 
|
CHICAGO
The Box (Rhino)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson
A typical box set from a band with a long and storied career contains dozens and dozens of alternate takes and unreleased tracks, but that's not the case with Chicago: The Box. This is a superbly programmed five CD/one DVD collection of the original music that defined the two and a half careers of one of the most successful bands in pop music history. In fine sound quality, we're given every top 100 hit and plenty of tasty tunes that slipped under the mass market radar.
Early on in disc one you realize this is going to be more than a "remember when" party. "Listen" rocks hard with great old fashioned grooves and a hot blend of horns and one of Peter Cetera's fattest bass tones, and it leads right into "South California Purples." While you're listening to this you forget the pop band you love (or hate) and remember (or discover) that Chicago Transit Authority really was a slammin' blues-rock band when they first set out to conquer the world. The edges begin to show on songs that may have previously seemed poppier. Now that you're hearing the madness to their method as it develops, "25 or 6 to 4" seems to rock harder, as do many of the songs on the discs to come. Sure, "Saturday In The Park" remains pure pop, but great pop. My personal favorite Chicago pop tune, "Feeling Stronger Every Day," which draws its strength from thick vocal harmonies, sounds absolutely brilliant here. I can't find any info on exactly what was done to doll up the sound, but I A/B tested it with the CD of the original album and an earlier greatest hits disc and this blew them both out of the water.
After the death of guitarist Terry Kath and some struggling to redefine themselves, Chicago had a much celebrated second career in the MTV 80s, trading mostly on Cetera-sung ballads. Those, too, are here, as well as a batch of songs from a lesser known 90s version of the band in which Jason Scheff replaced Cetera. The music from this period is undeniably well played and it has its fans, though I must confess I find most of it rather toothless. There's a trio of songs from a rejected CD that the band's fans have been waiting to get ahold of for some time, and that adds some intrique to the set. The final disc (#6) is a DVD featuring a 25 minute concert from 1972 which will thrill fans of Chicago's fusion experimentation and bore anyone waiting for a good rock or pop concert, and will be too short in either case. Also featured is a selection of videos for 1979's Chicago 13. If that album floats your boat, this will too, plain and simple.
For a Chicago fan who hasn't already invested in all the CDs, The Box is the way to go. The price (generally around 60 bucks) is very reasonable considering you get over six and a half hours of music, not counting the DVD. Rhino's done a very good job in all phases, from selection to quality to packaging, and they certainly didn't make just another Chicago package that leaves you wanting more. This will be everything all but the most hardcore fan will ever need.
© 2003 - DJ Johnson