Photos provided by WTTW Chicago/ Bill Richert

The time has finally come for the latest season of PBS’ “Soundstage” to launch, and for those tuning in on WTTW Chicago especially, there’s no better place than to start than the band Chicago taped right here in town at Grainger Studio. Though it’s not the only instance when the longstanding horn rockers appear on the cherished series, the April 5 debut airing of the current installment stands in a class entirely its own.

If anything, catching Chicago deliver the album in its entire form draws extra attention to the glossy horn section’s seamless interaction with the gritty guitar stylings of the late Terry Kath, who is surely shining down in spirit on the more aggressive suite “It Better End Soon” and the snarling “25 Or 6 To 4.”

That’s because the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers with more than 100 million record sales specifically set out to mark the 50th anniversary of the sprawling double album “Chicago II” from front to back. The project was initially reissued on vinyl and CD with a crystal clear remix from Steven Wilson (who’s done the same for Yes, Jethro Tull, King Crimson and more), followed by the “Soundstage” taping and broadcast, which marks the first time several of these tracks were played since the original tour, if not ever!

While keyboardist/vocalist Robert Lamm, trumpeter/vocalist Lee Loughnane and trombonist James Pankow were there at the very beginning, drummer Tris Imboden, guitarist/vocalist Keith Howland, keyboardist/vocalist Lou Pardini, percussionist Walfredo Reyes Jr., saxophonist/flutist Ray Herrmann and bassist/vocalist Jeff Coffey came to the fold in the subsequent years. Yet considering how much they tour on a regular basis, both veteran and newer members do just fine putting together the complex album for the stage.

From the get go, the mostly obscure but nonetheless groove-saturated A-sides “Movin’ In,” “The Road,” “Poem For The People” and “In The Country” get the mood nice and loose for all seven sections of the “Ballet For A Girl In Buchannon” (including the more frequently performed “Make Me Smile” and “Colour My World”). If anything, catching Chicago deliver the album in its entire form draws extra attention to the glossy horn section’s seamless interaction with the gritty guitar stylings of the late Terry Kath, who is surely shining down in spirit on the more aggressive suite “It Better End Soon” and the snarling “25 Or 6 To 4.”

Although the peak of the group’s overall commercial viability came much later with an onslaught of power ballads in the 1980s, “Chicago II” and the surrounding albums were hands down the most challenging and interesting, as is evident in this once-in-a-lifetime special. But not to fear, there’s certainly enough hits in this anniversary undertaking that doesn’t house a single miss, which is exactly why Chicago stays in business irrespective of the specific players.

For additional information on Chicago, visit ChicagoTheBand.com.

Upcoming concert highlights on PBS’ “Soundstage” airing on WTTW Chicago include Chicago: “Chicago II” 50th Anniversary (premieres Apr. 5); Katharine McPhee with David Foster, Eric Benet and Frederic Yonnet (premieres Apr. 12); The Manhattan Transfer and Take 6: “The Summit” (premieres Apr. 19); Michael McDonald (premieres Apr. 26) and RSO: Richie Sambora + Orianthi (premieres May 3). For additional details, visit PBS.org/Program/Soundstage/.

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