Chicago- 25 or 6 to 4 (REACTION)
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- Опубліковано 27 сер 2024
- Song Link: • Chicago - 25 or 6 to 4...
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That wasn't "Take care". That was "Terry Kath". Terry was the guitarist here. Jimi Hendrix walked in to hear these guys after finishing his gig just up the road. He heard Terry Kath play and said to Chicago's manager, "This guy's way better than me."
"...and their horn section breathes with one lung..."
Hendrix is too modest but Terry was great
They were Hendrix opening band - he and Terry Kath were close personal friends as well
Mmm, it wasn't that night, nor was Jimi just up the road, neither. That had happened at the Whisky in LA in 1968, when Jimi apparently made those comments and asked them to open for him on the road, which they did. This Tanglewood concert was a huge breakthrough for Chicago, though as Bill Graham had originally wanted Joe Cocker or Hendrix to headline, but they had prior commitments. That Tanglewood concert series was huge at the time (I mean-it was Bill Graham), and they stepped up and knocked it out of the park.
For my money, this is one of the best live versions of any song ever recorded.
Chicago were amazing. Terry Kath was such a great guitarist. Left us too soon. RIP! A bit sad that now are mostly remembered for their cheesy eighties ballads rather than the great rock of the seventies. The debut called Chicago Transit Authority is still a masterpiece.
And some great crossover into jazz. So much stunning music.
For what it’s worth, I have never heard any of their 80s hits on the radio in the last decade or so, while their 70s hits are still alive and kicking
@@bubbamike4743 There's hope for mankind then... but they are still the most played on Spotify.
@@bjhellstream Out of their top 9 songs on Spotify (hard to say I’m sorry is there twice in the top 10), four are from the 70s and five from the 80s, so that’s something at least. And the way I look at it, even if some people get into the band through the 80s hits, a good chunk of them are bound to get curious and check out some of the earlier stuff and see what they’re missing out on.
@@bubbamike4743 You can only hope.
Okay. When Chicago comes up, I have only one thing to say. You cannot know this band until you’ve heard “Beginnings”. The uncut, studio version. To me, it’s almost a spiritual experience. Been one of my favorite songs for 50 years. Would love to see your reaction to it.
Agreed! Absolutely my all time favourite Chicago song.
Easily one of the greatest live guitar solos of all time. Why Kath isn’t talked about more, is beyond me.
Jimi Hendrix favorite guitarist!
He isn’t forgotten
Anytime a Chicago video is shown…all the comments are about the great Terry Kath…..so I have not a clue as what your talking about….he is a revered guitarist among fans and musicians….you should really understand a person and their contribution and the respect they gave garnered before you make….silly comments.
@@petersokol1603 Huh? Silly comment? I am talking about Kath getting respect when people discuss guitar greats generally. Very rarely is Kath’s name mentioned in top ten lists etc. My point is he should be in that discussion and he is usually not and that’s a shame.
@@jrbueller2664 read up above…your silly.
The awesome guitarist you're hearing is one of the bands creators, his name was Terry Kath. He died from an unintentional gunshot wound to the head, in the late 70s. IMO, the band has never been the same since then. Huge loss that day!
You should definitely do some more Chicago.. their earlier work, when Terry was still alive...IMO. So many hits ❤️
Unintentional gunshot to the head. Well. No such thing.
Early to mid seventies.. whether you were hard rocker, prog rocker, even popper (hehe) - lots of great pop in 70s too... EVERYONE LOVED Chicago. This song was iconic. We all knew it :)
Absolutely one of the best documented guitar solos. Try their cover of I'm A Man
There were 2 eras of the group - before and after the death of guitarist Terry Kath. Before, as in this song, they were ferocious and energetic in parts. After Kath died from a gun mishap in 1978, they lost a lot of their rock edge, and became known for their ballads. Hendrix called Kath the best guitarist in the universe. See the interview on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum channel about Hendrix and the group.
I really hope Justin sees your comment, because it is very accurate. And hopefully Justin does a song where he can hear Terry's soulful singing, like "I'm A Man" or "Make Me Smile".
@@illegal_space_alien Make Me Smile is one of the great songs from the Seventies, and Terry's voice is amazing on it. The man could shred AND sing.
That’s a bit oversimplified lol
@@ScottatHouseonaHill The whole live version of Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon is the only way to listen to those songs
Oh, Justin, you have so much to look forward to here. My favorite Chicago era is the Kath Years, but there are still many songs I enjoy in the post Kath Years despite all the detractors.
Just the first three double albums are insanely diverse, experimental, and ... well, just bloody brilliant. And Chicago V is still my favorite -- maybe because it was the first Chicago album I purchased. Try Dialogue parts I & II for more Terry Kath shredding in the second part.
I think your next song should be Introduction from their first album where they quite literally say, "This is who we are; this is what we do."
They put out their first album in '69. Their latest, twenty-sixth studio album, just came out in July. Only three of the original seven band members are still part of the group, but the sound survives. The spirit survives.
Have some fun.
For decades, Chicago was the band that first came to mind whenever anyone mentioned Rock-&-Roll brass!
Chicago and Jethro Tull were the pioneers of non-boring wind instruments.
And Terry Kath isn’t even included in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of Top 100 guitarists. That’s absolutely criminal.
This is the Chicago I grew up listening to. Their founding lineup was:
Terry Kath - Guitar, lead vocals
Robert Lamm - Keyboard, lead vocals
Peter Cetera - Bass, lead vocals
James Pankow - Trombone
Lee Loughnane - Trumpet
Walt Parazaider - Woodwinds, Sax
Danny Seraphine - Drums
Their first three albums were all double LP releases. This song was a studio release on their eponymous second album, which also features a phenomenal seven movement suite titled "Ballet For A Girl In Buchannon", written by Pankow and includes both Terry Kath vocal tracks "Make Me Smile" and "Colour My World". You need to listen to those songs as part of the suite to appreciate them and the band members talents in context. Seraphine has a blistering drum portion in "To Be Free", the penultimate movement before "Now More Than Ever", a reprise of "Make Me Smile".
Their entire first and second albums are masterpieces. On the debut album as The Chicago Transit Authority you MUST listen to "Poem 58". If you think Terry Kath was hot here, cue up "Poem 58" , but have a defibrillator handy to restart your heart. Kath will blow you away in that track. Trust me, Poem 58.
CTA has been one of my favorite bands since I first heard their inaugural offering in late 68 or early 69. I STRONGLY suggest you listen to and react to their 1st album, sequentially and particularly " Introduction"
It's Terry Kath's finest moment ( IMO ) not a bad song on the album, including "free form guitar" 👌👍🤠
The 1st 3 Chicago albums were double albums and they were…….stunning.
Yup,I agrree ! I think those were their best albums !
@@TRANZEURO For me it's 1st, 2nd, and V, followed closely by III and VII. V is tighter and more consistent than III which would've been better as a single.
I've seen 3 different recordings on film of this show. Still can't find the 11 year old stunned and smiling kid that I was that night! Thank the gods that my neighbors had season passes for Tanglewood. Which is a half an hour away from Sturbridge Mass. and Arlo Guthries famous 'Massacree'. I wont ramble on about Chicago & Terry Kath, just skip the first three songs on that list, (their tripe!) and start with 'Introduction' from their first record 'Chicago Transit Authority'. That will say it all !!! Completely different group after Terry's unfortunate death. Peace & Love from the wilds of Ct.
Stockbridge, not Sturbridge, and Stockbridge to Tanglewood is about a 10 minute drive.
@@davidcohen821 Yeah, old age brain, it happens!
In the 70s before the guitarist Terry Kath died tragically in a gun accident, they were basically a rock band with horns. In the 80s they did a lot more power ballads
Oh my gosh this is one of the sickest guitar solos ever. I can't believe this is the 1st time you're seeing this, this song never gets old
The guitarist is Terry Kath. When Jimi Hendrix was once asked "How does it feel to be the world's best guitarist?" Jimi responded: "I don't know, ask Terry Kath". That's encapsulates how much respect other musicians had for Terry Kath!
Welcome to Chicago. I grew up listening to these guys, and they are prolific song writers. Their first 3 studio albums were double disks followed by a 4 disk live set from Carnegie Hall. The horn section were all music majors at De Paul University and have always been integral to the Chicago sound. Their first 11 albums with guitarist Terry Kath were all pretty much focused on Jazz/Blues/Pop/Rock fusion. After that they cashed in with rock ballads and soft rock - avoid those like the plague.
The toured as an opening act for Jimi Hendrix - here's the actual story from the band biography: "As related to group biographer, William James Ruhlmann, by Walt Parazaider (sax), Jimi Hendrix once told Parazaider, "Jeez, your horn players are like one set of lungs and your guitar player is better than me." "
Here are the next tracks to check out: Beginnings, Introduction, I'm a Man, Ballet for a Girl from Buchanan, Dialogue Parts I & II, Feeling Stronger Every Day. There is so much more, this is only a start.
One thing to note - this was a LIVE concert. While the drummer (Danny Seraphine) had to readjust his drum kit, Terry Kath (guitarist) began playing fills on his guitar. Several other band members kicked in to help before Danny finished setting up his drums. If you are familiar with the song, you clearly hear the transition from fills to the song!
The first concert I took myself to, right after I got my driver's license: Chicago at the Hollywood Sportatorium in 1976. Thankfully, Terry Kath was still alive then; I was so fortunate to see him play live in person.
Saw them in late 60’s as an unknown backup band to Jimi Hendrix. The opening song, Introduction, sets the tone for a really great album. One of the best live acts around and still are.
Terry Kath, the guitarist, was Jimi Hendrix's favorite guitar player. Both tragic ends to their life. When he passed they turned into popular generic pop garbage. Listen to their 70's stuff, it's very progressive jazz/rock.
So, the lineup: Peter Cetera on bass and the lead vocal, Terry Kath on guitar and background vocal, Robert Lamm on keyboards and background vocals and he wrote the song, James Pankow on trombone and horn arrangements, Walter Parazaider on saxophone, Lee Loughnane on trumpet, and Danny Seraphine on drums. For the first eight albums or so, this was kind of what you got - a mix of pop and rock with blistering guitar licks and super tight horns. Cetera, Kath, and Lamm all sang lead vocals at times. Lamm and Pankow did most of the writing but Kath contributed a lot of writing, himself. In 1978, Terry Kath tragically killed himself in a handgun accident. After that, Chicago was never the same -- producer David Foster gradually steered them toward being a love song band with mostly Cetera singing leads until he left the band for a solo career. But for a decade or so, they were a power-packed ensemble of hard driving rock and blues. RIP Terry Kath. They had a number of radio hits off those first two albums, but for my money, one of their best cuts wasn't a radio hit -- the song 'In The Country' from their second album which features Kath and Cetera trading vocals in front of some powerful guitar and bass licks.
I saw Chicago perform live a month ago in Cincinnati, OH. I was really impressed with how great they were on stage. The brass players laid it out with energy during the entire show (as a brass player myself, this is not easy!), the vocals were great, the percussion top-notch. Great to see a fantastic band kickin' it into the 2020s!
The exuberance of this live performance is irresistible, but the studio version's precision exposes the bones of this song in a beautiful way. Enjoy more Chicago. There are a half-dozen classics on their various albums.
I agree with others, Chicago during the Kath era is more than worth the deep dive. They're another group I would recommend listening to in chronological album by track order, particularly the first seven albums from Chicago Transit Authority through Chicago VII at least.
Not many bands insist on a double LP for their debut. Not only did Chicago do so, but followed the double debut with two more double LPs, Chicago and Chicago III, and *then* released Chicago Live at Carnegie Hall, a *four* LP release.
There are the occasional mellow tracks during the Kath era, but their ballad love song era really started after Kath's passing. They had many hits in that style, but it is very different from the Kath era.
This is one of the first songs I heard from Chicago. Terry Kath's guitar really defined how to use a wah-wah pedal. The single of "25 or 6 to 4" seemed to hit the air waves around the same time as a song from Chicago Transit Authority, their first album, "Does Anybody Know What Time It Is?". Another introductory song from CTA would be "Introduction". The group owed much of their sound to Blood Sweat & Tears, but eventually their brass section faded into more vocals and vocal harmonies.
So yeah, this very well may be the greatest live guitar solo of all time. And I’m not even kidding about this. it’s that far off the charts craaaaaazy good.
You're going to receive a lot of recommendations on tracks to continue your Chicago journey - a journey quite overdue and one that will be very rewarding
Personally - I'll recommend you check out 'Questions 67 & 68 '
LOVE that song.
From the same tour that they opened for Jimi Hendrix. In an interview Jimi was asked what it is like being the best guitarist in the world? He said you should ask that guy from “Chicago!”Excellent guitar work!
Love to see you hear some Chicago! Would be great to watch you react to something like Beginnings or Dialogue next. And while it may have seemed like the keyboardist (Robert Lamm) took a back seat in this song, he was actually the one who wrote it, and was arguably the band's most dominant creative force in the 70s! :)
Justin, thanks for this reaction. You def should do the 1st album "Chicago Transit Authority", and begin with the first song, "Introduction", a sort of digest of all they were able to do (with the lyrics directly adressing to us, the audience), and it was a huge range of music! (And Terry Kath on vocals is also awesome!)
Superb track from a superb band fantastic solo from Terry Kath deserved to have the camera glued to him outstanding song🎶
Terry Kath absolute legend, RIP Terry.
Early Chicago is epic! Songs to become familiar with are: Beginnings, Make Me Smile, Questions 67 And 68, Colour My World. And if you have not reacted to Blood Sweat & Tears they are another sensational band from this era that stood out for their blues infused approach to popular music of the era. Great horns, vocals that are top shelf and overall musicality that put them on a different tier.
back in the days when Chicago does some great contribution to music - long ago and almost forgotten. And yes, a hell of a giant solo!
Love this song. 70s so good.
Justin, I can't believe you have not reacted to Chicago yet and shame on me for not recommending it to you. Since you liked the brass section, try a group called Chase, specifically Handbags and Gladrags along with a song called Open Up Wide. Enjoy and thank you as always. ps The guitar player in Chicago wasn't too shabby either. lol
You MUST listen to more! This is one of the greatest bands of all time and there are too many songs that I could recommend. RIP terry kath
Chicago "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?"...Nuff Said.
You get so much with Chicago, you get soul, you get Rythm and Blues, you get Jazz you even get Prog and acid rock, you get avant gard and improvisiation . The first 7 albums are the best rock album of the 70s in the USA. Terry Kath the guitar player was so good that Jimmy Hendrix said Terry was better than him. I recomend you continue with Introduction first song of the first album and then you continue exploring the band.
This is one of my favorite Chicago songs. I like the early version of Chicago with all the horns and the grittier (and sometimes experimental) sound. I feel they went downhill in the later 80s' version (when Peter Cetera took over all the vocals, got rid of the horns, and focused on ballads and soft rock). Although Cetera is singing on this one, it IS the earlier, grittier version.
Saw them 3 times in the Terry Kath years and most recently in 2016. The same horn players were there, along with Robert Lamm on KB's.
Great observation of the horn section.
And a great review.
Great track. Always great to see Terry Kath playing his guitar. And I was watching this at 25 or 6 after 4.
...6 to 4?
I think,at the end, the singer says Terry.Kath (the guitarist) as opposed to Take care. In recognition of Kath's.great solo. Early Chicago is a joy for the ears.
Insane amazing guitar solo. Wow. Every time I hear it, it's really something. Don't hear many like that any more.
Justin this was a GIANT Monster Hit when it came out and still is, played everyday on Classic Rock radio around the nation !!! Tanglewood is a very Koool outdoor Gig, I seen many shows their starting in 1973' and to this day they still have big acts go there, it's about 20 miles west of Boston in a nice rural area !! ✌
I seen Santana in 76', Jethro Tull in 73' or 74' and others out there.
Other than the late great Terry Kath, whom other commenters have mentioned, the thing you’ll notice about Chicago is their horn section.
Glad you reacted to a 70s version of this song. The 80s version of Chicago tried to do a remake of this song. Note the word “tried.”
Ditto to all the positive comments here. Some of the greatest music ever. Such hard working musicians back in 1970. Thanks for playing this. Does anybody really know what time it is? It's 25 or 26 minutes to 4am and I can't sleep. So I'll just write this little ditty. I must be manic. This song is much like the city of Chi -town !! The New York of the Midwest.
Early Chicago > later Chicago IMHO
Glad you started with the early (true) Chicago!! From their second album following their incredible debut CTA. An album you would find almost without a flaw if you ever get the desire to go track by track. Great introduction to Chicago and great reaction.
The Chicago horn section is super tight! Whole band highly talented!
What you are hearing are the early days of "blue eyed soul". Peter Cetera was the singer in the band, and he went onto a decent solo career where he was very much performing straight up "blue eyed soul" (Hall and Oates).
Chicago does a lot of songs with the horn section. So if you want to hear more in the this style, I'd suggest What is Hip by Tower of Power or Pick Up the Pieces by the Average White Band.
You will become a CHICAGO fan instantly from their first 5 albums. Here are the great tunes you will love evermore; Beginnings, Saturday In The Park, Feeling Stronger Every Day, introduction, Questions 67 or 68, Ballet for a Girl In Buchanan, just to name a very few .
This live performance is typical of early-Chicago when guitarist Terry Kath was alive: The band was aggressive, ambitious, creative and complex in its arrangements, and even its mellower tracks during that era, and there were some great ones, broke boundaries, and incorporated a lot of jazz and soul elements.
After Kath died, about 10 years after the band was formed, Chicago turned sharply to much more conventional, rock-ballads that were much simpler and more pop focused to get air time. While that period produced quality work for that genre, the musicianship, creativity an edge from the earlier period was mostly done.
Chicago continued to pump out records and still tour but it is a shell of its early days; the re-capture that early magic, the best strategy is to listen to a tribute band based in Moscow that is currently touring the U.S. and which recreates the stellar musicianship and production values of the original -- Leonid & Friends. To me ears as a musician, they are the best tribute band in the world, and while early-Chicago is the core of their work, they have done brilliant covers too of Steely Dan, Earth, Wind and Fire, The Ides of March, just to name a few. Their lead singer on most of their Chicago song has a similar vocal range and style as Chicago lead singer Peter Cetera but even better -- he's the sole Ukranian member of the band and separated from the tour by the ongoing war. Here's a link to Leonid & Friends' 25 or 6 to 4: ua-cam.com/video/9_torOTK5qc/v-deo.html
ANY song from this Tanglewood 1970 concert is a MASTERPIECE!!!!!!
Chicago is essentially 2 different bands. The 1970's Chicago is a Jazz-Rock-Blues fusion band with a unique sound, and some of the greatest rock songs ever. Unfortunately, after Terry Kath's death in 1978, the band lost it's way, and the record label (as well as bass player/vocalist) Peter Cetera changed the sound to sappy pop ballads. If you want to hear more of the GOOD Chicago, check out "Beginnings"; "Color My World"; "Saturday in the Park"; "Make Me Smile"; "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?"; "I'm a Man"'' "Just You 'n' Me"; "Feelin' Stronger Every Day"' "(I've Been) Searchin' So Long"'; "Wishing You Were Here"; "Brand New Love Affair, Part I & II"; "Old Days"; "If You Leave Me Now"; "Another Rainy Day in New York City"; "Baby, What a Big Surprise", "Take Me Back to Chicago" and so many more. Unless you like sappy, soulless pop songs, you can skip the 1980's Chicago.
Chicago's first 3 albums (Chicago Transit Authority, Chicago II and Chicago III) were double albums and is the best stuff they did. Later in their career they got more mellow and allowed their management to "pigeon hole" their music. The best thing to do is start at the beginning. Chicago's first album, first cut called "Introduction", this is a good example of what's to come and will lay you out flat, promise! If Mozart or Beethoven were alive in the late sixties or early seventies, they would have been in a band like Chicago, pushing the limits and way ahead of their time.
Early Chicago is rock music that many jazz musicians like. Horn and wind plays dig it.
When first came out on the radio, DG said, "Get out your slide rules!" lol Was great.
Terry Kath has vocals of gold on top of his guitar awesomeness. Color my World a must hear track
I think you will like their debut album "Chicago Transit Authority", radio stations would cut their songs because of length. For example the radio would cut the album's jazz piano solo at the beginning of "Does Anyone Really Know What Time It Is?".
This performance always gives me chills. Terry Kath was a fantastic guitarist and singer, and like other musicians from this era he was taken from us too soon. As far a Chicago in general, I really like the earlier albums starting with CTA and going through maybe III or IV. Some of their material is more 'rock' and others are more pop. I definitely recommend checking out more of the early stuff off of CTA and Chicago II. A great introductory song is actually 'Introduction' off of Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). Terry Kath sings on this one and his bluesy voice really works well.
CTA is required listening. Another fantastic debut album. In addition to Introduction, I'd recommend Beginnings, Questions 67 & 68, and Poem 58. These tracks are all from the first of the two records which make up this double album.
@@neonpark1874 Completely agree! CTA is just packed with great music.
Chicago is extremely overlooked. The years with Terry Kath had everything from Jazz Fusion to Soul, Hard Rock. The first three albums are basically perfect but dive into Chicago Transit Authority, their first. They do a killer version of I'm A Man!
BTW... this is coming from a Yes/Crimson junkie... you will like this band a lot! Jump off that diving board and swim in the sweet sounds of Chicago!
TERRY KATH-RIP, one of the greatest guitarists, he was the soul of the band. Check out Make Me Smile from the same concert.
"So, Jimi, what's it like to be the greatest guitarist in the world?" "I don't know. Go ask Terry Kath."
First band I saw live - in 1976 - I still remember that show - and Terry Kath’s playing. Chicago from 1968-1978 - arguably one of the best American bands. Recommend “Make Me Smile” or “Beginnings” as your next foray…
Terry Kath - guitar
Peter Cetera - bass and lead vocals
Robert Lamm - keyboards
Lee Loughnane - trumpet
James Pankow - trombone
Walter Parazaider - saxophone
Danny Seraphine - drums
Chicago's sound changed over the years, particularly after the death of Terry Kath in 1978. They were more rock/jazz oriented in the early days but gradually became more pop/ballad oriented. Lead vocals were split between Lamm, Kath and Cetera early on, but later on, Cetera became the dominant voice of Chicago. So if you like this one, stick to the early stuff. If you enjoy sappy ballads, give the later stuff a try. Personally I like both, but much prefer the early rocking Chicago sound.
I recently read that the song is about writing music in the wee hours of the morning, writer's block, the stress of having to produce...
And obviously, the analog clock face that might be seen askew when "sitting crossed-legged on the floor" in such a head space. Was it 25 to 4 AM, or 6 to 4 AM... was it 25 or 6 to 4? -- jumbled thoughts, jumbled vision. ;-)
And not a bit ironically, my song suggestion is, "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?".
Cheers Justin!
I didn't think about that - they were both songs involving time pieces, and made it as singles on hit radio simultaneously..
I always assumed the title meant it was 25 to 4am or 26 to 4am, so 25 or 26 minutes to 4am
@@richg0404Yes. That is certainly an even easier way to interpret it.
Like, "twenty-five(or six) to four". I suppose only the lyricist knows for sure! ;-]
52 years ago and still sounds good.
A song about how hard it is to write a song especially in the wee hours of the night, 25 or 26 minutes to 4am.
Chicago THEN and LATER are two different things... I fancy the Old Chicago, they ROCKED! Their first two double albums have a lot of political lyrics as well - like 'Better End Soon', which I would love to ask to be subject to a reaction.
Hey Justin ~ I love Chicago, and have ever since their first album CTA (Chicago Transit Authority which was the original name of the band but had to change it or get sued by said Authority). This particular video does not have the best sound quality so I highly recommend you listen to the studio version so that you can truly hear everything that's going on, not just with the amazing Terry Kath, but with the horn section and Pete Cetera's vocals. They had hit after hit for many years. There are several songs that you have to react to. Beginnings (the full album version), Saturday in the Park, Feeling Stronger Every Day, Color My World, Does Anyone Really Know What Time It Is, I'm A Man, Wishing You Were Here, to name just a few. I know you will enjoy getting to know their music and different styles. =)
Love 70's Chicago! Keep going. .
JP... This early Chicago is pretty incredible stuff. Terry Kath was the guitarist who died in 1978 from a gunshot accident. His talent on the guitar was well known even at the time. When I hear of his death it was very sad because he was so amazing on guitar (as you saw) and would have become more well known. Chicago remarkably has their first ever album release as a double album, yeah you read that right a double album debut called Chicago Transit Authority. It's got be one of the top 50 greatest albums. Just a warning if you listen to more of Chicago, they are like Genesis because just like Genesis, Chicago went the way of pop except really sappy sugar pop as time went on, but their first maybe 4 albums were very good. I miss Terry Kath when I think of what amazing guitar performances we've all been denied of. Keep up the great work! (I know bad segue there )
Neck and neck for "greatest song about songwriters with writer's block" with Simon & Garfunkel's Cecilia.
Chicago is perhaps the deepest rabbit hole in all of rock music outside of the Beatles. So much talent and musicianship. So much material… So much quality. Take a deep dive!
I recommend you start at the beginning with the Chicago Transit Authority album (which 25 or 6 to 4 is from). Just do the entire album in order, starting with Introduction. Not a bad song on the album. When you finish this one you’ll still be wanting more, so just keep on going through the next two albums.
So much great music!
Sorry, but 25 or 6 to 4 is from Chicago II.
I kinda wish this had been the studio version--so you could hear one of the truly great guitar solos.
The Seventies era with Terry Kath is untouchable. Best damned band and Terry was stunning.
Ignore those first three songs you read off. Sappy post prime Chicago.
They were originally called Chicago Transit Authority.
Chicago did this kind of music in the early years, and over time morphed into a ballad band. Check out their Live at Symphony Hall album.but by all means do Chicago Transit Authority in its entirety.
Evening, Justin. Dave from London. What Can I Say? You've finally come round to Chicago. Their first album was one of the first I ever bought. Extremely varied musical output. Blistering rock like this (or Manipulation from Chicago 14). If you like Terry's solo here, try Poem 58 from their first album.
Protest songs (try it Better End Soon from their second). Jazz rock (like Aire or Devil's Sweet from their seventh, or most of their fifth). Disco (like Street Player, featuring Maynard Ferguson). Swing (like the whole of the Night And Day album).
Melodic pop (try Wishing You Were Here, from the seventh, with The Beach Boys). If you like AOR ballads, there's always the cheesy If You Leave Me Now, from their tenth; or my song ref What Can I Say? from Chicago 16.
Bassist and singer on 25 or 6 to 4 Peter Cetera went solo in the 80s and was replaced by Jason Scheff, son of Jerry who plays on The Doors' LA Woman album.
"25 or 6 to 4" is often talked about as one of the greatest guitar solos in any pop song, but the things that escapes you is that what Terry Kath played here is NOTHING AT ALL like the solo on the record. He was a phenomenal improvisational player, as were all members.
Re Chicago, they have a very eclectic catalog, and can roughly be divided into three eras:
1. Terry Kath era (albums 1-11) - Chicago began as a a very experimental jazz-rock fusion (before there was that word) with heavy emphasis on musical equality among members, improvisation, and more experimental forms of composition, such as multi-song suites. Their first album, Chicago Transit Authority, was an incredibly ambitious double album that provided all members the opportunity to stretch out and show off; the second (another double album) was more cohesive and introduced their idea of song suites; the third (also a double album) continued in this format, leading to; the fourth, which was a FOUR record live box set of their week-long engagement at Carnegie Hall. The only other multi-disk release was Chicago VII, the first record being almost entirely instrumental and more jazz oriented. Every album in this period was been certified US Platinum, with Chicago IX Greatest Hits as 5xPlatinum.
2. Peter Cetera era (albums 12-17) - After the accidental gunshot death of guitarist Terry Kath, Chicago struggled to find their voice again. After a few lackluster albums, they settled into a soft-rock Adult Contemporary feel with tenor and bassist Peter Cetera clearly taking the lead. This period produced some of their biggest hit songs in collaboration with David Foster.
3. Modern era (albums 18-38) - After Peter Cetera's departure on a solo career, Chicago has continued playing. While still quite popular on the touring circuit and have solid record sales among dedicated fans, they have never enjoyed the same level of popular commercial success.
I believe you would absolutely love going through their discography from start to at least the first seven albums. At the very least, if you loved TK's guitar work you need to listen to Poem 58 off the first album, CTA.
Great performance and great reaction I just wish you had listened to the oriiginal studio version first.
Terry Kath-Guitar
Peter Cetera-Lead vocals/Bass
Robert Lamm-Keyboards
Lee Loughanne-Trumpet
James Pankow-Trombone
Danny Seraphine-Drums
Walter Parazaider-Saxophone
He didn't say "take care", he said "Terry Kath", which is the name of that fabulous guitarist. Next Chicago song you should react to is "Beginnings", my favourite song by the band. Either that or "Introduction", the first song on their debut album. Warning: Chicago is a rabbit hole and a half.
Another incredible band with a full horn section is Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes. Such songs as Talk to Me and Trapped Again is worth reacting to!
As others stated, out of the songs you mentioned, only this song featured Terry Kath. After he was gone, Chicago became a watered down soft rock group with cloying sentimental ballads. Still technically proficient, but almost elevator music. The title has been rumored to refer to LSD because of the lyrics and the fact that a trip usually lasts about ten hours (6-4 is ten hours) and LSD 25 being the another name for the drug. I'm not saying that I think that, but at the time that what was going around. Whether it's true or not, doesn't mean anything, it's a great song.
The song is actually about sitting awake at night trying to write a song. "Waiting for the break of day, searching for something to say." All the lyrics make sense if you keep that in mind. While he was writing the song, he looked at the clock and it was 3:34 or 3:35 AM, twenty five (or twenty six) minutes until four o'clock. Hence, "25 (or 6) to 4".
@@joepegel I've read that as well, but it didn't stop people from saying otherwise. As I stated, I didn't think it was about LSD.
Great Video! I'd love it if you reacted to their first album. The song "introduction" is a personal favorite of mine, and it's the first song on their first album, so it's a nice introduction to the band!
Their 'wood album' is very jazzy. Check out 'Goodbye' or 'A Hit by Varèse'.
Okay I just hit play I haven't read any comments and here I'm just praying that you watched a live Tanglewood version of this but I understand if he didn't I hope you go back and you do cuz it's an amazing concert...
Well that just made my night like I was not expecting I am very grateful that you're finally got me to this part of your musical journey. I can't believe how long ago it was that I sent you this first album from Chicago Transit authority. At the end he didn't say take care he said Terry Kath which I'm sure somebody else said in the comments Terry Kath really made this band at the next level They continued on after his death but it really was a different band as far as I'm concerned. I've been lucky enough to see them four times live... Never with Terry. That was way before my time... I hope this will prompt you to take out that LP it's a double LP and consider more songs this group is just fantastic and that album is just fantastic.
This song, which is a classic, is a great example of the band's early work. The first few songs on the Spotify list is from later in their career, when they switched to commercial love songs, many of which are also classics. The guitarist was the late, great Terry Kath, whom Jimi Hendrix called his favorite guitarist. Their cover of "I'm a Man" is powerful and funky. Chicago has a bunch of great songs.
I've been listening to Chicago's early work since their first album came out. In fact, Chicago Transit Authority (their name on the first album) was my first ever concert. Terry Kath has always been one of my guitar heroes. Even Jimi Hendrix was astonished by Kath, saying "He's better than me." When Kath died, Chicago was never the same. Their albums got worse and worse, although they kept having hits. The soul of Chicago died with Terry Kath.
Absolutely. As it happens too often they became more successful when the quality of their music decreased drastically.
Danny Seraphine would agree with you.
The soul of a band is collective, not in any one person. You are allowed to have your opinion about the quality of their music, however please understand that by saying what you said, you dismissed the contributions of all the other musical artists in the band. They didn't deserve that.
@@drea4195 I didn’t mean to underplay the other musicians; they were all great. It’s just that, being a guitarist myself, Kath was always who I focused on.
Chicago Transit Authority is a great album and has been one of my faves since its release. Justin, if you're listening to Chicago, I recommend listening to The Flock too. The band unfortunately only made 2 albums, but at that time it was one of the very few groups that played in the same league ...
GOT MULE! Govt Mule “Blindman in the dark” is awesome it features Warren Haynes on guitar Matt abts drums Danny Louis on keys and this show had multiple bassists filling the spot Allen Woody used to be. RIP Allen Woody!
Enjoy🇨🇦✌🏻🇨🇦
Recommendations: Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon (includes Make Me Smile and Color My World). Saturday In the Park. Feeling Stronger Every Day. Beginnings. Introduction. All from their early phase. Later, Look Away is one of my favorites from their later era.
My first rock concert was Chicago at the Oakland Coliseum Arena. It was either Terry Kath's last or penultimate concert. Not sure which night dad took me to, either 11-30 or 12-1-77. Regrettably, I don't have the ticket stub.
JP, at the end of the song, the lead singer, Peter Cetera, did not say "take care" he said "Terry Kath", the late lead guitarist shredding on this song and why your viewers suggested you listen to this live version. I am certain that if you listen to a half dozen other songs from Chicago's catalog, you will be feeling stronger everyday, like enjoying a Saturday in the Park, and they will be sure to Make You Smile, besides, does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?
Probably my favourite song by them. Great song and great performance. Similar bands would be Blood, Sweat & Tears or Lighthouse.
He says Terry Kath at the end!