Only Just The Start...

What better way for the legendary jazz/rock band Chicago to sum up their so-far 37-year career in the mainstream of music than to produce the 5 CD/DVD Chicago Box Set which is now available in stores on Rhino records. Everything about this box set is great, and I'll explain why as quickly as possible.

Great Packaging

The packaging job done on this box set is great. In fact, it's not even really like a box set other than the fact that it comes loaded with more than 100 Chicago hits. The set opens like a book and includes the famous Chicago logo in various new forms throughout the box. There is a great little 60-page booklet, explaining everything that the band went through... and I mean EVERYTHING! From their very first get-together in 1967 when they were called "The Big Thing" to what's happening with the guys today, the book will give you the answer that you're looking for about Chicago. The book also includes a COMPLETE discography including rare albums and internationally-released live sets. Extremely cool packaging from every aspect note one: the discs themselves. These are nothing special: simple solid-colored discs.

It's what's on the discs that's important. Endless hours of hit after hit. The best part: the music is remastered by Rhino Records! The perfect way to enjoy Chicago's legendary tunes.

Disc 1: CTA-Chicago II

The first disc contains musical selections from their first two releases in 1969-70. The first song on the first disc is perfect: Beginnings where the band sings Only the beginning... it's only just the start...". And it's only the beginning of hours and hours of great music. The first two discs include such radio hits as Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?, Questions 67 & 68, I'm A Man, Make Me Smile, Colour My World, 25 or 6 to 4 and Poem For The People. (Sorry for not listing more information about these tracks. Due to the nature of this review, it is impossible to list something about EVERY track. For more info, see my other reviews).

Disc Two: Chicago III-VII

In my opinion, I honestly think the band Chicago was in their peak during the era from 1971-75 when they released albums during this stretch. Arguably the best horn arrangements and most unique Chicago music can be featured in the box set on this, the second disc. A wide variety exists here, including suites such as Travel Suite and An Hour In The Shower, which are indeed unique. Also, you'll find some of Chicago's most memorable pieces, like Saturday In The Park, Feelin' Stronger Every Day, Just You 'N' Me, and Wishin' You Were Here. This disc also features fan favorites, such as A Hit By Varese, Mother, Dialogue (Parts I & II) and Loneliness Is Just A Word. It's hard to find any skippable tracks on disc two.

Disc 3: Chicago VIII-Hot Streets

The material found on the third disc is from an era (1975-1978) when Chicago was transitioning and trying to find where it wanted to go as a band. There are lot's of terrific arrangements in here that are practically unknown, but really should be included with the rest of Chicago's best. Horn arrangements are, after all, the reason Chicago is who they are. You'll find great horn arrangements on Brand New Love Affair (Part II), Old Days, You Are On My Mind, Alive Again, and Mississippi City Delta Blues. These tracks, though mostly unknown by casual fands of the band, are among the very best written for horns. There are also a few tunes that the rest of you may recognize. If You Leave Me Now, a Peter Cetera piece that really began his presence as the lead vocalist in the band and would eventually lead him to a solo career later, is found on this disc, along with other popular tunes such as Another Rainy Day In New York City and No Tell Lover. Very good stuff here.

Disc 4: Chicago 13-18

. This is probably going to be the most popular disc containing pieces from the band's "80s" phase. Though popular with most, I didn't get much out of this disc. However, there are some VERY good arrangements out of these albums, including the popular Hard Habit To Break, Hard To Say I'm Sorry/Get Away, Street Player, and What You're Missing, and You're The Inspiration. These are mostly 80's pop tunes with excellent horn accompaniments. Other than this, it's mostly 80's pop, which isn't a major turn-on for this reviewer.

Disc 5: Chicago 19-Heart of Chicago Vol. II

This disc contains more 80s-early 90s material, which again, isn't my bag. However, I do like the fact that the disc contains rarities from the albums Chicago Twenty 1 and Stone Of Sisyphus (Chicago 22), neither of which are easy to come by anymore these days. There are a few notable tunes here, like Look Away, What Kind Of Man Would I Be? and Heart In Pieces, which tend to be fan favorites. Also, they have included Caravan from the Night and Day (Big Band) album. THANK YOU FOR DOING SO! This is an amazing piece from a great album! Also included are a couple of previously unreleased pieces called All Roads Lead To You and Show Me A Sign along with a new version of the song The Only One from the Heart of Chicago, 1967-1997 release.

Bonus DVD

Chicago's box set wouldn't be complete without some great rare footage of the band live at the Aerie Crown Theatre. Included are live versions of Now That You've Gone, Devil's Sweet, Satuarday In The Park and Dialogue I & II. The live performance was better than previous releases such as "Live In Japan" and the first box, "Live at Carnegie Hall" and ranks right up there with "Live in Toronto '69." The second part of the bonus DVD is a promotional film for the album Chicago XIII released in 1979. That's more or less what it is, a promotion for that album with clips of the songs Must Have Been Crazy, Cat Pranks, Run Away, and Street Player. Whether fans think this was a great album or not, this rare promotional clip is quite cool, making the box set a complete representation of the band in their prime.

Recommendations

Though this album is going to be expensive ($65-80 depending on where you buy it), it's worth it to own. You owe it to the band who has put everything on the line for the past 37 years. You owe it to yourself to have a COMPLETE collection of Chicago's finest. It doesn't matter what your status is with the band. Whether you're a new fan or an old-timer, you'll find this box set to be well worth the value. PLEASE consider purchasing this!