Album Description
Expanded & remastered version of Chicago’s 1976 album features 2 previously unreleased bonus tracks, ‘I’d Rather Be Rich’ (original version/rehearsal) & ‘Your Love’s An Attitude’. Rhino. 2003. … More >>
Staying Warm in the Windy City
March 26th, 2010 at 7:37 am
Not many albums are veritably flawless with tracks of such quality as to stand alone as a “greatest hits” or “best of…” album of its own.
CHICAGO (X) is one of those albums.
A roller coaster ride of emotions running from elation to despondency and all of the love and heartache in between.
The number one hit single IF YOU LEAVE ME NOW is the catalyst that drives this spectacular album to the top of the charts where such an album belongs.
Filled with hits (SATURDAY IN THE PARK) and lots of jazz (YOU GET IT UP) and blues (ONCE OR TWICE) flavored album cuts, in my opinion the best song on this album just may be the Terry Kath tune HOPE FOR LOVE.
This eloquent and soulful song resonates through me in a way to which few songs can aspire.
This may not be CHICAGO’s most artistic album or even most skillfully performed (CHICAGO VII might lay such claim) but as for listening pleasure… for pure beauty of songs, this is the best CHICAGO album ever.
Below is a list of many other albums that I consider “perfect” albums… in no particular order.
WHAT IF – Tommy Shaw
7 DEADLY ZENS – Tommy Shaw
GIRLS WITH GUNS – Tommy Shaw
AMBITION – Tommy Shaw
MY HALLUCINATION – Tommy Shaw and Jack Blades
OYSTER – Heather Nova
SIREN – Heather Nova
SOUTH – Heather Nova
STORM – Heather Nova
CRYSTAL BALL – STYX
PIECES OF EIGHT – STYX
CYCLORAMA – STYX
THE GRAND ILLUSION – STYX
CHICAGO (X) – Chicago
TIGERLILY – Natalie Merchant
BLIND MAN’S ZOO – 10000 Maniacs
IN MY TRIBE – 10000 MANIACS
INTERIORS – Rosanne Cash
ONE OF THESE NIGHTS – The Eagles
HOTEL CALIFORNIA – The Eagles
THE CARS – The Cars
HEARTBEAT CITY – The Cars
WHAT’S GOIN ON – Marvin Gaye
REVOLVER – The Beatles
RUBBER SOUL – The Beatles
SGT. PEPPER’S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND – The Beatles
ESCAPE – Journey
FRONTIERS – Journey
BREAKFAST IN AMERICA – Supertramp
WHO’S NEXT – The Who
WHEELS ARE TURNIN’ – Reo Speedwagon
PRINCIPLE OF MOMENTS – Robert Plant
FATE OF NATIONS – Robert Plant
TAPESTRY – Carole King
DREAMBOAT ANNIE – Heart
LITTLE QUEEN – Heart
CARLY SIMON – self titled
COMING AROUND AGAIN – Carly Simon
LETTERS NEVER SENT – Carly Simon
CHANGES IN LATITUDES/ CHANGES IN ATTITUDES – Jimmy Buffett
FLORIDAYS – Jimmy Buffett
BAD GIRLS – Donna Summer
ESPERANZA SPALDING – self titled
ANDERSON BRUFORD WAKEMAN HOWE – self titled
FRAGILE – Yes
BIG GENERATOR – Yes
SHEPHERD MOONS – Enya
DARK SIDE OF THE MOON – Pink Floyd
RUMOURS – Fleetwood Mac
BELLA DONNA – Stevie Nicks
LED ZEPELLIN (IV) – Led Zeppelin
THE SWEETEST ILLUSION – Basia
Rating: 5 / 5
March 26th, 2010 at 10:36 am
I am very pleased with the quality of this product. I am also very impressed with how quickly this item was shipped to me.
Rating: 5 / 5
March 26th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
This is very different from Chicago’s original art-rock leanings on their first 2 albums. It shows them nearing the conclusion of an evolution that took them 7 years. Here we have bits and pieces of all of the styles and directions that the band took up to that point.
The first track, Once Or Twice, sounds like it belongs on their 3rd album or on the soundtrack to the Blues Brothers movie. A very tasty treat from late guitarist Terry Kath. Terry tragically died after the recording of their next album from an accidental self-inflicted gun wound. The rest of the album is nothing like that song though. It takes the listener through many different styles and influences. The next song, You Are On My Mind is a latin-jazz flavored number with a Chicago aesthetic attached to it that changes it into accessible pop with enough jazz flourishes to keep it artistically valuable as well. The next song, Skin Tight, is a typical Chicago jazz/blues/rock workout with a sexy backbeat and lyric to fit. This album is never boring. Next we have the Carole King influenced, If You Leave Me Now. Probably one of the best love songs ever written and a tremendous hit for the band. This is no small feat considering that Chicago were second only to The Beach Boys in terms of number one records and singles.
With all this variety of styles, the production manages to keep the record sounding cohesive and flowing. The album, as the cover suggests, melts sweetly as you listen and relax to its adult contemporary sound. Chicago were an outstanding band with many classic albums and this is not exception. If you are new to this band and like soft rock, then prepare yourself to become addicted. You will probably get the rest of their records after this one.
Highly Recommended
Rating: 4 / 5
March 26th, 2010 at 2:54 pm
What’s to say, Chicago is one of my five forever favorite bands, in fact I have had the vinyl of this album since it came out in the mid to late 70′s. The only reason I bought this, was to have a CD copy. The sound, the songs still incedible sounding. This is one away from Terry Kath’s tragic death, and should be remembered as some of his last work. As a guitar player myself, I loved his playing, to this day some of his 40 year old solos are still fresh and hard to duplicate by some of the best. As Trombonist James Pankow said at their 35th anniversery concert, “Terry was the living breathing soul of the band”.
If your a Chicago fan and don’t have this album, buy it you will like it. If you are not a Chicago fan Why? Buy it, it has some good cuts on it.
Rating: 5 / 5
March 26th, 2010 at 5:34 pm
The songs – ‘Once or Twice’, ‘Hope for Love’ and ‘Your love’s an Attitude’ are my favourites.
The album is best known for ‘If you leave me now’ and Another Rainy Day in New York City’.
Chicago has/has had many fine vocalists but Terry Kath and that sound of that time is as fresh today as when it was released in the 70′s. Terry and Rick Danko (from The Band) both had such distinctive vocal styles and made them such special members of their respective groups, may they always be remembered for those unique gifts.
Rating: 4 / 5