Soft Machine vs Chicago (69-79)

 

Interesting juxtaposition.

 

I think this would end up depending on your inkling and appreciation, and not necessarily the music.

 

There is no doubt about the beginnings of the artistic scene in the middle of psychedelia to help make it sensible and meaningfull instead of a senseless trip! Softs, and then Pink Floyd and many others were about that, and I will always cherish that ability.

 

But ... I was "there", in Madison, WI, a mere couple of hours from Chicago and the band, was very valuable and a great spokes person for what was going on in those days, which was nasty and down right corrupted. "I'm a Man" is more an anthem about the happenings in Chicago and people getting their heads beatup and being shot, and it was a way of saying ... I'm human ... why are the authorities behaving like animals, and treating us like animals?

 

Some think, that this is living in the past, but how can you forget the scar? YES, you can forgive, but "forget" is not a word in the vocabulary, then you learn to swim with and work around a bit, until such a time as you are ok with it. It still "hurts" when you see that hammer on your head in your sleep! And sometimes, you want to vibrate with anger ... and the first 2 albums by "Chicago" are very valuable in the helping learn to cope and cleanse and heal ... and many times, I think that is more important than the pseudo intelectualism of many of the other bands!