After saying he played Beginnings, he says this is the first track on the album, written by Terry as well. Actually, Beginnings was written by Robert Lamm, who also wrote Does Anybody Know What Time it Is, Questions 67 & 68, Listen, Poem 58, Southern California Purples, & co-wrote Someday. He wrote all of the hits off this album.
Awesome that you’re getting big time into Chicago! My favorite band of all time……so talented, every one of them, creative and innovative! This is my favorite Chicago tune of all time. If someone asked to hear just one song that defined this band, I would say listen to Introduction! Crazy that it’s the first song of the first album!
Early Chicago was really in the “progressive” rock genre, hidden by the use of traditional instruments, no freaky synths. The arrangements, the time changes, etc.
OMG YES One of my top 10 favorite Chicago tracks of all time. I cannot think of a better titled track that showcases the Terry-era of Chicago by fusing various music genres into one song.
I friggin' loved Terry Kath! It hurt me to the core when we lost him. What could have been.... This song is just amazing. Cetera's bass line is just fantastic. Loughnane is Luff'-nane. Cetera is Suh-ter'-uh. You should check out some Blood, Sweat & Tears, too.
Back in Jr. High concert band friends & myself started a horn band (early 70's, I was a fhrn player learning to play guitar) We used to buy Chicago sketch scores from album releases, they were all in 'C' so we had to transcribe the horn parts by hand. 'Introduction' was a huge challenge to learn & play. Looking back it was quite an achievement, one small mistake & it would completely fall apart!..Kath was a monster guitarist ( & singer) & like Hendrix played from the soul. This is a great tune & album, the first 5 releases are my favs.. -enjoy
When they were originally The Chicago Transit Authority, they were the house band at The Whiskey A Go-Go in LA. One night, Jimi Hendrix was in the audience. As the band was coming out of the dressing room to do their second set, standing in the hallway was Jimi. Jimi went to their sax player Walt Parazaider and said "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 national stadium tour. Danny Seraphine noted in an interview that Terry wrote this song with multiple time signatures, including an INSANE 19/4 time for Danny. Terry COULD NOT read or write in music signature, he dictated it to trombone player James Pankow, who transcribed it. Your next track from this album MUST be "POEM 58" and after that the album closing track "LIBERATION". Get ready for THOSE tracks, if you can. Have a defibrillator handy!
Very proggy in their early years. Brilliant way to let you hear the talent of each member. I was around 15 when this was released, what a time to be teen.
First heard this when I was 16 LEGEND. You’d love “Dialogue” RIP Terry Kath. They blessed Colorado recording at the famous Caribou Ranch. Thank you Jim Guercio.
Yeah boy this brings back memories, we were just being inundated by great music and this was enough different to get your attention and they quickly became a favorite.
“Lowdown” I was reminded of this song by listening to you talk about how you were feeling today. I think this was a very popular song, my brain remembers it very well, even though I haven’t heard it for a long, long time. They have such a diverse catalog. What a great band.
First heard this song when I was about 14. Some songs on this record was on the radio. Grabbed my brothers album and headphones and listened to the whole thing😆 Best way to hear this album! ❤ Been one of my all time “feel good” albums😊
There’s a Russian band (Leonid and Friends) that cover a lot of Chicago songs. They’re awesome live too! Thought maybe you might want to check them out.
Terry: “Hope you feel moved….We play for you…” ❤ Their passion is all for one, one for all 🙂 Robert Lamm and James Pankow wrote some of Chicago’s best tunes, too. Get better so you all can celebrate… 29,700! 🔥👌🏼
There is a documentary about Terry Kath on UA-cam in which James Pankow (trombonist and arranger of Chicago's horn charts) talks about this song. He says that Terry didn't read or write music, but James transcribed the musical notations needed to create the horn charts based on Terry playing and humming the sections. James said the complexity of the music in Terry's head floored him. At one point he stopped Terry and realized the section he was playing was in a 12/8 time signature, not an easy task for most muscians.
When my parents bought a cool console record player/radio back in the old days, we got a sampler record with this song on it. I always thought it was easily Chicago's best song of all time.
There is another band that had an "Introduction" on their debut: The Flock who was very often compared to Chicago and other bands who made jazz/rock based music on that high level. And it is close to a severe crime that The Flock do not get the same attention that Chicago gets. It was their "Intruduction" that caused John McLaugjhlin to invite Jerry Goodman to play with him and John Mayall called them the best American band he had ever heard. I think these are two good reasons to give them a chance to listen to.
In the late 60s early 70s this is the song made open all the concerts with Terry Kath is one of the great baritone voices in rock music saw them over 10 times over the years but sadly when they lost Terry they lost the rock and their roll
It's Terry's song but he couldn't read music so Jimmy wrote it for him. Jimmy said that was when he realized Terry was a Genius or words to that effect.
I may need to go re buy those earlier records i had. I Had albums back then and record player😂😂. Now cds. Those horns were always so amazing...and then a treat of Terry Kath on guitar and vocals. ❤❤❤. Lee, speaking of brass- Sergio Mendez ( leader) of the band Brazil 66 passed away just recently 82 or 83yrs old. 60s music i remember. He changed music and brought latin music to us in states. Go have a listen
Difficult song to execute which Chicago nailed in Spades ! You have 7 great musicians who know how to deliver. I was 19 when this debuted and has been my favorite Album ever since…sometimes the first Album was the best ! They all are excellent but Terry Kath wow is right.
I put together for my own enjoyment a playlist of about 80 killer 1st tracks from debut rock albums, and of course this one's on it. Great showcase for a first listen to this band, of their capabilities and their styles at that time.
It's my opinion that producer James William Guercio, who had a brief stint as a Mother with Frank Zappa, with the original, late 1960s Mothers,took some inspiration from what Frank was doing, mixing guitars and horns in unique arrangements and time signatures. He pulled this group together, understanding that a band with the chops, who were willing to rock more conventionally than Zappa, would have the "commercial potential" for widespread success.
My very first concert I attended with my friend Craig back in 1975 when Make me Smile and Color my World were popular. We must’ve been the youngest in the crowd . We had a great time as the band was young and full of energy.
Yeah,we kinda felt outta place as we brought a couple joints but nobody was smoking as everyone was older. So we waited til after back in the car. Haha
Great song, great band! Next, you gotta check out “Make Me Smile,” released in 70. I’ve requested this several times, it’s definitely one of their best! ✌️
pretty amazing when you think Terry couldnt read or write music and one of the others helped him chart everything.....and according to their producer Jimmy Guercio...they recorded this live in studio in one take!
Next up should be "Listen", followed by "Poem 58" (My favorite), and "Liberation" (an epic all-in dive) and I'd stick with the 2002 remaster, and avoid the 50th anniversary remix.
I am the last of a dying breed. A person who grew up in the 90s/2000s but basically lived a 70s childhood. There are a few of us (people raised in church and stuff) I had no cable tv. I couldn’t watch anything more than PG with my folks (I would sneak the other movies lol) I basically walked around our farm playing with sticks and stuff. I had a strange upbringing but it made me the man I am today 🤷😄
It is too bad you can't experience 6-s and early 70 music like I did as a teen and young man. But then like me you would be very old now. I am 77 but I got to see all of the cool bands live back when bands could actually play live just them, a PA and their instruments..
After saying he played Beginnings, he says this is the first track on the album, written by Terry as well. Actually, Beginnings was written by Robert Lamm, who also wrote Does Anybody Know What Time it Is, Questions 67 & 68, Listen, Poem 58, Southern California Purples, & co-wrote Someday. He wrote all of the hits off this album.
Peter Cetera was really tearing it up on that bass
The experimentation of rock bands back in the late 60s/early 70s was truly fantastic.
CTA masterpiece! Pete's bass is the dark horse of this first track.
As one reactor said about this song, "no chord left unplayed."
Awesome that you’re getting big time into Chicago! My favorite band of all time……so talented, every one of them, creative and innovative! This is my favorite Chicago tune of all time. If someone asked to hear just one song that defined this band, I would say listen to Introduction! Crazy that it’s the first song of the first album!
There are amazing time changes in this song
Early Chicago was really in the “progressive” rock genre, hidden by the use of traditional instruments, no freaky synths. The arrangements, the time changes, etc.
My favorite Chicago track. It showcases all that was to come in brilliant fashion: "We put you through the changes and turned around the mood" A+
OMG YES
One of my top 10 favorite Chicago tracks of all time. I cannot think of a better titled track that showcases the Terry-era of Chicago by fusing various music genres into one song.
I friggin' loved Terry Kath! It hurt me to the core when we lost him. What could have been.... This song is just amazing. Cetera's bass line is just fantastic. Loughnane is Luff'-nane. Cetera is Suh-ter'-uh. You should check out some Blood, Sweat & Tears, too.
I remember how amazed I was the first time I played this LP. They were a force when they arrived. Love this introduction ti thr band. ✌️❤️🎶
There are so many great tracks on this album, this intro is overlooked but just as good as any. This album was one of those game changers.
First song on the first album. Amazing.
There's a Russian cover band named Leonid & Friends who specialize in Chicago covers and their work is just outstanding. You could check them out...
Back in Jr. High concert band friends & myself started a horn band (early 70's, I was a fhrn player learning to play guitar) We used to buy Chicago sketch scores from album releases, they were all in 'C' so we had to transcribe the horn parts by hand. 'Introduction' was a huge challenge to learn & play. Looking back it was quite an achievement, one small mistake & it would completely fall apart!..Kath was a monster guitarist ( & singer) & like Hendrix played from the soul. This is a great tune & album, the first 5 releases are my favs.. -enjoy
"Introduction" from Chicago. Introduction to Chicago.
Introduction to Chicago Transit Authority, their original name.
Wow .. I hadn't heard this in a long time ... fantastic
Simply a classic.
One of my favs. So appropriate for an introduction. Each member has a moment.
The whole 3-5 first albums were amazing- you knew the ‘ change’ was gonna fantastic and different!!
I had this album when they already put out Chicago II. A real introduction to jazz/rock/funk/classical/progressive/fusion/wow
A great Terry Kath vocal that gets overlooked, "In the Country" from the second album - and there is a live at Tanglewood video out there, too.
When they were originally The Chicago Transit Authority, they were the house band at The Whiskey A Go-Go in LA. One night, Jimi Hendrix was in the audience. As the band was coming out of the dressing room to do their second set, standing in the hallway was Jimi. Jimi went to their sax player Walt Parazaider and said "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 national stadium tour.
Danny Seraphine noted in an interview that Terry wrote this song with multiple time signatures, including an INSANE 19/4 time for Danny. Terry COULD NOT read or write in music signature, he dictated it to trombone player James Pankow, who transcribed it.
Your next track from this album MUST be "POEM 58" and after that the album closing track "LIBERATION". Get ready for THOSE tracks, if you can. Have a defibrillator handy!
Very proggy in their early years. Brilliant way to let you hear the talent of each member. I was around 15 when this was released, what a time to be teen.
First heard this when I was 16 LEGEND. You’d love “Dialogue” RIP Terry Kath. They blessed Colorado recording at the famous Caribou Ranch. Thank you Jim Guercio.
I was 14!
We all mess up. If you can hold on to something, even if it's just music, you're still good.
I’m not a huge Chicago fan, I like them, but I will say Chicago II from start to finish is a complete Masterpiece 💕
Yeah boy this brings back memories, we were just being inundated by great music and this was enough different to get your attention and they quickly became a favorite.
I hadn't heard the intro. It's so interesting and cool. It's got everything!😮😊
“Lowdown” I was reminded of this song by listening to you talk about how you were feeling today. I think this was a very popular song, my brain remembers it very well, even though I haven’t heard it for a long, long time. They have such a diverse catalog. What a great band.
First heard this song when I was about 14. Some songs on this record was on the radio.
Grabbed my brothers album and headphones and listened to the whole thing😆 Best way to hear this album! ❤ Been one of my all time “feel good” albums😊
An old friend of mine was a trombone player and played in the Notre Dame High School jazz band with Jimmy Pankow.
There’s a Russian band (Leonid and Friends) that cover a lot of Chicago songs. They’re awesome live too! Thought maybe you might want to check them out.
I have not heard that track in a long time. Thank you....soooo good.The debut album was the best.
There’s so much wonderful music to love from this awesome band. 👏🏼👏🏼
Terry: “Hope you feel moved….We play for you…”
❤
Their passion is all for one, one for all 🙂
Robert Lamm and James Pankow wrote some of Chicago’s best tunes, too.
Get better so you all can celebrate…
29,700!
🔥👌🏼
Lamm wrote all of the hits off this album.
First song on the album and a great way to introduce the band.
It’s literally the perfect “introduction” to their sound as well. So damn good man.
The timing of all the instruments is amazing. The Terry Kath era was the best for Chicago.
One of their very best songs.
There is a documentary about Terry Kath on UA-cam in which James Pankow (trombonist and arranger of Chicago's horn charts) talks about this song. He says that Terry didn't read or write music, but James transcribed the musical notations needed to create the horn charts based on Terry playing and humming the sections. James said the complexity of the music in Terry's head floored him. At one point he stopped Terry and realized the section he was playing was in a 12/8 time signature, not an easy task for most muscians.
When my parents bought a cool console record player/radio back in the old days, we got a sampler record with this song on it. I always thought it was easily Chicago's best song of all time.
seraphine is a beast on drums !
There is another band that had an "Introduction" on their debut: The Flock who was very often compared to Chicago and other bands who made jazz/rock based music on that high level. And it is close to a severe crime that The Flock do not get the same attention that Chicago gets. It was their "Intruduction" that caused John McLaugjhlin to invite Jerry Goodman to play with him and John Mayall called them the best American band he had ever heard. I think these are two good reasons to give them a chance to listen to.
Always loved it when they opened their shows with this song
In the late 60s early 70s this is the song made open all the concerts with Terry Kath is one of the great baritone voices in rock music saw them over 10 times over the years but sadly when they lost Terry they lost the rock and their roll
Love the outro of Beginning's. One of the absolute best ever WTF moments with the trombone snd trumpet solos. Timeless shit that will always rule.
Chicago's amazing kick-off 👍
They are so good in concert early stuff the best peace😊
It's Terry's song but he couldn't read music so Jimmy wrote it for him. Jimmy said that was when he realized Terry was a Genius or words to that effect.
I may need to go re buy those earlier records i had. I Had albums back then and record player😂😂. Now cds. Those horns were always so amazing...and then a treat of Terry Kath on guitar and vocals. ❤❤❤. Lee, speaking of brass- Sergio Mendez ( leader) of the band Brazil 66 passed away just recently 82 or 83yrs old. 60s music i remember. He changed music and brought latin music to us in states. Go have a listen
Lee this first album was mind blowing. I played the hell out of it more than others and those i loved also.
Kinda like our expression listening to Jethro Tull play flute. That was bananas at first. Lol
Difficult song to execute which Chicago nailed in Spades ! You have 7 great musicians who know how to deliver. I was 19 when this debuted and has been my favorite Album ever since…sometimes the first Album was the best ! They all are excellent but Terry Kath wow is right.
I've got another great option for you, "Song of the Evergreens" on Chicago VII, their most underrated song IMO.
I put together for my own enjoyment a playlist of about 80 killer 1st tracks from debut rock albums, and of course this one's on it. Great showcase for a first listen to this band, of their capabilities and their styles at that time.
It's my opinion that producer James William Guercio, who had a brief stint as a Mother with Frank Zappa, with the original, late 1960s Mothers,took some inspiration from what Frank was doing, mixing guitars and horns in unique arrangements and time signatures. He pulled this group together, understanding that a band with the chops, who were willing to rock more conventionally than Zappa, would have the "commercial potential" for widespread success.
My very first concert I attended with my friend Craig back in 1975 when Make me Smile and Color my World were popular. We must’ve been the youngest in the crowd . We had a great time as the band was young and full of energy.
Yeah,we kinda felt outta place as we brought a couple joints but nobody was smoking as everyone was older. So we waited til after back in the car. Haha
Thanks for this Barry
Thanks for this Lee
Anytime FD
"Questions 67 & 68" should be next!
Great song, great band! Next, you gotta check out “Make Me Smile,” released in 70. I’ve requested this several times, it’s definitely one of their best! ✌️
Peter’s name is pronounced
sa-terra
A double LP debut album. It was unheard of!
Missed the premier! Love this track!!
pretty amazing when you think Terry couldnt read or write music and one of the others helped him chart everything.....and according to their producer Jimmy Guercio...they recorded this live in studio in one take!
Now thats how you introduce yourselfs to the world
Greatness.
A lot of the 60's Chicago bands had horn parts even if they didn't have horns in the band.
Amazing
Next up should be "Listen", followed by "Poem 58" (My favorite), and "Liberation" (an epic all-in dive) and I'd stick with the 2002 remaster, and avoid the 50th anniversary remix.
Ce tara...he became the leed singer when Terry passed...
You're a trip...you would've fit right in with the rock n roll/ party ground.
I am the last of a dying breed. A person who grew up in the 90s/2000s but basically lived a 70s childhood. There are a few of us (people raised in church and stuff) I had no cable tv. I couldn’t watch anything more than PG with my folks (I would sneak the other movies lol) I basically walked around our farm playing with sticks and stuff. I had a strange upbringing but it made me the man I am today 🤷😄
It is too bad you can't experience 6-s and early 70 music like I did as a teen and young man. But then like me you would be very old now. I am 77 but I got to see all of the cool bands live back when bands could actually play live just them, a PA and their instruments..
The 'real' Chicago. Danny Seraphine on drums.
Check out "It better end soon".
Dude. Poem 58.
The first three albums were all double LPs. Does anybody really know what time it is? The middle song on side one would be great.
I'd like you to react to "Poem 58" if I can have any influence.