to say that Terry in on vocals here. He had such a soulful voice that I always loved. Yea man, check out that song live at Tanglewood, Terry's solo kicked my ass the first time I heard it. Cheers dude.
You make a good point. As someone who has played in bands and recording studios and written songs and arranged songs and whatever else, and have been a music lover for decades, for years now when I listen to music, I tend to cycle around to the various parts and then I look at them in groupings, you know like the rhythm section made up of the drum and the bass and really it can be lots of other things too, but but then Jim back out to take in the whole effect of it and if it's something I know and I'm fond of will then nostalgic and creeping their little bit. But once you had a favorite song that you've heard for a long time, and you have your favorite Parts like the favorite guitar solo for example, it actually takes some work to remind yourself to just suddenly put yourself in the shoes of the bass player or the drummer. Etc. But it's so gratifying. It's so gratifying. Can I take a trains your mind to pick the stuff apart even more and yet still deeply enjoy it at the same time.
Early Chicago Rocks! For that matter so does early Journey, early Genesis, early Yes, early Black Sabbath… You get the idea. Might also want to check out You’ve Made Me So Very Happy by Blood Sweat & Tears. This song has got to be on a lot of people’s top 10 favorites.
If you liked all of the individual instruments Check out ‘introduction’ from their debut double album Chicago transit authority, it introduces all of us to all of them, all but Terry were classically trained at DePaul university school of music..
Maybe it’s the old man in me, I’m 56 by the way, but I am of the firm opinion that they just don’t make music like that anymore. Chicago in the 60s and 70s was an incredible band.
Even 'poppy' Chicago is better than a vast majority of all music. Those horns! Those harmonies! Those lyrics! Bringin' the funky soul! Rockin' guitar! Love how they feature each section. SO TIGHT. If you want some jazzy rock try their 'wood' album (#5). They push us as the great musicians do.
That's not a character flaw. That's how musicians listen to a song. Generally, a guitarist will focus on the guitar, a drummer focuses on the drums, etc., but eventually a musician will focus on each part, individually. I couldn't tell you the lyrics to most of my favorite songs, because that's not what I'm focusing on, and to me, it's the least important aspect of the song.
Every time this song comes on in my car, I almost have a wreck. IT'S TOO GOOD!!
My fave among many.. it has it all! Terrys vocal and guitar, harmonies and horns! Oh my!
Great to see your appreciation for Chicago, and the musicianship of the band!!!
The crescendo at the end is a widening smile. Can you see it?
Danny Seraphine on drums.
Chicago's "25 or 6 to 4" - the LIVE Tanglewood video where Terry Kath blows us away!!
Saturday In The Park
I've Been Searching
Beginnings
Wishing You Were Here
Questions 67 & 68
If you "train: your mind, to listen to a particular part of a song, regardless of everything else being played, you can appreciate these songs so much better. And each time you listen, you can appreciate EVERY part of the song. At least that's what I do.
Saw a few of your yes reactions... Now early Chicago with Terry Kath singing and playing guitar ! Your on a roll... This is another song that immediately goes on your playlist.
Great reaction, and I appreciated the fact that you let the song go until it was over instead of interrupting it like some people do. "Beginnings" is a great song, one of their timeless hits, and you should really do a reaction to that one as well.
It was fun watching you listen to this!
The two main differences in the band are before and after the untimely death of Terry Kath, he’s the one belting out the lyrics and was also their great guitarist. Hendrix once said he was his favorite guitarist 🔥
Thank you so much for turning the audio up, man! Makes it way easier for us to enjoy the tune(s). Excellent choice and reaction, BTW.
Agreed! Many times, my headphones are cranked to 100% and it still seems muted!
Agreed. This is the most difficult thing about a lot of reactors is that they don't turn the media playback volume up in relation to their microphone so you have to ride the volume up and down constantly and if they talk over it constantly it makes it impossible. But if they have the relative volumes set right, they can talk over at all they want and I'll still find it fascinating.
Terry Kath’s, soulful voice incredibly talented.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Make Me Smile" is the opening track of a seven-movement suite titled "Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon", written by their trombone player James Pankow for their second album. To truly appreciate the song, you need to experience the entire suite from their second album. Columbia Records, their label at the time, released a single version of "Make Me Smile" that mashed the opening and closing tracks of the suite together, as "Now More Than Ever" is a reprise of "Make Me Smile". That single version is what you played here. The following I clipped from Wikipedia to save the time of me typing:
"Ballet" takes up most of side two of Chicago and consists of seven tracks, three of which are instrumentals:
"Make Me Smile" (Lead vocal by Terry Kath)
"So Much to Say, So Much to Give" (Lead vocal by Robert Lamm)
"Anxiety's Moment" (Instrumental)
"West Virginia Fantasies" (Instrumental)
"Colour My World" (Lead vocal by Terry Kath)
"To Be Free" (Instrumental)
"Now More Than Ever" (Lead vocal by Terry Kath)
I don't know who said they have bad songs, but they do NOT have ANY bad songs. They are just different.
This is the Only the Beginning edit which is longer than the original single edit.
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". - AllMusic
Beginnings is another great chicago classic!! Basically 70s Chicago good-80s Chicago bad.
I don't think I've heard one comment that supports 80s Chicago 😂
Yea I was going to say that Terry in on vocals here. He had such a soulful voice that I always loved. Yea man, check out that song live at Tanglewood, Terry's solo kicked my ass the first time I heard it. Cheers dude.
I bought the single way back when. My first exposure to Chicago. Loved it. Appreciation for Kath and Cetera came later...
Such a fantastic band through out their career, but my preference is earlier Chicago!!!👍👍👌👌✌✌😃😃
You make a good point. As someone who has played in bands and recording studios and written songs and arranged songs and whatever else, and have been a music lover for decades, for years now when I listen to music, I tend to cycle around to the various parts and then I look at them in groupings, you know like the rhythm section made up of the drum and the bass and really it can be lots of other things too, but but then Jim back out to take in the whole effect of it and if it's something I know and I'm fond of will then nostalgic and creeping their little bit. But once you had a favorite song that you've heard for a long time, and you have your favorite Parts like the favorite guitar solo for example, it actually takes some work to remind yourself to just suddenly put yourself in the shoes of the bass player or the drummer. Etc. But it's so gratifying. It's so gratifying. Can I take a trains your mind to pick the stuff apart even more and yet still deeply enjoy it at the same time.
Great comment. Thankyou!
Early Chicago Rocks! For that matter so does early Journey, early Genesis, early Yes, early Black Sabbath… You get the idea. Might also want to check out You’ve Made Me So Very Happy by Blood Sweat & Tears. This song has got to be on a lot of people’s top 10 favorites.
great reaction, dude.
as others have mentioned, this is part of a bookended suite...but still some of the most sublime music from rock's premier period.
Anything Chicago before 1979 is pure gold. The death of Terry Kath gutted this group. Chicago IX may be the greatest greatest hits album ever.
If you liked all of the individual instruments Check out ‘introduction’ from their debut double album Chicago transit authority, it introduces all of us to all of them, all but Terry were classically trained at DePaul university school of music..
Best band of 70s & 80s
No Tell Lover and Saturday In The Park. Awesome songs, check them out!✌️
Maybe it’s the old man in me, I’m 56 by the way, but I am of the firm opinion that they just don’t make music like that anymore. Chicago in the 60s and 70s was an incredible band.
Please check out BEGINNINGS by Chicago !
Does his voice remind you of anyone? maybe Ray Charles?
Even 'poppy' Chicago is better than a vast majority of all music. Those horns! Those harmonies! Those lyrics! Bringin' the funky soul! Rockin' guitar! Love how they feature each section. SO TIGHT.
If you want some jazzy rock try their 'wood' album (#5). They push us as the great musicians do.
Stick to the first 11 albums which are all Terry Kath. After that well…
Leonid and friends cover this and many other chicago hits as godd and better --REALLY !!!!
That's not a character flaw. That's how musicians listen to a song. Generally, a guitarist will focus on the guitar, a drummer focuses on the drums, etc., but eventually a musician will focus on each part, individually. I couldn't tell you the lyrics to most of my favorite songs, because that's not what I'm focusing on, and to me, it's the least important aspect of the song.