Fog rolls in on the stage under white lights this Sunday, June 25, 2023 at New Brunswick, NJ’s State Theatre New Jersey, illuminating a raised bandstand filled with drums and percussion, keyboards, assorted horns, and mic stands.
A large screen behind the bandstand flashes images of multiple album covers displaying the words: “The show starts soon — Chicago — 56 years.” Cheers and whistles emanate from the crowd as the announcement is made: “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Chicago!”
Lights dim and the current members of Chicago — keyboardist Robert Lamm, trumpeter Lee Loughnane, trombonist James Pankow, saxophonist Ray Herrmann, drummer Walfredo Reyes, Jr., percussionist Ramon “Ray” Yslas, guitarist Tony Obrohta, bassist Eric Baines, and keyboardist Carlos Murguia — take the stage.
Opening with “Introduction,” a funky horn-inspired number from Chicago’s debut album, Chicago Transit Authority, Robert Lamm takes a spot center stage playing the keytar as the music morphs and carousels and audience members erupt into cheers.
As kaleidoscopic colors, psychedelic artwork, and images of the group taken over the course of the band’s 56-year musical career are projected on the screen behind them, the members of the world-famous Chicago horn section — trombonist James Pankow, saxophonist Ray Herrmann, and trumpet player Lee Loughnane — play with funky precision.
Moving onto “Dialogue,” music lovers applaud as vocalist Neil Donell joins the band onstage and sing the tune’s uplifting “We can make it happen/We can change the world now” coda along with him.
Donell also handles the lead on “Questions 67 and 68” crooning, “Can this feeling that we have together/Ooh, suddenly exist between?” to the rhythmic horns as spotlights twist and turn behind him.
The crowd cheers, and Chicago founding member James Pankow welcomes concertgoers joking, “We’ll play all your favorites tonight — or at least the ones we can remember!”
Moving on to the group’s 1974 Top Ten Latin-influenced hit, “Call On Me,” tight harmony vocals ring out on the famous “I love you/You know I do/You love me, too” refrain before the cool trumpet/tenor/trombone instrumental break and the infectious “You can count on me, oh/You can count on me” samba ending.
Chicago founding member Robert Lamm is featured singing lead on the happy-go-lucky tune, “Wake Up Sunshine” before the crowd cheers for an electrifying trombone solo by James Pankow.
Six-part vocal harmonies are featured on the group’s 1974 hit, “(I’ve Been) Searchin’ So Long.” Fans nostalgically sing along on the “Good things in life/Take a long time” coda before responding with heartfelt cheers and applause. Then, hands clap along on “Mongonucleosis,” a Latin-influenced arrangement which features Ray Herrmann on sax and founding member Lee Loughnane on trumpet. Performing together in the center of the stage, the rhythm section deftly supports the duo on this high-energy instrumental.
The mood changes on an unplugged rendition of “If You Leave Me Now” where Neil Donell and Tony Obrohta strum acoustic guitars to accompany the song’s well-known “If you leave me now/You’ll take away the biggest part of me” lyric.
To conclude Act I, Chicago performs a live rendition of James Pankow’s “Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon,” a song cycle written for the group’s album, Chicago II. Opening with the 1970 top ten hit “Make Me Smile” — on an arrangement which features five-part vocal harmonies — the song cycle also includes the band’s popular ballad, “Colour My World,” sung by trumpeter Lee Loughnane.
At the conclusion of the medley, the crowd erupts into whistles and cheers and stands for Chicago’s powerful display of musicianship.
During intermission, concertgoers share their opinions of Chicago’s performance thus far. Comments Earl from Point Pleasant, “I think Chicago is just great! I first saw them 50 years ago and they still sound terrific!” Bill from “Planet Earth” recalls, “I first saw Chicago back in 1971 or ’72, and they still sound spot-on! They’re tight, and it’s great hearing them in this historic theater.” Sue from Point Pleasant agrees, asserting, “I just love the energy of the band! The video and all the colored lights really update their classic songs — when I hear them, they make me feel like a teenager again!”
Act II opens with Chicago launching into “Alive Again,” a rhythmic rocker which features the horn section playing short and sweet. Segueing into the group’s 1970 Top Ten hit, “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is,” the audience joins Robert Lamm as he expertly croons the song’s well-known “As I was walking down the street one day” lyric. Then, Neil Donell handles the vocal on “Old Days” where he effortlessly sings, “Old days, good times I remember,” while vintage images of Chicago sparkle on the screen.
Following avid applause, Pankow thanks the audience, revealing, “This has been an amazing journey, and we’re still here! It’s been one hell of a party and, now, we’re taking you back to the 1980s!”
At this point, the group launches into its 1984 Top Five hit, “Hard Habit to Break.” Neil Donell trades vocals with bassist Eric Baines on this compelling number, the music building in intensity before the horns enter on the bridge and transform this slow dance number into an electrifying power ballad.
Fans cheer when they recognize the introduction to the group’s 1984 single, “You’re the Inspiration.” The crowd happily sings along to the iconic “You’re the meaning in my life/You’re my inspiration” chorus as well as on the rhythmic “When you love someone” coda. Donell holds out an incredibly long note as the song builds in triumphant glory.
The crowd hoots and hollers, and Tony Obrohta follows up with a striking guitar solo which has music lovers in the audience roaring for more.
Donell addresses the crowd asking, “How are you doing tonight?” After he introduces his stagemates, the ensemble performs a highlight number of the show — their 1971 smash, “Beginnings” — where Robert Lamm superbly handles the lead vocals playing 12-string acoustic guitar while accompanied by the rest of the band.
After the “Only the beginning/Only just the start” interlude, the three founding members of the group — Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane, and James Pankow — come downstage to perform together on this Chicago classic.
Segueing into a smokin’ rendition of The Spencer Davis Group’s “I’m a Man,” the horn players play various percussion instruments and Eric Baines is featured on bass.
As the organ flares, the Chicago musicians impress as they sing in six-part harmony, “I’m a man/Yes I am/And I can’t help but love you so.” Then, the entire band leaves the stage except for drummer Walfredo Reyes, Jr. and percussionist “Ray” Yslas who dazzle the crowd with an extended percussion duet.
As “fire” smolders on the screen behind them, the duo goes back and forth in an energetic musical conversation featuring complex polyrhythms. Before the rest of the ensemble retakes the stage for the dramatic finish, the audience is on its feet with yet another standing ovation.
Lee Loughnane asks, “Are you guys having fun?” prior to acknowledging, “We are, too! I’m feeling this music more than I ever have!” Segueing into another audience favorite — the 1974 Top 5 Billboard hit, “Just You ’n’ Me” — Ray Herrmann is featured during the song’s instrumental interlude on a mystical soprano saxophone solo.
Following a well-deserved bow, the group launches into its 1982 #1 hit, “Hard to Say I’m Sorry.” Audience members hold up lighted cellphones and sway as they sing along with Neil Donell as he croons the well-known “After all that we’ve been through/I will make it up to you/I promise you” lyric.
Cheers immediately ensue as fans recognize the opening strains of the band’s 1972 million-seller, “Saturday in the Park.” Music lovers stand on their feet and sing along as Lamm handles the famous “Saturday in the park/I think it was the Fourth of July” lyric while images of New York City’s Central Park fill the screen.
The audience continues to remain standing as Chicago concludes its powerful line-up of hits with its 1973 Top Ten smash, “Feelin’ Stronger Every Day,” the music energizing fans who joyfully sing and dance along to the music.
With concertgoers still cheering on their feet, Chicago leaves the stage, but the musicians soon return for an encore of their 1971 Top 20 hit, “Free.” As the group cries, “I just wanna be free,” Pankow and Co. play their hearts out on this stirring rock and roll anthem.
The evening concludes with a rockin’ rendition of Chicago’s 1970 Top 5 hit, “25 or 6 to 4,” which leaves the leaves music lovers smiling and standing tall in appreciation of an outstanding performance.
As patrons make their way out of the STNJ auditorium, they comment on tonight’s performance by Chicago. Declares Sandi from Red Bank, “This concert was outrageous! Chicago had the State Theatre rockin’ and rollin’!” Linda, a fan from Paramus, concurs, adding, “Chicago’s music always speaks for itself — every night when the band takes to the stage, you know you’re going to hear one heck of a concert!”
Marty from New Brunswick reflects, “This show brought me back to my high school days. The band’s vocals were top notch, the horn section was exquisite, and it’s just inconceivable to me that this band is still together, still having fun, and still sounding amazing after more than a half-century!”
Eileen from Sayreville agrees, insisting, “It’s the music — it still holds up!” Recalling, “In the 1970s, I would have never have expected to see Chicago at the State Theatre, but they were here tonight in front of a sold out crowd!” Eileen further notes, “The show brought back so many memories for me. It’s absolutely one of the best shows I’ve ever seen.”
Alan from Lambertville suggests, “What’s so impressive about Chicago is how much joy they express when they’re playing their music.” Lastly, Kyle from Rahway asserts, “The energy from the band and the energy from the crowd were awesome,” before concluding, “Even after 56 years, these guys are still at the top of their game!”
To learn more about Chicago, please go to chicagotheband.com. For info on future great performances at State Theatre New Jersey — including The Beach Boys on July 29; Lyle Lovett and his Large Band on August 4; and the Rock ‘N Roll Doo Wop Spectacular starring Chubby Checker, The Duprees, and more on October 14 — please go to stnj.org.
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