CD Review: 'Full Circle' - California Transit Authority (CTA)

by Tom Watson.

Full Circle, a debut album from the recently formed California Transit Authority, features, among its 13 tracks, nine covers of songs made famous by the group Chicago in its early jazz-rock years (1969 - 1972). California Transit Authority, also known as CTA, includes Danny Seraphine, the original drummer with Chicago, guitarist Marc Bonilla, vocalist Larry Braggs (Tower of Power), Mick Mahan on bass (Sophie B. Hawkins), six-time Emmy winning keyboardist Peter Fish, Edward Harris Roth (Coolio) on keyboards, and conga player Walter Rodriguez who joined CTA after the recording of Full Circle.

Thanks to bands such as The Electric Flag, Sly and the Family Stone, Blood, Sweat and Tears, and Buddy Miles Express/Buddy Miles Freedom Express, the late '60s and early '70s blossomed into a heyday for the big-band-rock-jazz sound, which no group took to greater heights than The Chicago Transit Authority, also known simply as CTA. Formed in 1967, the original CTA consisted of Terry Kath (guitar, vocals), Danny Seraphine (drums), Peter Cetera (bass, vocals), Robert Lamm (keyboards, vocals), Walter Parazaider (saxophone, woodwinds, vocals), James Pankow, (trombone), and Lee Loughnane (trumpet, vocals). Though, of course, originally from Chicago, they moved to Los Angeles in 1968 and the next year saw the release of their self-titled debut album. Soon after, the group was renamed Chicago, the result of legal threats from the city of Chicago's official Chicago Transit Authority.

Danny Seraphine served as Chicago's drummer for 23 years until ousted in 1990. A 17-year hiatus followed, until his friend, keyboardist Peter Fish, persuaded him to play again, telling Seraphine, "Before I die I'd like to be in a band with Danny Seraphine." Seraphine then met guitarist Marc Bonilla at a jam session, the two clicked, and California Transit Authority was soon formed with Seraphine, Bonilla, Fish, and several musicians (listed above) Bonilla had worked with on other projects.

While the album title no doubt refers to Seraphine's return to some of the songs that helped launch the Chicago legacy, from a listener's standpoint, Full Circle is primarily about guitarist Marc Bonilla. Chicago's original guitarist, Terry Kath, who passed away in 1978, is recognized as one of the finest players ever, so any project like this is bound to put the guitarist to the test. Bonilla, who is also responsible for a good portion of the arranging, passes with flying colors. While there are Kath tribute moments on some tracks where Bonilla produces tones similar to Kath's and includes several key phrases from Kath solos, Bonilla has his own bag of tricks that should more than satisfy most Kath fans.

Devotees of the early Chicago catalog will debate the inclusion of some tracks and the omission of others, but considering the large amount of quality material The Chicago Transit Authority/Chicago recorded in the first four years (1969-1972) of their studio career, it would be impossible to please everyone. California Transit Authority is not a tribute band. Their goal was not to re-visit, but to re-vitalize a sampling from the early albums, most likely hoping to introduce this body of work to new listeners who may be more familiar with the last 25 or so albums released by Chicago.

The album contains three instrumentals: "Something Different," "Make Me Smile,", and "Antonio's Love Jungle." "Something Different," written by Chuck Mangione and originally recorded by Cannonball Aderley, is the album opener. It's a Marc Bonilla arrangement, and features his excellent guitar work - his style is an ideal match for a horn section. The first track is followed by "Introduction" from The Chicago Transit Authority. Those familiar with late '60s through mid-'70s jazz-rock horn band live performances will recognize something when they hear the first two numbers - they work together as an extended introduction. Bands like this would often open with an instrumental to let the players warm up, especially the horn players. If it was the first set of the night, it took a few songs before the audience would get up and dance, so this was the perfect time to play some energetic "listening music." On the second number, "Introduction", the vocalist takes the stage, introduces the band (as a whole), and the party starts in earnest.

The instrumental version of "Make Me Smile" on Full Circle should appeal to guitar fans. It's patterned after the extended album version of "Make Me Smile" that included an excellent Kath guitar solo not heard on the shortened radio version. "Antonio's Love Jungle," a Marc Bonilla original, features a drum solo by Seraphine that will leave you wondering how he was able to get back in the saddle so quickly after a 17-year lull.

Full Circle includes two more non-Chicago tracks: "Several Thousand" and "Dreams." The first is a pleasant stroll with an early-Chicago-like arrangement and smooth singing from guest vocalist Wes Quave. "Dreams" is a welcomed surprise inclusion. Written by Gregg Allman (it appears on the Allman Brothers 1969 self-titled debut album), the version presented here is patterned after the Buddy Miles arrangement recorded on Miles' 1970 album, Them Changes. If Full Circle is primarily about Marc Bonilla, ample credit must also be given to singer Larry Braggs whose voice does justice to both original Chicago members and the legendary Buddy Miles.

Three more special guests appear on Full Circle. Sheila E. (timbales) and Alex Acuna (congas) join the band for a rousing version of "I'm A Man" that features an organ solo by Keith Emerson (Emerson, Lake & Palmer).

Overall, Full Circle is a great listen for jazz-rockish-electric guitar fans. Bonilla shines. So do the vocals of Larry Braggs and Seraphine certainly doesn't miss a beat despite the hiatus. If you are able to catch the band in concert, don't expect a live horn section. Odds are the horn parts will be delivered by keyboard synths and Bonilla, who's very talented at replacing horn parts with his guitar. Will California Transit Authority extend beyond this first release? Probably depends upon the success of Full Circle and how much they continue to enjoy working together. Since there's no official State of California Transit Authority, at least they won't have to go through the hassle of changing their name to California.

Track Listing
Something Different (instrumental)
Introduction (original appears on The Chicago Transit Authority)
South California Purples (original appears on The Chicago Transit Authority)
Make Me Smile (instrumental) (original appears on Chicago, also known as Chicago II)
Several Thousand
Dreams
West Virginia Fantasies (original appears on Chicago, also known as Chicago II)
Colour My World (original appears on Chicago, also known as Chicago II)
Happy Cause I'm Going Home (original appears on Chicago III)
Mississippi Delta Blues (original appears on Chicago V*)
Antonio's Love Jungle (instrumental)
I'm a Man (original Chicago version appears on The Chicago Transit Authority - a cover of the Steve Winwood/Jimmy Miller song made famous by The Spencer Davis Group)
Bonus Track: 25 or 6 to 4 (live) (original appears on Chicago, also known as Chicago II)

Full Circle release date: August 14, 2007. Available through Borders, iTunes, Rhapsody, Napster, and E-Music.

[*Note: Modern Guitars reader Ron Neville has pointed out that while a rough studio version of "Mississippi Delta City Blues" appears on the Rhino Records CD reissue of Chicago V as a bonus track, it did not appear on the Columbia Records vinyl Chicago V release in 1972. A live version of the song is on the 1972 album Chicago Live in Japan, but the first full studio version of the song is on 1977's Chicago XI. Note added August 8, 2007]

Related Links
California Transit Authority website
California Transit Authority on MySpace

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