Chicago Transit Authority

So, Chicago Transit Authority. The band is pretty famous as the jazz rock standard, but their story starts at the bottom. Columbia didn't actually want them because they already had Blood, Sweat & Tears. But, since the producer of BS&T2 only did it so he could use the money to produce a band he actually liked, they didn't really have an argument to stop him.

Then, because the band had spent the previous two years writing 4-7 minute songs, they said we'll only publish a double album debut if we get to keep more of your future profits than normal. Yep, Chicago sold their future royalties to make the first album. At least it's good, in part because Peter Cetera didn't write any of the songs. Geez, 4 days in and i already broke my new year's resolution to not be mean. Oh well, i'm sure Peter Cetera will get along just fine without my liking his songs. I like his bass playing, at least.

Hendrix was actually a big fan of Terry Kath, believe it or not. It's not hard to hear why if you actually listen to the album. He's a wizard. "Free Form Guitar" is generally regarded as the singularity that created "noise rock," and he was very vocal about the fact that it's just a guitar plugged into an amplifier and unabashedly abused for 7 minutes, no pedals or studio effects, just saturated vaccuum tubes.

Which brings me to my point. Like i said before, the self titled debut album is the "hello Cleveland" of concept albums. This time though, the band isn't just saying "hi," they're saying "we are the musical embodiment of using public transportation to see the city we come from." Of course, the actual Chicago Transit Authority had to send a cease and desist letter to retain control of their trademark (wait, you didn't know that legally enforcing your trademark/copyright was mandatory? Well it is, if you don't actually threabuten to sue people you pretty much forfeit your right to future claims against infringement).

Where was i? Jazz, blues, rock, violent noise, politics, live performance, a Beatles quote hiding in there, hard to argue that they don't represent their hometown. I'm from their future, and i don't like a fair bit of it, but this first album is a pretty great listen in my book.

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