California Transit Authority

Anyone who knows me at all, knows that I am huge fan of the band Chicago. Actually, it's more of an obsession now ;-) but nonetheless - there is no other band or musical act that even comes close to my ears and heart.

The band started in 1967 and is still kicking around today - albeit with many personal changes. The primary reason why the band still exists today is Robert Lamm. Once he goes, the string is over. I saw them a couple of weeks ago and they still give a decent show.

So what drew me to this band in the early/mid-seventies? It was the combination of guitar rock, power of the brass, excellent 3 way vocals and, the key to any successful endeavour - strong writing.

A band that lasts for some 40 years, has to go through it's stages, and Chicago certainly has. If I would chop up the legacy of the band, I would split it this way:

1. Psychedelic, jazz-rock fusion band (1967 - 1971)
2. AM radio-friendly - chart topping hits band (1972 - 1976)
3. Soft-lush pop ballads band (1976-1980)
4. 80s power ballads (1982 - 1989)
5. Oldies Act (1990 - present)

Among the major personal changes of the band, there are three of the originals, that are worth mentioning.

1. Death of guitarist Terry Kath (1977)
2. Departure of lead singer Peter Cetera (1985)
3. Departure of percussionist Danny Seraphine (1988)

It is the latter, I want to draw your attention to - Danny Seraphine. He departed (some say he got fired) because he got tired of what Chicago had become: a ballad band, no longer taking creative risks, obsessed with protecting it's own legacy and reputation. In short, they became safe. I'm sure the programmable and monotonous drum machines of the 80s didn't help matters either. Danny Seraphine is such a phenomenal and influential drummer - and was one of the major forces why Chicago became so huge. The Chicago of the late 80s no longer was a challenge to him.

So what did he do? Well, after a number of years away from the music scene, he now comes back his own band - entitled "California Transit Authority" (a take off of Chicago's first studio album - Chicago Transit Authority). Danny assembled top notch musicians and zeroed in, on the the era that most long time Chicago fans adore (including me) the early Chicago - the psychedelic, acid-jazz-rock, long guitar solos, a total exploration in fusion. And Danny is once again free to explore his creativity and muse once again. I'm sure Terry Kath would fit in so nicely in this endeavour. There are no ballads here. There is no Peter Cetera. Only the raw roots of what Chicago was founded upon.

Check out: California Transit Authority website