Rating: 
Summary: Awful Performance From A Great Band
Review: Anyone who saw this performance knows how truly awful it really was. Chicago is a great band who has the chops, but not on this night. Between screwing up the lyrics and looking genuinely uninterested, this was just a really bad performance. Add to that the fact that while this program was supposedly "Live By Request", when it should have really been called "Live By Request...But Only If You Ask For Something That We Really Want To Play." The "Live By Request" format is really better suited for solo artists or groups that have a great mastery of their entire catalog. It obviously is a format that wasn't right for Chicago.I know that fans of Chicago, like myself, are starving for video documenting performances, but don't let that hunger convince you to buy stuff like this. Wait until the band and/or their management deliver something that's worthy of being purchased. In the meantime, don't encourage them by purchasing garbage like this. I'm only giving it a "2" because of my respect for the band and the occasional decent performance during this show.
Rating: 
Summary: Hello Chicago!
Review: Chicago DVD Live By Request is awesome. With Walter Parazeider that is a good man and Jason Scheff that is another good man.
One thing that makes this DVD really great is all the special guests that come and wish the band a great 35th anniversary. The highest moment with no doubt is when Regis Phillburn sends a sincere letter to the band hoping that they have another 35 years of success. Say Hello to Chicago!!!
Rating: 
Summary: How I Missed Peter Cetera
Review: Chicago has always been my favourite band and watching them live on this DVD is very exciting. I've seen some of their live documentaries post Chicago 17 and I have to admit that I hate them all. Especially at Jason Scheff (replaced Peter Cetera since Chicago 18 (1987)) which voice character IMHO didn't fit Cetera's parts. Luckily on Live By Request he only lead on several songs. Cetera's trademark on If You Leave Me Now and Old Days were handled by their latest guitarist, Keith Howland. This new dude did better than Jason. However, Jason's bass playing's getting better. I love his bass style. The brass section was always good as I remember. I love their jokes and they really enjoyed receiving every phonecalls. Robert Lamm seemed ok, although it looked like his mood was somewhere else. He's acting nice but not as enthusiastic as the other original members. But his singing and piano playing were always good as always. The drummer, Tris Imboden, was very energetic. He's a valuable asset for the band. As for Bill Champlin, the camera and sound didn't much exploit him. Perhaps his keyboard only blocked Lamm's parts. He also seemed difficult on hitting some notes. Perhaps because of the age. Overall it was an incredible performance. Although not as explosive as Earth Wind & Fire, who also had their Live By Request some years before. The songs requested by fans were also great. Some unexpected songs they requested. At least I didn't recall Chicago ever played those songs recently (Old Days, Feeling Stronger Everyday). Too bad nobody requested my favourite, Byblos. Anyway, only Terry Kath could play the song perfectly. Just after the show ended, I realize how I missed Peter Cetera so much. Why couldn't they just make a reunion show?
Rating: 
Summary: Not bad, but Chicago can do better. Will fill the void ...
Review: Chicago is a band that desperately needs a good performance mixed in 5.1 sound by a professional sound engineer. With 3 horns, 3 lead vocals and a million things going on at once, this is a band that would benefit heavily from the new sound medium. The problem is that neither this DVD nor the previous (horrific) RAW DVD capture and properly mix Chicago in 5.1 sound. RAW was so horrible that the instruments over-powered the vocals. This DVD is marginally better - but still sounds like it was recorded in a tin can. Hardly befitting of a group with Chicago's talents. I didn't find this to be the band's strongest performance either, but the casual Chicago fan who hasn't listened to a lot of Chicago performances will probably think it's terrific. That said, it did fill my fix for a Chicago DVD, even if I am a bit underwhelmed.
Rating:
Summary: pbru
Review: Chicago stands out as a true classic band.
This DVD starts out a little off but then as good as chicago
is they get right into the groove.
Listining to this DVD makes you feel like they are playing
just for you, it's like having your own personal live concert.
I would say watch it on a big screen tv and SRS system and your
right there at the concert.
If you like Chicago, then you'll love this DVD remember this is a live dvd there are no over-dubs or cover ups so you'll truly
see what makes them such a good band.
Keith (guitar player) is very good, and much under-rated you
can see he plays a good part in Chicago with his vocals and guitar playing.
Rating:
Summary: FANTABULOUS PERFORMANCE!!!
Review: Despite what the critics have previously said about Jason Scheff, bad recording, bad vocals, etc. I believe that this DVD is EXCELLENT, and I don't have a better word to put it. I absolutely LOVE this band and think that Peter Cetera is no better than Jason Scheff. Peter Cetera was nothing but a big fat traitor to Chicago, leaving the band at a time when Chicago's success was subsiding (but of course later came back on track). The best vocalists were Jason Scheff and Robert Lamm. Kudos to both of you! Jason Scheff did amazing lead vocals in Questions 67 & 68, 25 or 6 to 4, Feeling Stronger Everday, and You're the Inspiration. And Robert Lamm did GREAT lead vocals in Satruday in the Park, Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is, Color My World, and Beginnings. Jimmy (James) Pankow, Walter Parazaider and Lee Loughnane were fantastic with the horns. Absolutely wonderful. Tris Imbolden's beats were great, even though he messed up a tiny bit in 25 or 6 to 4, if you listen *very* carefully. Keith Howland did good vocals in If You Leave Me Now, and his guitar skills were good. And as for Bill Champlin, he was a great pianist but the vocals were not as good. And I must mention that 25 or 6 to 4 on this performance was WAY better than the original one, with Peter Cetera's lead vocals. In fact, all the originals that Peter Cetera did are much better with Jason Scheff's vocals. Overall, Chicago pulled on a great show, not flawless (hey, nothing is), but really really great. I watch it everyday (no kidding) and I got copies for friends and family. Get yours today and have a GREAT time with Chicago! Go Chicago (Lots of credits to Jason Scheff and Rob Lamm) !!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Chicago - Live By Request
Review: Fantastic DVD!!! I taped the show last year & have watched it dozens of times. As soon as I saw it was available on DVD, I ordered it. As a sound tech for over 35 years and as a drummer, I know this performance and the audio balance are not "perfect" (no "live" performance ever is). But a live performance shows the group's personalities that a studio recording never can show. This program does it very, very well. It's obvious that the members, especially the orignal four, enjoy what they're doing and enjoy doing it with each other (even after 35 years together). While I liked Chicago's music before, after I saw the show, I became a FAN. If anyone in a band wants to emulate how a band looks and works onstage, this is the video to study.
Rating:
Summary: Chicago - Live By Request
Review: Fantastic DVD!!! I taped the show last year & have watched it dozens of times. As soon as I saw it was available on DVD, I ordered it. As a sound tech for over 35 years and as a drummer, I know this performance and the audio balance are not "perfect" (no "live" performance ever is). But a live performance shows the group's personalities that a studio recording never can show. This program does it very, very well. It's obvious that the members, especially the orignal four, enjoy what they're doing and enjoy doing it with each other (even after 35 years together). While I liked Chicago's music before, after I saw the show, I became a FAN. If anyone in a band wants to emulate how a band looks and works onstage, this is the video to study.
Rating:
Summary: I want 70's Chicago.
Review: First of all ,I haven't heard anybody sound like Terry Kath.This guy Bill Champlin does a terrible job trying to sound like T. Kath.I mean ,he's really bad.Other than that this is a pretty good concert.These new guys don't sound better than Peter Cetera,but they do a good job.P.Cetera was a underrated bass player on those first couple of albums,and Danny Seraphine was one of my favourite drummers.This DVD is worth the money though.On certain songs it's very enjoyable but I guess I'll have to wait for some vintage 70's Chicago.
Rating:
Summary: Champlin is the best
Review: For us Australians who up until February 2004 had been deprived of seeing Chicago live for 25 years this dvd is a ripper.Not as good sound wise as the Soundstage concert but hey it does have 'Old Days on it and that has to be a plus.
Oh and by the way Bill Champlin is just a breath of fresh air every song he sings he adds a new nuance too. I defy anyone to say his versions of "Make Me Smile' and Free' are inferior to what has gone before.How about listening without prejudice for a change people.I also love the way all the guys seem to be having a great time and after what 37 odd years still give the fans what they want.Buy this and the 'Soundstage concert'DVD and as 'Letterman' would say 'That's all you need right there'
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