The Very Best of Chicago: Only the Beginning (CD - 2002)

Compilation producers: Chicago, David McLees.

Includes liner notes by Bill DeYoung.

All tracks have been digitally remastered.

Rhino began its elaborate Chicago reissue series in 2002 with Chicago's Complete Greatest Hits: Only the Beginning, a double-disc set that covers 39 hits from all of Chicago's eras -- from the early jazzy records, through the soft rock hits sung by Peter Cetera, to the post-Cetera adult contemporary records of the '80s, and beyond. It's the first compilation to cover this much ground, actually -- 1991's Group Portrait stopped around Cetera's departure -- and while it may go a little bit farther than some would want (a cover of Louis Prima's "Sing, Sing, Sing" from their 1995 neo-swing album closes the set; it happens to feature the Gipsy Kings on support), it nevertheless is very satisfying, since it rounds up all of the hits, and Chicago was at their very best for hits. For anybody who has been holding on to all three Greatest Hits collections, this will replace them all, since it has almost every song from all three, plus remastered sound. Indeed, this is the definitive word on the group -- perhaps a fan favorite or two is missing, but everything you need is here, in a more concise, user-friendly shape than the Group Portrait box while offering more than any of the hits collections. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Chicago commemorates 35 years of playing together with the career-spanning 2-CD anthology ONLY THE BEGINNING. This Windy City septet started out as one of the few '60s groups aside from Blood, Sweat & Tears and The Electric Flag to fuse a full horn section with a rock band. Chicago's early hits included more aggressive fare like "25 Or 6 To 4," "Beginnings," and a scorching cover of The Spencer Davis Group's "I'm A Man," but they became known as a ballads band as the '70s progressed. AM hits like "Saturday In The Park," "Just You 'N' Me," and "Baby, What A Big Surprise" helped solidify this reputation.

Despite stumbling in the late '70s and getting dropped by Columbia Records, Chicago neatly landed on its feet at Warner Brothers. Their chart assault in the '80s continued with ballads like "Hard To Say I'm Sorry/Look Away," "Hard Habit To Break," and the quintessential prom theme/wedding song "You're The Inspiration." Hits sans Peter Cetera (who left in 1985), include "Chasin' The Wind." Wrapping up this 40-song set is "Sing, Sing, Sing," a new collaboration with The Gipsy Kings. minimize