The Very Best of Chicago: Only the Beginning

Amazon.com
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

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.

The Very Best of Chicago: Only the Beginning,Chicago,Rhino / Wea,Adult Contemporary,Jazz-Rock,Pop,Pop/Rock,Popular Music,Rock,Rock/Pop,Soft Rock

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The Very Best of Chicago: Only the Beginning

Average customer rating: God, I needed this! Chicago CD The very best! BIG DEAL ANOTHER GREATEST HITS COLLECTION. THERE ARE OTHER CHICAGO ALTERATIVES........... 1/2 Good

The Very Best of Chicago: Only the Beginning Chicago Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Rhino Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Eagles : The Very Best of Doobie Brothers - Greatest Hits America - The Complete Greatest Hits The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac The Complete Hit Singles ASIN: B000068ZVQ Release Date: 2002-07-02

Tracks:

1. Make Me Smile
2. 25 Or 6 To 4
3. Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?
4. Beginnings
5. Questions 67 And 68
6. I'm A Man
7. Colour Of My World
8. Free
9. Lowdown
10. Saturday In The Park
11. Dialogue (Part I & II)
12. Just You 'N' Me
13. Feelin' Stronger Every Day
14. (I've Been) Searchin' For So Long
15. Wishing You Were Here
16. Call On Me
17. Happy Man
18. Another Rainy Day In New York City
19. If You Leave Me Now

Tracks:

1. Old Days
2. Baby, What A Big Surprise
3. Take Me Back To Chicago
4. Alive Again
5. No Tell Lover
6. Love Me Tomorrow
7. Hard To Say I'm Sorry/Get Away
8. Stay The Night
9. Hard Habit To Break
10. You're The Inspiration
11. Along Comes A Woman
12. Will You Still Love Me?
13. If She Would Have Been Faithful...
14. Look Away
15. What Kind Of Man Would I Be?
16. I Don't Wanna Live Without Your Love
17. We Can Last Forever
18. You're Not Alone
19. Chasin' The Wind
20. Sing, Sing, Sing (w/ The Gipsy Kings)

Amazon.com

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

Album 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.

Customer Reviews:

God, I needed this!.......2007-03-28

I graduated high school in '76,so CHICAGO was a huge part of my musical formitive years.Have to admit I was somewhat of a musical snob-all about the musicianship,and CHICAGO fit the bill perfectly.So edgy,raw,and powerful.Even their ballads back then had such soul and substance.
This is the music that got me through the rough times,takes you away to a whole different place.When I saw this set on Amazon,I had to have it;and I've not been dissappointed.When I played disc 1,I got chills just like back in the day. Rhino's remastering kicks serious a--!Rich,clear and full sound.I know the few edits are kind of a pain,but hey-no biggie.Just sit back,crank up the headphones and FEEL the music. Now I know what you other hard-core fans are saying-"What about disc 2?" I've got a tip for you-when you listen to the second disc,just listen to it for what it is-not as a CHICAGO fan.It's really pretty good stuff.Besides,the 1st disc is worth the price of the whole set anyway. Those of you who are not too familiar with the group,here's what you'll get-superior musicianship,powerful horns,extraordinary guitar work(Kath),a very strong,much overlooked rythum section and wonderful vocal harmonies.A band with incredible range and versatility. What else can I say! Five stars-easy!

Chicago CD.......2007-03-22

We listen to this ALL the time... everyone who comes over comments on it. Great music. I bought it as a gift for my husband, who noticed that one of his favorites ("Colour My World"), is not included. Other than that, its a great 2-CD compilation of all their best tunes.

The very best!.......2007-01-09

This is a two-disc set containing just about every hit song I remember by Chicago. I have to say I enjoyed the first disc more than the second as it has the earlier songs. I have always enjoyed the brass in Chicago's sound and this album brings it on fantastically. If you want to hear the very best of Chicago, this is the album to buy!

BIG DEAL ANOTHER GREATEST HITS COLLECTION. THERE ARE OTHER CHICAGO ALTERATIVES..................2007-01-07

You could buy all the Chicago Rhino record remasters with fine linear notes, if one or a few of your favorites are missing. I like the remastering on this Chicago collection, I hate that Rhino edited a few songs. Yeah! I know no "Harry Truman" is missing, what a mistake that was. A nice Chicago collection if you just want the hits spanning their nearly fortyone year career. The beginning of the Chicago band was the best, actually the first nine years with Terry Kath and James William Guerico producing all of the Chicago recording output, up to Chicago XI, 1977, (output from 1969 to 1977). Ironically Chicago XI would be Terry Kaths last record with Chicago before his untimely death in January 1978. Wheather you like or hate the 1980s, 1990s material, this greatest hits collection, still speaks for Chicago as a band that has lasted since its conception in 1967. I like some of the 1980s material, despite Chicago being Peter Ceteras backup band at this time. I like 2006 release Chicago XXX, which I really thought had some of the old Chicago sound despite some ballads. Chicago still has four original members in the band as of 2007. I wish the bad blood with Peter Cetera and Danny Seraphine would clear and both would rejoin Chicago, fat chance at that happening. This is a nice Rhino remastered "Chicago Greatest Hits" Remaster with a few flaws, that I remedied by getting all the Chicago Rhino Remasters.

1/2 Good.......2006-11-20

I really enjoyed the first CD of this two CD set as it contained songs from the early years. However, the second CD contained newer songs with new band members from a time period I stopped enjoying Chicago's music. I would have much preferred two CDs filled with tunes from the early years. They certainly had enough songs in their repetoire to do so.

Average customer rating: Decent collection, but did it really need to be two discs?

The Very Best of Chicago: Only the Beginning Chicago Manufacturer: Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Classic Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Pop | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00006AV2D Release Date: 2002-04-29

Tracks:

1. Make Me Smile [New Edit]
2. 25 or 6 to 4
3. Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? [New Edit]
4. Beginnings [GH Edit]
5. Questions 67 and 68
6. I'm a Man [New Edit]
7. Colour My World
8. Free
9. Lowdown
10. Saturday in the Park
11. Dialogue, Pts. 1 & 2 [Single Version]
12. Just You 'N' Me
13. Feelin' Stronger Every Day
14. (I've Been) Searchin' So Long
15. Wishing You Were Here
16. Call on Me
17. Happy Man [GH2 Edit]
18. Another Rainy Day in New York City
19. If You Leave Me Now

Tracks:

1. Old Days
2. Baby, What a Big Surprise
3. Take Me Back to Chicago [Single Version]
4. Alive Again
5. No Tell Lover
6. Love Me Tomorrow [Single Version]
7. Hard to Say I'm Sorry/Get Away
8. Stay the Night
9. Hard Habit to Break
10. You're the Inspiration
11. Along Comes a Woman [Single Version]
12. Will You Still Love Me? [Single Version]
13. If She Would Have Been Faithful
14. Look Away [Single Version]
15. What Kind of Man Would I Be? [Single Version]
16. I Don't Wanna Live Without Your Love
17. We Can Last Forever [Single Version]
18. You're Not Alone [Single Version]
19. Chasin' the Wind
20. Sing, Sing, Sing - Chicago, Gipsy Kings

Album Details

Digitally remastered. 39 tracks.

Customer Reviews:

Decent collection, but did it really need to be two discs?.......2004-10-24

The Very Best Of Chicago: Only The Beginning (2002.) A dual-disc Chicago hits compilation.

One of the most interesting pop groups of the seventies was Chicago. The group's fusion of so many different styles of music made for something one of a kind that no other band ever could or ever will match. Although the band went on a degradation trip after losing several of its vital members, the band's glory days live on in the minds of many - myself included. Being a fan of the band who didn't own any of the band's material, I picked this set up. How does the set measure up? Read on for my review.

PROS:
-COVERS A LENGTHIER TIME PERIOD THAN ANY OTHER CHICAGO COMPILATION (excluding the box set, of course.) This compilation covers pretty much the band's entire career, from their early days as the Chicago Transit Authority, right down to their early nineties material. No other collection even comes close (unless, of course, you count the ridiculously-expensive box set.)
-THE BIG HITS ARE HERE. Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?, I'm A Man, Make Me Smile, 25 Or 6 To 4, Saturday In The Park, and all the other really popular songs are here for your listening pleasure. Omissions are kept to a minimum.
-PLENTY OF UNDERRATED SONGS. This compilation covers a good deal of time, and in the process, covers underrated songs from all of those eras. There are many songs on here casual fans won't know, but will probably grow to love all the same.
-EXPANSIVE LINER NOTES. The liner notes are great for learning about the band's history, and they give you a detailed discography and what songs on the compilation came from where, and which ones are edits. This makes things all the more convenient.

CONS:
-DID THIS REALLY NEED TO BE A TWO-DISC SET!? The band could have done just fine with a single-disc set emphasizing their late sixties, seventies and early eighties material. Let's face the facts, the band started to become pretty stale in the mid-eighties. Compilations like this should cover a band's glory days! Two discs also makes for a higher price.
-WAY TOO MANY EDITED SONGS! The vast majority of these songs are edited in one way or another. Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? lacks the piano intro of the original LP version. I'm A Man has been signifigantly butchered. Beginnings lacks the lengthy drum outro. Make Me Smile and Now More Than Ever haven't been edited, but have been FUSED TOGETHER! Why? Edits don't belong on hits compilations.
-A TOP FORTY HIT IS MISSING - HARRY TRUMAN. This is probably the biggest complaint people make about this set, and rightfully so. Why's it missing?
-VASTLY OVERPRICED. The band's single-disc compilations cost considerably less, and get the job done to a greater extent, in my humble opinion. Even Chicago IX, the band's old hits compilation that only fills half of one CD, does a better job than this one, due to the lack of filler. I wouldn't mind all the filler on this compilation if it came from the band's old stuff!

OVERALL:
Just get a single-disc Chicago compilation. The road to Hell is paved with good intentions, and this compilation will beautifully demonstrate why. I don't think I need to say anything else. Admittingly though, this set is worth buying if you don't plan on getting anything else by the band. But if you're just a casual listener, one disc of Chicago hits is enough.

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