“Introduction” serves as just that, an introduction into Chicago as both a band and a concept — an experimental blend of rock and roll, blues, classical, and jazz, all backed up by a strong brass section. One of my favorites on the album, the winding, frenetic composition of Terry Kath is a definite prog-rock classic.
Popular favorites such as “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is” and “Beginnings” share more similarities with the direction the band would later take on II and subsequent albums, but are both still great pieces of music.
“Poem 58” features the virtuosic guitar work of Terry Kath, who tragically died after shooting himself in the head with a gun he believed to be unloaded. The cliche love song lyrics leave much to be desired, but the mind blowing guitar solos and Seraphine’s next level drumming make this song a standout regardless.
The band also touched on the politics of the Vietnam war protests on “Prologue” and “Someday (August 29, 1968). Chantings of “the whole world is watching,” taken from audio of demonstrators at the DNC in Chicago as the police beat and arrested them, are present on both tracks. 14 minute closer “Liberation” can only be described as a jam band showcasing of Terry Kath’s legendary guitar ability, and he plays a blistering pace for the duration of the song.
Sadly, Chicago never really surpassed their initial effort, instead deciding to move in a new direction (especially following Kath’s death) towards the soft rock sound of all their later albums. The only album that comes even close is II, which is the only other Chicago record I would recommend wholeheartedly. While it can be hard to ignore some of the straight poor music the band later created, Chicago Transit Authority remains a stroke of brilliance and a landmark album 50 years after its initial release, and should be remembered as such.
Article by Everett Williams