Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Chicago
Label: Columbia Records
Released: 1971
Rating: 4.5/5
»Chicago at Carnegie Hall«, unofficially known among fans as »Chicago IV«, was the first live album, and a double one at that, from American jazz-rock (later pop-rock) giants Chicago, who were riding the wave of their first three studio records to unexpected artistic and commercial success. In April 1971, Chicago became the first rock band to play the prestigious Carnegie Hall, and they did it with a sprawling set that demanded every last ounce of strength from all seven members.
When it came out, this live document suffered from weak production, partly because the acoustics at Carnegie Hall back then just weren’t made for a rock band, even one boasting a rich horn section. Thanks to Rhino Records, who reissued the album in 2005 as a triple album, the sound got a serious rebirth through a refreshed mix, which makes for a noticeably better listening experience, especially when it comes to how clearly you can pick out the individual instruments in the horn section.
The album was recorded over three shows at Carnegie Hall in support of »Chicago III« (1971) and packs in all the best Chicago songs from their first three records, like »Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is«, »I’m a Man«, »Make Me Smile«, »Questions 67 and 68« and »Sing a Mean Tune Kid«, to name just a few. All three lead singers, bassist Peter Cetera, guitarist Terry Kath and keyboardist Robert Lamm, were in fantastic form, while the horn section is a chapter of its own when it comes to sheer brilliance. Some of the performances stretch out into various improvisational sections, including a separate intro to »Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is« made up of assorted instrumental free-form jamming.
Not all of these instrumental stretches are equally interesting, and some, especially the ones that are more or less just instruments being tuned up, can get irritating at times because they drag on, which is the only downside of this otherwise thrilling live document. In every other respect, though, »Chicago at Carnegie Hal« is a great time for anyone who wants to relive early-days Chicago, back when they weren’t yet over-commercialized and still had plenty to offer even the more demanding music fan, especially those into jazz rock fusion and progressive rock.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsNCHg0E3RQ
Line-up
Peter Cetera – bass guitar, vocals
Terry Kath – guitar, vocals
Robert Lamm – keyboards, vocals
Lee Loughnane – trumpet, percussion, guitar, backing vocals
James Pankow – trombone, percussion
Walter Parazaider – woodwinds, percussion, backing vocals
Danny Seraphine – drums
Production
James William Guercio
Track list
CD1
1. In The Country – 10:35
2. Fancy Colours – 5:15
3. Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? (Free Form Intro)- 6:21
4. Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? – 3:26
5. South California Purples – 15:35
6. Questions 67 and 68 – 5:36
7. Sing A Mean Tune Kid – 12:54
8. Beginnings – 6:27
CD2
1. It Better End Soon – 1st Movement – 2:55
2. 2nd Movement (Flute Solo)- 5:00
3. 3rd Movement (Guitar Solo) – 2:43
4. 4th Movement (Preach)- 3:09
5. 5th Movement – 2:08
6. Introduction – 7:10
7. Mother – 8:21
8. Lowdown – 3:58
9. Flight 602 – 3:31
10. Motorboat To Mars – 3:00
11. Free – 5:15
12. Where Do We Go From Here – 4:08
13. I Don’t Want Your Money – 5:23
CD3
1. Happy Cause I’m Going Home – 7:56
2. Make Me Smile – 3:31
3. So Much To Say, So Much To Give – 1:00
4. Anxiety’s Moment – 1:09
5. West Virginia Fantasies – 1:31
6. Colour My World – 3:26
7. To Be Free – 1:22
8. Now More Than Ever – 3:26
9. A Song For Richard And His Friends – 6:58
10. 25 or 6 to 4 – 6:35
11. I’m A Man – 8:51
