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Customer Review
39 or 34 to 2
Once again, I must give my explanation of compilation packages. They are not designed for fans who have all the cds from the artist. A good package will include all the artist's top 40 hits plus key album cuts. "The Very Best Of: Only The Beginning" gets a high mark for including all of Chicago's top 40 hits with the exception of "Harry Truman". The five non-hits, though not what Chicago enthusiasts would select, are fine additions to this compilation. All tracks are digitally remastered, which is a plus on the 1969-1980 material, and a nice enhancement of the 1982-1991 material. I particularly liked Chicago's version of The Spencer Davis Group's "I'm A Man". For anyone who grew up in the 1970's, or like myself, the 1980's, this compilation is filled with memories. Unfortunately, as is documented here, Chicago became a slickly produced ballad factory beginning with "Chicago 16", but not glaringly apparent until "Chicago 18". At any rate, the power ballad never sounded so good. I think...
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July 8, 2002
(San Diego, CA United States) | Helpful Votes: 28 | Rating: 5
Product Description
Subtitled - Only The Beginning. Double disc with 39 hit singles spanning Chicago's complete 35-year history. Including the #1 singles 'If You Leave Me Now,' 'Hard To Say I'm Sorry' and 'Look Away'. Booklet features detailed liner notes by Bill DeYoung. Rhino Records. Slipcase. 2002. Top to learn more
From the perspective of 15 subsequent platinum albums and 20 top-10 hits, it's hard to imagine that Chicago began their career as a bona fide prog-fusion act, an early FM radio favorite whose jazz-tinged, album-length suites found them a hip cult following even as they confounded label execs. Ironically, when the pioneering horn band (a contemporary of Blood, Sweat & Tears and inspiration for one-hit wonders like Lighthouse, Ides of March, and Ten Wheel Drive) relented and allowed their music to be edited down to single length, their success was explosive. Most of the "single edits" on disc 1 of this 39-track anthology provide ample evidence of that de facto formula: a catchy riff ("25 or 6 to 4," "Saturday in the Park," "Color My World") develops into a hook-filled, pop-savvy production rife with the band's trademark horn perfection. One could argue that that sensibility--and a midcareer tilt toward producer David Foster, songwriter Diane Warren, and the MOR ballads that became some of their biggest successes--degenerated into formula. Indeed, there's much on the second disc to support that notion. This set spans it all, showcasing newly refocused edits of some their biggest early hits and lesser-known tracks like their lively '95 cross-cultural collaboration with the Gipsy Kings on a cover of Louis Prima's swing classic "Sing, Sing, Sing."
--Jerry McCulley Top to learn more
+ 1/2 stars: Excellent Compilation, But...
Don't throw out your copy of the 4-disc Portraits box set just yet. While Rhino does a terrific job of distilling Chicago's career from their 1969 debut (before shortening their name from Chicago Transit Authority) through their final Top 40 hit in 1991 ("Chasin' the Wind"), I do find fault with some of Rhino's decisions.For starters, only 34 of the band's 35 Top 40 hits are here. Missing is 1975's "Harry Truman," which went to No. 13. Also, unlike 1991's box set, several of these songs are edits. Granted, if you remember these songs from AM radio, you won't notice the difference. These are, after all, the single versions of these songs. So on songs like "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" the piano introduction has been deleted. "Beginnings" has the percussion at the end edited out. "I'm a Man" does not include the drum and percussion interlude. Other than that, this is a well chosen and thorough collection...
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July 7, 2002
(Aurora, NE) | Helpful Votes: 141 | Rating: 4
A Tale of Two CD's
What a difference between two CD's. Well I guess that is what you get with a band that has evolved as much as Chicago.The first CD is nearly flawless. All of it was recorded when Terry Kath was alive and the band recorded rock, blues, and a few ballads augmented by stunning horn arrangements. Terry Kath's guitar solos are oh so creative. Just listen to the wah wah infected solos on I'm A Man and Lowdown and the lightning fast soloing on 25 or 6 to 4 and Make Me Smile. The tone is oh so cool by Mr. Kath on Feelin' Stronger Everyday as well as the Peter Cetera sung Questions 67 and 68. Robert Lamm's contributions on Saturday In The Park and Does Anyone Really Know What Time It Is are strong. Catchy tunes with good singing. Peter Cetera adds some nice songs as well. In moderation, Peter is just fine, tenor voice and all. Overall, this first CD is an easy five stars in spite of a few questionable edits.The second CD is a horse of a diferent color. It starts off nicely with Old...
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December 27, 2002
(Westchester, NY USA) | Helpful Votes: 102 | Rating: 3
