Chicago Transit Authority (2-LP, 180 graml/Limited Anniversary Edition)

A statement of purpose, not just a debut album. CNN's recent documentary about the band explains the group's determination to be artistically strong, and this album's mix of rock-jazz fusion, a standout cover ("I'm a Man" that really outdoes even the Spencer Davis Group original -- in my initial review of this album I wrote Traffic recorded the original... see comments below! ) and out-of-the-box hit songs like "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is" and "Beginnings" still sound fresh today. I took the title of one track, "Listen" seriously listened to this album a LOT during my 1970s college days, Koss headphones clamped over my head and "digging" the stereo mix, especially during the drum/percussion break of "I'm a Man."

I was a total Chicago fan as a kid back in the 70’s. I owned all their albums in vinyl, but sadly parted with them years ago. I am now returning to vinyl and wanted this cherished classic in my collection.Reading the reviews in this section, I ponied up $89.77 plus shipping (yes, you read that correct, OVER NINETY DOLLARS!!!) for what was supposed to be the well-regarded 2002 Rhino re-mastering. Instead, I was sent the 2019 “50th Anniversary Remix” remastered by Tim Jessup (this edition also has Rhino on the label). Nowhere in the description of this item does it indicate it is the “50th Anniversary Remix.” If you do a simple Amazon search of “Chicago Transit Authority 50th Anniversary,” you will find this brand new remix on vinyl for $29.99. Totally dishonest practice by this seller! The Re-mix is absolute CRAP. “Introduction” is simply a jumbled mess that sounds (even on my $15,000 + system) like it’s coming out of a 1970’s AM car radio. “Does Anybody Know What Time It Is” sounded a little better, but still not great. On “Beginnings,” Peter Cetera’s bass just disappears. Total inconsistency. I only had to hear side 1 to know this was complete junk!Go back and look at all the good reviews for this listing. Almost all of them are pre-2019. The original CTA album was released in 1969, so do the math... Inside the gatefold of this “50th Anniversary Remix” it says, “2019 Re-mix Produced and Mixed by Tim Jessup, with Chicago and Bob Ludwig.” If you want to see the bad reviews, Google “Chicago Transit Authority Tim Jessup.” Prepare yourself - it gets ugly in a hurry!I am completely dissatisfied this seller is charging $90.00 for a brand new shrink-wrapped remix that sells everywhere else for $30. I am sending it back and will look elsewhere for one of my favorite albums of all time.EDIT Jan 8, 2020: Just received a USED original 1969 pressing of CTA I ordered on another site. WOW! WOW! WOW! It’s ALL there, the sound is fantastic, which, in my mind, validates my derogatory comments about the 50th Anniversary Tim Jessup remix. I’ve seen some online commentators say the 1969 version was not mixed all that well and the “modern” remixes are somehow better. Total BS!!! It sounds fantastic IF you have a good system.

The remastered version sounds great! Bass is really brought up which brings out the funk of course. This whole new edition makes everything from the vocals to Terry Kath's guitar work so much more clear. Not hard to understand. Technology has advanced somewhat in the 48 some years since this release was engineered and produced.I remember buying the LP edition when it first came out in '69 I believe. Still like this first release the best.If you are a fan of Chicago, Jazz/rock/funk fusion or just like music, this remastered edition definitely worth the purchase. Especially at the $7.00 new price it was offered at.

The MoFi version of Chicago Transit Autority is flawless. I have been enjoying this better than the Rhino remastered version. I noticed on the Rhino version that there are dropouts on the first track, "Introduction", but it was a far cry better than the earlier CBS version releaed on 2 CD's. I was so disappointed with the early CBS version that I got rid of it. This MoFi version comes closer to the original 1969 version. I do have a 1971 copy of the vinyl and it is in pretty good condition. I prefer listening to the vinyl version when I am at home, but listen to the CD when I am traveling. Overall I think it is worth the purchase. Quantities are usually limited for the MoFi editions and it might be all sold out by now.

I was only 15 when I bought this. It was my first record purchase and I remember being scared. Partly because of the cost, partly because it was a huge double album, and partly because, well, it's not the sort of album teenagers usually buy! Luckily my fear went away after I played it and realised how wonderful it was, and it even perked up the ears of my brother who was only 14! I had heard 'I'm a Man' from the album on Luxembourg radio and I think buying this album was one of the coolest, most inspired things I ever did, even though I was only 15.I've now bought the double-vinyl version again to keep in a box as a treasured reminder of my first ever oh-so-cool record purchase!

A Blast from the past. I played this (as an LP) a lot of years ago. Never thought I would be able to buy it on CD. In my early years,as I say, I played this incessantly,as you did in those days. Surprise,surprise, I knew every note when I played the CD.This is the Chicago that I knew,not the current version. One of the top 3 all time biggest selling bands. I doubt that this would ever be recorded today. They went into the studio and pretty much,just laid down these tracks just as they wanted them to be. Generally described as "brass rock" by people who like to have labels on music, this is the definitive sound of a band of misicians on top of their game,doing something they obviously love. Track length varies,depending on how the mood takes them.Anyhow, I would just say Listen, with your ears, to a masterpiece. Overstating the case? I don't think so.

There are not many records that I was really into as a teenager that I still totally love now. This one and Tago Mago by Can are though. I loved them first for I'm a man but the rest grew on me. It was probably the first time I appreciated brass in an electric band, and their horn players were great.I think the star though is Danny Seraphine. This is how drums are played! His fluidity, power and grace are amazing, and his speed and precision astonishing. And he was what, 20 at the time?

One of the first albums I bought, along with Sgt Pepper and Deep Purple In Rock. I grew up with rock and pop in the 60s, but CTA introduced me to jazz-rock and big band music. This is a wonderful collection of rock, pop and jazz tracks, with politically tinged lyrics (that would not be out of place in today's USA) and excellent musicianship - Terry Kath's guitar solo on Poem 58 is an absolute highlight, and the song-writing, ensemble playing and brass arrangements are outstanding throughout. I also think I'm a Man is one of those rarities: a cover version that is better than the original. Maybe Free Form Guitar is the one weak link: a track I usually skip. I have quite a few Chicago albums, mostly on vinyl, and after CTA, my favourites are 2, 5, 7 and Night and Day (their contemporary take on big band classics - check out Caravan and Take the A Train). Like other reviewers I was disappointed with their move towards AOR ballads, but there was something interesting and unusual on most of their albums (such as Street Player, featuring Maynard Ferguson, on 13). I have seen them live three times over the years, from the 70s to the 00s, and each time they have shown what a great rocking outfit they are.

The first album by the stellar band! For me, this is Chicago at their most rocky. The term Jazz Rock, was coined to take in this band alongside, Blood Sweat n Tears and the lesser, Ides Of March. Theres a mix of jazzy experimentation going on here. Their cover of Muff Winwood's, I'm A Man, is rockingly awesome. Released as a charting single, this showcased excellent percussion combining Terry Kath's blistering guitar work. Released in 1969, there is only a brief hint here of the future MOR stylings. This is Chicago sounding tough n ready for active service! Essential listening for anyone who enjoys Brass, Jazz n Rock.