Chicago Brings Its Popular Brass Rock to UPMC Events Center

As I’ve gotten older I’ve realized I need to start seeing a few bands I’ve always liked, but have never seen live. I fear many may retire from touring in the not too distant future. It’s too late for me to see Led Zeppelin, Bad Company, and Nirvana. However it’s not too late for me to see Chicago. And that’s just what I did Wednesday night. They were playing at the UPMC Events Center at RMU, a somewhat intimate venue with a seating capacity of 4,000. It was my first time there and it’s a good concert hall.

Still very active, Chicago has had several tour stops in Pittsburgh in recent years. The group began in 1967 and still has three of its founding members performing in the band: Robert Lamm (keyboards and vocals), Lee Loughnane (trumpet and vocals), and James Pankow (trombone). Chicago can rock your socks off yet also perform quieter, heartfelt, beautiful ballads.

There was no opening act. Chicago took the stage and played “Dialogue (Part I and II),” after which Loughnane greeted the Pittsburgh audience. Chicago has an amazing catalog of hits. You almost forget how many they had until you hear them all during a show. There were many big ones in the first set alone: “Questions 67 & 68,” which had great congas and horns, and  “(I’ve Been Searchin’) So Long,” with its beautiful keyboards (Lamm and Loren Gold) and horn intro, guitar highlights, distinctive drum strikes, vocal harmonies, and amazing singing from Neil Donell. The song has deep meaningful lyrics too like, “I’ve been searching so long / To find an answer / Now I know my life has meaning, oh yeah…Good things / In life / Take a long time.” “Make Me Smile” (actual name is “Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon”) saw the band start the song with all instruments firing a beautiful unified sound especially horns and drums. Other first set highlights included: “If You Leave Me Now,” “Colour My World,” ”Call On Me,” and “Now More Than Ever.”

Chicago has a big, full sound mainly driven by amazing horn arrangements from trumpet, slide trombone and saxophone (Ray Herrmann). Other instruments play a supporting role to the horns, but all have their turn in the spotlight and it wouldn’t be Chicago without them. Keyboards (Lamm and Carlos Murguia) provide a pleasing sound bed, as does the bass guitar (Eric Baines). Drum (Walfredo Reyes Jr.) notes accentuate many of the horn arrangements and in general provide some outstanding beats. Raymond “Ray” Yslas does the same as the percussionist. Tony Obrohta, lead guitarist, can support the sound and also shine during some hot licks. Several members of the band share lead vocal duties with Donell, and all sing their parts very well. Most of the band also contribute to the pleasant vocal harmonies.The songwriting, both lyrically and musically, has always been top notch. Other influences can also be heard in their music, including pop, classical, jazz, and R&B. That’s how they’ve become one of the top selling U.S. bands of all time.  

After a break from their first set, Chicago came back just as strong in the second set. “Old Days” featured some wonderful lead and vocal harmonies. The video screen showed scenes of the band members eating at a restaurant named Carmines. During “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?” the screen displayed colorful images of watches and timepieces. The ballad “Hard Habit to Break” featured a flute intro. Another sweet ballad “You’re the Inspiration” followed. A big second set highlight was “Beginnings” which opened up with acoustic guitar and incredible horns. ”Just You and Me” was outstanding, too, with fantastic horns and drums. The percussionist played timbales and congas. A clarinet was also featured on the song. “Saturday in the Park” started with its outstanding piano intro. “Feelin’ Stronger Every Day” and “Hard to Say I’m Sorry” were other highlights from the set. The encore featured “Free” and “25 or 6 to 4.” The audience was loud and proud of their love for Chicago with generous rounds of applause throughout the night.

If you ever get a chance, go see Chicago or one of the other bands you’ve always wanted to check out live but have put off. I’m so glad to have seen Chicago live because, after all, Who knows what time it really is?. 

Rick Handler is the executive producer of Entertainment Central.

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