The progressive-vs.-moderate dichotomy is back in the news because Bernie Sanders ally Nina Turner lost an Ohio primary to a more moderate (and more local) woman who was backed by Hillary and made her support for Biden a major theme in her campaign. It seems fresh, but that dichotomy has existed as long as the post-civil rights Democratic Party. It’s the subject of my favorite Chicago song.
Younger generations might not believe it, but Chicago was a politically outspoken band in its early days, when bands were expected to support efforts to end the War in Vietnam. But by the time Chicago V was released in July 1972 they had downplayed that aspect of their act; I think this might have been their last overtly political song, and Part II their last extended jam on record (all their previous albums had been multi-LP affairs, and long jams helped fill vinyl). The truncated single verion only reached No. 24 in Billboard (No. 17 in Cashbox), but I love the combined album track because it’s the funkiest song in their oeuvre and a great showcase for Terry Kath, who first lays down the groove in Part I and then trades some blistering licks with the horn section in Part II. Peter Cetera shines as well.
Commenter Homesteader put in a plug the other day for Leonid & Friends, the Russian band that specializes in faithful covers of Chicago, along with other horn-heavy Western bands. They’re another great example of YouTube stardom. The band Chicago is virtually unknown in Russia, but Moscow music producer and bass player Leonid Vorobyev loved them. When he turned 60 he recruited musicians from groups he had worked with in the studio to record a video. Once it hit YouTube, demand for more ensued, and the band got famous enough to tour the United States. They’re damn good, even if it takes nearly a dozen of them to replicate the sound produced by the seven guys in Chicago.
