Chicago - Chicago Transit Authority

1969

Track Listing                                                                          

1. Introduction                                                         7. Free from guitar                               

2. Does anybody really know what time it is?          8. South California purples                   

3. Beginnings                                                          9. I'm a man                                                                         

4. Questions 67 & 68                                              10. Prologue, August 29, 1968                       

5. Listen                                                                  11. Someday (August 29, 1968)                                           

6. Poem 58                                                             12. Liberation 

Band Members:

Robert Lamm - Vocals, keyboards     Terry Kath - Vocals, guitar

Peter Cetera - Vocals, bass     Danny Seraphine - Drums

Lee Loughane - Trumpet, vocals     James Pankow - Trombone

Walter Parazaider - Woodwinds, vocals     Produced By :  James William Guercio

Notes

This is one of the finest debut albums of all-time. It is also the first ever, and if not ever debut album that was released as a double album.  It was different, unique, jazzy, poppy, bluesy, it was in fact, genius.  Released in 1969, this sound was unusual for anyone to hear.  A big band mixed in with a rock band, who would have ever came up with that idea?

Recommendations

You must own this album.  Chicago Transit Authority is one of my all-time favorite albums and should be in everyone's collection. It has it all from big hits such as "Does anybody really know what time it is" & "Questions 67 & 68" to deep tracks such as "Someday" & "Poem 58".  It is indeed a must have.

If you plan on purchasing Chicago Transit Authority

You must purchase the 2002 remastered version.  Rhino Records have remastered all Terry Kath-era albums, and they sound great!  Along with the remastering there are liner notes from Rolling Stone editor David Wild which include quotes from band members and unseen photos.  I typically do not see this album available in local record stores, but it is always in stock at Cdow.com at a reasonable price.  

If you don't plan on purchasing Chicago Transit Authority but want to hear some tracks from it

Just purchase the album.  You will not be disappointed, I promise.  But if you still insist on not taking my advice, you can download any tracks off this album at Itunes or Napster I have my top 5 listed below for suggestions, and have my ideal compilation for the band at my Chicago Home Page.

*If you plan on downloading "Does anybody really know what time it is", "Beginnings", or "Questions 67 & 68". You must download the versions from this album.  They were released as singles and they are shorter versions, you must have the longer original versions for your collection*

My Top 5