Soft rock and progressive pioneers Chicago played before a sold out crowd this past Tuesday night. The band had 21 top 10 singles and 5 number one albums. Known for its horn section, the band now is a 9-piece outfit.
The band still has 4 original members in trombone player James Pankow, Lee Loughnane on trumpet, Waletr Parazaider on saxophone and keyboardist Robert Lamm. The band has surrounded themselves with a tremendous cast of musicians including Jason Scheff on bass, Tris Imboden on drums, Keith Howland on guitar, Lou Pardini on organ/keyboards and Wally Reyes Jr. on percussion. Scheff had the hard part of filling former vocalist Peter Cetera’s shoes for some of the 1980′ hits “Hard Habit to Break” and “You’re the Inspiration.” Scheff pulled it off without a hitch and enjoyed some great harmonies from his band mates.
Chiacgo donates some of the proceeds from their performances to breast cancer awareness. They have contests that reward whoever raises the most money the opportunity to sing a song with them at a particular show. Well, Pam Ermo got the lucky spot and came out to sing the 4th song of the evening “If You Leave Me Now.” She actually did a commendable job and got a huge applause for her efforts.
The energetic Pankow, who also is the bands musical conductor, led the band the entire night as he was all around the stage and made lots of eye contact and gesturing towards the crowd during the entire performance. He even joined in on percussion on the song “Mongonucleosis.” The band covered the Spence Davis Group’s “I’m a Man.” During the song, Reyes and Imboden did a drum/percussion dual that was quite entertaining.
Chicago’s set was split in two with a 20 minute intermission; 24 songs in all and a great night of music. There were fans displaying their love for the band all over and one guy especially, who held up a sign saying “I have seen Chicago 30 times since 1974!” That’s impressive, and I believe he and the other fans in attendance look forward to show #31.
Set List:
Introduction
Questions 67 & 68
Dialogue (Part 1 & 2)
Alive Again
If You Leave Me Now
Call on Me
(I’ve Been) Searchin’ So Long
Mongonucleosis
Will You Still Love Me?
Another Rainy Day in New York City
Look Away
Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon
Set 2:
Old Days
Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?
Hard Habit to Break
You’re the Inspiration
Beginnings
I’m a Man (The Spencer Davis Group cover)Drum/Percussion solo
Street Player
Just You ‘n’ Me
Saturday in the Park
Hard to Say I’m Sorry/Get Away
Feelin’ Stronger Every Day (Partial)
Encore:
Free
25 or 6 to 4
We would like to thank Maria Hays from Artpark for the credentials to cover the show.
