Anyone looking for the best example of Chicago as a great band has it right here.  Their improvisational powers are at a peak, their best early hits are here, there's fire and passion in the vocals of Terry Kath and even the usually sedate Robert Lamm, and the guitar playing of Terry Kath is in sharp relief for all to hear.  He really was one of the great unsung guitar heroes.

Best of all, the sound of the horn section has been improved over the original recording.  The sound is much more robust.  Maybe now that infamous "kazoos" assessment can be laid to rest.

The packaging is also superb -- it's essentially a mini replica of the original box set, complete with all 3 posters and an expanded booklet with new liner notes.

The 4th disc of unreleased performances has further delights -- "Sing A Mean Tune Kid" is a bit less jazz and a bit more rock in its alternate version, Kath's singing is more controlled in the alternate "Introduction," and now we get to hear top-notch live versions of "Listen," "Loneliness Is Just A Word" and "An Hour In The Shower."

This set has been slagged a lot over the years, but I've always held firm that it's really an amazing document of a powerful live rock band.  Before the platinum pop balladry, before the loss of key band members, before their respectability eroded in the 1980s, THIS was Chicago -- a band that could hold their own in the company of greats like the Jefferson Airplane, the Grateful Dead, and other contemporaries who exelled when stretching out on stage.  Don't pass this one up!
Anyone looking for the best example of Chicago as a great band has it right here. Their improvisational powers are at a peak, their best early hits are here, there's fire and passion in the vocals of Terry Kath and even the usually sedate Robert Lamm, and the guitar playing of Terry Kath is in sharp relief for all to hear. He really was one of the great unsung guitar heroes. Best of all, the sound of the horn section has been improved over the original recording. The sound is much more robust. Maybe now that infamous "kazoos" assessment can be laid to rest. The packaging is also superb -- it's essentially a mini replica of the original box set, complete with all 3 posters and an expanded booklet with new liner notes. The 4th disc of unreleased performances has further delights -- "Sing A Mean Tune Kid" is a bit less jazz and a bit more rock in its alternate version, Kath's singing is more controlled in the alternate "Introduction," and now we get to hear top-notch live versions of "Listen," "Loneliness Is Just A Word" and "An Hour In The Shower. "

This set has been slagged a lot over the years, but I've always held firm that it's really an amazing document of a powerful live rock band. Before the platinum pop balladry, before the loss of key band members, before their respectability eroded in the 1980s, THIS was Chicago -- a band that could hold their own in the company of greats like the Jefferson Airplane, the Grateful Dead, and other contemporaries who exelled when stretching out on stage. Don't pass this one up!