In October, 1971, Chicago released their landmark live album, At Carnegie Hall Vol. I - IV. Audacious and stunning, Carnegie Hall exploded the convention of what a rock record could and should be. The band's heavy mix of rock, jazz, r&b, Latin and classical played out over the course of four epic records - a rare accomplishment in the rock world. In fact, even at the time, live records themselves were hardly commonplace, and Chicago's own first 3 works (all double albums) had already pushed hard at rock's boundaries.
In October, 1999, Chicago released Chicago 26 - Live In Concert. Remarkably, it was Chicago's first live U.S. release since Carnegie Hall. Distributed by the band's own Chicago Records label, Chicago 26 is an ambitious CD that celebrates past accomplishments while making soulful inroads into the future. The disc features 10 potent live performances of Chicago favorites, including "25 or 6 to 4," "(I've Been) Searchin' So Long," "Call On Me," "Beginnings," and "Hard Habit to Break." There are also 3 new tracks: "Back to You," "If I Should Lose Your Love," and an inspired working of Jackie Wilson's 1967 classic "(You're Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher."
The obvious question is: why did Chicago release a new live record? According to Robert Lamm, "This line-up deserved to be recorded live." After all, Bill Champlin joined in 1981, Jason Scheff in 1984, Tris Imboden in 1990, and Keith Howland in 1995. This is the Chicago people have been enjoying for years, and the band wanted to document that. Besides says Lamm, "In many ways, we're a more rocking band. Our year-round touring has made us a harder, tighter unit."
Lee Loughnane echoes his comrade's sentiments. "On the Carnegie Hall album, we were a young band playing on raw nerve," says Loughnane. "This album is the work of more seasoned players and entertainers, and I think it shows. The album has an incredible amount of energy and the songs come off real well. I'm really proud of it."
Loughnane and company should be equally proud of Chicago 26's new studio tracks. Produced by former E Street Band keyboardist Roy Bittan and composed by Robert Lamm and guitarist Keith Howland, the album's first single "Back To You" is elegant pop complemented by the band's signature horns. "If I Should Lose You," co-composed by Burt Bacharach and featuring the immortal tune smith on piano, is slow-burning soul at its finest. The song is featured prominently in the upcoming Bette Midler film "Isn't She Great." Chicago 26 concludes with the band putting a Windy City spin on the r&b classic, "(You're Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher." In all, these new tracks are testament to Chicago's versatility and talent. "We wanted to capture three different flavors," explains Walt Parazaider. "We really hope people enjoy the new songs, because we had a lot of fun recording them. What's more, they're just a creative precursor of what's to come."
Chicago 26 was another accomplishment for a band that refuses to slow down. In 1997, Chicago celebrated their 30th Anniversary with The Heart of Chicago 1967-1997, a unique joint venture between Warner Bros. and the band's own label. The album was certified Gold in the U.S., and is now Platinum worldwide. In addition to 13 favorites, the album broke ground with two new hit songs: the #1 Adult Contemporary smash, "Here In My Heart," produced by composer James Newton Howard (who co-wrote it with Alanis Morrissette producer Glen Ballard), and "The Only One," written by James Pankow and Greg O'Connor, and produced by Lenny Kravitz.
Released in spring of 1998, The Heart of Chicago 1967-1998, Volume II, features 14 hits and two new songs, both produced by friend and E Street Band member Roy Bittan (Bruce Springsteen, Celine Dion, Madonna, etc.). The tracks, "All Roads Lead To You" (by Desmond Child) and "Show Me A Sign" (by James Pankow and Greg O'Connor), soared up the Adult Contemporary charts.
In 1998, Chicago also released Chicago 25 - The Christmas Album on Chicago Records. The record features some of the best loved holiday songs, played Chicago style. The response was overwhelming. The band were featured guests at the 'Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade,' 'The Today Show,' CNN, 'Entertainment Tonight,' 'General Hospital,' 'The Tonight Show,' 'The Donny & Marie Show,' 'The Roseanne Show,' and 'Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve.'
The hard work paid off: Chicago 25 was certified Gold, bringing the band's total to 23 Gold awards, 17 Platinum albums, 12 Top 10s, and 5 Number Ones. Of their singles, Chicago enjoys 20 Top 10 hits, 5 Number One records, and 5 gold singles. In all, the band has sold more than 122,000,000 records worldwide - a remarkable achievement for an Illinois band whose initial goal was to simply create music rooted in rock, pop, r&b, jazz and swing.
But music has always been part of a larger equation for Chicago. As their catalog of recordings attest, Chicago has always been a group with a conscience. Towards their perennial goal of inspiring youth worldwide, the band recently forged a creative alliance with VH1 and the 'Save The Music Program,' which was created to highlight the need for music education in schools. During its summer 1999 tour, Chicago brought local high school students onstage to perform a band classic.
With the release of Chicago 26, America's favorite musical ambassadors served up compelling new interpretations of their popular hits, while offering fans a tempting glimpse into the future. Plans call for an album of original songs to be released in 2003. "Thirty-three years later, I never would have thought I'd still be doing this - much less having so much fun," says James Pankow. The band's 1973 hit, "Feeling Stronger Every Day," co-authored by Pankow, now resounds like a self-fulfilling prophecy.
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For a taste of Chicago Live! Make Me SmileWritten by James Pankow Colour My WorldWritten by James Pankow Just You 'N' MeWritten by James Pankow Back to YouWritten by Robert Lamm
If I Should Ever
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HK Management Harrold Sullman David Milman
Bill Champlin's appearance on Big NOISE CD
Recordings available: Chicago Transit Authority (1969, 2002) |
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