Full Circle isn't not so much about a CD than it is a story of a certain musician's redemptive long journey back from personal tragedies. And his new band is a musical group led by a man who sought to provide a willing public the soulful, energetic free wheeling style of seventies rock that's missing so much on the music scene today; the kind of music this man was smack dab in the middle of during those salad days of adventurous rock.
Forty years ago this past February, the band briefly named the Chicago Transit Authority but shortly afterwards became known as simply Chicago was formed with Danny Seraphine as its drummer. Twenty-three years later, Seraphine was sacked by the band. Seveteen years later, Seraphine is back.
As a long time, founding member of Chicago, Seraphine wasn't a major songwriter, wasn't a lead vocalist, and he wasn't in that vaunted horn section. In other words, he rarely got the spotlight that the rest of the band enjoyed. But drumming enthusiasts and close followers of the original band are well aware of his phenomenal, even pioneering skills. Many of Chicago's early songs, including some of their hits, featured loads of odd and shifting time signatures that would have frustrated most rock drummers. Seraphine made it all look easy. But as the hard-rockin' adventurous crew morphed into safe-as-milk, slick balladry by the eighties, Seraphine's role became less and less challenging. It's hard to say for sure if Danny lost his chops or just lost interest, but by 1990 the rest of the band evidently thought he didn't fit anymore.
For roughly the next fifteen years, Seraphine first endured legal battles with his old band and a divorce before settling into a quiet life in Colorado. The royalty checks from all those years in Chicago allowed for a comfortable existence skiing and flyfishing. But he was eventually persuaded by a friend, keyboardist Peter Fish to return to music again. Woodshedding on his own and through a few lessons by big band star Joe Porcaro (Jeff's dad), Danny regained his prowess and started playing in jam sessions and benefits concerts. Gradually, he picked up other players until he was encouraged by audience feedback and friends to form a band full time and formally re-enter the music profession.
Article comments
1 - Mark Saleski
great stuff Pico. i've gotta get this cd. i was a big fan of early Chicago. it didn't get great reviews but i always loved the power in that Carnegie Hall concert record.
from the samples on their site, it sounds like they've come up with some pretty cool reworkings of the early material.
2 - Pico
Yes, the reworkings for the most part were done so that they sounded familiar enough for those who liked the originals while offering a little extra twist to make it interesting. I liked that neither Braggs nor Bonilla tried too hard to sound like Cetera or Kath knockoffs, they focused more on being themselves.
I've read a few accounts from people who've seen this band live; they all say that CTA puts on a great show, and Danny's chops are just about as good as ever.
3 - Chuck Anthony
CTA, the original still one of my favorite rock albums and Danny Seraphine is in large part the reason. Often wondered what happened to him so thanks, Pico for writing the article. Would like to see a "return" of CTA to the windy city for a live performance.
4 - Pico
Thanks, Chuck. CTA was playing in Chicago just last week (Danny's first live performance there in over 17 years). They were at Taylor St. just last Friday.
He also played at a Borders there, too, the day before. If you search Youtube for "california transit authority" you'll find a bunch of videos from that in-store performance.
5 - Chuck Anthony
Can't believe I missed it. I know a few old timers from these parts who would've enjoyed it as well. Will share the info though. Thanks again for the heads up.
6 - Pico
I finally found where you can order the physical CD itself if you're not hip on downloading it from iTunes, Rhapsody, etc:
Borders exclusive
7 - Mark Saleski
hey, are you saying that i'm not hip?!
ok, i'm not. it's true.
8 - Mark Saleski
ok, i picked this cd up last night, and it totally rocks. really love the reimaginings of the tunes, even ones that i was sure were gong to fail..."Colour My World" being the prime candidate.
9 - Pico
I totally agree, Mark; CTA managed to give these old tunes fresh remakings while retaining the spirit of the originals. It's a fine balancing act that they pulled off and that's what make this CD a success.
10 - Mark Saleski
...that, and it's just fun to play REALLY LOUD!!