The Star Online: Entertainment: Music

Posted: 04 Nov 2012 02:27 AM PST

Chicago proves that when it comes to live performances, four decades' worth of experience is invaluable.

IF you're wondering whether legendary band Chicago has still got it after all these years (45, to be exact), the answer is a resounding "yes".

The American band played its first concert in Malaysia on Wednesday, where it wowed over 2,500 fans with powerful performances at the Plenary Hall in Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

Chicago – made up of founding members Robert Lamm (keyboards and vocals), Jeff Pankow (horns) and Lee Loughanne (trumpet and vocals), as well as Jason Scheff (bass and vocals), Keith Howland (guitar), Lou Pardini (keyboards), Tris Imboden (drums) and Wilfredo Reyes (percussions) – kicked off the show with the epic composition, Ballet For A Girl In Buchannon. This was followed by a string of hit songs and a medley which included the tracks Make Me Smile and So Much To Give, So Much To Say.

What immediately stood out during the band's show that night was the entertaining brass section (which also featured Ray Hermann on the flute and saxophone, as founding member Walter Parazaider pulled out of the tour temporarily due to health reasons) led by Pankow, who was a delight to watch during the band's instrumental numbers. The 65-year-old trombone player had moves that could put a certain Mr Jagger to shame!

When Lamm introduced his band members to the audience he made a cheeky statement about Pankow's enthusiasm.

"Here, we have Mr James Pankow. As you can tell, he is very shy." As the crowd roared with laughter, Pankow humbly took a bow.

Chicago also played a collection of its popular rock ballads, beginning with Colour My World, which was good but only garnered a lukewarm response from the audience. Perhaps everyone was saving the biggest cheers of the night for the band's more recognisable hits.

Before introducing one of these familiar tracks, though, Loughanne addressed the audience.

"We've had so many songs under our belt. But when this song was released, you made this an international hit," he said. After that, Howland switched to an acoustic guitar, while Scheff took on the lead vocals to perform If You Leave Me Now. Suddenly, Chicago found itself with more band members than it usually has as the crowd sang along to every single word in the song.

Released in 1976, If You Leave Me Now was originally written and sung by former member and lead vocalist Peter Cetera. After Cetera left the band in 1985 to pursue a solo career, the band roped in Scheff to take over his place. While some audience members were mulling over the absence of Cetera's signature vocals, Scheff filled in for the band (and has been doing so for many years) quite nicely.

Chicago kept the hits coming with I've Been Searching For So Long, Call On Me, Alive Again and Hard Habit To Break. The crowd got into another sing-a-long frenzy with You're The Inspiration, another one of the band's top hits. Lamm, perhaps moved by the audience's participation, took the opportunity to express his gratitude.

"My name is Robert Lamm and I'm just a songwriter who is lucky enough to be in a band with so many talented members," he said.

The band churned out another crowd favourite – Hard To Say (I'm Sorry) – much to everyone's delight. Other than the signature rock ballads and instrumental jazz numbers, members of Chicago also got the chance to perform their own solo hits.

Halfway through the closing track Feelin' Stronger, some of the band members left the stage to give the spotlight to Imboden and Reyes. The duo got the audience on their feet and grooving along to their instrumental set.

Moments later, the rest came back, picked up their instruments and gave the audience a triumphant finish for the night ... at least until the band returned to the stage for an encore.

"What a thrill it is to be in this beautiful city in Kuala Lumpur. We've made so many friends in the last 24 hours and we really hope to be back again soon," said Lamm. The crowd gave a standing ovation as Chicago wrapped up its first Malaysian show (which most likely will not be its last) with Feelin' Free and this writer's personal favourite, 25 Or 6 To 4. Pankow concluded by bidding the audience farewell: "Thank you, Malaysia. You've been a wonderful audience. We hope you had a good night."

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

Ahad, 4 November 2012

The Star Online: Entertainment: Music

The Star Online: Entertainment: Music

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