MANILA, Philippines?It could?ve been a perfect gig, with the band?s trademark horn section setting off a bright, festive mood that lasted all night as the hits delighted a big crowd who had come to hear the songs of their youth.

To a large extent, the Chicago concert held Tuesday night at the Araneta Coliseum made the grade as an oldies show with class, because the original members have aged with grace after more than 40 years of performing. They played with a refreshing energy that differed from some other veteran acts we?ve seen these past few years.

Everything was fine, indeed, except for one minor, though bothersome, detail: bassist-vocalist Jason Scheff?s difficulty in singing the high notes.

Also a veteran

Joining Chicago in 1985 to replace Peter Cetera who left to go solo, Scheff is considered a veteran, too. Sadly, he didn?t seem to fit that mold. Right into the first number, ?Questions 67 & 68,? the problem surfaced. Scheff?s voice, although sounding a lot like Cetera?s, failed to scale the crucial parts where it mattered most.

That happened as well in ?If You Leave Me Now,? ?Hard To Say I?m Sorry,? and a few other songs.

This is not to say that Scheff is a lousy singer. In fairness, he didn?t crack in thoroughly embarrassing moments. The thing is, he seemed to be caught in a damned-if-you-do-or-don?t situation, given his role as lead vocalist in all the numbers previously sung by Cetera. There were instances when he tried winging it by improvising, but when he had to stretch his pipes, Scheff sounded half-baked.

Pankow power

Otherwise, the 8,000-strong audience couldn?t care less as they relived the 1970s with the band that fused rock ?n? roll with jazzy horns. James Pankow teased those at the front rows with his dance routine in between powerful blowing on his trombone. Lee Loughnane was intense on trumpet and flugelhorn, and even took over the late Terry Kath?s place on ?Colour My World.?

The loudest cheers erupted each time Robert Lamm stepped down from his keyboards to sing ?Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is,? ?Beginnings? and ?Saturday in the Park.?

Guitarist Keith Howland was a revelation?a fiery presence in his solos. On the band?s second encore, he cranked out a menacing intro to ?25 or 6 to 4? which felt like the elixir of life.