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Robert Lamm, Peter Cetera, Terry Kath, James Pankow, Lee Loughnane, Walt Parazaider, and Danny Seraphine took the world by storm with 1969's Chicago Transit Authority. The double album inaugurated a string of twelve successive platinum or multi-platinum LPs for the group over the next decade. The largest of them all was 1971's Chicago at Carnegie Hall, colloquially referred to as Chicago IV. Over a whopping eight sides of vinyl, the 4-LP box set presented highlights from the band's six-night, eight-show residency of April 5-10, 1971, a first for a rock band at the venerable New York hall.
"4-Record Set/Very Special Low Price...Also Included/2 Giant Wall Posters/1 Colossal Wall Poster/1 Full-Color 20-Page Photo Album," trumpeted the sticker on the box. A No. 3 success on the Billboard 200, it was a D.I.Y. kit to immerse the listener in all things Chicago, and remains a beloved if controversial entry in their catalogue. Carnegie Hall was and is renowned for its acoustic qualities, making it an unusual venue for heavily-amplified electric jazz-rock with horns. The band and the Columbia label were initially at loggerheads as to how to record and present the concerts, and there were concerns over the sound quality captured over the six evenings. But when the box sold over two million copies, preserving the sound of a young, hungry, and innovative band on fire, any doubts were naturally allayed. The album received a 1972 Billboard Trendsetter Award for breaking new ground. Now, Rhino is celebrating 50 years of Chicago at Carnegie Hall with a new box set collecting the complete eight concerts on 16 CDs. It's due on July 16 as an exclusive to the Rhino.com webstore.
Produced by James William Guercio, Chicago at Carnegie Hall has been collected numerous times on CD - most notably in Rhino's 2005 box set. That 4-CD presentation in a rigid, embossed slipcase replicated the original three posters and photo album, and added one disc of eight newly-mixed performances not featured on the original 4-LP set including "Listen," "South California Purples," "Loneliness Is Just a Word," "An Hour in the Shower," and alternates of "25 or 6 to 4" and "Sing a Mean Tune, Kid." This iteration presents everything heard during Chicago's eight Carnegie Hall concerts, the result of more than a year's work by Lee Loughnane and engineer Tim Jessup in Loughnane's new Arizona studio.
The box takes the form of a white folio embossed with Chicago's famous logo. In addition to the 16 CDs, it also includes the replica posters and a 28-page booklet with the concert photos as well as liner notes from Lee Loughnane, archivist Jeff Magid, David Wild, and comedian/Chicago enthusiast Jimmy Pardo.
This colossal Chicago at Carnegie Hall: Complete is due on July 16 from Rhino.com. Take a look at the pre-order links and track listing below!
Chicago, Chicago at Carnegie Hall: Complete (Rhino, 2021)
CD 1: First Show - First Set [62:43]
- Scott Muni Intro
- Someday (August 29, 1968)
- Loneliness Is Just A Word
- South California Purples
- Beginnings
- Lowdown
- Mother
- Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is (Free Form Intro)
- Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is
Ballet For A Girl In Buchannon:
- Make Me Smile
- So Much To Say, So Much To Give
- Anxiety's Moment
- West Virginia Fantasies
- Colour My World
- To Be Free
- Now More Than Ever
CD 2: First Show - Second Set [69:12]
- Return to Stage and Tuning
It Better End Soon:
- 1st Movement
- 2nd Movement
- 3rd Movement
- 4th Movement
- 5th Movement
- Fancy Colours
- In The Country
- Where Do We Go From Here
- A Song For Richard And His Friends
- Sing A Mean Tune Kid
- Flight 602
- Motorboat To Mars
- Free
- 25 Or 6 To 4
CD 3: Second Show - First Set [59:19]
- Band Introduction and Tuning
- Introduction
- Beginnings
- Lowdown
- In The Country
- Where Do We Go From Here
- Sing A Mean Tune Kid
Ballet For A Girl In Buchannon:
- Make Me Smile
- So Much To Say, So Much To Give
- Anxiety's Moment
- West Virginia Fantasies
- Colour My World
- To Be Free
- Now More Than Ever
CD 4: Second Show - Second Set [76:04]
- Return to Stage and Tuning
- Fancy Colours
Elegy:
- Canon
- Once Upon A Time...
- The Approaching Storm
- Man Vs. Man: The End
- Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? (Free Form Intro)
- Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?
It Better End Soon:
- 1st Movement
- 2nd Movement (Flute Solo)
- 3rd Movement (Guitar Solo)
- 4th Movement (Preach)
- 5th Movement
- Loneliness Is Just A Word
- A Song for Richard and His Friends
Travel Suite:
- Flight 602
- Motorboat To Mars
- Free
- 25 or 6 to 4
CD 5: Third Show - First Set [53:31]
- Tuning and Introduction
- Listen
- Mother
- Lowdown
- Fancy Colours
- Southern California Purples
- Loneliness Is Just A Word
Ballet For A Girl In Buchannon:
- Make Me Smile
- So Much To Say, So Much To Give
- Anxiety's Moment
- West Virginia Fantasies
- Colour My World
- To Be Free
- Now More Than Ever
CD 6: Third Show - Second Set [76:43]
- Return to stage
- Introduction
- Happy 'Cause I'm Going Home
- Beginnings
- A Song For Richard And His Friends
- I Don't Want Your Money
- Where Do We Go From Here
- Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? (Free Form Intro)
- Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?
It Better End Soon:
- 1st Movement
- 2nd Movement (Flute Solo)
- 3rd Movement (Guitar Solo)
- 4th Movement (Preach)
- 5th Movement
- Flight 602
- Motorboat to Mars
- Free
- 25 or 6 to 4
CD 7: Fourth Show - First Set [55:19]
- Tuning and Introduction
- Loneliness Is Just A Word
- Beginnings
- Sing A Mean Tune Kid
- Fancy Colours
- Lowdown
- Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? (Free Form Intro)
- Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?
Ballet For A Girl In Buchannon:
- Make Me Smile
- So Much To Say, So Much To Give
- Anxiety's Moment
- West Virginia Fantasies
- Colour My World
- To Be Free
- Now More Than Ever
CD 8: Fourth Show - Second Set [64:44]
- Return to stage / Tuning
It Better End Soon:
- 1st Movement
- 2nd Movement (Flute Solo)
- 3rd Movement (Guitar Solo)
- 4th Movement (Preach)
- 5th Movement
- Happy 'Cause I'm Going Home
- Where Do We Go From Here
- A Song For Richard And His Friends
- I Don't Want Your Money
- An Hour In The Shower
- Flight 602
- Motorboat To Mars
- Free
- 25 Or 6 To 4
CD 9: Fifth Show [47:01]
- Tuning and Introduction
- In The Country
- Fancy Colours
- Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? (Free Form Intro)
- Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?
- Southern California Purples
- Mother
CD 10: Fifth Show (continued) [48:58]
- Lowdown
- Flight 602
- Motorboat to Mars
- Free
- Where Do We Go From Here
Ballet For A Girl In Buchannon:
- Make Me Smile
- So Much To Say, So Much To Give
- Anxiety's Moment
- West Virginia Fantasies
- Colour My World
- To Be Free
- Now More Than Ever
- A Song For Richard And His Friends
- 25 Or 6 To 4
CD 11: Sixth Show [40:41]
- Tuning and Introduction
- Introduction
- Fancy Colours
- Introduction to Questions 67 & 68
- Questions 67 & 68
- Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? (Free Form Intro, 'Nasal Finger Tones')
- Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?
It Better End Soon:
- 1st Movement
- 2nd Movement (Flute Solo)
- 3rd Movement (Guitar Solo)
- 4th Movement (Preach)
- 5th Movement
CD 12: Sixth Show (continued) [51:01]
- Loneliness Is Just A Word
- Sing A Mean Tune Kid
- Beginnings
- Where Do We Go From Here
Ballet For A Girl In Buchannon:
- Make Me Smile
- So Much To Say, So Much To Give
- Anxiety's Moment
- West Virginia Fantasies
- Colour My World
- To Be Free
- Now More Than Ever
- I'm A Man
CD 12: Seventh Show - First Set [64:54]
- In The Country
- Fancy Colours
- Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? (Free Form Intro)
- Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?
- Southern California Purples
- Mother
CD 13-16: Setlists TBA
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In theory, this is an awesome package. I love the original albums and the remaster from 2005 was a great step up. Gonna pass on this one. I haven’t heard it, obviously, but i have heard the 50th Anniversary remix of the CTA album and the Isle of Wight release. To call the 50th anniversary remix a debacle would be giving it praise. The Isle of Wight release was almost unlistenable due to the mix. Just my opinion, but, Lee Loughnane and Tim Jessup should never be allowed to mix, remix or master anything - ever. There is absolutely no way that I’m going to plunk down $180 for this release given the past work by Loughnane and Jessup. And the cd that Rhino sent to replace the original cd of the CTA remix to “fix” the “mastering” was just as bad as the original. I sold them as used. I will stick with the original in the wonderful Quadio box.
Agreed 100%. I was initially *very* excited to hear about this box, given that Carnegie Hall is my favorite of all the Chicago albums. But as soon as I saw Tim Jessup's name, my heart sank. I'd have to hear sound clips first to be assured that it actually sounds good before committing to buy, and I'm honestly not expecting the sound to be good at all. The 2005 Rhino reissue sounded perfect. The same team that worked on the 2005 Rhino reissue should have been retained for this new box in order to restore our confidence after what happened with the CTA 50th anniversary set and Isle of Wight. There was no need to get Tim Jessup involved.
I will jump on board this disappointment train as well. I was stunned at how bad the 50th CTA and Isle remixes were. I’m sure it sounds great to Tim and Lee but this just highlights how these remixes are subject to the hearing of those doing it, in their cases I think they’re both under the wrong impression of what they hear in the the mixing room. I’m actually more shocked that the band allowed either back on to another project of theirs but I’m hoping they didn’t have a choice.
I have been a fan of CTA and Chicago during the Terry years. I was so excited to hear about this remix of the Carnegie Hall concerts. Why is it a problem that Lee Loughnane (original member) and Tim Jessup did the remix?
Jessup handled
Chicago Transit Authority (50th Anniversary Remix) and Chicago: VI Decades Live. They sound like they were taped off an AM radio. But they weren’t.
From what I've heard in the industry it's more Lee at fault than Tim's. I hope I can hear some of the Carnagie Hall remix before spending $180 on it.
For those of us that bought the box set and received the access to 14 tracks, I gotta be honest, I'm not a fan of what they did to the vocals. Also the instrumentation sounds really compressed. I cant see a way to cancel on their web site....
WOW.
Upon the initial release of this way back when,
even the original packaging was quite the undertaking
and considered a collosal affair,what with all the
paper products enclosed.The categorizing of one of
those posters was inaccurate,as truth be told it was
the size of a small billboard,with the grade of paper
used on that entry as heavy gauge thick,too.
If memory serves,that CHICAGO vinyl venture also
came out as 2 two-record sets in addition to
that 4lp boxset.
The music contained was downright fabulous,
the group was on fire and there simply was no
stopping them.All of the concerns of the acoustics
for a band of this nature to be playing in the
revered Carnegie Hall were put to rest upon the
resulting completion of this project at the time.
With the ensuing behemoth CD box collection
headed our way soon,including every note the
band played from all their shows then,and
with the sure ear and steady hand of
Steven Wilson performing his magic,
I'm sure that the full listening experience
will be nothing short of glorious.
Interesting. Two questions: will they offer a digital download, and should we be concerned about the sound given Tim Jessup‘a work on other Chicago material?
Well.
My bad.And with no idea how to edit my comment
on this package,I must come right out and say that
I was in error on whom I thought was to be
overseeing this massive work.
When I first responded, there was no other comments
up and I was going under the assumption from what
I had heard earlier,and that was Steven Wilson was
to possibly be the producer on this box set,as he had
worked on some of their material prior to this.
Without passing judgement on the two men who in
actuality will be responsible for this,I have to say that
Steven Wilson would have done an admirable job.
Anyway,I apologize and I will being checking this out
as this to me was their very best inspired period.
the sound mix on the original was bootleg quality. not sure why the remix was messed up on the cta release.. was that due to the mastering or did the remix person mess up. i passed on that and will on this. it was a debacle with the original 4 lp due to in my opinion that the band was recorded to late and the songs on 2 and 3 were not up to the great song writing as the first was. a hour in the shower UGH. this should of been issued years ago , its way to late but the die hard fans i sure will dig it.. after 5 they went downhill fast.
Sorry I'll stick with my vinyl I can't afford $180 for this. I absolutely love this band and have seen them over 15 times I wish them the best and hope to see them live again
Two words: Tim Jessup
Two more words: No sale
Another two words: Amen Brother.
Tim Jessup's remix of the group's debut album ("Chicago Transit Authority") was attrocious, but for the Isle of wight 1970 concert (on the 4-CD set ("VI Decades Live:This is What We Do"), Jessup was dealing with poorly recorded 8 track/one inch multitrack tapes. Parts of two songs were missing and had to be repaired using performances from other concerts (in one instance several years later, when the group was playing the song in a slower tempo, forcing Jessup to digitally adjust the tempo to match the Isle of Wight performance). Recording Jimi Hendrix's trio (at the same festival) on 8 tracks was easy, but recording Chicago's 7 instruments, 4 voices and occasional rhythm guitar on 8 tracks was not easy. The drums were pre-mixed with other instruments (probably Peter Cetera's bass), and there was nothing thst could be done about the fact that the drums are down too low for the first 2 minutes of the first song ("Introduction")
This is a place in history ..Chicago was on top of there game during this live Performance at Carnegie Hall ..and to hear the six nights were recorded and will be available to listen to soon with the great late Terry Kath is worth every penny
I cant wait to listen to this !
The original release was at a time when the band were at their peak, with Terry Kath at the front. 50 years on their legacy has been tarnished by David Foster, Bill Champlin and a few more light weights. i bought the original vinyl in 1971 and thought why doesn't Pankow shut up and do we need to hear all the clapping. Admittedly the opening still sends shivers with Scott Muni' success speaks for itself'. Of course they could never replicate the dazzling debut. This release seems odd as their fan base for this has gone, of its time and now that time has gone.
why does everyone dis like jim jessup? i nver heard of the guy.
It’s Tim, not Jim.
To answer the question, you’d have to hear the abhorrent job he did on the CTA 50th anniversary remix. It’s garbage. When people complained, the official line was that there was a mastering problem they would fix. So the “fix” was made, and it still sounded like garbage. Nothing but excuses from both Rhino and Jessup.
Jessup apparently also worked on the live box set that includes Isle of Wight, etc., and word is that sounds horrific too. Haven’t heard those myself, but I have heard the CTA remixed debacle and that’s enough for me. No reason to spend almost $200 for his subpar work.
Too bad Chicago and Rhino didn’t approach Steven Wilson for help. His remix of Chicago II is pretty terrific. Honestly the best I’ve ever heard that album. It’s now my “go-to” version of that album.
Until Rhino provides full song samples via YouTube, I can't take the risk of ordering this product. If Tim Jessup's reputation for poor sound scares people away from buying this set, then what have Rhino & the surviving members of Chicago archeived?
I just don’t understand how a major label releases a sonic abomination or uses the product of someone behind one. Don’t people take pride in their work anymore? Maybe they will sell out stock anyway.
I agree, this is likely a sonic train wreck. It's hard for me to understand how anyone would have retained Tim Jessup to do ANYTHING related to audio. That combined with the "supervision" being provided by Lee Loughnane - arguably the worst musician in the band and a horrific trumpet player - I'll be waiting to find this dreck on torrent sites. No chance I'll be spending a dime on this thing. . .
Hello
can you tell me if a vinyl reissue is planned?
Came looking to see if there were reviews of this only to find that it's been pushed to September. Cetera set has been pushed back for 5 months too. Not a great year for Chicago related reissues.
not a great couple of decades !