The band played many of its classic songs.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN — Some things age well.
The classic rock band Chicago's horn section is one of those things. They more than proved themselves — as they have since the band's 1969 debut — at the Chevrolet Centre on Friday.
The multitalented trio — Walter Parazaider, James Pankow and Lee Loughnane — have always been the heart of perhaps popular music's most unique band. The three, along with keyboardist/vocalist Robert Lamm, have been with Chicago since the beginning.
While it's impossible for a band with numerous classics, including 20 Top 10 songs, to play them all while mixing in a few new ones to sell their latest release, "Chicago XXX," they did a great job of hitting the high points.
For an early Chicago fan, like myself, it was great to hear some of the oldies such as "Colour My World," "Make Me Smile" and "I'm A Man." They started the concert with a dead-on rendition of some of the great instrumental tunes from "Chicago II."
For those who like the band's mid-1970s hits, there were plenty of those as well, including, "Old Days," "Just You 'n' Me," and "Feelin' Stronger Every Day."
For those who like the syrupy-sappy power ballads of the 1980s, the band played "Hard To Say I'm Sorry," "You're The Inspiration" and a nice acoustic guitar version of "Look Away."
Signature songs
Lamm did an excellent job with his signature Chicago songs, "Beginnings" and "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" from the band's debut album, "The Chicago Transit Authority," as well as the classic "Saturday In The Park."
The four members of Chicago who are not originals did a great job with their instruments, particularly Keith Howland, the band's guitarist since 1995.
While the horn section is the heart of the band, two former members were its soul. The tragic 1978 death of Terry Kath, who also was a brilliant guitarist, still leaves a gap in the band even with the talented Howland taking his place.
Peter Cetera, who also played bass, left the group in 1985 after insisting on singing one power ballad after another. And when Cetera left — he sang lead on the songs like "Questions 67 and 68" and "25 or 6 to 4" — his beautiful high-pitched voice left as well.
The band hired Jason Scheff in 1985 to replace Cetera. While Scheff is a solid bass player, he can't match Cetera in the vocal department. Actually he'd have a tough time matching Peter Tork in that department. And unfortunately, because Cetera sang most of the band's most memorable tunes, that job fell to Scheff.
Even with Scheff's weak vocals, the concert was excellent, and the audience, consisting mainly of the 35- to-55-year-old crowd, was on its feet for most of the show, screaming and cheering for the band.
As the concert, which lasted about one hour and 45 minutes, progressed, more of the baby boomers kept walking up to the stage to get closer to the band, making it difficult for those on the floor to see the show. While everyone was civil and a moss pit didn't develop, the facility's security personnel were nowhere to be seen.
skolnick@vindy.com
Saturday, December 9, 2006
The band played many of its classic songs.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN — Some things age well.
The classic rock band Chicago's horn section is one of those things. They more than proved themselves — as they have since the band's 1969 debut — at the Chevrolet Centre on Friday.
The multitalented trio — Walter Parazaider, James Pankow and Lee Loughnane — have always been the heart of perhaps popular music's most unique band. The three, along with keyboardist/vocalist Robert Lamm, have been with Chicago since the beginning.
While it's impossible for a band with numerous classics, including 20 Top 10 songs, to play them all while mixing in a few new ones to sell their latest release, "Chicago XXX," they did a great job of hitting the high points.
For an early Chicago fan, like myself, it was great to hear some of the oldies such as "Colour My World," "Make Me Smile" and "I'm A Man." They started the concert with a dead-on rendition of some of the great instrumental tunes from "Chicago II."
For those who like the band's mid-1970s hits, there were plenty of those as well, including, "Old Days," "Just You 'n' Me," and "Feelin' Stronger Every Day."
For those who like the syrupy-sappy power ballads of the 1980s, the band played "Hard To Say I'm Sorry," "You're The Inspiration" and a nice acoustic guitar version of "Look Away."
Signature songs
Lamm did an excellent job with his signature Chicago songs, "Beginnings" and "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" from the band's debut album, "The Chicago Transit Authority," as well as the classic "Saturday In The Park."
The four members of Chicago who are not originals did a great job with their instruments, particularly Keith Howland, the band's guitarist since 1995.
While the horn section is the heart of the band, two former members were its soul. The tragic 1978 death of Terry Kath, who also was a brilliant guitarist, still leaves a gap in the band even with the talented Howland taking his place.
Peter Cetera, who also played bass, left the group in 1985 after insisting on singing one power ballad after another. And when Cetera left — he sang lead on the songs like "Questions 67 and 68" and "25 or 6 to 4" — his beautiful high-pitched voice left as well.
The band hired Jason Scheff in 1985 to replace Cetera. While Scheff is a solid bass player, he can't match Cetera in the vocal department. Actually he'd have a tough time matching Peter Tork in that department. And unfortunately, because Cetera sang most of the band's most memorable tunes, that job fell to Scheff.
Even with Scheff's weak vocals, the concert was excellent, and the audience, consisting mainly of the 35- to-55-year-old crowd, was on its feet for most of the show, screaming and cheering for the band.
As the concert, which lasted about one hour and 45 minutes, progressed, more of the baby boomers kept walking up to the stage to get closer to the band, making it difficult for those on the floor to see the show. While everyone was civil and a moss pit didn't develop, the facility's security personnel were nowhere to be seen.
skolnick@vindy.com
Saturday, December 9, 2006
Some things age well.
The classic rock band Chicago's horn section is one of those things. They more than proved...
