From London to Chicago

It’s incredible how time slips away and before you know it a year has gone by between visits with two of your favourite people. That’s where hubby and I found ourselves when BFF Erin and AFL (amazing friend for life) Rob floated the idea of the two of us coming up for a weekend to see Chicago at Casino Rama. 

That would have been quite enough but we also had reservations at Rama’s wonderful St. Germain Steakhouse and Erin and I had a spa afternoon planned to boot. Waking up in their peaceful, pristine bit of lakeside paradise north of Toronto is a gorgeous getaway by itself. We don’t take its special calm and beauty for granted and neither do they.

On Friday night we enjoyed an amazing fondue.  I couldn’t remember trying fondue as a kid, in fact, I was sure we fon-didn’t, but my Mom says we did, so I guess I just don’t remember. This week I will buy a fondue pot and a dinner-as-an-event will occur in our home in the very near future. I had to limit to three my intake of big marshmallows dipped in melted Toblerone chocolate mixed with Eagle Brand condensed chocolate/caramel sauce or I would still be there, eating them. I can’t remember tasting anything so delightful! We also watched Dallas Buyers Club and considering its Oscar wins last night, I’m very glad we did.  McConaughey’S and Leto’s performances were incredible.

On Saturday after an amazing facial during which I dozed off twice, and a pedicure that gave me pretty, purple toes, we were off to the casino.

We had pre-show backstage passes to meet the band but it wasn’t meant to be.  St. Germain’s was packed and as some people were taking their seats in the concert venue, we were finally being served dinner and chewing quickly.  For a while there I thought I might have to take my food on the run as a pocket meal, into the show!  The lights went down 30 seconds after we took our seats. We couldn’t have timed it better.

Chicago is a distinctive band, not only because of its sheer size (9 members) and its horn section, but because it has evolved over the years and still managed to stay relevant. They began with horn-heavy rock fusion in the late 1960s, morphed into an Adult Contemporary favourite when Peter Cetera joined in the 80s and managed to replace him quite handily and carry on ever since. The band hired then-twenty-three year old Jason Scheff to replace Cetera and play bass. The lead guitarist, Keith Howland, is a laid-back guy who signed on in 1995 and is still considered “the new guy”.  They have a new album coming out, possibly two.

Chicago had the second-most chart hits in the ’70s and ’80s among American bands. (The Beach Boys were first.) I couldn’t have named an original member but I know them by their voices. They further confused me by titling every album numerically. I could never remember whether a song was on Chicago 7, Chicago 9 or Chicago 23.

Robert Lamm is the only remaining original vocalist and one of four members who have remained with the band.  There’s something subtle about the way Lamm carries himself that makes him appear to be the leader.  However, trombone player James Pankow, a quirky and crazily talented, little, grey-haired man, also seems to share some of the bandleader load. Pankow rocks out like no one I’ve ever seen. He points at the air and carries on a silent conversation unrelated to the song’s lyrics while bopping around non-stop.   Then he aims his trombone and blows it flawlessly.

I got my first goosebumps during the group vocals on I’ve Been Searchin’ So Long. The harmonies were electrifying.  Even with a song catalogue as deep as theirs, they didn’t miss a thing.  25 or 6 to 4. Old Days. Color My World. Beginnings.  Question 67 and 68. Does Anybody Really Know What Time it Is. Saturday in the Park.  I’m A Man. Plus all of the 80’s hits. It was the fastest 2 hours and fifteen minutes I’ve ever spent.

A weekend with the most thoughtful, easygoing friends imaginable, amazing music and food and a safe trip there and back.  Nothing tops it!