My favourite song of Summer 2014

During the summer, Chicago, one of my favourite bands, released their 36th album, Now (aka Chicago XXXVI). The title track became my favourite song over the summer. The song connects deeply with me, and I take its message to my heart and mind. I listen to it often, because I wish to apply its message to my life every single day.

Though Chicago's newer songs get less attention than their older material, I believe "Now" blends in well alongside their classic '70s and '80s hits. If you listen to this song 'now' you'll understand what I mean.

Chicago must be doing something right since their music continues to be enjoyed by fans old and new. They still record and tour frequently. I like how Chicago sounds... now.

My trip to Indianapolis

This summer I took a road trip to the USA. The main reason was to attend a conference in Indianapolis for people living with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), or brittle bones. It was my third conference with the Maryland-based Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation. 

My trip actually began in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where my parents and I spent the night before going to Chicago, Illinois. The most notable thing about Kalamazoo is that it is mentioned in a famous big band song by Glenn Miller, called “I’ve Got a Gal in Kalamazoo.” Needless to say, I did not get a gal in Kalamazoo. I did however have a good meal at Applebee’s and a restful night’s sleep at the hotel we stayed at.

The following day we drove to the north side of Chicago for a baseball game between the Cubs and the Colorado Rockies. The game was played at the historic Wrigley Field. At 100 years old this year, Wrigley is one of the last of the old ballparks still standing. I enjoyed the experience of being at Wrigley Field. It was a dream come true for me to watch a game there, and right at centre field. Wrigley is accessible as can be, despite the fact that it is old and not designed for accessibility. All visitors with disabilities require assistance getting on and off the lifts, because they cannot be operated easily.

What I liked most about Wrigley Field, aside from seeing a baseball game, was the friendly staff. They were eager to help anyone, and didn’t hesitate to greet people with a wave and a smile. The Cubs won the game 4-2.

Donald inside Wrigley Field in Chicago

Getting in and out of Chicago wasn’t as fun due to bridge congestion on the south side. It was worth seeing Chicago again for the second time in my life. The long waits in and out of the city were worth it.

Late that night we arrived in Indiana. The conference began the following day, a Friday. At the opening address, the guest speaker said Indianapolis is one of the most accessible and disability-friendly cities in America. I put that theory to the test throughout that weekend.

A few hours before the conference started, I went on one of the city’s buses operated by the IndyGo transportation service. I wanted to explore the city by venturing outside of the downtown area where our hotel was located. IndyGo requires all wheelchair users to be tied down when boarding a bus. That was the best part of going on one of their buses. The worst part of the ride was making frequent stops on a ride that should have only been 20 minutes long. I decided instead to go back to the hotel. What I discovered, however, was that some of the streets do not have sidewalks. This made crossing the road dangerous and scary. Fortunately some kind residents guided me along to the other side of the street. I arrived back to the hotel safely by bus.

I love going to OI Foundation conferences because it keeps me updated on the latest research on OI, and also gives me a chance to reconnect with other people who live with this condition. It also provides opportunities to meet new people with OI and their families. It is estimated that this year’s conference drew in 800 participants. Though most of them were from the U.S, there were other people from Canada who attended. I also learned there were visitors from England, Denmark and Norway, giving the conference some international representation.

One of the highlights for me was meeting Robby Novak, better known to the world as the Kid President. He’s a 10-year-old boy from Tennessee who posts inspirational pep talks in a series of videos on YouTube and Facebook. He is just as lively and energetic as he presents himself in his videos. When I met him, I let him know I am a fan. (Robby, along with his sister Lexi, has OI.)

Donald meets the Kid President

In-between conference events I explored some of downtown Indianapolis. This included a unique bike and pedestrian pathway at a park across from the hotel. The Indianapolis Cultural Trail is eight miles long, and promotes accessibility to people with disabilities by including the wheelchair symbol along its paths. The pathways opened to the public in May 2013. 

One of these paths leads into the White River State Park. This park includes several attractions, one of which is the National College Athletic Association (NCAA) Headquarters and Hall of Fame. We stopped in briefly to look around, but didn’t stay for any tours. It is an impressive-looking building I think most sports fanatics will enjoy.

We took in a baseball game between the Indianapolis Indians and the Toledo Mud Hens. The OI Foundation sponsored the game played at Victory Field. A bonus that evening was getting to see the visiting San Diego Chicken, the Padres’ mascot! This popular major league mascot visits several minor league ballparks during the baseball season, with Victory Field being one of his favourites. The game went into 10 innings. Fortunately the Indianapolis team won 4-3!

Does this former Indy ballplayer wear his sunglasses at night?

The conference concluded with an awards dinner and dance. The foundation also announced that the next conference will take place in Orlando in 2016. I hope I can make it to that one.

As for my informal assessment of Indianapolis as a disability-friendly city, I believe it is a welcoming and inclusive city. The people I met were all friendly and I sense that the city has applied the Americans with Disabilities Act effectively, with more improvements to come. Though it has some shortcomings, particularly with the absence of some much-needed sidewalks, Indianapolis is impressive overall. I’m glad the OI Foundation picked it as the site for its 2014 conference.

Roger Ebert's Best Movies of Each Year

A couple of days ago I came across a list of all the films Roger Ebert picked as the best for each year he worked as film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times. Ebert was with the Chicago newspaper for nearly 47 years. Of the 46 films listed, I've seen about 10 of them. If there is anything I've learned from Mr. Ebert, it's that I need to start watching more five-star movies.

Here's the list I copied from the article titled, Roger Ebert's Favorite Movies:

1967 Bonnie and Clyde
1968 The Battle of Algiers
1969 Z
1970 Five Easy Pieces
1971 The Last Picture Show
1972 The Godfather
1973 Cries and Whispers
1974 Scenes From a Marriage
1975 Nashville
1976 Small Change
1977 3 Women
1978 An Unmarried Woman
1979 Apocalypse Now
1980 The Black Stallion
1981 My Dinner with Andre
1982 Sophie's Choice
1983 The Right Stuff
1984 Amadeus
1985 The Color Purple
1986 Platoon
1987 House of Games
1988 Mississippi Burning
1989 Do the Right Thing
1990 Goodfellas
1991 JFK
1992 Malcolm X
1993 Schindler's List
1994 Hoop Dreams
1995 Leaving Las Vegas
1996 Fargo
1997 Eve's Bayou
1998 Dark City
1999 Being John Malkovich
2000 Almost Famous
2001 Monster's Ball
2002 Minority Report
2003 Monster
2004 Million Dollar Baby
2005 Crash
2006 Pan's Labyrinth
2007 Juno
2008 Synechdoche, New York
2009 The Hurt Locker
2010 The Social Network
2011 A Separation
2012 Argo

Here's my pick for Chicago's WORST album cover (even the band agrees)

Chicago XIV (1980) - Fingerprint

My 10 favourite songs by Chicago

"Beginnings" (from Chicago Transit Authority, 1969)

Robert Lamm wrote and sung this ballad for their first album. He writes in the liner notes to The Best of Chicago (2007) that it came about after hearing Richie Havens play in a club one night. Robert was so taken with the acoustic guitar sound that it motivated him to write lyrics to a song that didn't rhyme. I believe it resulted in one of the group's most affecting love songs. "Beginnings" topped Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart when reissued in 1971.

"Make Me Smile" (from Chicago, aka Chicago II, 1970)

Sung by their late, great guitarist Terry Kath, it is the first movement of the epic "Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon" piece composed by their trombonist, James Pankow. The version most people are probably familiar with is the edited single version, which I like just as much as the longer album track. "Make Me Smile" became Chicago's first major hit, peaking at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970.

"25 or 6 to 4" (from Chicago, aka Chicago II, 1970)

I think most people who listen to rock music know this song. Robert wrote this song about writing a song. Though Peter Cetera sings lead, Terry lends a lengthy guitar solo that makes it a classic. Chicago re-recorded "25 or 6 to 4" (sans Terry and Peter) in 1986 (for Chicago 18) and 2009. The original reached #4 on Billboard in 1970.

"Saturday in the Park" (from Chicago V, 1972)

Written and sung by Robert, the park in question is Central Park in New York City. He wrote it based on the images he filmed of people in the park. Its euphoric nature makes it easy to understand why it gets performed at all of their concerts. The crowd goes wild every time it's performed!

"Feelin' Stronger Every Day" (from Chicago VI, 1973)

Peter and James composed this uplifting rocker for their sixth album. The second half of the song is very catchy and it always leaves me feeling joyful, even when I’m down.

"(I've Been) Searchin' So Long" (from Chicago VII, 1974)

I think this song represents one of their most spiritual moments on record. James wrote it to describe the inner peace he felt at the time. I have a hunch they all felt the same way collectively, since they were churning out one hit album and single after another during their mid-70s peak.

"If You Leave Me Now" (from Chicago X, 1976)

This is the monster ballad in Chicago’s catalogue that put them on the map internationally, so to speak. This last-minute addition to their 10th album propelled Peter and the group to gain a wider audience, and eventually led their transition from album-oriented rock to the adult contemporary market. The song topped charts in several countries, including the US, Canada, the UK and Australia.

"Hard Habit to Break" (from Chicago 17, 1984)

This very dramatic ballad is one that I think a lot of people can relate to. Peter and Bill Champlin each give soulful and heartfelt deliveries in a song composed by outside writers. Incidentally, their 17th album is Peter’s last before going solo full-time.

"If She Would Have Been Faithful..." (from Chicago 18, 1986)

One of the more original-sounding love songs I’ve heard, it is performed by Bill and Jason Scheff, the tenor singer and bass player who replaced Peter in 1985. The song has irony in that the title suggests it's going to be melancholy, when it's really about a guy celebrating the new love he found. It therefore makes the break-up of his previous relationship a blessing in disguise.

"Love Will Come Back" (from Chicago XXX, 2006)

I love this song which barely got noticed when released in 2006. The original version from their 30th album features a guest appearance from country group Rascal Flatts. Though it is good, the version I like more is the one with Chicago by themselves. You can find this recording on The Best of Chicago: 40th Anniversary Edition, album XXXI (31) in their official canon.

My 10 favourite Chicago album covers

Chicago, one of my favourite bands, is known for incorporating rock with jazz-influenced horn sounds, making their music very distinctive. They are also known for their iconic logo and their artistic-looking album covers. They have released 34 albums since their formation in 1967. Here are my 10 favourite Chicago album covers.

Chicago V (1972) - Carved Wood

Chicago VI (1973) - Engraved Bill

 Chicago IX: Chicago's Greatest Hits (1975) - Painted Billboard

Chicago X (1976) - Chocolate Bar

Chicago XI (1977) - Map of Chicago

Chicago 19 (1988) - Modern Painting

Chicago 25: The Christmas Album (1998) - Christmas Wreath

The Best of Chicago: 40th Anniversary Edition, aka Chicago XXXI (2007) - Red Wax Seal

Chicago XXXII: Stone of Sisyphus (2008) - Chiseled out of stone boulder

Chicago XXXIV: Live in '75 (2011) - Sun & Clouds special logo

My favourite Chicago songs with Terry Kath

Terry Kath (1946-1978)

Terry Kath was the original guitarist of Chicago, one of my all-time favourite bands. It was 34 years ago today that the world lost one of rock's greatest musicians, singers and bandleaders in a freakish accident. He performed on the group's first 11 albums between 1969 and 1977.

Here are some of my favourite Terry Kath moments with Chicago:

"I'm a Man" (from Chicago Transit Authority, 1969)

The guys take a classic Steve Winwood/Spencer Davis Group tune and make it completely their own. Terry makes it sound almost like heavy metal with his aggressive guitar solos, combined with Danny Seraphine's frantic drumming. It also provides a rare opportunity to hear Terry share a lead vocal with fellow leads Peter Cetera and Robert Lamm.


"South California Purples" (from Chicago Transit Authority, 1969)

Written and sung by Robert, what makes this avant-garde piece stand out for me is Terry's guitar riffs. It even includes a quote from the Beatles' "I Am the Walrus" near the end.

"Make Me Smile" (from Chicago, aka Chicago II, 1970)

This is without a doubt one of my all-time favourite Chicago songs. Sung by Terry, it is the first movement of the epic "Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon" piece (it's also home to the classic "Colour My World"). The version most people are probably familiar with is the edited single version, which I like just as much as the longer album track. "Make Me Smile" became Chicago's first major hit, peaking at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100.

"25 or 6 to 4" (from Chicago, aka Chicago II, 1970)

I think most people who listen to rock music know this song. Though Peter sings lead, Terry lends a lengthy guitar solo during the instrumental break that makes the song a classic. If you aren't familiar with this song, I recommend you hear it in all its glory from the album itself. It's better than the edited single version because it cuts out most of the guitar solo.

"Dialogue, Parts 1 & 2" (from Chicago V, 1972)

The song consists of a musical social/political debate between Terry and Peter that ends in a celebratory chant ("We can make it happen"). Terry's singing and guitar playing keep the momentum chugging along.

"Byblos" (from Chicago VII, 1974)

Terry wrote and sang this intriguing story about an encounter he had with a woman at a club called Byblos. This allegedly occurred while the band was in Tokyo. I consider this track to be one of Chicago's greatest non-hits.

"Oh, Thank You Great Spirit" (from Chicago VIII, 1975)

This is Terry's homage to Jimi Hendrix, who was one of his major influences. Hendrix toured with Chicago in 1969, and told Terry personally that he played the guitar better than him.

"Hope For Love" (from Chicago X, 1976)

One of Terry's tender and haunting ballads, he sings it with deep passion and conviction that evokes some of Ray Charles' soulful numbers. You can hear the Ray Charles influence rub off on Terry in this recording.

"Mississippi Delta City Blues" (from Chicago XI, 1977)

Originally performed live during Chicago's concerts in 1972, Terry took this song to the studio for their 11th album. It is a rocker that opens the album, which sadly would be his last. An early demo version of this song is available as a bonus track on Rhino's 2002 reissue of Chicago V.

"Little One" (from Chicago XI, 1977)

The closing number from the same album acts as a bookend to it. Written by Danny for his two young daughters, I used to believe that it was written for Terry to sing to his one daughter. It is a beautiful song, though it sometimes makes for an emotional listen knowing that it was one of the last songs he ever recorded. He died about four months after the album's release, just one week shy of his 32nd birthday.

Honourable mentions: "Free Form Guitar" (from CTA), "Colour My World," "In the Country" (both from Chicago II), "Wishin' You Were Here" (from Chicago VII) and "Tell Me" (solo recording from the 1973 film Electra Glide in Blue).

Last week I read exciting news that his daughter Michelle has received enough donations from fans to work on a documentary film about her father's life. It is tentatively titled Searching for Terry. Hopefully it will finally give Terry his place as one of rock's greatest performers.