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The Best of Chicago (40th Anniversary Edition) [Remastered]

Chicago

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Album Review

The purpose of 2007's The Best of Chicago: 40th Anniversary Edition — the group's second double-disc set in just five years — is plain in its title: it's been assembled with the band's birthday in mind. It's hard to pass up an anniversary like that, and so The Best of Chicago competes with 2002's The Very Best of Chicago: Only the Beginning, a terrific 39-song set that had all of their hits. In comparison, the 2007 set covers a little more ground according to the calendar — it has songs from their 2006 studio set Chicago XXX, which the 2002 does not — but it's ten songs shorter, a compromise that might bring it in a smaller minimum suggested retail price, but doesn't really serve anybody looking for a truly comprehensive compilation. For those listeners, it's an easy decision: stick with the 2002 Very Best Of. For those listeners who want a double-disc set that's just slightly cheaper, this 40th Anniversary set will suit them fine, because it does have all the big hits — so many that it takes a close comparison of the two track listings to realize what's missing on this one.

Customer Reviews

Well...it IS Chicago

This cd isn't a terrible collection to have IF (and ONLY if) you are a Chicago devotee, however even to the diehard Chicago addict like myself, there are some BIG problems. This is supposed to be a two disc set, that's a maximum of 160 minutes worth of time to enjoy these guys legendary hits. That having been said, why are the single versions of classics like "Beginnings" and "25 Or 6 To 4" on here? It can't be because there wasn't enough space on the disc. If I know enough about the members of Chicago, they HAVE to be embarassed by this collection. It seems their record company is looking for new ways to exploit a CLASSIC rock band for financial gain (imagine that...). Bottom line is this...if you are a casual listener, you're better off with "The Very Best Of Chicago:Only The Beginning." It is also two discs, but you won't be getting ripped off with single versions (for the most part)

Chicago Celebrates it's 40th with a Best of Radio Hits

Since my parents were Chicago fans I have enjoyed their music for most all my life. I became a big fan in 1985 after getting to know the Chicago 17 album on tape when I was in the 6th grade. At that time I began collecting most all their albums. Today I am not as big of a fan as I once was. Some of their albums haven't held up well over time and I had lost interest. One thing that I never lost interest was Chicago's radio hits. That was the Chicago I first knew before I bought any of their albums. So that brings me to their new greatest hits album that came out today (Oct 2nd, 2007) celebrating 40 years of service. Chicago has become famous for releasing more hits collections than albums over the past decade upsetting a lot of fans who feel the compulsion to buy anything that features the Chicago logo. I can't blame them, especially when they release two new songs on each collection to get the fans to buy yet another copy of "If You Leave Me Now". This collection, though it features the same songs featured on most of the other recent compilations, deviates from the formula a bit. The goal here was to present all the hits in the form they were released to the radio back in the day in the order they were released. The single edits. That means songs that were extended suites on the album were cut back to become more acceptable for radio play in the decade they were released. For example the song "Beginnings" in unedited form runs 7:51, on this collection it is 2:49. At first this was frustrating to me that they could use butchered versions of these songs. But after thinking about it as a fan I already own the 7:51 minute version and so it is interesting that I now have a digital representation of what new fans purchased on 45s back in the early 70s. This is a goldmine for collectors and completists. The Liner notes. This collection features special one or two sentence commentary by the original band members who are still in the band. This in some cases is very informative and in other tracks the band members share their frustrations with different periods/songs in the bands history. Surprisingly honest on some of the 80s tracks. Some nice surprises. The last track "Love Will Come Back" from their 2006 album "XXX" is actually better than the album version. The album version features Rascal Flatts on vocals and it isn't a bad song but was far from my favorite. Presented here for the first time on CD is the version without the Flatts. This version has much more punch to it and I am finding myself actually enjoying it. Another plus is the song "Feel" presented here not as the single version but as the album version with the prominent horn section (the original single version did not feature the horn section). This was the version that was released to radio stations so it made sense. This song was my favorite off of their 2006 album and features heart felt vocals by Robert Lamm who hasn't been featured on a hit Chicago single since the 70s. It is very touching to read his opinions of this song in the liner notes. The mastering. The mastering of this album sounds much warmer than the 2002 Very Best of Collection. That was my biggest complaint with the 2002 collection that made it hard to listen to. Not that they did a bad job but when I was used to the warm sound of the vinyl and older CDs it didn't feel the same to me. If you are a casual fan and don't have any Chicago collections this could be the one to get. Rhino managed to keep the tracks down to 30 and have released it at a very reasonable price that is just as inexpensive as many single disk collections. If you are a completists for the radio edits alone this will be an interesting collection. Also this album is the perfect length that doesn't overstay it's welcome; perfect for playing in the background. If you already have a Chicago best of collection that you enjoy I would recommend you pass on this. You may be disappointed in what is missing. For me this collection is perfect background music for a road trip or just a lazy weekend day. I found the Very Best of from 2002 just way too long and I could never get through both CDs without getting tired of listening. This collection is short and concise. If I am in the mood for the extended versions of these songs all I have to do is pull out the albums from my collection.

The hits as they were!!!

Don't be fooled! This is an excellent collection of Chicago radio hits as we knew them when they were released. More than just a Greatest Hits collection, this compilation is an audio history lesson with the chopped up, heavily edited singles as demanded by radio stations at the time. You never hear them played like that nowadays because stations now use the tracks from LPs (CDs or mp3s) that we all have. Where else are you going to find the fade version of "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" without "Get Away"? or "Love Will Come Back" without Rascal Flatts? You can't. This CD is the only place and this is a Limited Release. You owe it to yourself if you've lived through any part of the last 40 years of radio and enjoy Chicago to get this compilation. In addition to preserving the songs as played by the radio, Rhino has included some controversial liner notes from the band members themselves that make getting the CD worth it. The unique cover art, inspired by the classic Chicago album covers from the past 4 decades (and created by yours truly), sets a theme that is carried throughout the design of this 2-disk package that you can't get on iTunes, so get one while you can (remember, this is a Limited Edition). -Mark Rosenmeier

Biography

Formed: February 15, 1967 in Chicago, IL

Genre: Rock

Years Active: '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s, '00s

According to Billboard chart statistics, Chicago is second only to the Beach Boys as the most successful American rock band of all time, in terms of both albums and singles. Judged by album sales, as certified by the R.I.A.A., the band does not rank quite so high, but it is still among the Top Ten best-selling U.S. groups ever. If such statements of fact surprise, that's because Chicago has been singularly underrated since the beginning of its long career, both because of its musical ambitions (to...
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