Chicago!

 

I was looking forward to see if this current line-up of the band Chicago bears any resemblance to the Chicago (Transit Authority) I grew up with.  The answer to that: they kick butt!

Chicago has gone through many changes over the nearly 60 years the band has together.  Only 3 of the original members remain, but that is impressive.  As new members replace exiting members, the band has kept that sound they are known for: tight harmonies and a powerful 3 piece horn section.  Of those 3 original members: James Pankow (trombone), Lee Loughnane (trumpet, vocals), and Robert Lamm (keyboard, vocals), only Lamm has shown any sign of not having his former punch on vocals.  Two keyboard players, a bass player, guitar player, drummer, and additional percussionist - it takes 10 or 11 musicians to kick out the sound of the original 7.

 As always, we really like that "theater-in-the-round" at Celebrity Theater - everybody gets a good view!  They played all their hits - started right after the guy from the venue auctioned off a guitar again (turned into 2 guitars when the bidding got to $8,000 - so, each of those last two bidders got a guitar.

The band played a kicking 45 minute set, took a 20 minute break, then came out and played for hour and 10 minutes (including a 10 minute drum solo with the 2 percussionists).  They did bring in another keyboardist when Lamm left the stage for a couple songs.  Joan said, "I guess each of these old bands has their own Chuck," referring to Styx bringing out their old bass player Chuck, who needed a "guiding hand" going to and from the stage.

Joan and I agreed that this was the best concert of the 3 we've seen this past week - we were both singing along... couldn't help it, these are the songs we came of age with.

 I found myself shooting more video at this concert (on my iPhone) - at some point, I'll edit them and put together a video of the evening.

It was another sell-out crowd.  A very appreciative crowd, although a bit older than the other concerts this week.  It started at 7:30, we were home by 10:40.  It was a great evening!

A video compilation...

 But to be fair, I missed some of the best songs because Joan and I were singing along!