Anybody like Peter Cetera?

[Skel]

I don't know when the last time he played with "Chicago" is, but I always considered Peter Cetera kind of America's version of Paul McCartney. The tenor voice, walking bass lines - this guy was/is a great bass player, IMHO.

I guess he played Precisions in "Chicago" and he's a finger style bassist?

Skel

[DWBass]

Classic voice! Not the greatest bass player but was a great fit for Chicago and many of their their early hits had him playing bass and singing lead! His voice and penchant for harmonies are divine!

[Skel]

I googled him and he has a website - after reading some stuff, I realized guys like him spend about half their day in legal battles. I assume over royalties.

[ryco]

Yeah - good player, GREAT voice. I thought he and Seraphine had a nice thing going. Liked the first three albums.

[James Hart]

Heck Yeah

I Realize Some May Laugh, But...

[burk48237]

Most definitely one of my earliest influences. Check out his playing on Chicago V, especially the tune Dialog.

[Skel]

Originally Posted by burk48237

Most definitely one of my earliest influences. Check out his playing on Chicago V, especially the tune Dialog.

Ok - gladly. Chicago rocked...I don't care what anybody says - the horns, vocals - gobs of talent there. I think they actually did some shows with Hendrix, believe it or not.

Skel

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by Skel

I don't know when the last time he played with "Chicago" is, but I always considered Peter Cetera kind of America's version of Paul McCartney. The tenor voice, walking bass lines - this guy was/is a great bass player, IMHO.

I can see that. A solid, effective bassist. An excellent vocalist, with fine songwriting chops. A well-developed pop music sensibility. He's an all-around superb musician...

For whatever reason, I appreciate Chicago so much more now than I did 30+ years ago when they were on the charts and all over the radio dial. Maybe because I've matured enough to "grow into" their sound. And I grew up on the shore of Lake Michigan, just about a four-hour drive due north from Chicago. So they were almost kind of a "local" band for me and mine...

MM

[Turock]

The early Chicago stuff (wth Kath and Cetera) rocked as hard as anybody, then they got sappy.

[JimK]

Originally Posted by Turock

The early Chicago stuff (wth Kath and Cetera) rocked as hard as anybody, then they got sappy.

Enter David Foster as producer/writer.

Others that got Foster-ized-
Average White Band
Earth, Wind, & Fire
Al Jarreau
George Benson

[JimK]

Originally Posted by DWBass

Not the greatest bass player...

Maybe so, but-
The 45rpm versions had some tasty & creative playing; the extended versions of the hits had some 'jamming'; the album cuts go in & out of Rock, Latin, Funk, R&B, Jazz, Blues, etc.
Check out "Free"...a pretty short tune/workout that smacks of Jamerson & Rocco. Crazy intro with the doublestops, too.

Also, one of my favourite Cetera nuggets is "Brand New Love Affair, Parts 1 & 2" from VIII.

'Sfunny-
When I first started getting into Jazz & was reading Downbeat over Circus...a Critic's Poll had the "Best" bassists listed. At the time('75?), I only recognized these 3 names on a list that read like a Who's Who of Jazz bass-
Cetera, Chris Squire, & Jimmy Fielder!

[Billy Low]

Originally Posted by JimK

Enter David Foster as producer/writer.

Others that got Foster-ized-
Average White Band
Earth, Wind, & Fire
Al Jarreau
George Benson

At what point were each of them Foster-ized?

[JimK]

AWB-
Funny you ask, l I just received Shine in the mail today...I'm a total AWB-geek, otherwise, I woulda been content with the LP.

EW&F-
...about the time "After The Love Has Gone" charted. Great song, though, the raw Funk of EW&F was history.

Jarreau-
I'm reaching here...the album after Jarreau?

George Benson-
Remember "Turn Your Love Around"?

It's not that the tunes/production are 'bad'('cause believe me, there was a time I really dug 'em)...it's just too much gloss.
It could be a matter of taste, I just think each of the above artists/bands lost a lot of their own creative control with Foster as producer.

[JimK]

Originally Posted by Skel

I guess he played Precisions in "Chicago" and he's a finger style bassist?

I have pictures of him playing a wood P-bass with fingers...I'm pretty sure he also used Gibson basses(EB-something or other & a Ripper), too.
...and he also played with a pick on certain tunes.

[WJGreer]

Absolutely. Cetera was great in Chicago.

[Skel]

Originally Posted by WJGreer

Absolutely. Cetera was great in Chicago.

Anybody know if "Chicago" is still performing at all, and when the last time Cetera played with them?

Skel

[cetera]

There's a reason I have him as my 'screenname'... he rocked hard!

For me I would list him along with Jamerson and McCartney as one of the three most inventive, soulful and melodic bassists in 'popular music'. His sense of groove, harmony and melodic interplay was second to none. Check out any of the '70's Chicago albums to understand....

And that voice.... wow!

[mariner]

I don't think Cetera has been with Chicago since the late 80's, early 90's. I think I saw them in 94 and the new guy was singing and playing bass. His name escapes me.

[JimK]

The 'new guy' is Jason Scheff...he's been with Chicago for probably close to 20 years now(his tenure as the bassist in Chicago's is now longer than Cetera's?).
Scheff, in his own right, is a very, very good player & vocalist. His dad is Jerry Scheff(played with Elvis & played the basslines on The Doors' LA Woman).

[JimK]

Originally Posted by Skel

Anybody know if "Chicago" is still performing at all...

Chicago is still playing(sometimes sharing a bill with EW&F).

The only 'original' members are the 3 horn players + keyboardist Robert Lamm.