Jason Scheff (bass, vocals) joined the band after the departure of Peter Cetera in 1985. Since then he has sung most of the Cetera songs, almost to a tee, and has now been involved with the band longer than Cetera was.
Keith Howland (guitarist) has been with the band since 1995, Tris Imboden has been the drummer since Danny Seraphine was let go in 1990 & the band recently added Drew Hester as a full time percussionist.
Chicago rolled out the hits one after another, putting on one hell of a musical show for two full hours without an intermission.
The show was of course a mix of rock, jazz, brass, blues, ballads & a good time, plain & simple. As the band pointed out it was a crowd that spanned many generations.

The band has an incredible following that does go back to their first album (Chicago Tansit Authority) in 1969. I was always a casual fan, but got hooked after seeing them live for the first time & now have seen them four times.
Jimmy Pankow is the most animated member on stage, playing the trombone like nothing you ever seen before. In the rock world we are used to seeing guitarist ham it up & pose under the bright lights. But here it’s Pankow who does all the moves & poses with a trombone, to the delight of the crowd. He receives the biggest ovation from the crowd & is always in a good fun natured mood.
Then there’s Robert Lamm, appearing as the laid back, sharply dressed, kool musician guy. His vocals on songs he sings lead on are still amazing. Biggies like; Saturday in the Park, Does Anybody Really Know What Time It is, Wake Up Sunshine & my favorite of the night; Beginnings, were all amazing. It’s safe to say that many of the big Chicago hits were written by Lamm & Panko.
I think the quote of the night was when Lamm introduced the band. He said Walter Parazaider had started the band back in the sixties, "it was a good idea! My wife thanks you, my ex wives thank you & my kids thank you!"
Set List 5/19/11- Chicago at the Westbury Theater- Long Island, NY
Ballet For A Girl In Buchannon (Parts I-VII):
Make Me Smile
So Much To Say
Anxiety’s Moment / West Virgina Fantasies
To be Free/ Now More Than Ever
Color My World
Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is
Dialogues I & II
Alive Again
Call On Me
Along Comes A Woman
Wake Up Sunshine
Old Days
If You Leave Me Now
I’ve Been Searching (So Long)
Baby What A Big Surprise
Hard Habit to Break
You’re my Inspiration
Beginnings
I’m A Man (with drum solos)
Just You & Me
Saturday In the Park
Feeling Stronger Every Day
Encores:
Free
25 or 6 to 4
1 comment:
This was such a good show & a great review, see you Chicago fans at the Beacon in August!
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