Chicago/Aichi,Japan 2003

CHICAGO made their 10th visit to Japan in 2003 with the release of “THE VERY BEST OF CHICAGO: ONLY THE BEGINNING”, released on the Rhino label, which became a huge hit. A live album that allows you to experience the scene with the best sound is now available. This work includes “January 27, 2003: Nagoya Performance”. This is the best audience recording. The biggest point of this work is the overwhelming sound quality and greatest hits full of major songs. Before touching on the contents, let’s first check the show’s position from the monumental 10th visit to Japan schedule. ・January 27th: Aichi Prefectural Arts Theater [This work] ・January 28th: ​​Shizuoka Civic Cultural Center ・January 29th: Osaka Festival Hall ・January 31st: Tokyo International Forum ・February 1st: Tokyo International Forum There are 5 performances in total. At the time, they hadn’t released any new original music since 1991’s “TWENTY 1,” but their popularity still remains strong. The Nagoya performance of this work was a concert on the first day. This work, which recorded such a show, is an audience recording with the best sound. This is the original master of this work that was given to me by the recording artist himself, but the crystal clear transparency is exquisite. Despite the large 8-person ensemble, including tour members, each individual’s performance sound is delicately drawn without being clumped together. The horn is especially wonderful. Perhaps it’s because of the balance of the on-site PA, but it’s so far in front of the rhythm section and vocals that you don’t even feel any sense of distance. The middle and high tones are beautifully extended, and even the breathing of James, Lee, and Walter is clear. Although the rhythm section does not come out that far, the vividness remains the same. Jason Sheff’s bass line is clear and undulating, and the contours of each stroke are intertwined with Tris Imboden’s drumming, which penetrates comfortably. It is a sound like a dedicated recording for enjoying brass rock. The show drawn with such a sound is a gorgeous greatest hits. As mentioned above, “ONLY THE BEGINNING” released the previous year was a big hit, but this work can be said to be a 100% version of the original. Of course, it is not possible to play all of the best album, which is a 2-disc set of 2 hours and 40 minutes, but the concentration narrowed down from there is overwhelming. While showing the complete repertoire of “Ballet For A Girl In Buchannon” and “Mongonucleosis” that are unique to live performances, 18 of the 21 songs in the set list are included in “ONLY THE BEGINNING”. Moreover, it is not just a classic collection. This show will be held four years after “XXVI: LIVE IN CONCERT,” but the repertoire includes 10 songs that could not be heard even at that official live show, and they will even perform rare numbers such as “Here In My Heart” and “Happy Man.” It is. And the performance that plays such a set is also exquisite. This day was not only the first day in Japan, but also the first concert of 2003. The song is full of boldness that signals the start of a new year, and the beautiful melody is drawn with a freshness that makes you feel like you’re spreading your wings. It’s his 10th time in Japan, so he doesn’t have any strange stiffness, and is relaxed yet cheerful. The Japanese MCs such as “Arigato Gozaimas. Comban Ha Nagoya!” and “I’m back, Raku Shin Deku Dasai. I love Japan!” will let you fully enjoy the beautiful CHICAGO sound. Good sound, good songs, good performance. This is a masterpiece of a live album that has the three essential elements of a great music album at its finest. It is a live performance version of “ONLY THE BEGINNING”, a 100% real sound version, and a Japanese version. Live at Aichi Arts Center, Nagoya, Japan 27th January 2003 TRULY PERFECT SOUND(from Original Master) Disc 1(63:24) 1. Intro 2. 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 3. You’re the Inspiration 4. If You Leave Me Now (Keith Howland on lead vocal) 5. Hard Habit to Break 6 . Old Days (Keith Howland on lead vocal) 7. Look Away 8. (I’ve Been) Searchin’ So Long 9. Mongonucleosis (Instrumental) 10. Dialogue 11. Here In My Heart 12. Happy Man (Lee Loughnaneon lead vocal) ) 13. Another Rainy Day In New York City Disc 2(52:48) 1. Saturday In The Park 2. Feelin’ Stronger Every Day 3. Just You ‘N’ Me (Keith Howland on lead vocal) 4. Beginnings 5. Drum Solo 6. Member Introduction 7. Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? 8. I’m A Man 9. Hard To Say I’m Sorry/Get Away 10. Free 11. 25 Or 6 To 4 Robert Lamm – Keyboards , Lead & Backing Vocals Lee Loughnane – Trumpet, Flugel Horn, Lead & Backing Vocals James Pankow – Trombone, Keyboards & Backing Vocals Walter Parazaider – Saxphone, Flute & Backing Vocals Bill Champlin – Keyboards, Organ, Guitar Jason Scheff – Bass & Backing Vocals Tris Imboden – Drums Keith Howland – Guitars, Lead & Backing Vocals