Thus, on 12 Oct 96 at 2:27 PM, that Clark Ray said to Chris Smith:
CS> I was a late-comer to Chicago's music [as in _16_ on].
CS> I discovered a lot going through these classic Chicago albums:
CS> -- Jimmy Guercio was one of the best producers ever.
CS> -- Terry Kath was one of the most underrated rock guitarists.
CS> -- A lot of today's so-called "grunge" rock was inspired by the
CS>    progressive stuff Chicago was doing in the early '70s.  [The
CS>    guitar solo on "Lowdown" [_III_] and the bass and guitar on "A Hit
CS>    By Varese" [_V_] were precurors of what was to come 20 years
CR> "A Hit By Varese" is one of my favorite Chicago songs.  There's something
CR> about that bass/drum line.
Indeed!  When I heard this on _Group Portrait_, I found it rather, to say
the least, _interesting_.  Grunge in the early _'70s_?  This would definitely
play well with grunge fans.  The more rock progresses, the more it recycles.
 8)
CR> Unfortunately, only that song and the two Dialogue songs are worth
CR> hearing, in my opinion.
"While The City Sleeps" and "State Of The Union" are two great tracks from
_V_ that often get overlooked.  They, also, have a certain element of
progressive grunginess...   
CR> _VI_ didn't fare much better,
I think "Critics' Choice" set the tone for that album.  "What's This World
Comin' To?" and "Rediscovery" are two more great overlooked tracks.
CR> but, _VII_ is a great one nearly all the way through.
Definitely!  A forerunner of the progressive rock/jazz fusion that Steely Dan
would become famous for.    The title track from _Hot Streets_ would
also fit that category.  8)
                      >>>>
... Now Playing:   "Hot Streets" -- Chicago _Hot Streets_, 1978.--- SF-Quick 
1.20 & Q-Blue
--- Alexi/Mail 2.02b (#80)
---------------