So both bands started out in the late 60s rather similar in construction and style, being probably the only major rock bands which incorportated a full horn section as a major "instrument" within the band. Both also had heavy Jazz and R&B influences, but still both bands were able to model their very own unmistakable and unique sound. Still the smiliarities are enough to put them against each other in a thread.


OK, I really like both bands a lot... but if I have to decide, then I'd pick Blood Sweat & Tears, by a rather narrow margin.

Chicago have a mcuh bigger catalouge, but I'll find slightly more personal favorite songs on the BST side. Also their sound was more raw PLUS above all, they had the voice of David Clayton Thomas! Now that bitch could sing


so what's your pick and why?

I like Chicago's music.

After Peter Cetera left Chicago, I preferred Peter Cetera because I just like his voice.

Dancelot said:

both bands are legendary but i gotta go with chicago 'cause everytime i listen 2 'em i get so amazed at the way these fellas throw down. just listen to the intro to "make me smile" the way the horns and percussion interlock is fuckin jaw dropping.... and as 4 singin chicago had some of the most beautiful harmonies (baby what a big suprise, does anybody know what time it is?, no tell lover, dialouge, beginnings, wishing you were here,) courtesy of the treacherous 3...peter cetera,terry kath,and bobby lamm
[Edited 1/7/06 23:09pm]

Peter Cetera

I like Chicago. They had it going on. Blood Sweat and Tears was cool.

diamondpearl1 said:

can't argue against anyting you said here, Chicago kick serious ass... and even when they're getting schmaltzy, it's an enjoyable kinda "schmaltz"

Dancelot said:

Ur not talking schmaltz like "look away" or "she comes to my senses" are u? I love 80's chicago.

thesexofit said:

ironically the schmaltzy ballads are what they are probably best know for to the average music consumer. but I have no problem with most of those songs, I used "schmaltzy" in the most positive meaning of the word

.
[Edited 1/15/06 14:24pm]

...and who can forget 'street player", one of the greatest dance tunes ever!

The original BS&T was primarily a compromise between Al Kooper (formerly of The Blues Project) and on the other side of the fence Steve Katz (also ex-Blues Project) and Bobby Colomby.

The original incarnation consisted of:
Al Kooper - keys
Steve Katz - guitar
Bobby Colomby - drums
Jim Fielder - bass
Fred Lipsius - sax
Dick Halligan - trombone
Randy Brecker - trumpet
Jerry Weiss - trumpet

This is the unit you hear on their debut...



...Child Is Father to the Man

Although a new direction for Rock audiences and producing FM radio favorites I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know and I Can't Quit Her, it was nowhere near as cohesive an album as Chicago's debut...



...Chicago Transit Authority.


David Clayton Thomas doesn't show up until...



...BS&T's second album.

Which produces hits like:
Spinning Wheel
And When I Die
You've Made Me So Very Happy
God Bless The Child

*Interesting note:
BS&T's 2nd album was produced by James William Guercio who would go on to produce Chicago's first 12 albums.

The exit of Al Kooper along with the addition of David Clayton Thomas and a few other band member changes, established the BS&T sound most folks are familiar with.

Their public popularity continued through...



...BS&T 3&4

(Hi-De-Ho, Lucretia MacEvil, Go Down Gamblin')

The public wouldn't accept the jazzier no David Clayton Thomas 5th album, New Blood.
Although DCT returns 2 albums later, the bloom is off the rose.

BS&T has a great list of alumni (that didn't necessarily record with the group) which includes...

Jaco Pastorius
Mike Stern
Randy Brecker
Larry Willis
Joe Henderson
Don Alias
Dave Bargeron

...among many others.


I appreciate both groups for different reasons.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

theAudience said:

damn you really know your stuff...lol ya know people dogged chicago for the ballads they started doin (chicago 16), but i feel like bill champlin (champlin & sons) joinin in 81'was kind of a throwback to their soulful days with terry kath that they unfourtunately lost in his death. plus he helped write earth wind & fire's "after the love is gone"....i know the 1st time they heard bill sing they had to have thought of terry.....

diamondpearl1 said:

I'm just an old dog that was around during the time of The Blues Project and when the debut BS&T and CTA albums were released.

Glad to see that you're familiar with Bill Champlin and his group The Sons of Champlin.
(http://www.sonsofchamplin.com/)
Click on CDs on the intro page, then Secret DVD LIVE, then Gold Mine for a treat.

Bill is a talented singer/writer/B3/guitar player.
I got to play Gold Mine (and other tunes) with Bill and Jason Scheff (pre-Chicago) some years ago.
Groovin' tune.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

theAudience said:

i saw the "look away" video and was suprised that bill was also a guitar player (yet another uncanny terry kath similarity) lol..... what made me really check him out in chicago's later years was his vocals on "you're a hard habit to break", "look away", and will you still love me? then i found out that that was his voice beltin out the "in the heat of the night" tv series theme song....do you know if his "sons of champlin" albums are still in print?

diamondpearl1 said:

He's a very soulful singer.

I believe that quite a few Sons of Champlin releases are available from their website.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

theAudience said:

I was also around at that time but back then probably more busy humming "Twinkle twinkl little star" and alike

thanks for your input tA, as always you're the man