Is Chicago a compilation band or an album band?

Currently, I have the Group Portrait box set, the Greatest Hits 82-89 compilation, Live In Japan 1972, Live At Carnegie Hall and the first three albums (I & II on Rhino and III from Friday Music).

I am contemplating getting at least all the studio albums with Terry Kath, but am hesitant for some reason.

Does what I have already give me enough of a representation of the classic era or do I need to have everything through 1977-78?

I'm gonna put this to a poll: Is Chicago a compilation band or an album band?

Let me know what you guys think.

1st album and nothing else

Well, I guess I'm all set then.

I don't know how you'd vote in this poll, but I'll take that as an "album" vote.

Album: 1, 2, 3, Carnegie & Live In Japan

I could live with only having 1 & 2.

That's pretty much the bulk of my collection. Thanks Geff.

Chicago is one of those bands I was happy with their greatest hits for years on vinyl. In CD era I have bought many of their albums but still enjoy the comps mostly.

I voted for "album band".

Chris, I think you would enjoy everything through VIII.

I have everything up to Terry Kath's death and I voted compilation. But a homemade one. Any comp without South California Purples is incomplete.

I'm content with the compilation that I have.

Innnnnteresting.

Either/or? Hardly.

It's a floor wax that's also a dessert topping!

This is an admittedly weird recommendation, especially since it's not even the classic original line-up of the band with Kath, Cetera and Seraphine in the rhythm section, but I would also personally classify the Chicago/Earth Wind & Fire concert DVD/Blu-Ray from '04 as a "must" for fans of classic Chicago. The beginning and closing performances of the two bands playing each other's songs together alone justifies the purchase, but the Chicago "solo" set shows that the band can still play, even if you don't like all the songs they happen to be playing (the EWF part of the show rocks as well). I would also say that Chicago XXV, the first Christmas album, is a personal favorite.

Otherwise, I would say they're an "album" band, at least through Chicago XI, although you could also make the case to stop at VII. I happen to like soft-pop 80s Chicago for what it is since that's how I first discovered them.

That said, since Chicago has released approximately 37 different compilations of their past material, it's hard to say that they consider themselves an "album" band.

Hard to say I'm sorry.

I doubt they'd call themselves anything other than an album or touring band. Is there an actively producing band that considers themselves to be a compilation band?

That may even beat the Doors - WOW!

ALBUM

ALBUM

ALBUM

ALBUM

I LOVE this band.

In my Top 10 personally.

Without question (67 or 68), this band is FAR more than just the singles which were all fantastic.

IMO, you are not listening in the least to the brilliance on each and every studio album from Chicago Transit Authority through Chicago XIV.

Lord, there is so much on each album I don't know how anyone could listen to album cuts such as "Song of the Evergreens", "Hideaway", "Mississippi Delta City Blues", "Something in This City Changes People", Hot Streets", "Manipulation", "A Hit by Varese" and so on and dismiss the band.

But I'm sure I'm nuts and have no idea what I'm talking about and that it's the first three albums only and they were sell-outs, blah blah blah.

Note:

I read none of the comments in the thread yet, so I'm just guessing.

Note 2:

I just interviewed former Chicago guitar player Richard Bailey for my 2nd book today, so this post is interesting timing.

Dawayne Bailey, you mean?

Chris,
I have and enjoy all of Chicago's albums. I'd recommend you keep going in order until you hit an album that you don't like. With the two Rhino boxed sets out now, it would be easy to pick up most of their studio work. Folks talk about them being "soft Chicago", "Chicago-Lite", or a ballad band since the 80's, but I don't think that's a fair characterization. Most of the ballads were released as singles, while many of their other (overlooked) songs were uptempo. This is why they are an album band to me; their best stuff wasn't released to radio (in my opinion). If you look at this group's work from CTA through now (actually, XXXVI: Now), it's an incredible body of music reflecting many styles and contributors, yet it's all Chicago. That 1982-89 comp doesn't do them justice. Please let us know your thoughts as you explore their catalog further.

Jim

My God-that was a total goof.

Yes, it was Dawayne and trust me I called him Dawayne or he probably would've hung up.

Great guy and a dazzling player who I thought never got his due.

Who is Richard Bailey anyway?

Not sure what I was thinking there.

There's this guy..

... received an email a few days ago from Richard Bailey, requesting that the record be set straight re: who did the drumming on Jeff Beck's seminal jazz/rock fusion album, Blow by Blow (1975, Epic/Sony Japan). Simple. It was Richard Bailey.

I've got the 5-cd / 1 DVD boxed set that goes through 2003 I think. It's all I have and I'm happy. Bought it for $20.00 used at a flea market in perfect shape.