Chicago(album)
| Chicago | ||||
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| Studio albumby | ||||
| Released | January 26, 1970[1] | |||
| Recorded | August 1969 | |||
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| Genre | ||||
| Length | 66:08 | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
| Producer | James William Guercio | |||
| Chicagochronology | ||||
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| SinglesfromChicago | ||||
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Chicago(retroactively known asChicago II) is the second studio album by the AmericanrockbandChicago,released on January 26, 1970, byColumbia Records.Like their debut album,Chicago Transit Authority,it is a double album. It was their first album released under the name Chicago—the band's prior name, Chicago Transit Authority, was changed due to a threatened lawsuit from theactual mass-transit operator bearing the same name—and the first to use the now ubiquitouscursiveChicago logo on the cover.
Chicagowas commercially successful. It was certified gold by theRecording Industry Association of America(RIAA) in April of the same year of its release, and certified platinum in 1991. It reached No. 4 on the album charts in the United States and No. 6 on the album charts in theUK,and produced three top ten singles on theBillboardHot 100.The album received threeGrammy Awardnominations: forAlbum of the Year,Contemporary Vocal Group,andBest Album Cover.It was voted best album of 1970 by readers ofCash Boxmagazine, and the 1971 best small-comboLPby readers ofPlayboymagazine.
History
[edit]The album was released in 1970 after the band had shortened its name from "The Chicago Transit Authority" following the release of their self-titleddebut albumthe previous year, in order to avoid legal action being threatened by theactual mass-transit company.The official title of the album isChicago,although it came to be known asChicago II,keeping it in line with the succession of Roman numeral-titled albums that officially began withChicago IIIin 1971.
Chicago Transit Authoritywas a success, yetChicagois considered by many[by whom?]to be the group's breakthrough album, yielding three singles that made it into the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100, including "Make Me Smile"(number 9),"Colour My World"(number 7), and"25 or 6 to 4"(number 4).[2]
Chicagowas released in January 1970 on Columbia Records and was an instant hit, reaching number 4 on the Billboard 200 in the United States[3]and number 6 in the UK.[4]Columbia Records was very active in promoting its quadraphonic four-channel surround-sound format in the mid-1970s, and nine of Chicago's first ten albums were made available in quad. The quad mix features elements not heard in the standard stereo mix, including additional guitar work from virtuosoTerry Kathin "25 Or 6 To 4" and a different vocal take from Lamm in "Wake Up Sunshine," which reveals a different lyric in the song's last line.
In 2002,Chicagowas remastered and reissued on one CD by Rhino Records with the single versions of "Make Me Smile" and "25 or 6 to 4" as bonus tracks. Rhino released a DVD-Audio version of the album in 2003, featuring both Advanced Resolution Stereo and 5.1 surround sound mixes. In 2016, British producer and musicianSteven WilsonremixedChicagofrom the original multitrack tapes. This version was released on January 27, 2017, by Rhino Records.[5]A vinyl edition of the remix cut by Kevin Gray was released on August 11, 2017.Robert Lammstated in an interview that the album has been nominated for the Grammy Hall of Fame more than once.[6]
Musical style, writing, composition
[edit]In a 2015 article,Classic Rock Reviewsays the album saw Chicago's, "full immersion into mainstream success while still building on their fusion of rock, funk and jazz."[7]
In Danny Seraphine's bookStreet Player,he describes it this way: "In between the dates of our touring schedule, we somehow found the opportunity to jump into CBS Studios in Los Angeles and record a second album in August 1969. Whereas the first record was a compilation of raw energy, we took a more controlled approach to our new effort."[8]
The centerpiece of the album was the 13-minute song cycle "Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon"written by trombone playerJames Pankow,from which came the singles "Make Me Smile" and "Colour My World". GuitaristTerry Kathalso participated in an extended classically styled cycle of four pieces, three of which were co-written by arranger, composer, and pianistPeter Matz.[9]: 13 Politically outspoken keyboardistRobert Lammexpresses his qualms in "It Better End Soon", another modular piece. BassistPeter Ceteracontributed his first song to Chicago with "Where Do We Go From Here?".[7]
Recording, production
[edit]The album was produced byJames William Guercio,who was Chicago's producer for its first eleven albums,[10]and was recorded in less than a month, during August 1969.[7]
In 1970, James Pankow said about the album, "We... think it is better recorded and better played than the first. None of us feel, though, that we are really a recording group yet. We are all scared in the studio. We are really a live group."[11]
Artwork, packaging
[edit]The Chicago logo, which made its first appearance on the cover of this album, was designed byJohn Bergand fashioned by Nick Fasciano,[12]who were both nominated for aGrammy Award for Best Album Coverfor their efforts.[13][14]John Berg said theCoca-Colalogo was the inspiration for the Chicago logo.[12]The cover art work is part of the permanent collection of theMuseum of Modern ArtinNew York City.[15]The band's official web site labels the cover design, "silver bar."[16]
The double-LP album's inner cover includes the playlist; the entire lyrics to "It Better End Soon"; a "Producer's Note" stating, "This endeavor should be experienced sequentially"; and a declaration written by Robert Lamm,[17]"With this album, we dedicate ourselves, our futures and our energies to the people of the revolution. And the revolution in all of its forms."[18]
Reception
[edit]Critical reception
[edit]Contemporary reviews for the album were mixed. In his review for theChicago Sun Times,writer Al Rudis says Chicago's second album "confirms" that "Chicago is one of the most exciting, most original, and most accomplished jazz-rock groups in existence."[11]whereas in a review forThe Village Voice,Robert Christgaugave a review ofChicagoas a "D+" and called it "sterile and stupid", writing that if "Duke Ellingtonnever got away with an extended work for horns and meaningfulness, [what] makes James William Guercio and the self-designated revolutionaries who are his cohorts think they can? "[19]
There have been positive retrospective reviews. Lindsay Planer fromAllMusicgave the album four-and-a-half out of five stars and said its songs "underscore the solid foundation of complex jazz changes with heavy electric rock & roll that the band so brazenly forged on the first set".[20]Jim Beviglia, writing forAmerican Songwriter,said, "50 years after its release,Chicago IIstill stands as the one of the band’s signature achievements....Listening toChicago IInow, it is remarkable just how smoothly the various pieces blend together. "[21]
Accolades
[edit]| Year | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Album of the Year | Chicago | Nominated | [22] |
| Contemporary Vocal Group | Chicago | Nominated | [22] | |
| Best Album Cover | Chicago(John Berg & Nick Fasciano) | Nominated | [22] |
Other honors
- 1970:Chicago,Best Album of 1970,Cash Box[23][24]
- 1971:Chicago,Best Small-Combo LP,PlayboyJazz & Pop Poll[25]
Track listing
[edit]| Side one | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length | |
| 1 | "Movin' In" | James Pankow | Terry Kath | 4:06 | |
| 2 | "The Road" | Kath | Peter Cetera | 3:10 | |
| 3 | "Poem for the People" | Robert Lamm |
|
4:25 | |
| 4 | "In the Country" | Kath |
|
6:34 | |
| Side two | |||||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length | |
| 1 | "Wake Up Sunshine" | Lamm |
|
2:29 | |
| 2–8 | "Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon" (total length: 12:55) |
"Make Me Smile" | Pankow | Kath | 3:32 |
| "So Much to Say, So Much to Give" | Lamm | 1:04 | |||
| "Anxiety's Moment" | — | 1:00 | |||
| "West Virginia Fantasies" | — | 1:34 | |||
| "Colour My World" | Kath | 2:58 | |||
| "To Be Free" | — | 1:21 | |||
| "Now More Than Ever" | Kath | 1:27 | |||
| Side three | |||||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length | |
| 1 | "Fancy Colours" | Lamm | Cetera | 5:10 | |
| 2 | "25 or 6 to 4" | 4:50 | |||
| 3–6 | "Memories of Love" (total length: 9:12) |
"Prelude" |
|
— | 1:18 |
| "A.M. Mourning" | — | 2:05 | |||
| "P.M. Mourning" | — | 1:59 | |||
| "Memories of Love" | Kath | Kath | 4:01 | ||
| Side four | |||||
| No. | Title | Writers(s) | Lead vocals | Length | |
| 1–4 | "It Better End Soon" (total length: 10:24) |
"1st Movement" | Lamm | Kath | 2:30 |
| "2nd Movement" | — | 3:47 | |||
| "3rd Movement" |
|
Kath | 3:19 | ||
| "4th Movement" | Lamm | 1:15 | |||
| 5 | "Where Do We Go from Here?" | Cetera | Cetera | 2:53 | |
Personnel
[edit]Chicago
[edit]- Peter Cetera– bass, vocals
- Terry Kath– guitars, vocals
- Robert Lamm– keyboards, vocals
- Lee Loughnane– trumpet, vocals
- James Pankow– trombone
- Walter Parazaider– saxophone,flute,clarinet,vocals
- Danny Seraphine– drums, percussion
Production
[edit]- James William Guercio– producer
- Peter Matz– orchestration on "Prelude"
- Donald Puluse – engineer
- Brian Ross-Myring – engineer
- Chris Hinshaw – engineer
- Nick Fasciano – cover art
- John Berg– cover design
- Herb Greene– photography and poster photos
2002 reissue
- Paul Klingberg – remi xing
- John Kellogg – remix producer
- Joe Gastwirt– remastering
- David Wild – liner notes
Charts
[edit]| Chart (1970) | Position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[26] | 5 |
| Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[27] | 4 |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[28] | 2 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[29] | 20 |
| Italian Albums (Musica e Dischi)[30] | 8 |
| Japanese Albums (Oricon)[31] | 14 |
| Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[32] | 19 |
| UK Albums(OCC)[33] | 6 |
| USBillboard200[34] | 4 |
Certifications
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[35] | 3× Platinum | 300,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[36] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
|
^Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
[edit]- ^"125 Years of Columbia Records".360 Sound: The Columbia Records Story.Sony Music Entertainment. Archived fromthe originalon November 14, 2017.RetrievedNovember 14,2017.
- ^"Chicago Chart History: Hot 100".Billboard.Archivedfrom the original on May 8, 2018.RetrievedNovember 8,2017.
- ^"Chicago Chart History: Billboard 200".Billboard.Archivedfrom the original on October 23, 2017.RetrievedNovember 8,2017.
- ^"Chicago | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company".Official Charts.Archivedfrom the original on November 10, 2017.RetrievedNovember 9,2017.
- ^Planer, Lindsay."Chicago II Steven Wilson Remix".Allmusic.Archivedfrom the original on December 22, 2018.RetrievedFebruary 17,2017.
- ^Clark, Jeff (October 31, 2017)."Chicago's Robert Lamm on revisiting 'Chicago II' and the band's long and winding road".Sun Herald.Gulfport, Mississippi, USA.Archivedfrom the original on January 18, 2018.RetrievedMay 16,2018.
- ^abc"Chicago II".Classic Rock Review.July 3, 2015.Archivedfrom the original on January 17, 2019.RetrievedJanuary 16,2019.
- ^Seraphine, Danny (2011).Street Player: My Chicago Story.John Wiley & Sons Inc. p. 108.ISBN9780470416839.
- ^Chicago(CD booklet). Burbank, California, USA: Rhino Entertainment Company. 2002. R2 76172.
- ^"A Chicago Story – Chicago".Chicagotheband.Archivedfrom the original on October 30, 2018.RetrievedJanuary 16,2019.
- ^abRudis, Al (February 7, 1970)."Chicago Is a Live Group".The Lincoln Journal Star.Archivedfrom the original on January 17, 2019.RetrievedJanuary 16,2019– viaNewspapers.
- ^abBerg, John (October 30, 2007)."Across the Graphic Universe: an Interview with John Berg"(Interview). Interviewed by Paul Nini. American Institute of Graphic Arts. Archived fromthe originalon October 24, 2013.RetrievedNovember 9,2017.
- ^"Grammy Awards: Artist: John Berg".Recording Academy Grammy Awards.Archivedfrom the original on August 12, 2021.RetrievedNovember 9,2017.
- ^"Grammy Awards: Artist: Nick Fasciano".Recording Academy Grammy Awards.Archivedfrom the original on August 12, 2021.RetrievedNovember 9,2017.
- ^"John Berg, Nick Fasciano. Cover for Chicago's second self-titled album".The Museum of Modern Art.Archivedfrom the original on November 10, 2017.RetrievedNovember 9,2017.
- ^"Albums: Chicago".Chicago - The Band.Chicago Touring. Archived fromthe originalon November 14, 2017.RetrievedNovember 14,2017.
- ^Ruhlmann, William James (1991).Chicago Group Portrait (Box Set)(Media notes). New York City, NY: Columbia Records. p. 4. Archived fromthe original(CD booklet archived online)on October 24, 2017.RetrievedNovember 12,2017.
- ^Chicago (1970).Chicago (album)(Vinyl LP cover liner notes). U.S.A.: Columbia. KGP 24 CS 9962 XSM 151734.
- ^Christgau, Robert(April 23, 1970)."Consumer Guide (9)".The Village Voice.Archivedfrom the original on November 20, 2019.RetrievedNovember 7,2017.
- ^Planer, Lindsay."Chicago".AllMusic.Archivedfrom the original on April 22, 2017.RetrievedFebruary 17,2017.
- ^Beviglia, Jim (February 25, 2020)."Robert Lamm Looks Back On The 50th Anniversary Of 'Chicago II'".American Songwriter.Archivedfrom the original on February 26, 2020.RetrievedFebruary 26,2020.
- ^abc"Grammy Award Nominees and Winners – 1971".awardsandshows.Archivedfrom the original on 2011-12-13.Retrieved2017-10-21.
- ^"Best Albums of 1970".Cash Box.Vol. XXXII, no. 27. USA. December 26, 1970. p.46.RetrievedMay 10,2019– via Internet Archive.
- ^"Chicago Coming to Hampton".Daily Press.Newport News–Hampton, Virginia, USA. May 29, 1973. p. 10.Archivedfrom the original on June 7, 2019.RetrievedMay 10,2019– viaNewspapers.
- ^"Jazz & Pop '71".Playboy.HMH Publishing Co., Inc. February 1971.available at,Bondi Data ViewerArchivedOctober 21, 2017, at theWayback Machine
- ^Kent, David(1993).Australian Chart Book 1970–1992(illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 62.ISBN0-646-11917-6.
- ^"Top RPM Albums: Issue 5009".RPM.Library and Archives Canada.Retrieved June 20, 2024.
- ^"Dutchcharts.nl – Chicago – II"(in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
- ^"Offiziellecharts.de – Chicago – II"(in German).GfK Entertainment Charts.Retrieved June 20, 2024.
- ^"Classifiche".Musica e Dischi(in Italian).RetrievedJune 20,2024.Set "Tipo" on "Album". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Chicago".
- ^Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005(in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo:Oricon Entertainment.2006.ISBN4-87131-077-9.
- ^"Norwegiancharts – Chicago – Chicago".Hung Medien. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
- ^"Official Albums Chart Top 100".Official Charts Company.Retrieved June 20, 2024.
- ^"Chicago Chart History (Billboard200) ".Billboard.Retrieved June 20, 2024.
- ^"Canadian album certifications – Chicago – Chicago II".Music Canada.RetrievedJune 21,2023.
- ^"American album certifications – Chicago – Chicago II".Recording Industry Association of America.RetrievedJune 21,2023.
