Chicago - The Best Of Chicago 40th Anniversary
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Free Music Notes for The Best Of Chicago 40th Anniversary
Free Music Review: Great "Best Of" Compilation - Rare Versions for Fans
Hit: 5 Stars
Almost all original hit single and radio versions on this set, which is agood thing for collectors - true fans will already own the Rhino reissues of all the original Chicago albums, which include the full-length versions.
Beware of negative reviewers: there are several reviews by people who are completely ignorant of the legacy and music of Chicago, making statements such as "horrible edits" and "edited for this remaster", when these are the original hit single versions released by the band - the original classics that we all heard on the radio back then.
This was compiled by Chicago, with great liner notes by the members, so all the reviewers who rant about "this Rhino Records / record label travesty" concerning the edits are uninformed, as they apparently haven't listened to or studied the product, and are completely unaware of the history of these classic recordings.
First of all, yes, this is yet another compilation, but a new concept and beautifully done by Chicago and Rhino Records. Chicago has continued to supply us with great new music as well (including Robert Lamm's great solo albums), so why complain about "another compilation"? This set has many single versions and radio versions that have never been on CD before, and the remastering is outstanding.
The 2002 "Very Best - Only The Beginning" 2CD set, and the incredible "Chicago- The Box" from 2003 had many single versions between them, as well as a few new edits that were very cool additions to the catalog.
This newly mastered 2007 set has the following single versions / edits appearing for the first time on a Rhino remastered CD:
Questions 67 And 68, Beginnings (finally! and stereo like everything else), I've Been Searchin So Long, Hard To Say I'm Sorry.
Also, the following first time ever radio promo versions:
Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is (2:46 - much shorter intro than the single version),
Wishing You Were Here (3:01 edit).
The following appear in single versions previously released on Rhino reissues: 25 Or 6 To 4, Make Me Smile, No Tell Lover, Love Me Tomorrow, Will You Still Love Me, Look Away, You're Not Alone.
The song "Love Will Come Back" is a previously unreleased mix without the Rascal Flatts background vocals, which is definitely a good thing.
The rest are also the original hit singles, but are the same as the album versions (except "What Kind Of Man Would I Be" which is the album version here, not the remix from the 1989 single which appeared on "Only The Beginning").
Chicago fans - get it now !
Free Music Review: This two disc set from Rhino is really an outstanding value.
Hit: 5 Stars
For my money they are the most important American rock and roll band in history. They were a phenomenon to be sure. And the statistics would tend to back up these assertions. Whether you were addicted to Top 40 radio in the 1970's or a fan of progressive or classic rock you were sure to find the music of Chicago emanating from your radio.
It all began with an LP entitled "Chicago Transit Authority" in the spring of 1969. While the album would never attain Top Ten status it would remain on the charts a staggering 171 weeks! And from this LP would emerge a couple of classic hit singles "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is" and a tune appropriately entitled "Beginnings". And Chicago would never look back. Over the next two decades the band would have over four dozen hit singles and produce some of the finest and most successful albums of the period.
In late 2007, Rhino records released the impressive two disc collection "The Best of Chicago 40th Anniversary" which includes 29 of the groups bigeest and best hit singles on both the Columbia and Warner Brothers between 1969 and 1991. I enjoyed them all! Among the early hits on Disc One I am most partial to "Questions 67 and 68", "Old Days" and the aforementioned "Beginnings". I know I might be in the minority on this but I actually prefer some of the band's later Warner Bros. hits that can be found on Disc Two. I hardly seemed to notice when the highly regarded Peter Cetera left the band to pursue a solo career in the mid-eighties. I thought "Hard Habit To Break" was perhaps the finest single they ever made. And I also enjoyed many of the other 80's hits like "You're The Inspiration", "Look Away" and "Will You Still Love Me?" Given my druthers, I might prefer the 2002 Rhino release "The Very Best of Chicago" which also included hits like "Dialogue (Parts I & II) and the rollicking 1980's tune "Along Comes A Woman". However, it would appear that this collection is in the process of being discontinued.
At the end of the day I think it is fair to say that "The Best of Chicago" 40th Anniversary Edition" is really an abridged version of the prior collection. But on the plus side, Rhino is offering this collection at an extremely affordable price. The fact of the matter is that "The Best of Chicago" 40th Anniversary Edition" should more than satisfy all but the most diehard Chicago Fans. Very highly recommended!
Free Music Review: Just one song alone here is worth the price of the CD!
Hit: 5 Stars
This is a very good collection of some of the best songs from one of the best bands of all time - Chicago. They have been a favorite of mine for many years. I just purchased this 2-disc collection and listened to "Love Will Come Back" (the last track on disc 2) for the first time. Oh my God! What a glorious, beautiful, triumphant, inspiring, powerful, magnificent song!! It took my breath away, from the vocals to the music to its message. They've never sounded better, in my opinion. This song is a poignant and rousing reminder that, in spite of a heartbreak over the loss of a love at any given time, that love will return, if you just believe. As any of us recovering from a heartbreak (now or ever in the past) can say, this is very true - although it may not (and often doesn't) seem that way at the time. If you're going through a loss right now, please buy this CD and listen to this song - all the way to your healing and recovery. And if you've already found a new love, this song is a splendid reminder of the power of love and hope in love and in the future. This is quite possibly the most beautiful song I've ever heard, and definitely the most powerful one from this awesome band. To all the guys in the band: Thank You All - from the bottom of my (recovering) heart, for such a breath-taking, inspiring and hope-filled song! It moved me to tears and it really touches my heart as I'm reminded of the truth of this song's message in my own life. God bless you guys - and long live Chicago!Free Music Review: Great Album...Finally the "Single Versions" are released!!!
Hit: 5 Stars
Finally Rhino Records gets it right. They finally release a Chicago hits compilation with all their single versions of their biggest hits. Once only available on 45s and now for the first time ever on CD. We already have all there album versions on CD, but never had their single versions on CD until now. Go buy there other rehased over and over compilations if you want the album versions of their hits. However, with the single versions included they could have added a few more songs here. For instance where is "If She Would Have Been Faithful...," "When Along Comes A Woman," "We Can Last Forever" or "Chasin' The Wind." Still overall this is a great overview of Chicago.Free Music Review: Chicago
Hit: 5 Stars
I ordered two of Chicago's Cd's and thoroughly enjoy both of them. The Best of Chicago 40th Anniversary has a lot of the same songs as the other one does, but I still enjoy listening to them. I have one at home and I listen to the other one in the car. I was a little apprehensive on ordering online, but tried it and Amazon made it easy and the CD's were top notch. I would definitely order CD's again.