Chicago Transit Authority

Big moves making your debut album a double album. I really like the intro song, and then the rest of the album goes up and down, but never way down, and sometimes way up. I like this album. 3.5/5

Great album. Liked the sound and instrumentations. Only 4 stars because of the random addition of the Free Form Guitar track, it seem like an odd addition

One of my favorites from childhood! Used to put this record on often.

Banger of an opening song. I loved the brass. The random noises in Free Form Guitar are kind of annoying until you realize they are all made with a guitar and not a... racecar, or other device. Through that lens, it is very impressive. The singers voice is very soulful and emotional. I really enjoyed it! haha

Solid jam, creative ideas and kept me interested 3.5

This was a great listen! Wonderful energy. I think there was only a few times were I was wanting to move on to whatever what next in queue.

This is pretty good. A little same-y throughout but not bad.

More experimental than I was expecting.... will likely re-listen.

Great concept, sound, songs, players, and singing. Heck of a debut.

i be getting these long ass albums on my busiest days i stg thank god its pretty good

Honestly don't got a ton to say other than this album has a ton of nostalgia for me. It's the soundtrack to going to Cedar Point as a kid, since the first time I went with my family, my dad had the greatest hits playing in the car on the way there. Songs like Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is, Beginnings, Questions 67 amd 68, and I'm A Man are fantastic. Couple tracks on here that could have been cut, particularly Free Form Guitar, but yeah.

A low four, it had some songs that just dragged on, but it was great otherwise

This is an eventful album: winds, metal percussion, smooth vocals, frantic guitars are all over the place. Place everything in late 60s and you’ll get a great debut.

Album 961 of 1089 Chicago - Chicago Transit Authority (1969) Rating : 4 / 5 This one comes in as a double album, and if it had stopped after sides 1 and 2, it might have pushed into true top-tier territory for me. Those early tracks are fantastic - clean, tight rock tunes driven by excellent horn work and Terry Kath sounding as strong as ever on guitar and vocals. They had a great blend of rock, jazz, and soul that really clicked. But things fall off a bit once you get into sides 3 and 4. The long, drawn-out experimentals — especially the overindulgent “Free Form Guitar” - just took me out of the groove they worked so hard to build. I get the artistic ambition behind it, but it didn’t add much to the experience for me. That said, the album as a whole is still great and absolutely worth recommending. When Chicago sticks to their strengths - that big, brassy sound and Kath’s powerhouse presence - they’re tough to beat. Even with its flaws, this debut shows exactly why the band became such a force.

classic but not my style really

Wasn’t expecting so much jazz to be part of this. It really made me enjoy this album a lot, as it broke my expectations of just another classic rock album. Pretty fire.

It all just really comes down to when listening to a piece of music, does it do anything for you as an individual good or bad or somewhere in between. Everything on here is someone’s 1 star and someone’s 5 star. My view of Chicago like many is the soft rock, so this was a surprise. And a pleasant one. White boy jazz, blues, soul whatever influences are what they are, overindulgence yeah maybe but it’s mainly always got a destination, could have done without free form guitar, and mostly fits the tune ( here’s looking at you prog bands). The more the album went on the more I enjoyed, definitely looking at revisiting. High 3 on initial listen going to roundup to 4 cause wants me to listen again.

Overall, gas. Personal vendetta against ending a DOUBLE album with a 15 minute song (it kinda rocked). Put it anywhere else

I loved almost every bit of this record. The guitar in this record goes absolutely nuts. The horns complemented the overall sound extremely nicely. The high energy is carried throughout this record, and only dips at a couple of points. Favourite Track(s): Poem 58, Listen, Introduction, South California Blues Least Favourite Track(s): Free Form Guitar

They are more trippy and heavier than people think

This is really good. I recognized a few of these songs from my youth and Classic Rock radio. I’m more a fan of the earlier stuff than the Peter Cetera era. Poem 58 is a great song.

I was a bit surprised that I enjoyed this Chicago album as much as I did

started out as a great vibe with the horn section. the only reason I got four stars and not five is for the track where the electric guitar sounded like a car. it should have been an intro to a song, not an extended track of its own.

Really eclectic mix of sounds, I really enjoyed the explosivity of it along with the really simple melodies at its heart. Songs were a little long though, kind of a general problem of that era. I don't mind a long song but you have to have enough to say to fill the time, I don't need to hear 2-3 more choruses.

Banger

After listening to the last 4-5 albums on this list I almost forgot what good music sounds like.

Len Houmous was hanging out back stage at the West End in 2001. He’d been dating Denise Van Outen. She ended up being really poorly and couldn’t perform. Len strapped on those tights and put in one of the most confusingly brilliant performances in theatre history. It ended up she was poorly. She’d been sucking off Lee Mead backstage! Len did what he always did. Just gracefully moved on! 3.6 6/12 Poem 58

Amazing playing by every musician. More experimental sounding than I would have expected from only being familiar with the radio hits. As a guitarist myself, I was pleasantly surprised by the guitar playing as well as how high and clear it was in the mix.

Love the percussion solos. Sometimes it's giving Frank Sinatra.

good one

Loved the groove and the percussion is amazing. Such a nice intro definitely my jam. Free-form guitar is the only skip ouch my ears. Would've been a 5 if not for that

This took me awhile to get through, but it’s awesome. Not sure what it would take to get to 5 stars.

I loved some aspects of this. So free flowing, so jazzy. At times it sounded annoying, or even bad. But overall this was a way more fun and experimental experience than I was anticipating. Fave Tracks: Questions 67 and 68, Someday (August 29, 1968) 3.8/5

Banger of an album! Love the brass! They should have left off Free Form Guitar though. It goes on way too long and is no fun to listen to.

Favorite Track: Questions 67 and 68

Never really listened to Chicago before. They're very jammy and they love their horns. Solid album, but a bit too long for my taste.

Excuse me, I was unfamiliar with how hard you rock and how funky you are.

7/10

This was better than I expected.

Super cool!

Funk, blues, jazz and everything in between.

Nice mix of rock, jazz and even funk!

Man, I was not expecting the acid rock! This album came out in 1969 but is absolutely drenched in ‘70s vibes, and as such I can’t help but feel it played a leading role in ushering in some of the decade’s musical mores — the use of horns, obviously, but also the extended jams, the Hammond B3, and the barest hints of prog and multi-part tracks. Maybe it’s the title of the song “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?” that makes it feel like a coda on the tumultuous ‘60s — as does the haunting audio from the 1968 Democratic National Convention. Anyway. “Beginnings” is a terrific song that culminates in a stone jam with horns. “Listen” is a hard-driving guitar-horn rock song, while “Poem 58” brings the funk. Things get a little leggy late with all the lengthy guitar workouts, but if that’s your thing, this would be a fine album to throw on the platter on a sunny afternoon accompanied by some bong hits.

Chicago was always a greatest hits band for me (AKA Chicago 9). And that's OK. Some bands make really great greatest hits albums. This was one of them. I don't think I ever sat down and listened to an entire Chicago album before (other than the aforementioned #9). This debut of their's is fun! Jam-band-ish. Bit of jazz-rock going on. Just a fun listen. The horn riffs on "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" are just amazing. Such a great song. I don't know if this album in and of itself is particularly profound or remarkable in the grand scheme of things but as for marking the beginnings of Chicago, it makes sense to be on the list.

I think this was good. I listened to this quite a few times but it is so long that I lost track of what I was listening to. The Free Form guitar song was the worst. The 67 and 68 song was my favorite, unironically. Low 4.

This album sounds like what would happen if James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, and Yes formed a supergroup. There's brass! There's long distorted guitar solos! There's a complicated maze of composition and playing! That description is probably either as great or as awful as it sounds to you. But honestly, it kind of won me over in the end. It's hard not to think that this is the sound of the city of Chicago. But maybe that's just the power of suggestion. The band were intended to be a democracy with no one member or instrument dominating. It's no easy feat but they largely manage by having a wide variety of styles from song to song. I'm usually pretty critical of double albums as debuts but Chicago definitely made good use of the space across four sides.

Колись бачив комент, що це the whitest music ever. І щось в цьому дійсно є) Хороший такий feel good джаз-рок альбом, коли він не намагається демонструвати, що "дивіться ми теж дуже експерементальні та прогресів" та мучати гітару як на Free Form Guitar.

This isn’t the same band that wrote the dreary AOR ‘if you leave me know’ … well it is but it’s their debut album and it sounds nothing like the middling soft rock I know them for! We’ve got a fantastic cover of the Spencer Davis group’s ’I’m a man’ we’ve got cowbells aplenty, we’ve got drum solos, we’ve got about 5 mins of guitar feedback that sounds like the end of a nirvana gig, we’ve got ‘humble pie’ vibes… fuck me this was ace!

Fun album. Horns are great. More hard rock then I remembered. Lots of riffs and big solos.

Very good album. Lots of variety with an orchestra. Sick drum and guitar solos. Both are very good. Loved the fills from the drummer.

Always love a good Chicago album. No one had a full suite of instruments like they did

This was a great album. Can't go wrong with Chicago, and this is no exception.

This was a Liberation. Just Listen and you’ll see.

60's prog with jazzy horns. I like it, especially Questions 67 and 68. I don't know what the title means, but it's probably my favorite Chicago song now after 25 or 6 to 4. Chicago was, at worst, fun and interesting during the Kath years.

A few great songs from a great band. Overall a good album, but they got better.

Really enjoyed this album. I know “Chicago” and I generally don’t enjoy their music, but this debut? In 1969? Solid. Fantastic rhythm section. Added to rotation for when the mood hits me. Jazz-Rock is a great listen at times and this is a top choice.

I own this album on vinyl, so that means it's one of my favorites and at least very near a perfect album to me. But, the thing about Chicago is that you are either getting an in-your-face classic rock jam (like "25 or 6 to 4") or you are getting the hokiest soft rock (like "Saturday in the Park"), and they both exist simultaneously on each album. This debut album is really no exception, but I do think the cheesy songs are all pretty good...they at least contain some nice guitar work and musicianship. The songs that really show off guitar playing like "Poem 58" are just so good, though. It is no surprise that this album really helped the band take off. It's kind of the best of both aforementioned worlds. Yes, I get that we don't need the wank fest that is "Free Form Guitar" but this also didn't need to be a double album with live tracks. A producer probably could have made this a masterpiece, but instead it's a bit bloated and we'll have to settle for just really good classic rock. Thankfully, when listening on vinyl, "Free Form Guitar" is the final track on one of the discs, so very easy to skip.

Strong start

Another one I enjoyed a lot more than I expected. The length of the album is what kept it from getting a higher rating

Chicago brings the heat on their debut! I’ve always been aware of Chicago, but I never dove deep. This album has some flaws, some songs go on too long for instance. Like was that minute long tambourine solo at the end of Beginnings really necessary? I think not. But overall this album slams. And I did not expect a 5+ minute experimental noise guitar solo on Free Form Guitar, that was wild and way ahead of its time. Plus there are plenty of horns, and I love horns.

I've always known Chicago was a rock band before the 80's-90's pop music phase. And while I knew a few of the classic rock singles from the before times, I did not know they were This much of a rock band. Ripping guitars, great rock band, with added horns. Super cool. Like most folks, I scratch my head at adding Free Form Guitar to the middle of this. I could see it at a live show or on a live album, maybe. But here it's just pretentious, show-offy nonsense. Kath is a great guitarist, but this is self-indulgent. I'm likely to listen to this album again. Not on repeat, mind you. But I do think it's worth listening to.

A wild ride - jazz, funk, rock, soul, all perfectly executed. Another interesting transitional record, as we leave the hippies behind there's something more exciting in the future. (Turns out the hippies traded in their LSD for cocaine, but I digress). The double album is a little self-indulgent, but Chicago have that rotating lead vocalist and that variety of genres, so it remains interesting throughout. Amazing debut. Best horn section in modern pop music with the possible exception of Earth, Wind, and Fire. And I'm not giving that crown to EWF after this for sure.

should be 4.5

Great instrumental album with brass and guitars. Favorite track: Beginnings other picks: does anybody know, listen, i'm a man, poem 58

Jazz/rock with bombastic horns, catchy songs with a unique spin. The album is a little too long with some of the 7 minute songs not necessary, but really cool overall

I'm enjoying this and it deserves a few listens. It's very "jammy" but has some great energy. The horns are awesome. The guitar is outstanding except for Free Form Guitar. Maybe that song was edgy and innovative for 1969 but that wankery don't play today.

Interesting listen though prog rock is not a genre I normally veer towards.

Aside from the indulgences (Free Form Guitar, drum solo in I'm A Man, the 14-minute Liberation), not sure how you can listen to this without being knocked out by the amazing arrangements on this album. Combine that with some stellar tracks — the opening three are just great — this is a hell of a debut record. What genre is this? Rock? R&B? Jazz? Marching band? It's really good stuff, and I am a fan of the call/response vibe of the backing vocals. Between that and the rollicking horns, this is unmistakenly American music, and impressive at that. But, note to anyone producing a record, if your guitarist says they've got a great idea for a song called "Free Form Guitar," that's a hard no.

Since moving, I've had a hard time finding quiet time to listen to regular-length albums, never mind doubles. So I can't say I gave this all of my attention or that I ever made it to the end. Still, I was surprised at how much of this I already knew. And what I didn't know I liked. Man, these cats could play. Yes, there's a bit too much. Yes, it's a bit dated. They're aren't great as a political band. But damn, Terry Kath is a killer guitarist and who knew Peter Cetera was such a damn fine bassist? P.S. I've always liked these guys better than Blood, Sweat and Tears, even though the critics seemed to adore the other guys.

Plot twist: Chicago knew this would be on 1001 list so they put Freeform Guitar so everyone is forced listening to it in full length. Other than that (and the record being too jazzy at times) they had freakin good musicians. From lead singer (anyone else thought its Jimmy Hendrix?) to brass, base, drums. All extraordinary.

Good jazzy rock

Good

Can't deny the power of this one. Before they started two decades of numbered albums they came up with this sublime concoction. Beginnings - I mean seriously. How can you not get up for that? The instrumentation. The grooves. It's a great time. Still don't love Peter Cetera's voice which is mostly PTSD from their 80s output. Thankfully he is not the primary lead here - but got a give some props - can't deny his bass prowess. Damn son. A surprise all around.

A neat addition to the list. Love Chicago's instrumentals.

I'm not so sure about the guitar noises at the halfway point, but the rest of this was quite nice to listen to. Definitely better than the rather syrupy light rock hits that Chicago are more well known for.

If you only know Chicago from "If You Leave Me Now" you'll be in for a surprise. Straight from the first track, this album is loaded with original musical ideas, impeccable musicianship (seriously some of the very best of the era) and serious grooves. Terry Kath was one of Hendrix's favourite guitarists and it's easy to see why. Only real negative is Free Form Guitar. Basically 6 minutes of guitar amp feedback just dumped in the middle of the album. Otherwise the highlights are Introduction, Poem 58 and their cover of I'm A Man. I'll give it a 4, though I do think it's possibly an album you appreciate more if you play an instrument.

Good tunes

Very entertaining album - covers a lot of ground, but I suspect it's more appealing to musicians, especially young male musicians, than it is to lay people.

I never got into Chicago, but the guitar on this album is amazing and new to me. Giving it a 4 for the free-form guitar solo and the last track, Liberation. Amazing!

Really liked it!

Gets better the longer it goes and the more they cut loose.

Kind of weird that a band formed in Chicago would just call themselves Chicago. It's like if I formed a band called... I'm not telling you were I live! Anyway, this album's cool! I love this! This kind of reminds me of that Blood, Sweat, and Tears album I got earlier this year. I think I liked that album more, but this album's got a lot of the same things that I loved, mainly the horns. More rock bands should just have horns in their music! Admittedly, I didn't love everything about this album. It's a bit too long for my liking, and the song "Free Form Guitar" wasn't very enjoyable for me. But those are really my biggest gripes with the album. Everything else ranges from decent to great. The sound, as mentioned earlier, is filled with horns and I love it. It blends those instruments with rock well. The writing isn't bad. It's not magnificent or anything, but I enjoy it for what it is. The singing is good. I can't believe this was released in 1969! Of course, this isn't my favorite album of that year. Kind of hard to beat masterpieces like Abbey Road and In The Court of the Crimson King, but I digress. Chicago's pretty cool. 4/5.

This album started off sooooo strong!! I was loving every bit of each songs from the amazing instrumentals to the singing. There was an interesting choice made around the middle of the album with the "Guitar Solo", so it's almost a perfect album for me.

This Authority ain't getting me to Pittsburgh any faster bro

There's a fun improvisational tone to this record and I quite enjoy the horns.

Halfway through this incredibly pleasant and accessible album, there's just a noise track. Gets an extra star from me for that. Makes for an interesting reframing of their sound track 8 onwards.

It was vibey as hell

A bit long, but there are some really cool songs and ideas on this album. Don't think they should have went for the double album directly, else it would be 5 star.

Absolutely excellent debut album. So rhythmic lively and loud. Funky, fresh, and jazzy. Its hard to believe that this band would regroup in the late 70's and go chase a bag with love ballads. This album is a serious contender of most interesting rock album. Blends a few genres like southern rock and r&b, gets experimental and psychedelic in Free Form Guitar. Pop rock in songs like Beginnings? From the jump Chicago was diverse? Wow.

I can't explain why but I really like the album. There's no particular outstanding track, it just works... 4.5 for me 4 for Deb

Every now and then a group of musicians will come together and make some cool music. This is one of those times.

Enjoyed it more than I thought

Rock meets big band and it works. Excellent...

Intro to album is so incredible. Awesome album. The expiramental guitar stuff is weird.

Pretty great prog/pop/funk rock. Innovative af and great horns and guitar. Musically its a 3 for me but legacy-wise it gets a 4.

The songs which featured the horn section were my highlights. The big indulgent guitar tracks weren't for me. Skipped through Free Form Guitar after a couple of minutes. It's getting a point off for that one

I definately confused Chicago with Boston, I was expecting some American da rock but this is pretty cool. Beginnings being the highlight, Poem 58 too

Есть песни с очень интересным звучанием, но в некоторых треках группа явно перемудрила, на мой взгляд, поэтому лишь 6,5 из 10.

man the 60s had some damn good music. even the experimental shit is good

I really liked this. Even the whiny guitar parts. Reminded me a lot of Savoy Brown, not what I expected.

Introduction // Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? // Beginnings // Questions 67 and 68 // I’m a Man // 4.5/5

I thought it was fun to listen to, I liked the horns and how they jammed. I don't love that every song was like 10 minutes long. Favorite was "beginnings" because it's fun to do the oOoOoOhhh

Lots of horns, extended drum solos, lots of noodling. I had a pretty good time with this one. I could have done without freeform guitar. South California purples was cool, felt like an homage to a couple of different songs and styles and I think it worked pretty well - plus I love a zesty drum fill

Dad- 8 Mom- 10 Mike- 8 Lori- 8 Michael- 8 Miles- 8 Cole- 8.5 Avg- 8.36

Groovy and it rocks

right out the gate with the horn section, hell yeah. It feels like a Saturday night in the late 60's or early 70's in New York (or more accurately Chicago) or something like that. I'll admit, the horns do kinda play a bit too much, but as someone who's never heard a single Chicago album, I dont really care. This whole listen was pretty fun. My only real knock against it is the runtime, it gets to be a bit much, especially the final track being 14 minutes. Either way, its a good experience and I'm glad I got to hear some new music.

Love Chicago, this album is great! Some of the songs overstay their welcome a bit and the horns can be a bit much but what do you expect when you put on a Chicago record?!?

This was released in April of 1969 and I have a memory of being at a buddy’s house at a pool party in Spokane (we moved to Illinois in August) and someone had this playing on an 8-track player. Oh, if this could be a single album! It starts out with 5 killer tracks and then things get spotty after that. Terry Kath is a very underrated guitarist but Free Form Guitar is kinda painful. Poem 58 is so-so. South California Purples is great, Someday is just Ok. Closing track Liberation is 14 minutes too long. All the early Chicago albums were released in quadrophonic when they first came out, and there have been other releases in 5.1 or 7.1 since (Chicago II will have a new 7.1 remix, coming out on 5/23). This one in the original quad is a very nice mix, typical of the early days of quad, with intriguing things coming out of all 4 speakers. Special shoutout to their bizarrely different cover version of the Spencer David Group’s “I’m a Man”, as weird and wonderful a choice as Yes doing Simon & Garfunkel’s “America”.

Surprisingly interesting

Wow! Amazing discovery. This IS A RECORD.

Really good album. Feel good stuff, with some bizarre guitar and drum solo breaks.

These guys are doing some pretty innovative stuff for 1969, especially on the guitar. I would take this guy over Clapton (massively overrated) any day. Not everything here is that crazy though, some of the songs feel very of the time, but then they will hit you with some crazy passage that sounds like it could have come from the Windmill Scene in the UK. Also shout out to Free Form Guitar. Mid 4.

Yeah, count me among those who had dismissed this band largely due to their reputation as 70s easy-listening soft-rock elevator music. This is actually pretty good although I'm sure it was all downhill from here!

I had never listened to Chicago before in the context of an album - and the it's a good deal weirder and more interesting than I expected.

Really good. I don't know that I would revisit it on my own. But definitely enjoyed

Classy

E tako već može 😊 vrhunski album, dinamičan, svestran, u duhu vremena. Apsolutno zasluženo mjesto tu! 4/5, 8/10!

Great guitar and vocals. Jimmy Hendrixesque.

77/100. Chicago Transit Authority by Chicago is a great debut record and a strong entry in the jazz rock genre. The album is packed with tight riffs, solid production, and a unique blend of rock energy and brass-driven arrangements. It’s a confident and well-crafted start that laid the foundation for the band’s long career.

chicago transit authority, a ragtag group of engineers, conductors, and bureaucrats, would go on to become the entire city of chicago, illinois, and while their poverty, wealth inequality, and gun violence rates continue to rise, their debut record remains one of the most widely acclaimed big band rock albums of all time. it's pretty good if you're into wind tunnels and deep dish pizza. questions 67 and 68? absolute banger. my dogs got upset about free form guitar but that's ok they just didnt get it. the worst song on the album is a semi-important civil rights anthem that kinda falls flat because they're all white and it's the most boring track musically. overall, liked it but not really my thing. 4/5 the chrysler building is beautiful at night, visit during the warm season

I’d often heard about this band’s legendary horn section, but every time I’d hear one of their songs it was from the crappy, sappy, Peter Cetera time period. I’m actually impressed by this that the legends were true!

I was looking forward to listening to this one and I'm not disappointed. Fun music overall. Love the horns being front and center. 3.5* rounding up to 4.

A solid, clearly Hendrix-inspired rock album. Way more interesting than a lot of stuff I've heard come out of the late 60s/early 70s. Enjoyed this quite a lot!

Overall a good album. I always liked 70's Chicago, but not really 80's Chicago, and this album is a good introduction into the good version of Chicago.

Really enjoyed the rock jazz fusion. Some of the instrumental bits went on a bit too long, but that's just me and my antipathy towards jazz. Will be relistening.

What gave Chicago the courage to release a somewhat meandering double album as their FIRST? My theory is that they were inspired the White Album. And perhaps this album should be viewed in that light, although in many ways it's more like George Harrison's "All Things Must Pass," with its more consistent song style combined with some long jam sessions. This album surprised me. It wasn't the soft rock that I expected, and it also didn't stay anchored to the jazz pop/rock sound that started the album. You have to get past the first few (long) songs to hear the variety, and it was around the song "Listen" that I began to actually WANT to listen. Now I'll have to listen again. So surprised. Which is the best experience you can have when listening to these 1001 albums.

Great album. The horns are tight and the album is bumping. The psychedelic guitar jam was a little long but the rest was great

Is thisA really write rock album - yes Is free form guitars a bit too much - yes Did I like this album - hell yes!!!

I liked this and not only for the family connection to Chicago. This is like several kinds of music I enjoy all smooshed into one sound, and somehow it works.

the first half of this album is simply outstanding. 5 songs in and i thought it was going to be an easy 5 stars. but Free Form Guitar and onward loses a little bit of steam and direction unfortunately. it’s not even a bad second half - but it almost sounds like a completely different album which is unfortunate when the first half was SO good. so the first half is an easy 5 but the second half is probably a high 3 so we’ll land on a solid 4

The A-side was really what I expected to hear, where the B-side was totally unexpected. Didn’t know any of the tracks even though I'm sure I’ve heard at least some. 3.5/5

I once had a discussion with a composer about doing the full rock band thing and what model would you use? Myself, I said, I’d use Jethro Tull. He said he’d use Chicago because of the horns. And listening to this I can see why. The songs are lyrically different but musically solid. After the death of Terry Kath, Peter Cetera would take the band in a much more mainstream direction. But this is a good album. 3.5

"Chicago Transit Authority" is the debut album (and a double one at that) by American rock band Chicago. The band's name was Chicago Transit Authority at the time of the album's release but they had to change for legal purposes. The Wiki-listed genres are jazz rock, progressive rock and blues rock and a decent simple description of their music is "fusing brass and jazz with a soulful rock and roll feel." Producer James William Guercio was able to help get the band signed to CBS even though the label had what what they thought was a similar band in Blood, Sweat and Tears. The bandmembers included Peter Cetera (lead/backing vocals, bass), Terry Kath (guitars, lead/backing vocals), Robert Lamm (keyboards, lead/backing vocals), Lee Loghnane (trumpet, claves, backing vocals), James Pankow (trombone, cowbell), Walter Parazaider (sax, tambourine, backing vocals) and Danny Seraphine (drums, percussion). Commercially, the album hit #17 in the US and #9 in the UK. The album opens with "Introduction" showcasing the band. Dominant horns. Psychedelic keyboards. Kath's gritty vocals and piercing guitar. Interesting speed and time changes. Jazzy and proggy. It's Robert Lamm's vocal turn on "Does Anyone Really Know What Time It Is?" A piano intro going to the horns and drums. Lamm talking to multiple people on the street and a comment on the rush of society. Strumming guitars, gives way to bass, drums and horns in "Beginnings." Lamm with soulful vocals and inspired by a Richie Havens' performance. Trumpet and trombone solos. Peter Cetera and Lamm take the co-lead vocals on "Questions 67 and 68." A lovely horn and lengthy guitar solo intro. Horns carry most the song until Kath's guitar finishes it. It's a song Lamm said was about a girl he knew with a hint of acid imagery and Beatles' inspiration. Well, it is 1969. Side three focuses on Kath's guitar and the blues. "Free Form Guitar" is a 7-minute Terry Kath guitar solo. Feedback, distortion and at times it sounds like an explosion. I can see why Jimi Hendrix was a huge fan. The band covers the Spencer Davis Group's "I'm a Man." All three lead singers take turns. They add a cowbell and tambourine. Some more hammering guitar. Seraphine with a drum solo. Kath's guitar soars again on the 14-minute closer "Liberation." A fast start. All the instruments are going here but it's Kath's piercing and wah-wah guitar that stands out. There's no doubt this band has a unique sound with its prominent horns, complex drumming, multiple vocalists and guitar. The music digs into jazz, prog, rock and blues. The first half of the album was dominated by the horns, into more jazz and prog and had the released singles. The second album half is bluesy and guitar focused. Kath's guitar is just incredible - explosive, incendiary and, yes, at times self-indulgent. The three lead vocalist are all different: Lamm-soulful, Kath-gritty and Cetera-higher tenor. Is this album too long, some songs too long and should it have been trimmed a bit? Sure, but, in this case, I'd rather hear more of the musicianship than less. I find this to be a great album and worth a listen if just for the hit singles.

I was already familiar with Chicago from my youth. However, I didn't really know their music and was confused because I expected something different when I heard an album by them. I find this album remarkable. You don't hear much of the later Softrock here. Because of the brass, which is unusual for a rock band even now, some tracks sound jazzy or funky. I like that. The long guitar solo in Free From Guitar is extraordinary. It reminds me of psychedelic experiments by other bands, but it's also a bit exhausting. Overall, I quite like the album. 4/5

Thought experiment: how good would Chicago have been if they had at least one black person in the band? It’s almost as if there are actual benefits to DEI… The highs are high, and it’s almost a great album, even as long as it is. Some stuff doesn’t work (I think “Free Form Guitar” is good, but it’s hard to argue that it belongs on this album). A good double that would have made a great single.

This is the kind of album I'm really glad to receive on this project, because there's just no way I would ever listen to it otherwise, let alone even be aware of its existence. It's not the kind of thing I gravitate towards, but I do really admire the ambition, and the amount of stuff they chuck at it. The musicianship is really on-point. I like the down and dirty guitar (except when it goes on in extended periods, and definitely not in 'free form guitar'). There's tons of brass in here which I really like, and it's so unapologetically upbeat for most of it. I'm also quite impressed at how varied this album is, and the amount of different things they try, successful or not. It definitely doesn't feel like 'one thing'. 3.5 rounded up.

With no compromises on track lengths or indeed commercialisation (see Free Form Guitar), Chicago made their debut in ‘69 with a sizeable punch, given their year-mates’ competition. Bookended by instrumental brilliance CTA is then comprised of a filling made of shorter listener-friendly tracks, yes, like Listen, and seven-minute-plus odysseys of guitar, not just by way of crazy experimentation but by way of expanded-length tracks like South Carolina Purples, the spatial tones you’d probably expect to hear on a live album, not a debut studio one. Classic rock, jazz-infused expansive rock, snappy radio-friendly bites, spoken word? What’s not to love? I don’t mind, I don’t mind.

8/10

Okay, I can definitely see this not being for everyone, and most tracks go on for waaay longer than they need to, but this is... kinda great? I don't know what my expectations of Chicago were going into this album, but I wasn't expecting this level of jazz-funk to hit me so hard - definitely going to have to come back to this later!

Dit album begeleidt het administratieve werk van vandaag prima. Het begint wat rustig. Wat ouderwets zelfs, wellicht door het blaaswerk. Het bouwt op naar meer power. Vanaf Listen begint het voor mij echt interessant te worden. De opbouw gaat verder, zelfs richting neurotisch werk aan het eind. Naast het blaaswerk komen ook de andere instrumenten komen goed tot hun recht en als er gezongen wordt, is da zang vaak een aanvullend instrument. Mooi als alles samenvalt. Maar waarom zit er nu halverwege bijna 7 minuten amuzikaal gitaargeluid tussen? Het haalt je zo uit het album. Zonde.

De muziek is heerlijk. Fijne 60s bluesrock n roll, wat flowers in your hair. Ze doen bijna alles goed wat ik graag in muziek wil zien. Gitaarsolo's alsof Lynyrd Skynyrd aan het spelen is. Het complete orkest aan toeters stoort me geen seconde. Een piano of orgel komt er soms voor in de plaats. De zang is prachtig als de Eagles in hun beste dagen, ook met mooie harmonieën. Het kan eigenlijk niet op, want ze beheersen alle facetten. Alleen hebben ze af en toe de neiging om de muziek aan te vullen met geluid. Zoals Free Form Guitar. Net als bij de Allman Brothers haak ik dan wel af. Schrap een half uur van die instrumentale onzin en je hebt een waanzinnige plaat. Dat kost ze gewoon de 5e ster.

This album is the shit. All over the map (directionless...maybe. But come on....can you imagine a debut like this today? You cannot. go listen to Lou Reed ya cretins) and literally as far from this band's later hit making bullshit as possible. Jazz...prog...pop... where does it fit, who knows/cares. Incredible musicianship (esp. Terry Kath and Robert Lamm on guitar and keys respectively) and arrangement. Plus it sounds fantastic. Negatives.... it definitely gets a little long in the tooth and some of the extended jams are....too extended. Kath was great and I'm a guitarist but "Free-Form Guitar" is....um.... stupid. So yes the album could maybe have been shorter overall but sometimes (e.g. White Album) the misfires or reaches (or bombs....rhe aforementioned guitar track being the Revolution #9 of this double album) end up getting you the all-time gems. The singles are the best tunes here but it's still a keeper overall. Classic. 8/10 4 stars.

A strong reminder that old Chicago isn't new Chicago. While I grew up on 80s Chicago, it was nice to go back and revisit their beginning.

Wasn't able to finish cause of work, but I loved the instrumentation.

Thick with classics, right out of the gate.

3.75

I've always had a soft spot for these guys... I think they really did a great job of making psychedelic rock into something more complex, more subversive, and generally just a lot more interesting. "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" has to be one of the most classic songs of the late psychedelic era. I also think of these guys as the precursor to acts like Steely Dan, which for me is high, high praise.

Chicago when it was still good. The album is basically a 1 hour jam session with a few live songs at the end. The band plays really well and the solo's all give plenty of time to shine. Favorites here are Poem 58 and I'm a Man, Free Form Guitar is certainly an experience too. I like Chicago II a bit more though.

## In-Depth Review of *Chicago Transit Authority* by Chicago *Chicago Transit Authority*, released in 1969, marks the debut album of the rock band Chicago, originally known as the Chicago Transit Authority. This double album is a significant work in the music landscape, blending elements of rock, jazz, and pop, and showcasing the band's innovative spirit. This review will explore the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, while also highlighting its pros and cons. ### Lyrics The lyrics of *Chicago Transit Authority* reflect a range of themes from love and existential questions to social commentary. - **Existential Inquiry**: The track "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" poses philosophical questions about time and existence, encapsulating a sense of uncertainty that resonates with listeners. The lyrics convey a feeling of disconnection and a search for meaning in everyday life. - **Love and Relationships**: Songs like "Beginnings" express romantic sentiments with an optimistic outlook on love. The lyrics emphasize new beginnings and the excitement that comes with them. - **Social Commentary**: The album also delves into political themes, particularly in "Prologue, August 29, 1968" and "Someday (August 29, 1968)", which address the protests during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. These tracks reflect the band's awareness of social issues and their willingness to engage with them through music. Overall, the lyrics are notable for their introspective quality and ability to connect personal feelings with broader societal issues. ### Music Musically, *Chicago Transit Authority* is characterized by its fusion of rock with jazz influences. - **Instrumentation**: The album features a robust horn section that became a hallmark of Chicago's sound. Tracks like "Introduction" showcase intricate arrangements that blend brass instruments with electric guitar and keyboards. - **Diverse Genres**: The band expertly navigates various genres throughout the album. For instance, "Free Form Guitar" is an experimental piece that highlights Terry Kath's innovative guitar work, while "Questions 67 & 68" combines rock with jazz elements through its rhythmic complexity. - **Vocal Performances**: Robert Lamm's lead vocals dominate many tracks, but Terry Kath also shines as a vocalist and guitarist. His contributions add depth to songs like "Listen" and "Poem 58," where his guitar solos showcase technical prowess. The overall sound is rich and layered, reflecting the band's ambition to create a unique musical identity. ### Production The production of *Chicago Transit Authority* plays a crucial role in its impact. - **Innovative Techniques**: Produced by James William Guercio, the album employs innovative recording techniques that enhance its live feel. The use of multi-tracking allows for complex arrangements that capture the energy of the band's live performances. - **Sound Quality**: The album has been praised for its sound quality across various formats. Recent remastering efforts have further improved its clarity, allowing listeners to appreciate the nuances in instrumentation and vocal harmonies. - **Cohesion**: Despite being a double album with diverse musical styles, there is a cohesive flow throughout the tracks. Each song transitions smoothly into the next, creating an engaging listening experience. ### Themes Thematically, *Chicago Transit Authority* explores several interconnected ideas: - **Identity and Self-Discovery**: Many songs reflect a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. The notion of beginnings permeates tracks like "Beginnings" itself, suggesting an ongoing quest for understanding one's place in the world. - **Social Awareness**: The inclusion of politically charged songs indicates a commitment to addressing societal issues. This engagement with contemporary events adds depth to their artistic expression. - **Musical Experimentation**: The album embodies a spirit of experimentation that reflects the cultural climate of the late 1960s. Chicago's willingness to blend genres and push musical boundaries resonates with listeners seeking authenticity. ### Influence *Chicago Transit Authority* has had a lasting influence on both rock music and subsequent generations of musicians: - **Pioneering Sound**: The fusion of rock with jazz elements paved the way for future bands exploring similar styles. Chicago's approach influenced artists in genres ranging from progressive rock to jazz fusion. - **Cultural Impact**: The band's ability to address social issues through music resonated with audiences during a time of significant cultural change. Their willingness to engage with political themes has inspired other artists to use their platforms for social commentary. - **Legacy**: Over time, *CTA* has been recognized as one of the greatest debut albums in rock history. Its induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame underscores its importance in American music history. ### Pros and Cons #### Pros - **Musical Diversity**: The album showcases an impressive range of musical styles, appealing to fans of various genres. - **Innovative Arrangements**: The intricate horn arrangements and skilled musicianship set Chicago apart from many contemporary bands. - **Lyrical Depth**: Thought-provoking lyrics provide listeners with both personal connection and social relevance. - **Cohesive Flow**: The seamless transitions between tracks create an engaging listening experience despite its length. #### Cons - **Lengthy Tracks**: Some songs exceed typical radio play durations, which may deter casual listeners. - **Experimental Pieces**: Tracks like "Free Form Guitar" may come off as indulgent or inaccessible to those preferring more conventional song structures. - **Inconsistent Focus**: With such diverse influences, some listeners might find certain tracks less cohesive or focused than others. ### Conclusion *Chicago Transit Authority* stands as a landmark debut album that captures the essence of Chicago's innovative spirit during a transformative era in music history. Its blend of rock and jazz influences, coupled with thoughtful lyrics addressing personal and societal themes, solidifies its status as a classic. While it may present challenges for some listeners due to its length and experimental nature, its strengths far outweigh these drawbacks. Ultimately, *CTA* not only showcases Chicago's musical prowess but also serves as an enduring testament to their artistic vision and cultural relevance.

Lots of fun stuff on here. Lots of weird stuff as well. Living in this era must have been bizarre. I was surprised at how much I knew and how different the stuff I didn’t was.

Holy crap. I had no idea this was going to rock as hard as it does. Aside from basically the first three tracks on the album (and I'm a Man, which I didn't realize was Chicago) -- I hadn't heard any of this. I didn't realize that the original Chicago was the midwestern version of the Allmans. Goddamn. If you're a fan of awesome guitar work, this is so worth a listen. Terry Kath is an absolute monster -- it's no wonder that Hendrix absolutely loved the guy's playing. And Peter Cetera -- I have a visceral hatred for him because of the soft Chicago 17 stuff that was just *everywhere* when I was growing up. But the man simply crushes it on bass. The horns are earnest and nasty. "Free Form Guitar" is completely skippable unless you want your teeth to hurt. But Liberation is a 14-minute tour de force in guitar tone. Skip the one track and just let it roll. Unexpected bangers: I'm a Man, South California Purples, Liberation

This album was a sweet combination of rock and what sounds like funk to me. The guitar player swaps back and forth from strong riffs to groovy beats. And the singer has real character with his singing style. Wicked

Dramatic vocals With celebratory horns And gnarly breakdowns

Totally dig 3/4 of this album. There is a lot going on -but great underlying guitar work. And I am a fan of horns -although Chicago sometimes takes them further than I would prefer.

There's some funk, and some jams, sprinkled in throughout. And there is a lot of horn work. Some might say too much, but the BGQ goes big with horns as well and it is powerful and triumphant, so there.

Glad I ordered a side of rock with my horns. Lots of fun and engaging songs, but also got weirdly self indulgent and unfocused towards the end

I thoroughly enjoyed this

Funky stuff

Two absolute banger hits that I have heard before. A bunch of tasty jams. One song that was someone just rubbing a pick against guitar strings for 5 minutes. And a lot of soul jazz funk deliciousness that reminds me of Hendrix. 8/10

The Chicago Transit Authority sound of 1969 is not the same that most music listeners would become familiar with when Chicago had a broader audience in the 1980s. Pop, Soul, R&B, Funk, Brass, and Prog-like guitar wanderings make this such a phenomenal album. That this is the only album representative of this band on the list is near-criminal. 4/5

1969? Is this when the 70's sound was created because this feels like the soundtrack to an entire decade. Also, it's not really necessary to directly replicate a live show on an album. I think this is a 3.5, but actually bumping up to 4 for the absolute gall to do this in their 1st album.

I know some Chicago, basically the hits. I love 25 or 6 to 4. Chicago is the only band my mom has a hoodie for. Never listened to this beginning to end. It's solid. The bass is killer. The instrumental songs are great, not waste.

This rocks! Only thing keeping it from a 5 is the flagrant overuse of horns.

Deep cuts are annoying. Otherwise genius.

It was actually quiet good. Funky, rocky and progressive. I liked it. The sleeve is meh.

Fun album. And who doesn't love horns?

Read the bands history and it’s super interesting. Didn’t know they had such a huge collection of music. Love all the horns

I love them. Nostalgic.

I really like the fusion of jazz and rock here, and all the instruments gel together really well. One thing I've realised I like a lot in an album is when it somehow sounds as though the musicians are all having fun while they play - I couldn't tell you what makes it sound that way to me, but these guys seem to be having a great time. Let down by Freeform Guitar and the fact that it's overly long (the 14 minute final track adds nothing to the experience)

Did not expect the random I Am the Walrus reference in "South California Purples". This album is very good. Whether it be the keyboard or the horns, the instrumentals are top notch. Didn't expect anything but was pleasantly surprised!

I haven't got an instrumental album in a long time. Feels refreshing. These guys knew what they were doing. Enjoyed it. The rock, the jazz, the blues.

groovy. wanted to dance. someone put this in a musical

Introduction -First part syncopation off the shits tbh -Jazzy horns in the quieter parts -Third part jazzy; all together just really enjoyable. 4/5 Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? -Piano opening; kind of interestingly dissonant in a modernish Gershwin-esque way? -Yeah, I like it when the horns come in; vocals coming in surprisingly almost. Wouldn't mind if it this was all instrumentals, comes off a little trite in that early 70s way. But I can vibe with it 3/5 Beginnings -Horns in the opening; major key. Lyrics, again, kind of "I'm in love" cliche -3/5. I might be overrating this because I like jazz, but there're worse crimes to commit. The ending gets cowbell repetitive Questions 67 and 68 -Sounds like something you'd thrown on at the end of a coming of age movie (complimentary). Chill vibes. 3.75-4/5 Listen -Like, it's fine. I don't imagine myself putting it on, but I definitely would pick it over a Van Halen album. Although I might say that about most of jazzier albums. When the bass kicks in I go "Ah, the Arctic Monkeys or their influences ripped this off you, probably. But you probably ripped it off someone too. Such is contemporary music." Says more about me tbh... 2/5 Poem 58 -Kind of long, enjoy the bom-bom-bom-bom-bommmm(trill_bom) motif. 2/5 just because I was playing sudoku and it didn't really catch my attention + the a little too long thing I mentioned earlier Free Form Guitar -Jimi Hendrix-ish fucking around with warmups opening -Oh, "free form" is right. Can't be disappointed when the title doesn't lie. Actually, as a sound exercise, I think I'd like it (am I saying this because I'm "supposed" to like avant garde stuff? Idk.). As a lyrical enterprise? Not so much. Genius says "No electronic gimmicks or effects were used in the recording of this selection, the intent being to capture as faithfully as possible the actual sound of the performance as it occurred." -Rating 1 (song) 0.5/5 would not listen again. Rating as a piece of art (3/5) would, in fact, listen just for the textures South California Purples -Ambient laughter to start it off. Okay. I like the title. Initial impression: a girl could really get a groove on this. Yeah, I do like this. 4/5. Probably bumped the rating because South California Purples is a solid title and I appreciate when Southern California isn't a catch-all for Los Angeles and Los Angeles isn't a synecdoche for Hollywood I'm a Man -Appreciate the 60s holdover of the world. "Man yes I am" motif is catchy. It's solid. 2.75/5 just because the drumming at the end isn't my jam Prologue, August 29, 1968 -From Genius: "This song and its title refer to the Democratic National Convention of 1968 which is notorious for being extremely violent, as Mayor Daley gave the Chicago Police virtual free range to do what they saw necessary in order to stop the rioters." Don't feel like I can rate this. Really good use of current events, I guess? Blends well with next song. Someday (August 29, 1968) -4/5. Mix with Prologue, and the whole thing is just a really solid piece. Was doing laundry so I can't remember the details, but I did like it enough to make a note that these two were a combined 4/5 Liberation -Decent. Was doing laundry so not entirely paying attention to some of this, but I didn't hate it. Broken up into many sections (14 minute song), I liked the last one best. 3.5/5 Overall: 4/5 stars. Cool Wikipedia fact: This album was recorded and produced in "only five days of basic tracking and five days of overdubbing by the recording company." They also almost got sued by the CTA, so changed band name to "Chicago"

The guitar slaps. "Poem 58" is my favorite. 3.75★

Chicago is a ridiculous band, but their earlier stuff is a lot sweeter and more out there than what they ended up becoming for the rest of their existence. I always liked this album even though it's over the top and obviously way too long. But some great stuff on it for sure.

Having owned the greatest hits album I was always a fan of the hits. Never dove really deep into the albums and shame on me. What a good debut album. Too bad the radio edits I listened to way back when lopped off some great intros. But I can hear why, there anre some looong songs on this album. Enjoyed listening to after a long period of not listening.

Better than I thought it was going to be. Lot of good jams on this one. Was expecting a more pop sound. Will I listen to again: 75%

Bastante bien

Nice

listened to again this has more in common with King Crimson than anything the 80s band did

I absolutely love this album. I only knew Chicago from their cheesy 80’s soft rock and when I heard this album for the first time it absolutely blew me away. If it weren’t for “Free Form Guitar” this would be a five star album for me. That being said, I have some issues with “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?” First, a man comes up to the speaker and asks him what the time is on his watch. Awkward phrasing, but fine. But then the speaker answers, “does anybody really know what time it is? does anybody really care? (About time)”. Yes, someone does know what time it is. You do. Based on the question you were asked, we all know you are wearing a watch. Also, the guy who asked you the question cares about what time it is, that’s why he asked. Maybe he has a job interview at 2:30pm and needs to know if he should start heading over there you stupid hippie! Stop blathering about time as a concept and tell the poor guy what the numbers on your fucking watch say! Then, in a separate incident, the speaker was walking down the street and a pretty lady looked at him and “said her diamond watch had stopped cold dead.” Okay, bullshit. Nobody has ever said that. So now you’re annoying people who are just trying to live their lives with your pseudo-philosophical garbage and you’re a liar. Also, why do you even wear a watch? If you are so enlightened about the pointlessness of knowing what time it is, why are you wearing a device on your wrist whose sole purpose is providing you with the information that you seem to think no one should ever need to know? Just so people will ask you the time and you can deny them that simple and practical bit of information and instead pontificate at them? Fuck you, sir.

Well, Introduction is pretty jazzy, not what I was expecting from a band I've basically lumped in with Toto and Journey in my head - soft rock giants responsible for one or two bona fide bangers but who I'd never ever consider listening to an album by. I stuck You're the Inspiration, If You Leave Me Now (the latter, hell yeah) and Hard to Say I'm Sorry on after introduction because I had to remind myself who they were. Seems they've been on quite the journey, pun intended. Really enjoyable. Beginnings. Oh so the massive guitar solo in Poem 58 isn't the massive guitar solo that people were complaining about haha. Oh no mate, sorry you couldn't get that lawn mower started. All told as a record, a touch too much guitar wankery for me to come back to wholly. I love a 15 minute track generally more than the next man, but it's got to go somewhere. Some great tracks though. 3.5?

Songs were a bit lengthy but I really likr chicagos sound

Tiukasti funkkaa tämäkin! Enpä ole aikaisemmin kuullut tätä, vaikka Im a man:ista muita versioita on tullut luukutettua. 4/5

Letkeä progelevy. Ehkä puolivälin vapaalomakekitarointi oli vähän turhaa mut kyl tää neloseen nousee.

I can tell they were having a lot of fun while making this album. I liked the creative use of the horn section, and while I did think that this album was longer than it could've been, I only found myself checking to see how much time was left a couple of times.

I actually quite liked this. I was initially put off by the length of the album but the songs were so good I didn’t mind. The guitarist and drummer were on point the entire time (except for that weird track “Free Form Guitar”). The horn section sounded great I really liked the long instrumental parts to each song. I do wish the last song wasn’t quite as long but it sounded really good so it’s whatever. Really well done album the band sounds great.

Some very good and then very experimental songs on this album! I really enjoyed it from start to finish, besides the last 3 or so minutes of Liberation.

I forgot or maybe never knew that I liked Chicago. I definitely didn't remember them as being a variant on 70s funk. I had a lot of fun listening to this one and will definitely be coming back to it.

++: Introduction, Listen, Liberation +: Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?, Beginnings, Poem 58, Free Form Guitar, South California Purples, I'm a Man, Prologue, August 29, 1968, Someday (August 29, 1968) +-: Questions 67 and 68 7,6/10

Saw them the summer of 71. What a great night. Have seen them since and always took me back. Love the drums and the horns. Good stuff.

Rock adulto, suave y ligeramente progresivo mezclado con jazz, el álbum de debut de Chicago plasmó en el estudio los años de directo bajo la apariencia de Big Thing. Destacan los cuatro sencillos extraídos del álbum: "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?", "Beginnings", "Questions 67 and 68", y la estupenda versión del tema de Steve Winwood, "I'm a Man". Me gusta la blusera "South California Purples" y son bastante emocionantes los dos temas enlazados y referidos a los acontecimientos violentos que rodearon la Convención Nacional Demócrata de 1968: la introducción con sonido ambiente de "Prologue, August 29, 1968" que desemboca en "Someday (August 29, 1968)", un poderoso mensaje de esperanza en la lucha por un mundo más justo.

Pretty fly

Good R&B record. I never listened to Chicago much growing up but I was familiar with many of the iconic songs on this record. I would say that this album is overly long and they could have left the improvisational Hendrix-like guitar tracks off. I am not saying that the guitar tracks are bad but they seemed out of place with the tone of the rest of the album.

Surprisingly I enjoyed this record. I was expecting Peter Cetera pop ballads, which isn't really this sound of this one. A shame Chicago didn't stick with this sound.

Great assorted bag of fun! Never expected this music from the picture of those (now old, granted) dudes over at the streaming service' "about the artist" bit. Only reason it's a 4 from me, is - not Free Form Guitar, that was fun, too - that I've been dishing out 5s like candy.

It's good, but I know II is better.

Reminds me a lot of 'Yes'. Great album, would have been a 5 if it didn't have that terrible free form guitar song

why the FUCK is there 7 minutes of noise in the middle of this album. feels like eating something soft and suddenly you feel something crunchy, except in this case you're chewing for an hour

Started out really well but went a bit to experimental for my taste towards the middle. All in all very enjoyable album.

Nearly a 5-star, but I cannot forgive them for "Free Form Guitar". I will indulge most guitar solos but I cannot tolerate 6 minutes of Kath proving he can make the guitar sound like a motorcycle. The other songs are great. Early Chicago was the bomb.

Totally surprising. I liked this a lot. Enjoyed the rock, blues, jazz, funk and other styles on here. The one noise song was annoying but whatever. Rest was great.

So much better than what they became. Poppy, Jazzy, Rocky in a single package. It’s too bad they didn’t stay on this course.

Totally different sound from the band Chicago that I’m familiar with. This was pretty cool. A lot more experimental and political than I expected.

This was genuinely pretty good! I dig the upbeat vibe, the big band feel, and rock/jazz blend. Some songs are just jams, which isn't terrible either.

Funky and exciting but some transitions and parts are to high pitched for me

You know it’s gonna be a banger when an album has a track called “Free Form Guitar”

Heyrðu, heyrðu, heyrðu! Ég hef hlustað á þessa hljómsveit áður án þess að í rauninni vera eitthvað að spá í henni eða að leggja mig fram við að hlusta á hana... en hún var líka svona bara frábær þessi plata að undanskildu einu lagi, Free Form Guitar, sem dregur hana niður um eina stjörnu af því að mér fannst það bara ekki passa inn á plötuna. Hún hefði annars fengið fullt hús stiga.

Unbelievable that the debut from Chicago was such a massive hit. It's good, but it's also extremely long and complex. I'll bet good money that in most households, LP1 is in significantly worse condition than LP2.

Chicago was a brute force of sheer creativity starting with their debut album and all the way up through the 70’s. Their complex jazz rock and many records exceeding the 1 hour marker was somehow what people were looking for. I for one completely understand.

It's a really good album! Great instrumental parts, the less singing the better, brass section was amazing, the flow of the album was just spectacular. The more conventional songs with vocal parts were rather average and it really brings the whole experience down, but still, really nice time spent listening to the record.

I love when I get a band that hails directly from Chicago. Illinois might be a shit state, but that city birthed some seriously cool bands. And Chicago is one of those. Before the name change, they were called Chicago Transit Authority. Until they got sued by the actual fucking CTA. So I’ll just refer to them as Chicago. This groups fits in with the same kind of jam bands, like Steely Dan or Grateful Dead. This is basically just Steely Dan, but with less yacht-rock and less session musicians. Except unlike that group, this album does not take its time. There are no slow ballads. There is no large build up to a big and fast climactic moment. This has one speed. And aside from some very brief moments, it rarely slows down. You make the argument that the songwriting is weaker and more one-note because of that. But I don’t necessarily agree. I think what the band is playing here is still great. This consists of some really solid, jammy jazz music infused with late 60s rock motifs. More experimental than I was expecting, but I’m always open to that. Except occasionally it doesn’t play out so well. Some of these songs maybe do drag on a little longer than is really necessary. And Free Form Guitar is cool in concept, but virtually unlistenable. My favorite part is by far the brass. The horn arrangements on this album are so fucking tight, it just elevates this to the next level. And this record would not be nearly as memorable without them. For 1969, and as a debut, a double album that stays as consistent as this is impressive. At some point they may have fallen from the glory this album brought, but Chicago Transit Authority’s roots were strong. Rating: 7/10

Quite pleasant but on the border if I’d like to revisit again. I guess it just about makes it. It’s a bit too long - but it’s surprisingly eclectic l.

Unending guitar solos aside, this is a really good album.

I really enjoyed this. Less sappy than the later ballad-ballad-ballad-teary-eyed-mopeyness stuff they did in the 80s and also more enjoyable. Kind of like Boston in both form and aesthetic. Definitely a great listen.

Woh! Where the chuff did this come from? Chicago Transit Authority is unrecognisable from the AOR Chicago shite. Is it really the same band? The horns are lovely, the tunes are uplifting. There's clearly a Sergeant Pepper hangover happening here. No bad thing. Free Form Guitar worried me for a while. But then it's back to the white funk. Horny.

Quite good. Aside from the 7 minutes of noise in the middle at least.

Does Any One Really Know What Time It Is Questions 67 and 68 South California Purples I’m A Man Starting the album off right with that intro. Breathtaking. Could’ve gone without “Free Form Guitar.” I wish all of “someday” was like the ending. As soon as I was like “oh this is getting good” it was over. Nice change of pace over all. Pleasantly delighted.

loving Questions 67 and 68, I’m a man and Poem 58

this just felt like a good sandwich (very vibey) bar free form guitar.

The first track was fucking badass and I absolutely loved it. Does anybody really know what time it is was then super jolly. It felt very of its time but in such a wholesome way that you just had to love it. Free form guitar was cool but just sounded bad though. Ultimately this was an awesome awesome album but just a little too long for me.

Ok, à part le tintamarre d’abus de guitare sur la fuzz pedal, c’est quand même un banger d’album

weird album would be completely unremarkable, if not for the guitarist despite not really being music, free form guitar is the best song on the album by far really enjoyable, but many of the songs fall flat hard, especially at the start mayb 7-8/10

There's a very cool sound that combines brass, jazz, and rock to be found here, even if it is executed better on some tracks compared to others, particularly in the back-half of the record. I did find that at decent chunk of these tracks are sort of carried by the guitar playing of Terry Kath. Lyrically it's really nothing to write home about, even with some of the clear references to the anti-Vietnam War sentiments at the time in the last few tracks. "Liberation" is a great closing track. bro think he jimi hendrix on "free form guitar"

Nice fusion of rock and jazz.

I heard it before. These days they are mainly known for their soft rock. Their first couple of records (this is the first one) sound more like Deep Purple with horns. It's great, but the songs are too long. Favorite song: does anybody really know

going into this listen, i was only familiar with the radio hits. but this album is pretty great. while admittedly the songs on the album can be a little too long for my taste, it still packs a punch. highlights: “does anybody really know what time it is?” “questions 67 and 68” “south california purples”

I need to listen to more Chicago because that rocked. The jazz prog combo was hitting me in all the right ways. It almost sounded like Frank Sinatra was singing at times but with a much more awesome band behind him. I really liked how some of the songs emphasized on the horns and others were absolute guitar shredders. The Free Form Guitar was giving me the chills with the reverb and scratchiness.

I know a couple Chicago songs but pumped to delve deeper into their catalogue. Introduction is a great introduction for this album with some serious sax work going on. Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? is such a classic and builds up so well into that trumpet. Beautiful song. Questions 67 and 68 is a jam and has some background shredding throughout. Really loving the horns on this one. So upbeat. Slowdown in Poem 58 is sick leading into the guitar solo. Apparently Free Form Guitar was an influence on the noise rock genre. Makes sense. I can appreciate it in small doses, very Hendrix-esque. Also love that it takes you to acid-town and then back to Earth with a normal next song. Random Beatle lyrics in South California Purples? Feel like I've heard I'm a Man in a couple things, but not necessarily Chicago. Faded into the background a bit towards the end but still loving the horns. Little too long but damn I always thought Chicago was way more soft. High 4. Also reading about one of the founders Terry Kath, who Jimi Hendrix once called the greatest guitarist in the universe. He was playing with a gun with his friends and his last words were "What do you think I'm gonna do? Blow my brains out?" and did just that, accidentally. Sad.

Der Beginn einer glanzvollen Karriere, Rock mit bläserbasierten Jazzelementen, eine der Vorlagen zum Jazzrock.

The story goes, or at least the story that members of Chicago like to tell, is that Jimi Hendrix gave them their big break and proclaimed, "Your guitar player is better than me." If that story is even remotely true, there's no way Hendrix was ever exposed to the track "Free Form Guitar" from this album. I'm not trying to completely shit on Chicago guitarist Terry Kath. Frankly, the band went completely downhill after his bizarre death. But his 7 minute nonsense of guitar noodling smack dab in the middle of what was previously a damned good record stops everything cold. We're talking fingernails on the chalkboard here. Maybe Hendrix really did tell the band that, and it right to their heads, thinking they better set aside some space to just let Kath take over and cook. That glorious misstep aside, this album is something of a joy, and a great reminder of what this band could do before Peter Cetera buddied up with David Foster and thought cheesy ballads were the path to glory. And I love cheesy ballads! But maybe Hendrix was on to something. Terry Kath at least kept this band on the right track. At least when he wasn't puking out 7 minutes of annoying nonsense.

Some big band, classic

Maybe it’s because it’s a much-needed 70 degree day after weeks of shitty cold weather when this one popped up for me, but I was feeling it. The horns! Nice, surprisingly adventurous guitar work at moments too. I can see coming back to this one on many a summer BBQ.

Not bad at all. I rather enjoyed this

Honestly other than the track “free form guitar” this album is absolutely fantastic. I love the combination of brass band with classic rock.

Vi que es del 1969 y cambia todo mi analisis y perspectiva. Estaban bien alante mezclando funk y jazz americano con metal y con toque de los beatles y una fuerte influencia de rock psicodelico y con rock progresivo como moody blues. Pienso que lograron incorporar todos esos generos eficientemente en un mismo sonido que no es algo facil de lograr. Este es el mejor LP que esta banda ha sacado en sus 50 años. No es mi favorito pero en contexto es el mejor musicalmente y los arreglos estan muy fuera de control y lo hacen un LP unico ue abrio camino para otros grupos Quizas hay demasiados solos de guitarra y despues de un rato cansan pero sogue siendo un excelente LP

FUCK Free Form Guitar. Everything else is amazing. Ez dump on bad music. Great drums, bass and guitar. Ez 4.5

Fantastic instrumentation, wish it was shortened a bit though. 4.5

Musicianship is stellar. Wild mix of jazz and lasts 60s guitar rock

It's like three bands in one: soul/r&B with horns (very much like Blood, Sweat & Tears), late 60s pop/rock (Spencer Davis, etc) and late 60s heavy guitar rock (Fleetwood Mac, Cream, Zeppelin, etc). Ignoring the Hendrix-influencing (yes, an influence on Jimi) guitar solo and the noisy section of Liberation, this is an accomplished collection, political and musical statement.

Interesting band composition and chemistry. I liked the horn section.

A really great, jazzy rock album. Really enjoyed the second half

great band sounds throughout, personally think Chicago's best songs aren't on this album but still a nice listen. loses some of its strength and cohesiveness in the middle, especially with Free Form Guitar

Good. Too long, but good. Great musicianship and horn lines. Not really made for singles but there were a few great ones. "Someday" was phenomenal

Nice

Yea, this was damn good

it was a great album with some really good easy to listen to tracks, some fell a bit too long and i felt they dragged on too much but i still really enjoyed it i’ve been meaning to listen to chicago for a while so im glad i got this recommendation. i like their style a lot, very distinct, ill be interested to hear more from them.

Great album

For some reason I thought Chicago was dad rock so I was pleasantly surprised that it was late 60s funky. Started as a definite 4, went on a bit & became a bit self indulgent so teetered... But sure, I'll go 4

this is kind of wanky and i think i wouldn't like it if it didn't have such a sick horn section, but it does so it's a 4 stars

4/5

This album was objectively, really good. It had sick ass guitar solos, fun big-band horn sections, and a diversity of rhythm and sound. But, I’m a Gen-Z with a short attention span, and the songs are LONG. Long with very few lyrics. Unfortunately, subjectively, I would give it a 3. But objectively it’s definitely a 5.

Eclectic mash up of funk, rock, and soul. I had my reservations at first, but getting into the groove of 'Listen' and 'Poem 58' and the layering in of thick bass. Shows why Chicago ending up with greatness post-debut.

This was pretty good.

Groovy!

This band went through quite an evolution from their start to their later material. They moved from a more jazz/rock sound to a more pop/pop ballad kind of sound. There are good things to hear in the various iterations but they are different. Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?, Beginnings and I'm a Man are classics.

I had never listened to Chicago before. I was expecting some slow soft rock, but this was something else. It's a jazzy, funky jam session. For a debut album it's quite extraordinary. However some of the songs overstay their welcome and could have been cut down a little.

I love this. I know Chicago tangentially through some of their bigger hits and especially when they became a far more commercial band. But this debut is great! Kinda a jazz infusion with a wicked lead vocalist and a killer guitarist. It’s a shame that the track “Free Form Guitar” exists because it’s truly awful to listen to. 4.5/5

i liked it

The debut album from Chicago is notable in a lot of ways. It is an auspicious debut, reaching #17 on the US album charts, and selling double platinum. It includes several really great songs including 2x top 10 singles (Beginnings and Does Anybody Know What Time It Is?) and another top 25 (Questions 67 &68). This was a new sound, horns like this kid had never heard (in pop music). Killer guitar, shifting soundscapes.an impressive start. It's also a bit audacious. How many bands release a double album as a debut? And there's the rub. 32 minutes of this album are outstanding; really really great. But the album runs 76+ minutes, and a good bit of that is not compelling. I wish they had been more concise, maybe cutting a song or two (looking at you, Freeform Guitar and Poem 58). I just wish the whole thing was a bit more concise. It could've been stunning, instead it's just really good. This is early Chicago, before Tery Kath (guitar) died, and before soft rock stardom took over. Full disclosure, I own this album. All in all 4/5

Listened Before? N Cool album. The horns and big band kind of sound mixed with the jamming style really well. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?

Ziemlich cool! Sollte ich nochmal hören.

Nice vibe. Nice music. Free Form Guitar a bit annoying though

Beginnings gave it a boost.

OG Chicago!

Excellent classic rock!

Loved the raw rock and great sounds of this 1969 ringer!

Loved this. Could do without free form guitar, but I get it. Terry Kath is exceptional

I enjoyed this a surprising amount

Terry Kath's guitar is awesome. This album is filled with unique arrangements and lots of trumpets and clean vocals. A nice mix of jazz and rock.

This album is absolutely crazy. It starts with some jazzy tunes, has a really interprative free form guitar jam, and is straight rock opera by the end. What a journey. I definitely liked the beginning half more than the end half, with my favorite being Does Anyone Really Know What Time It Is?. Overall, great album.

chicago's debut album is, shockingly, a double album, but it doesn't fall into the usual pitfalls of a double album. despite the length, the album isn't boring and doesn't go for too long with the same sound. chicago kept it fun and refreshing. infusing jazz with rock is peak chef's kiss. chicago leans more towards jazz on the whole, but "poem 58" proves they can do straight rock music, too. the end of the album showed chicago's ability to work within the progressive rock genre, too, which isn't what i expected, given how synonymous chicago is with jazz rock.

I will give him a 3.6 because of the excellent good mix of musical genres. Good sound and musically speaking just great

This is surprisingly bad ass, I thought Chicago was soft rock or something. Not this album, like Cream or some noisy rock mixed with jazzy soul. I really dig this!

Superb musicianship, but to me the songwriting is lacking. The album also felt thrown together and not cohesive.

HORNS! Great band.

Jimi Hendrix was right, that white boy on the guitar knows what he's doing. I didn't think I was ready for a double album worth of prog rock today, but it won me over. Groovy. Still probably 1-2 songs too long, but I was never bored. Also "Free Form Guitar" was pretty cool. I can see why most people could go without it though.

An interesting album, one of the best blends of guitar and horns I've heard. The drummer is phenomenal!

Nice change of pace. I enjoyed it.

The start of a legendary band, who I don't generally like a whole lot. I hadn't heard this album, but it's cool because of it's focus on prog rock more than pop. It's a pretty interesting jazz and prog rock album.

Not bad. I knew some of these songs and I enjoy the horns and guitar.

Quite good

Always down for some Chicago. A little jazzy for me vs the hits

Parts of this are brilliant, others the prog rock guitar groans do my head in. I couldn’t get through free form guitar without skipping, but enjoyed the rest of this album.

Solid dad rock. I've always enjoyed this band. 3.5 stars

its alright, might give it another listen

This is certainly Chicago Transit Authority's best work, whether or not it is Chicago's best work I'm less certain. Certainly one of their top though, a very good listen!

I’ve heard this several times before. Fun, jam band sound. Obviously the start of quite a legacy from Chicago. Honestly not something I’d listen to much on my own, but enjoyable to listen every once in awhile.

Their own description of 'rock with horns' is fairly apt. The jazz influences are there plain enough (chordal choices, the changes, etc.). The progressive label that gets attached is interesting; fitting insofar as their compositions are more ambitious than always writing 3-minute verse-chorus-verse pop. Drummer Danny Seraphine is a real highlight, outside of the obvious horn section, which is also tight enough to sound like a single instrument. 'Maximalist' is a good word for Chicago. In today's terms, they're a lot. Surprisingly, it never seems indulgent on an individual level (save for the nearly seven minutes of Terry Kath's Free Form Guitar) -- every player contributes interesting, memorable musical ideas, whether melodic or rhythmic hooks. Vocals are good but not standout, but that's the whole conceit: they're a seven-piece band that sounds completely cohesive and in-sync. The downside of a cohesive seven-piece prog-jazz-rock band writing ambitious 6- to 7-minute songs is that it can get a bit dense. That's not to say that Chicago is impenetrable on this debut, but it's hard to recall anything after it's happened. It needs and merits further listens. It's catchy as heck from the get-go, though. Give this a spin: you get some danceable jazz-rock driven by the horns in the first several, some singable radio rock in the middle, utter (talented) nonsense when Kath goes Free Form (probably inspired by Hendrix, at a guess) and by the time you're at South California Purples, you could be listening to a groovier Sabbath tune. It's a trip.

I grew up with Chicago, they were a staple of musical life. I never loved them, but several songs in their career are of significant sentimental or nostalgic value to me. I haven't listened to this album before, Does Anybody Really Know What Time it is? is the only song I am familiar with. But this really shattered my perception of Chicago (the band). I mean, wtf is Free Form Guitar? I love it! This album isn't perfect, but it's a lovely experimental side of Chicago that really should be experienced.

Me gustó mucho

This took me by surprise: When I saw Chicago it was lots of ballads and the popular songs I knew that were fun, but didn't stand up to their showmates Earth, Wind, & Fire. This comes off more as a glorious processional. Lots of well articulated and harmonized horn parts with long running songs and solos. It almost comes off as a fusion of jazz and jam. Tons of energy and style choices, this was really one hell of a debut.

This album has great musicality and is just feel good music! Did I need the random 7-minute screechy guitar solo in the middle...maybe not but what can you do?

I can see exactly why they would open for Hendrix: really enjoyed this album. Love a little bit of funk with powerful guitars and a disco-esc main singer. I have no clue why this isn't so rated bc I had a really fun time and could see multiple tracks getting stuck in my head via a daily mix.

A couple duds, but mostly great.

They are very good, generally very catchy and well built, but also original and experimental at times

I fully expected this to be shit, but it was really great. Expected bland MOR pop but got this fusion of soul / funk / a bit jazz. As inventive as you’d possibly want with lots of changes which keeps it interesting. Absolutely loved Poem 58, Listen, Introduction, I’m a Man, Someday were all highlights. Will return to this

Never heard of Chicago before. The first track blew me away, it was so inventive, loads of tempo and time changes, I thought we were on for a 5 star. The rest of the album was quite good but a lot safer, what I would expect from a jazz/funk/rock band, and the fact the first track promised so much left me feeling a bit underwhelmed. Free form guitar was pointless filler. I think it's probably a 3.5, I'll round up to 4 but it could have been so much more.

Chicago's Greatest Hits is another one of my car CDs. I would give that 5 stars, but am happy to give this a solid 4. There are about 3-4 tracks that are excellent (I'm a Man, Questions 67 and 68, Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is off the top of my head) but the screechy guitar song ruins it a bit. Great band.

The album has a soul/jazz/rock/funk fusion going on that I quite enjoyed. It made it quite an interesting album, I was never bored. "Free Form Guitar" is easily the worst track, at first I thought they were recording some dodgy car engine before I read the title. Would listen to again, a nice surprise. Highlights: Questions 67 and 68 Poem 58 I'm a Man