Concert Review
Chicago
Shea’s Performing Arts Center
Buffalo, NY
Sunday October 25, 2015
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
Ending a tour in Buffalo seems to be the “in” thing as of late. Sir Paul McCartney did it Thursday night and legendary rock band Chicago did the same at Shea’s Performing Arts Center on Sunday evening. Although the band had played recent shows in the area, the sold out show marked the band’s first within the city limits in quite some time. The band was recently nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame and their performance Sunday evening showed exactly why they were deserving.
The band performed two sets totaling slightly over two hours only interrupted by a fifteen minute intermission. The night consisted of songs mostly from the seventies and eighties when the band was seen on the charts almost nonstop.
The tour lineup is the same as it has been since 2012. Chicago is known for their horn section and on this night it consisted of James Pankow (trombone), Ray Herrmann (who filled in for Walter Parazaider- woodwinds) and Lee Loughnane (trumpet). These guys can all play and are an essential part to the bands sound as they demonstrated Sunday evening.
The songs that really stood out featured keyboardist Robert Lamm on lead vocals. “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is” as well as the gem “Saturday In The Park” are songs that are played all the time on classic rock radio
Perhaps the lone blemish on the night were the softer songs sung by bassist Jason Scheff. Maybe he had a cold or a bad microphone but he seemed too loud and at times very pitchy. He sounded fine on songs such as “Just You N’ Me” and show closer the classic “25 or 6 to 4”.
The band has sold over 100 Millions records, an astounding feat in itself. I think most people who know of the band would assume they would have already been in The Hall Of Fame on that merit alone. Add to it the band’s countless charting singles and eighteen platinum albums and you would think they would be a shoo in. The band will find out in December if they will be enshrined. If not, the fans who saw the performance Sunday night still know this is one special band and they let the band know their appreciation with their many standing ovations. It was a Hall of Fame worthy performance indeed.
Set One
Introduction
Questions 67 & 68
Dialogue (Part I & II)
If You Leave Me Now
Alive Again
Wake Up Sunshine
Call on Me
(I’ve Been) Searchin’ So Long
Mongonucleosis
Will You Still Love Me? @Info[Jason solo on keyboard]
Another Rainy Day in New York City @Info[Robert solo]
Look Away @Info[Lou solo]
Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon (Suite)
Make Me Smile
So Much to Say, So Much to Give
Anxiety’s Moment
West Virginia Fantasies
Colour My World
To Be Free
Now More Than Ever
Set Two
Old Days
Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?
Hard Habit to Break
You’re the Inspiration
Beginnings
I’m a Man
Street Player
Just You ‘n’ Me
Hard to Say I’m Sorry / Get Away
Saturday in the Park
Feelin’ Stronger Every Day
Encore
Free
25 or 6 to 4
