Chicago – At Carnegie Hall – Volume I, II, III & IV (A PopEntertainment.com Box Set Report Card)

PopEntertainment
Nov 6, 2001
1 min read

Chicago

Description:

Chicago had only been recording for two years and three albums before they released this four-record (remember records?) concert set. Entirely overblown and slightly pretentious, an artistic and popular failure at the time, this still can claim to being the first rock and roll box set.

What's Good About It?

This was from the band's glory days (before they became an adult contemporary juggernaut) and the band's signature sound of rock and roll spiced by a hopping horn section had not yet become too familiar. There are some undeniably brilliant songs here (including the rock-out attitude of "25 Or 6 To 4," the jazzy "Beginnings" and the gentlest ballad ever, "Colour My World.")

What's Bad About It?

Way too many songs that no one but the band's most fervent fans have ever heard of. Also, even the songs you know were generally done better in the studio.

What's Missing?

This set isn't about what's missing, it's about why isn't there more missing?

Popentertainment.com final grade: B-

Musically it is good, but no one (including Bruce Springsteen – see his review on the box sets page too) deserves a chance to release this much live music in one place.

Alex Diamond