This is a fairly popular bootleg, because it was broadcast on the "King Biscuit Flower Hour" back in the day. However, I found several different versions of this bootleg, and none of them were complete. For instance, most of them miss the songs "Aire" and "Got to Get You into My Life" (a cover of the Beatles classic). I found the most complete version out there, but even this one was missing the second half of the song "Now More than Ever." I found a complete version of that from a different version, so this should have everything.
Different versions also have different sound quality, including some with fake audience applause added. This one has the best sound quality. It was professionally recorded for the radio, so it sounds as good as any live album at the time. In fact, the closest official live album chronologically is one called "Live in '75." But that has all kinds of performance and mixing problems. This is much better.
The timing of this album is key. In my opinion, Chicago's best years were 1969 to 1974. According to the crowd sourced ratings at rateyourmusic.com, six of the seven albums the band did in those years have a rating of 3.5 or higher. But no studio album the band has done in the many years since has ever come close to a 3.5. Also, in 1974, lead guitarist and occasional lead vocalist Terry Kath was still alive, and his playing is all over this recording. He would die in 1978.
This album is an hour and 35 minutes long.
01 talk (Chicago)
02 Introduction (Chicago)
03 Call on Me (Chicago)
04 Saturday in the Park (Chicago)
05 Something in This City Changes People (Chicago)
06 talk (Chicago)
07 Aire [Instrumental] (Chicago)
08 talk (Chicago)
09 Beginnings (Chicago)
10 Make Me Smile (Chicago)
11 So Much to Say, So Much to Give (Chicago)
12 Anxiety's Moment - West Virginia Fantasies [Instrumental] (Chicago)
13 Colour My World (Chicago)
14 To Be Free [Instrumental] (Chicago)
15 Now More than Ever (Chicago)
16 talk (Chicago)
17 Dialogue [Part I & II] (Chicago)
18 talk (Chicago)
19 Italian from New York [Instrumental] (Chicago)
20 Hanky Panky [Instrumental] (Chicago)
21 Life Saver (Chicago)
22 Just You 'n' Me (Chicago)
23 [I've Been] Searchin' So Long (Chicago)
24 25 or 6 to 4 (Chicago)
25 talk (Chicago)
26 Got to Get You Into My Life (Chicago)
27 talk (Chicago)
28 Feelin' Stronger Everyday (Chicago)
https://www.imagenetz.de/kPcSS
The cover photo was taken at Caribou Ranch, a recording studio up in the Rocky Mountains, near the town of Nederland, Colorado. Chicago recorded five albums there in the 1970s. This photo comes from a performance for a TV special called "Meanwhile Back at the Ranch" filmed around July 1974. The guy on the left of the stage with his back turned to the camera is actually a member of the film crew.
Thanks! Chicago w/Terry Kath were on fire!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for taking the time to provide a complete copy of this great show. I have other copies, that you referenced, but none are complete (which was irritating). Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much. Terry Kath is amazing as usual. The rest of the band is great as well.
ReplyDeleteI added some text pointing out that Kath was still alive for this concert. It was a big loss to lose his talent.
DeleteThanks for this first complete compilation of a superb concert! I have had two different version of this over the years, both missing pieces. There is material here from all 7 albums, with an emphasis on albums VI and VII. The bonus is The Beatles' "Got to Get You into My Life", which I also have in a pre-fame performance way back in 1968. Thanks for the extra effort taken to find the whole show, in fine sound quality. Much appreciated!
ReplyDeleteYeah, when I saw one of the missing tracks was "Got to Get You into My Life," that's what pushed me to find those. I really wanted to hear that one.
DeleteKath era Chicago TA were wonderful and underappreciated now a days. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, my friend. Uno de mis grupos favoritos. Saludos.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite Chicago shows. Adding Laudir was such a great move. Check out Kalamazoo, which is my favorite thanks to the added songs and sound quality. PSA - 99% of libraries will digitize your old reels/tapes for free. There's a ton of interviews out there, including some guy who's too lazy to do it.
ReplyDelete