Chicago – Live at Carnegie Hall

After tackling the unheard of feat of releasing three double-LP’s in a row – at the beginning of their career, no less – Chicago must have been hard pressed to record new material. With their popularity building, and their tour schedule filling up, a live album likely seemed to be the easiest way to the next Chicago release.

But in reality the project would turn out to be no less ambitious than any of their previous recordings. This septet had an intense and complex sound that would be technically difficult to capture in even the most advanced recording studio. Now the band and crew were supposed to take that show on the road with the intention of capturing it live for a new album.

As part of their tour for Chicago III, the band sold out a week of shows at Carnegie Hall in April 1971. Every show was recorded, and the setlists throughout the week included most of their existing material.

Rather than make a single- or even double-LP compilation of the best performances, producer James William Guercio was so happy with what was captured that he compiled a 4-LP set. Columbia was skeptical about the sales potential of such a product and would only agree to release it if the band agreed to a royalty cut, the same kind of cut that was requested from them on their debut double-LP release.

The resulting package was Live at Carnegie Hall, nicknamed Chicago IV because of the 4 LP’s in the set. The package came with two giant posters of the band, a poster of Carnegie Hall’s exterior, an insert about voting information, and a 20-page softcover booklet containing photos of the band members playing during the concert and a full touring schedule from their first tour through their 1971 U.S. tour on the back.

The release became the best selling rock boxset of the period, but not everyone was pleased with it. Chicago trombone player James Pankow complained about the sound quality of the album. “I hate it. The acoustics of Carnegie Hall were never meant for amplified music, and the sound of the brass after being miked came out sounding like kazoos.”

The critics tended to agree. Bruce Eder – in his review for All Music Guide (AMG) – took it a step further by saying that “the band emphasized its precision to the point of deadening any excitement that might have been generated.”

C’est what? Some people are never happy. The band is tight as hell – and on fire half the time – and this guy is complaining. Just listen to Terry Kath’s vocals and guitar and the drumming of Danny Seraphine – this is an exciting performance.

As for the sonic quality of the original LP, I recall it being excellent, but my judgment was impaired by the use of power tools, as I was renovating my basement the first and last time I listened to all 4 LP’s in their entirety. This mp3 offering (not ripped by me) is not the best, but certainly worthwhile for reviewing some of the best work of the band.

Personnel:

Peter Cetera – bass, vocals
Terry Kath – guitar, vocals
Robert Lamm – keyboard, vocals
Lee Loughnane – trumpet, percussion, guitar, background vocals
James Pankow – trombone, percussion
Walter Parazaider – woodwinds, percussion, background vocals
Danny Seraphine – drums

Track listing:

Volume one:

Side one
1.”In The Country” (Terry Kath) – 10:35
2.”Fancy Colours” (Robert Lamm) – 5:15
3.”Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? (Free Form Intro)” (Robert Lamm) – 6:21
4.”Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?” (Robert Lamm) – 3:26
Side two
1.”South California Purples” (Robert Lamm) – 15:35
2.”Questions 67 and 68″ (Robert Lamm) – 5:36

Volume two:

Side three
1.”Sing A Mean Tune Kid” (Robert Lamm) – 12:54
2.”Beginnings” (Robert Lamm) – 6:27
Side four
1.”It Better End Soon” – 15:55
1.”1st Movement” (Robert Lamm) – 2:55
2.”2nd Movement (Flute Solo)” (Robert Lamm/Walter Parazaider) – 5:00
3.”3rd Movement (Guitar Solo)” (Terry Kath/Robert Lamm) – 2:43
4.”4th Movement (Preach)” (Robert Lamm/Terry Kath) – 3:09
5.”5th Movement” (Robert Lamm) – 2:08

Volume three:

Side five
1.”Introduction” (Terry Kath) – 7:10
2.”Mother” (Robert Lamm) – 8:21
3.”Lowdown” (Peter Cetera/Danny Seraphine) – 3:58
Side six
1.”Flight 602″ (Robert Lamm) – 3:31
2.”Motorboat To Mars” (Danny Seraphine) – 3:00
3.”Free” (Robert Lamm) – 5:15
These three tracks constitute part of the “Travel Suite” from Chicago III.
4.”Where Do We Go From Here” (Peter Cetera) – 4:08
5.”I Don’t Want Your Money” (Terry Kath/Robert Lamm) – 5:23

Volume four:

Side seven
1.”Happy Cause I’m Going Home” (Robert Lamm) – 7:56
2.”Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon” – 15:25
1.”Make Me Smile” (James Pankow) – 3:31
2.”So Much To Say, So Much To Give” (James Pankow) – 1:00
3.”Anxiety’s Moment” (James Pankow) – 1:09
4.”West Virginia Fantasies” (James Pankow) – 1:31
5.”Colour My World” (James Pankow) – 3:26
6.”To Be Free” (James Pankow) – 1:22
7.”Now More Than Ever” (James Pankow) – 3:26
Side eight
1.”A Song For Richard And His Friends” (Robert Lamm) – 6:58
2.”25 or 6 to 4″ (Robert Lamm) – 6:35
3.”I’m A Man” (Jimmy Miller/Steve Winwood) – 8:51

Bonus Disc (2005 Rhino edition):

1.”Listen” (Robert Lamm) – 4:16
2.”Introduction” (Terry Kath) – 6:37
3.”South California Purples” (Robert Lamm) – 12:41
4.”Loneliness Is Just A Word” (Robert Lamm) – 2:44
5.”Free Form Intro (Naseltones)” (Robert Lamm) – 5:58
6.”Sing A Mean Tune Kid (Robert Lamm) – 10:51
7.”An Hour In The Shower: A Hard Risin’ Morning Without Breakfast/Off To Work/Fallin’ Out/Dreamin’ Home/Morning Blues Again” (Terry Kath) – 6:00
8.”25 Or 6 To 4″ (Robert Lamm) – 6:21