Post Description

Chicago - Chicago II (1970/2003)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time - 67:15 minutes | 1,46 GB
Official Digital Download - Source: HDTracks.com | Front cover

Chicago's 1970 platinum-seller marked the breakthrough of what would become one of the most commercially successful bands of the 1970s. The album yielded 3 top ten singles: "25 or 6 to 4," "Make Me Smile," and "Colour My World".

“ 
The Chicago Transit Authority recorded this double-barreled follow-up to their eponymously titled 1969 debut effort. The contents of Chicago II (1970) underscore the solid foundation of complex jazz changes with heavy electric rock & roll that the band so brazenly forged on the first set. The septet also continued its ability to blend the seemingly divergent musical styles into some of the best and most effective pop music of the era. One thing that had changed was the band's name, which was shortened to simply Chicago to avoid any potential litigious situations from the city of Chicago's transportation department -- which claimed the name as proprietary property. Musically, James Pankow (trombone) was about to further cross-pollinate the band's sound with the multifaceted six-song "Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon." The classically inspired suite also garnered the band two of its most beloved hits -- the upbeat pop opener "Make Me Smile" as well as the achingly poignant "Color My World" -- both of which remained at the center of the group's live sets. Chicago had certainly not abandoned its active pursuit of blending high-octane electric rockers such as "25 or 6 to 4" to the progressive jazz inflections heard in the breezy syncopation of "The Road." Adding further depth of field is the darker "Poem for the People" as well as the politically charged five-song set titled "It Better End Soon." These selections feature the band driving home its formidable musicality and uncanny ability to coalesce styles telepathically and at a moment's notice. The contributions of Terry Kath (guitar/vocals) stand out as he unleashes some of his most pungent and sinuous leads, which contrast with the tight brass and woodwind trio of Lee Loughnane (trumpet/vocals), Walter Parazaider (woodwinds/vocals), and the aforementioned Pankow. Peter Cetera (bass/vocals) also marks his songwriting debut -- on the final cut of both the suite and the album -- with "Where Do We Go from Here." It bookends both with at the very least the anticipation and projection of a positive and optimistic future. Potential consumers should note the unsurpassed sound quality and deluxe packaging of the 2002 CD remaster. ” 


Tracklist:

01 - Movin' In
02 - The Road
03 - Poem for the People
04 - In the Country
05 - Wake Up Sunshine
06 - Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon: Make Me Smile
07 - Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon: So Much to Say, So Much to Give
08 - Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon: Anxiety's Moment
09 - Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon: West Virginia Fantasies
10 - Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon: Colour My World
11 - Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon: To Be Free
12 - Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon: Now More Than Ever
13 - Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon: Fancy Colours
14 - Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon: 25 or 6 to 4
15 - Prelude
16 - Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon: A.M. Mourning
17 - Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon: P.M. Mourning
18 - Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon: Memories of Love
19 - It Better End Soon: 1st Movement
20 - It Better End Soon: 2nd Movement
21 - It Better End Soon: 3rd Movement
22 - It Better End Soon: 4th Movement
23 - It Better End Soon: Where Do We Go from Here