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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Audio CD
Chicago entering the world of funk. Still the original members, and more mature than before. No extended tracks, but pure quality
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is in my opinion Chicago's best ever album. Pity it's not in the usual double format but it's solid gold and must be made of Lindt chocolate. I'd like to apologise for getting my facts wrong in my previous review of a Chicago album. "25 to 6 to 4" is a track off Chicago II. I should have known that.
Peter
Peter
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
15 reviews
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful
A Chicago in transition....
16 Mar 2003
Format:Audio CD
CHICAGO X was released in June 1976 as their tenth album (IX was their first best of, which has been deleted). It was another excellent set that saw Chicago slightly revitalized after CHICAGO VIII (which reflected their exhaustion, though still a fine album). The obvious hit (which dominates this album) is Peter Cetera's "If You Leave Me Now", a # 1 smash and the song that ushered in Chicago's tradition of being a ballads band (something that the others had trouble with). With Robert Lamm taking more of a backseat in terms of musical direction (having hit his peak on CHICAGO V in 1972), Peter had emerged as the band's hitmaker and it would remain largely that way until his departure in 1985. BUT... that one huge hit belied the truth that there are other fine moments on this unballad-like album. "Once Or Twice" sees Terry Kath in his element, kicking things off in a gutsy, rockin' way. James Pankow's "You Are On My Mind" was another single (though not a hit) and is a very uplifting and pleasing song. "Skin Tight" and "You Get It Up" are very funky tracks (reminiscent of 1971's CHICAGO III). Robert's "Another Rainy Day In New York City", the first single, sees the Chicago sound placed in a Caribean style replete with steel drums and a suitably-affected Peter Cetera vocal that produced a minor Pop hit and a major AC one. The album as a whole is really strong and impressive, yet it marked the beginning of a downslide for the band. Peaking at # 3, it was their first album to miss # 1 at home since 1972 (after 5 in a row), although it still was a very big hit. By the following year and album (CHICAGO XI in 1977) they would begin to lose commercial ground and suffer the subsequent death of Terry Kath, while disco and punk rendered them irrelevant until their re-emergence in 1982. "I'd Rather Be Rich (which made it out on CHICAGO XIV in 1980) and Terry's "Your Love's An Attitude" are very very good for bonus cuts. CHICAGO X is a freezeframe of a band as the height of their creative and commercial powers just before it started to fall away. Enjoy it.
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
"America's Favorite" Band Tries Something New
18 May 2003
Format:Audio CD
The original promotional slogan for "Chicago X", with it's mock chocolate bar cover upon the record's release in 1976 was, "America's Favorite. Ask For It By Name".
In 1976, Chicago was, based upon the popularity of their previous nine releases, America's favorite band. The original seven members from the Windy City (along with new additon, percussionist Laudir De Oliveira) had truly carved out a niche in American musical culture. Over seven years of hard work on the road and in the studio had made the band a staple of pop radio, and the Chicago "sound" was identifiable in their music despite true diversity in their catalogue of hits.
With the release of "Chicago X" however, the band was going to achieve new heights in popularity and tap into a musical resource that was to carry them for many years on the charts: Peter Cetera.
Peter's classic, string-laden "If You Leave Me Now" propelled the group into yet unexplored musical ground. This song sounded nothing like anything Chicago had released to that point, however, quickly grabbed the ear of America (and the world, as it was an international mega-hit) and shot up the charts to become Chicago's first #1 single.
This has been seen as a turning point for the band as Peter Cetera ballads became the support of Chicago's album chart success for another decade. It has also been called a point where Chicago "sold out".
Unfortunately, this is an unfair criticism. Chicago's strength was always founded upon the diversity of the individual members' musical backgounds and approach to songwriting and arranging. Peter Cetera was never truly a "rocker" or "jazz cat". His writing was always, and still is, straightforward pop, with a bit of country often blended in. If Peter had never joined Chicago and had his own solo success, acoustic ballads and lighter pop fare would have been his musical signature.
With that said, "If You Leave Me Now" is simply another musical expression from this incredibly talented group of musicians/ songwriters and should be viewed as a positive as it is simply, a great piece of music with a timeless sound and style.
The rest of "Chicago X" has a lot of edge, with the opener, Terry Kath's "Once or Twice", finding Chicago cookin' in an uptempo rock setting. "Skin Tight" is what trombonist Jimmy Pankow calls "gut bucket funk" and the band gets real down and dirty. Great trombone and guitar solos from Jimmy and Terry respectively. "Scrapbook" and "You Get It Up" continue the R&B/funk ride while "You Are On My Mind" and "Another Day in New York City" are uptempo latin-pop gems. The former finds Jimmy Pankow singing lead on his tune and closes with a blazing trombone solo over drummer Danny Seraphine's inspired syncopation. Caliente!!
"Chicago X" stands as a classic release that helped shape the popular music sound in the mid-'70's.
Essential Chicago and worthwhile listening for many reasons.
In 1976, Chicago was, based upon the popularity of their previous nine releases, America's favorite band. The original seven members from the Windy City (along with new additon, percussionist Laudir De Oliveira) had truly carved out a niche in American musical culture. Over seven years of hard work on the road and in the studio had made the band a staple of pop radio, and the Chicago "sound" was identifiable in their music despite true diversity in their catalogue of hits.
With the release of "Chicago X" however, the band was going to achieve new heights in popularity and tap into a musical resource that was to carry them for many years on the charts: Peter Cetera.
Peter's classic, string-laden "If You Leave Me Now" propelled the group into yet unexplored musical ground. This song sounded nothing like anything Chicago had released to that point, however, quickly grabbed the ear of America (and the world, as it was an international mega-hit) and shot up the charts to become Chicago's first #1 single.
This has been seen as a turning point for the band as Peter Cetera ballads became the support of Chicago's album chart success for another decade. It has also been called a point where Chicago "sold out".
Unfortunately, this is an unfair criticism. Chicago's strength was always founded upon the diversity of the individual members' musical backgounds and approach to songwriting and arranging. Peter Cetera was never truly a "rocker" or "jazz cat". His writing was always, and still is, straightforward pop, with a bit of country often blended in. If Peter had never joined Chicago and had his own solo success, acoustic ballads and lighter pop fare would have been his musical signature.
With that said, "If You Leave Me Now" is simply another musical expression from this incredibly talented group of musicians/ songwriters and should be viewed as a positive as it is simply, a great piece of music with a timeless sound and style.
The rest of "Chicago X" has a lot of edge, with the opener, Terry Kath's "Once or Twice", finding Chicago cookin' in an uptempo rock setting. "Skin Tight" is what trombonist Jimmy Pankow calls "gut bucket funk" and the band gets real down and dirty. Great trombone and guitar solos from Jimmy and Terry respectively. "Scrapbook" and "You Get It Up" continue the R&B/funk ride while "You Are On My Mind" and "Another Day in New York City" are uptempo latin-pop gems. The former finds Jimmy Pankow singing lead on his tune and closes with a blazing trombone solo over drummer Danny Seraphine's inspired syncopation. Caliente!!
"Chicago X" stands as a classic release that helped shape the popular music sound in the mid-'70's.
Essential Chicago and worthwhile listening for many reasons.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
The Band Enters Middle Age With Style
4 April 2005
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
By 1976, the band Chicago had been around nine years and had been recording for seven. Given that most rock n' roll outfits have a very short shelf-life, it can be safely said that the boys had entered their middle-age. This being the case, their 10th album might be expected to be a little stale.
This isn't the case, however, with CHICAGO X. A lively mix of rock, funk, ballads, and latino, the set seems fresh even 20-some-odd years later. The recent Rhino remastered re-release is certainly very welcome.
The first cut is the rousing "Once Or Twice," an uncomplicated but engaging rocker penned by guitarist Terry Kath. While not his best work, it still gets the album up off the ground early, and Kath's enthusiastic vocals are always great to hear.
The next tune is the lively "You are on My Mind," written and sung by trombonist Jimmy Pankow. As might be expected, the tune closes with a ripping trombone solo, maybe Pankow's best. The follow-up is also a Pankow tune: "Skin Tight," a funk tune featuring the vocals of Pete Cetera, and the solo work of Kath and Pankow.
"If You Leave Me Now" is the biggest single of the set, and though the Cetera-penned/sung ballad signals the fall of Chicago into syrupy power ballads, it's a touching work in its own right. It's followed by "Together Again"--a fine up-tempo number written and sung by trumpeter Lee Loughnane--and the minor hit "Another Rainy Day in New York City," which showcases the band's latino influences.
The second half of the CD begins with the okay "Mama, Mama," written and sung by Cetera. Bobby Lamm then makes belated vocal appearances with "Gently I'll Wake You" (nothing special) and the funk-driven "Scrapbook," featuring excellent wah-work by Kath. The lively "You Get It Up," a winking homage to sexual stimulation, leads the way to the original closer, a sub-par ballad called "Hope For Love," composed and sung by Kath.
The bonus tracks on this one are excellent. There's an early version of Lamm's "I'd Rather Be Rich" (eventually recorded on XIV), and there's a great Kath tune called "Your Love's an Attitude," featuring terrific acoustic playing. The liner notes for this edition of the CD are entertaining.
CHICAGO X, then, is recommended. The horns rip, the vocals inspire, Kath's guitar is magic, and the production of James William Guercio is thoroughly modern.
This isn't the case, however, with CHICAGO X. A lively mix of rock, funk, ballads, and latino, the set seems fresh even 20-some-odd years later. The recent Rhino remastered re-release is certainly very welcome.
The first cut is the rousing "Once Or Twice," an uncomplicated but engaging rocker penned by guitarist Terry Kath. While not his best work, it still gets the album up off the ground early, and Kath's enthusiastic vocals are always great to hear.
The next tune is the lively "You are on My Mind," written and sung by trombonist Jimmy Pankow. As might be expected, the tune closes with a ripping trombone solo, maybe Pankow's best. The follow-up is also a Pankow tune: "Skin Tight," a funk tune featuring the vocals of Pete Cetera, and the solo work of Kath and Pankow.
"If You Leave Me Now" is the biggest single of the set, and though the Cetera-penned/sung ballad signals the fall of Chicago into syrupy power ballads, it's a touching work in its own right. It's followed by "Together Again"--a fine up-tempo number written and sung by trumpeter Lee Loughnane--and the minor hit "Another Rainy Day in New York City," which showcases the band's latino influences.
The second half of the CD begins with the okay "Mama, Mama," written and sung by Cetera. Bobby Lamm then makes belated vocal appearances with "Gently I'll Wake You" (nothing special) and the funk-driven "Scrapbook," featuring excellent wah-work by Kath. The lively "You Get It Up," a winking homage to sexual stimulation, leads the way to the original closer, a sub-par ballad called "Hope For Love," composed and sung by Kath.
The bonus tracks on this one are excellent. There's an early version of Lamm's "I'd Rather Be Rich" (eventually recorded on XIV), and there's a great Kath tune called "Your Love's an Attitude," featuring terrific acoustic playing. The liner notes for this edition of the CD are entertaining.
CHICAGO X, then, is recommended. The horns rip, the vocals inspire, Kath's guitar is magic, and the production of James William Guercio is thoroughly modern.
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