Chicago @ Artpark Lewiston, NY 7-31-21

2016 Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Chicago graced the stage at Artpark in Lewiston, NY this past Saturday night. This is the first time the band has played Lewiston in 8 years. The band famously known for its horn section, is currently touring behind a 10 piece outfit. Behind original members James Pankow on trombone, Lee Loughnane on trumpet and Robert Lamm on keyboards, the rest of the surrounding cast includes: Brett Simons on bass, Walfredo Reyes Jr. on drums, Keith Howland on guitar, Lou Pardini on organ/keyboards, Ray Yslas on percussion, Ray Herrmann on Saxaphone/flute/clarinet and Neil Donnell on vocals and acoustic guitar. Donnell, wasn’t too far from his native country in Canada as the view from the gorge overlooks Canada from behind the stage.

The band took turn singing leads throughout the show. Pardini sang lead on “Call On Me,” Loughnnae on “Colour My World” and Simons took lead on “Alive Again.” Donnell handled the rest of the other vocals including the hit songs “Hard Habit to Break” and “Your the Inspiration.” It seems each member at one point or another were featured in the spotlight. The drummer/percussionist had a nice solo spot at the end of “I’m a Man.” Pardini took center stage on a keyboard solo for “Walk Away.” The band had the crowd on their feet for the last few songs of the 1st set before a 15 minute intermission. That was just enough of a tease to get the crowd’s energy level up and ready to go for the 2nd set.

The 2nd set continued on that crescendo that the 1st created. The band took everyone back to their heyday as they showed some old photos of the original members on the screen during “Old Days.” A bunch of couple’s found some space and slow danced to “Your the Inspiration” and “Just You ‘n’ Me.” Simons, Howland and Donnell strapped on acoustic guitars and led the band through “Beginnings.”

This tour was billed as a Evening With Chicago playing their Greatest Hits. With catalog like Chicago’s its easy to see why they needed two sets to fit in a bevy of songs that everyone knows and loves. No matter who rounds out the band, they still are led by composers Pankow and Hamm. That consistency means everything. With their musical direction, the band continues to deliver a high energy performance even after 54 years on the circuit.

Setlist:

Set 1:

Introduction

Questions 67 & 68

Dialogue (Part I & II)

Wake up Sunshine

Call On Me

I’ve Been Searching for So Long

Mongonucleosis

If You Leave Me Now

Look Away

Make Me Smile