Chicago Transit Authority (Sides 2-4) - Episode 490

That was a Thanksgiving feast! It has been many, many years since I listened to this and I was surprised at how much I remembered and what I forgot. You described my experience with first listening to this as a young lad pretty closely. I listened to the first album for a while before playing the second one. I don't remember my initial reaction to Free Form Guitar, but I must have skipped over it on subsequent listens because I really don't remember it. I find it interesting hearing it now. It sounds like a combination of Jimi Hendrix and Syd Barrett's wild improvisations, both of which I later learned to love. It is a wonderful reminder of what an incredible talent they were and continue to be. Now... how are you going to top this for Christmas? :)

Thom P

August 29th, 1969 -- the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. King -- I mean Mayor -- Richard Daley vs. a whole lotta young people!

Richard Rathbun

So much whammy bar ("vibrato arm") in the beginning of Free Form Guitar. That's why tonally it's all over and it sounds like a car. Or a siren. Or an early MOOG. Or whatever else! Inspired by Jimi, perhaps? I have never read about it or heard any interviews with Kath about it.

Richard Rathbun

Great to hear (and see) your reaction to an album I know well and very much like already 50 years or so. As always I’ve learned a few things I didn’t know until now. I’m very confident that you’ll like their second album just as much. No Free Form whatsoever on that one ;-)

Frits van Voorst

certainly the first track. The rest as someone else is more bluesy.

John Sawyer

Anyone else hear similarities with early Genesis here? Something about the musical structure and sound of the singer. Cool though.

John Sawyer

Thanks, Doug . . . you took me well into the wee hours of Thanksgiving morning with a fascinating exploration of early Chicago. Whew! That was fun! I've been around for almost 80 years, but never heard 75% of that. Amazing. (You're on the right track with your Chicago '68 police riot analysis -- my sister got her head bashed in by a Chicago cop...ahhh, what memories -- it was a horrific time.) Hope you have a great Thanksgiving, and that you'll keep doing what you do.

Ed Noponen

There’s more info in the welcome video. You need to connect your discord profile with your Patreon and select a user role. Then, when you next login to discord, our server should be there. (It’s a private community, which is why we do it this way.)

R. Douglas Helvering

Doug, you'd enjoy the bluesy live concert of Chicago (Tanglewood, 1970): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oAoSZ2y1cw

Allen

Hi, where can I find the link to join the discord server?

Peter Cetera is such an underappreciated bass player.

ctschwei

Great reaction Doug, now I want to watch The Blues Brothers!👍

Richard Plante