Happy Holidays from SMI and Classic Vinyl Of The Week

I hope that each and every one of you are enjoying a happy holiday season, whether it be Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa or whatever it is you choose to celebrate. What you chose to celebrate is not as important as who you chose to celebrate with. Whether it be friends or family, it does not matter. What is important is you are with folks that matter to you and those that you matter to.

The holidays can be tough for some folks that are away from loved ones or for folks that have suffered loss. As for me, I try to take this time to reflect on those that I lost and miss dearly. Most importantly, I try to take the time to count my blessings and appreciate what I do have.

I feel blessed for the people that I have in my life. I am equally blessed to be surrounded by amazing music from artists from the Northwest and beyond. Our region is so gifted with some of the best talent anywhere across the globe. I have stacks of CD’s and files of MP3’s that I have not even listened to yet. I will make sure to carve out time in the new year to listen.

Speaking of music, check out the photo above. My fiancé and her kids gave me this wonderful gift. There is nothing like picking up a vinyl record, putting it on the turn table and listening to the crackle right before the needle hits the music. Sure it does not match the convenience of digital downloads but the sound and feel is unmatched.

Along with the cool retro looking turntable, I got a copy of Chicago Transit Authority’s first record, perhaps some of their best work ever. The record features classics such as “Does Anybody Really Know What Time it is?” “Beginnings” and “I’m A Man” I had the opportunity to interview drummer Danny Seraphine this past fall and chat with him about the working with CTA.

They along with The Ides of March, Blood Sweat and Tears and Tower of Power were some of the first bands in the late 60’s to fuse rock and sophisticated horn arrangements. Chicago Transit Authority sound was courtesy of the trademark horn arrangements of James Pankow, Lee Loughnane and Walter Parazaider. The band also featured the amazing vocal harmonies of bassist Peter Cetera, keyboardist Robert Lamm and bluesy vocal stylings and guitar work from the late and great Terry Kath. 

The first CTA record is brilliantly crafted and innovative. It is the type of record that is just made for vinyl. In the new year I plan to feature some classic vinyl right here. Stay tuned for more!

In the meantime, I invite you to check out some of the songs of Chicago and my interview with drummer Danny Seraphine and some of the great music from this classic and amazing piece of musical work, Chicago Transit Authority.

Not only is he a multi-media journalist, he is also an accomplished musician. He is the founder of SMI and drives the creative look, feel and branding for the publication. His years of writing, arranging, and performing live music in a variety of genres inform his ability to communicate the message and the mechanics of music. Roth’s work on SMI reflects his philosophy that music is the universal language, and builds community. He believes it has the power to unite people of every race, religion, gender, and persuasion.