Thanks to the guys at The Second Disc for posting this!

LOS ANGELES – After releasing its eighth consecutive gold album in just six years, Chicago embarked upon a massive stadium tour in 1975 that’s considered to be one of its finest. The shows found the group at the pinnacle of its prowess, combining the jaw-dropping musicality and contagious onstage energy that made Chicago one of the most successful acts in American pop history.

Rhino Handmade provides a snapshot from this extraordinary tour for the ages with a two-disc set that contains two hours of previously unreleased performances recorded June 24-26 at the Capital Centre in Largo, Maryland. The collection is presented in a hardbound slipcase accompanied by a foldout poster that features rare photos from the tour, Live in ’75 is available April 11 for pre-order exclusively at http://www.rhino.com for $39.98 and will be shipping on May 24.

Live in ’75 includes selections from all of the group’s albums through its then-current Chicago VIII. The set flows like a greatest hits collection that spans nearly every smash – from Robert Lamm’s smooth baritone on “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?” to the Lee Loughnane-penned hit “Call On Me” – but leaves room for beloved album tracks like the latin-flavored “Mongonucleosis.” The set also includes a complete performance of the crowd-pleasing “Ballet For A Girl In Buchannon” suite that James Pankow composed for the Chicago II album.

The band came out rocking, opening with “Introduction” from the ensemble’s stunning 1969 debut Chicago Transit Authority before shifting to “Anyway You Want” from its most recent LP. The combination neatly distilled Chicago’s past and present into a powerful one-two punch that established an intensity that did not let up through the entire show.

Live in ’75 includes Chicago’s distinctive take on a pair of cover tunes. The first, “I’m A Man,” finds the band making The Spencer Davis Group classic their own, led by a rousing guitar performance from Terry Kath. The second, the Beatles’ “Got To Get You Into My Life,” was significant because it was the song that originally seeded Walter Parazaider’s imagination with the notion of a new kind of rock ’n’ roll band with horns!

Chicago, Live in ’75 (Rhino Handmade, 2011)

Disc 1

1. Introduction
2. Anyway You Want
3. Beginnings
4. Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?
5. Call on Me
6. Make Me Smile
7. So Much to Say, So Much to Give
8. Anxiety’s Moment
9. West Virginia Fantasies
10. Colour My World
11. To Be Free
12. Now More Than Ever
13. Ain’t It Blue?
14. Just You ’N’ Me
15. (I’ve Been) Searchin’ So Long
16. Mongonucleosis
17. Old Days
18. 25 or 6 to 4

Disc 2

1. Got to Get You Into My Life
2. Free
3. I’m a Man
4. Dialogue
5. Wishing You Were Here
6. Feelin’ Stronger Every Day

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00530G0QK/?tag=imwan-20

This is most painful! I adore this band and want this badly. But $40 is ridiculous. No justifying that price for a 2CD live set, yet, what other choice would I have here?
Chicago VIII is one of my favorite albums and to have something from this tour would be great as they were still an amazing live act.
I was just watching my Rockpalast 1977 DVD last night and that show was mind blowing. God I miss Terry Kath. Anyway, I think I'm going to cave here!

The track list does look great.

No doubt. As the compact disc continues its slow death, $40 is a ridiculous price to ask for this set, as wonderful as the tracklist sounds. The 2-disc Japan set was only $20, and Rhino's own 4-disc Carnegie Hall set usually retailed for $40 or less. I'll have to pass on this unless a terrific discount shows up along the way.

No respect for Rhino. What a bloody disgrace ! $40 for this ?
I'd buy it for $15 (no more than that)

I definitely want this, but $40 is steep for two discs (and that second CD looks a bit skimpy). That probably doesn't cover shipping, either. (Or does it?) I'll have to consider any options that may arise.

Jim

I agree with you on this, though I prefer Chicago a couple years earlier; but Kath was so freakin' good. I also agree that $40 is too much. I have Live In Japan & Carnegie; + there's quality Kath era shows on WGV.

$40 for a 2CD limited edition (Handmade) doesn't seem that out of place to me, but obviously YMWV.

The last cd I bought from Handmade was Dan Hicks It Happened One Bite. Now available on Amazon as a CCM release as low as $6.95 brand new from 3rd party sellers. I paid $20 + shipping. I guess RHM doesn't say they'll be limited forever...........

I'd love to get this, but $40 is positively ZFT-like.

I'll scout for a used copy, or grab it when it's in general release.

IP - was that Rockpalast DVD an official release?

Alan

Ummm...no. I did get it in a trade and no money changed hands and it is glorious. From a recent digital rebroadcast overseas.
The band were on fire and the audience was fantastic.

As I said before, IMO Rhino Handmade letting CCM sell their releases after Rhino sells their limited run of them cheapens the release overall, at least it does for me and I know I'm in the minority on that because this has been discussed before. Most just want the music or the release and don't care who issues it. I'm one who can't stand seeing that BMG or your music or tacky Collector's Choice logo, or even Wounded Bird for that matter. Being as all of the music on this release is previously unreleased and it isn't just a re-issue remastered with extra tracks, for example, I'd say it's well-worth what they're asking. But when they sell out and you see the same release under Collector's Choice's moniker, it just leaves a bad taste in my mouth, sorry. A collector's choice isn't for everybody to be able to get what they purchased as a limited edition from a mass-mailed catalog. But we're all different in that regard and as I said, I'm well aware that I am in the minority.

That whole Rockpalast show is on youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7X9-O5zD86Y

This looks terrific.

Chicago? Live? 1975? I'm in.

"ain't it blue"? anyone know where that is from?

also, $40! about $15 too much.

"Ain't It Blue" is a Robert Lamm song that appeared on Chicago VIII.

thanks! i probably should have known that.

I had to look it up. I'm a big Chicago fan, and I bought VIII when it came out, but I don't have it anymore and didn't remember that song. I saw your post and got curious, though. I like everything through VII, but there's nothing on VIII I like much at all.

Listen to Chicago VIII again-it's fantastic and "Ain't It Blue" is one reason why. The big hits were "Harry Truman" (#13-always reminded me of Randy Newman) and "Old Days" (#5-one of their catchiest songs and still gets airplay) and the excellent, moody "Brand New Love Affair-Part I & II" also charted (#61).
"Hideaway" is a killer song-borderline Metal for Chicago only marred by a weird, dry mix (perhaps they didn't know how to approach a song this heavy?), "Oh, Thank You Great Spirit" is a mind-blowing 7 minute Hendrix-styled epic with insane guitar, bass and drums. "Anyway You Want" is a great opening rocker and the other cuts "Till We Meet Again" and "Long Time No See" are really good as well.
I think this is one of their very best albums and very diverse. Don't know if you'll change your mind on it, but I'd seriously listen again and I hope you'd enjoy it!
It's why I have to suck it up and get this release.

I'm in as well. Great band and if this the only way to get it so well be it.

Heck, I have bought boots over the decades that cost this much.

Rick A.

The song "Old Days" was big when I was graduating out of grammar school back in the spring of 1975. Very appropriate at that time.