This epinion is written in honor of Chicago's 2002 concert tour. I wanted to attend their concert last night, but the rude awakening that I got from the Georgia IRS ruined my plans!

Since I've been a Chicago fan for many years, I had looked forward with anticipation to going again to one of their concerts in 2002. However, circumstances caused me to not be able to attend their fantastic performance in person so, I had to settle for the recorded version of their music instead.

About a year ago, I purchased Chicago III quite by accident. It was inside of another album cover and I didn't realize the mistake until I had gotten home. However, after listening to this collection of music, I have to say that I really was sorry that I had not purchased this collection intentionally because both my son and I feel it's great!

Who is Chicago?

First, let me explain who Chicago is. Wow, that's a good joke, huh? How can you describe in a few words what a band has become in over 35 years of recording history? I don't think that is really possible. But I'll give this a try so hopefully for those of you too young, you may get a revelation as to what the band, Chicago, is like.

Chicago itself is a band that was created in the city of Chicago. With the great diversity of music within the Chicago area, with especially blues and jazz, a unique kind of rock music emerged from that town through the late 1960s -- a combination of guitars, drums, horns, and woodwinds. Up until that time most bands were basically traditional, until Chicago really came forth with a great variety of musical arrangements that hit the charts with great force, especially in 1969 when they recorded their first album, which was a double album at that time Chicago Transit Authority. To say that the album was a hit was a gross understatement as it stayed on the charts for 148 weeks.

Through time though the idea of having "horns" within a band began to not be as popular as before -- at least to record producers. Eventually Chicago began to produce recordings without that benefit or with diminished influence. That, I truly believe, caused most of the band's problems with their popularity. They offended long time fans and didn't really gain many new ones. Perhaps that is also why there is such a love/hate relationship between individuals who listen to their music.

You're either a Chicago -- horn band lover, or a non-horn lover. While I like music produced by both formats, I have to say that I enjoy the albums with horns and woodwinds the best. That is probably why I enjoy this particular collection -- Chicago III.

Chicago III

Chicago III is an interesting collection of music to say the least. There really isn't much of a "theme" within the collection at all as there is a combination of blues, rock, jazz, and even what would probably be called more "new age" now. For those individuals who prefer more of the "rock" sound of Chicago, this collection will probably not be one of their favorites. However, I enjoy blues music tremendously and perhaps that is why this collection appeals to me. Since this is an early album, this is Chicago with horns.

There's not enough room to review 23 individual selections of this set (and that would probably put everyone to sleep) I would like to just point out a few of these selections and how I feel about them.

Sing A Mean Tune Kid - An excellent funky guitar and horn jazz combination with an off beat. What I enjoy about this selection the most is the bouncing back and forth of the brass horns against the lyrics at the beginning of the selection. Near the middle of the song is a secondary theme of this bounce back and forth with trumpet "blasts" that keeps you off beat but rocking. Most of the second half of the selection is an incredible guitar solo that takes you to another level with its combination of rock and jazz.

Free -- Free is one of Chicago's greatest hits from this particular collection. A true rock and roll theme, Chicago's horns only enhance the already great guitar arrangements. As the group sings these very simple lyrics, it is the music itself that gives you the charge to just want to celebrate your freedom by getting up and dancing. This song empowers you to take charge of your life and decrease the power of loneliness surrounding you. (Lyrics are on Chicago's official web site -- link at bottom of epinion)

Happy Cause I'm Going Home -- Happy 'Cause I'm Going Home is a really strange excerpt to say the least. All of it is instrumental, with woodwinds -- and especially flute. Now, I used to play the flute myself in high school, but too much of something is really bad! This selection, very light and monotonous in tone will make you fall asleep or go to the stereo to see if the CD is actually stuck. It really sounds more like something of new age (or what I call space type) music, and really is not what I feel as "typical" Chicago at all. To be honest with you, I was happy when this selection went off because it was BORING!

Loneliness is Just A Word -- This incredible jazz selection takes the horns to the front with this off beat and inspiring production. The organ work is also typically jazz in nature and the entire selection has thoughts of you being in Chicago with the Blues Brothers or something of that nature. Overall, this is just a very pleasant combination of instruments with soft vocals that do not overbear and just let most of the beauty of the song flow as a mostly instrumental feature. By listening to this song, you feel that you're in the French Quarter in New Orleans.

Value and Recommendation

As I mentioned before, there really is a great difference of "epinion" as to whether or not Chicago III is a good buy for the money. And that really just depends on what type of "Chicago" music you enjoy, horns or not, jazz or harder rock. For me though, this album fits in more into the style of music that both my son and I enjoy with a blues type of flavor that is very relaxing to listen to indeed.

However, since there is a great difference of opinion concerning this product, I suggest that you listen to clips of it first instead before purchasing it. These can be found on sites such as Amazon.com and Chicago even has a montage of the selections of this CD on their own web site if you check their discography.

Regardless of whether or not you purchase this particular CD or not, I would hope that you would at some time check out the music of Chicago yourself if you have not done this before. I believe that with the wide variety of selections contained on all of their 26 collections that there's bound to be something there that will please you.

Selctions on Chicago III include the following:
Sing A Mean Tune Kid
Loneliness Is Just A Word
What Else Can I Say
I Don't Want Your Money
Flight 602
Motorboat To Mars
Free
Free Country
At The Sunrise
Happy 'Cause I'm Going Home
Mother
Low Down
Hard Rising Morning Without Breakfast, A
Off To Work
Fallin' Out
Dreamin' Home
Morning Blues Again
When All The Laughter Dies In Sorrow
Canon
Once Upon A Time...
Progress?
Approaching Storm, The
Man Vs. Man: The End

Group Members on Chicago III include the following:
Peter Cetera: bass, lead vocals
Terry Kath: guitar, lead vocals
Robert Lamm: keyboard, lead vocals
Lee Loughnane: trumpet, background vocals
James Pankow: trombone
Walter Parazaider: woodwinds, background vocals
Daniel Seraphine: drums

Additional Information

Chicago's official web site is located at http://www.chicagotheband.com .

Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Hanging With Friends