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Road-weary and running low on steam, the members of Chicago began tinkering with their formula on the nostalgic Chicago VIII. Robert Lamm continued to loosen his grip on the songwriting, allowing Peter Cetera, Terry Kath, and James Pankow to pen the majority of the album. The enthusiasm and drive that the band had displayed on their previous efforts was audibly escaping them, best exemplified by the lazy drawl that Cetera affects on his otherwise rocking "Anyway You Want." Finally, the jazz tinges continued to appear less and less, replaced by a brassy R&B approach that provides a more rigid structure for their tunes. But these factors don't necessarily count against the band, as many songs have a lazy, late-afternoon feel that provides a few feel-good moments. Pankow's "Brand New Love Affair -- Part I & II" is a smooth, light rock ballad that Terry Kath wraps his soulful voice around, transforming it into a brooding lament on lost love. This track also begins to incorporate the multi-vocalist approach that would become the trademark of their '80s work, as the second half of the song is sung by Cetera and Lamm as well. Kath's "Oh, Thank You Great Spirit" is another winner, as his delicate vocals drift along on a sparse and psychedelic (for Chicago at least) sea of guitars. Pankow's "Old Days" may be the only other notable track, a powerful rocker that showcases his tight compositional skills and provided the band with the only memorable hit song from the record. Lamm's contributions are the least-commercial songs, as his arty and dynamic tracks are nostalgic entries that show him moving in an atypical direction lyrically and musically. Only his "Harry Truman" really connects, and the instrumental tributes to Depression-era jazz and the goofy singalong ending manage to render the song silly before it can really sink in. Although not terrible by any means, Chicago VIII is heavily burdened by their obvious desire to take a break. The band hits upon some wonderful ideas here, but they are simply too weary to follow them up, and the resulting album has none of the tight orchestration that reigns in their more ridiculous tendencies. ~ Bradley Torreano
Expanded & Remastered features the original albums 10 more pop-oriented tracks, including the hits 'Old Days,' 'Harry Truman' and 'Brand New Love Affair.' Also includes 3 bonus tracks 'Sixth Sense' (rehearsal version), 'Bright Eyes' (rehearsal version) & 'Satin Doll' (live, 1974). Rhino. 2002.
All tracks have been digitally remastered.
Recorded at Sound Labs, Hollywood, Clifornia and Caribou Ranch, Nederland, Colorado in September 1974. Originally released on Columbia (33100). Includes liner notes by Phil Gallo.
Personnel: Terry Kath (vocals, guitar); Walter Parazaider (vocals, woodwinds); Lee Loughnane (vocals, trumpet); James Pankow (vocals, trombone); Robert Lamm (vocals, keyboards); Laudir DeOliveira (vocals, congas, percussion); Brandy Maitland, John Carsello, Katherine Ogden, Joanne Rocconi, Linda "Peaches" Green, Steve Fagin, Krista Ferguson, Peter Cetera, Richard Torres (vocals); Daniel Seraphine (drums).
Audio Mixers: David Donnelly; Phil Ramone; Jeff Magid.
Audio Remasterer: David Donnelly.
Liner Note Author: Phil Gallo.
Recording information: Caribou Ranch, Nederland, CO (09/??/1974-11/26/1974); Sound Labs, Hollywood, CA (09/??/1974-11/26/1974).
Photographer: Reid Miles.
Chicago: Terry Kath (vocals, guitar); Robert Lamm (vocals, keyboards); Peter Cetera (vocals, bass); Walter Parazaider (winds); Lee Loughnane (trumpet, background vocals); James Pankow (trombone); Danny Seraphine (drums); Laudir De Oliveira (congas, percussion).
Chicago VIII Music Review
Average Rating: (4 out of 5 stars)    Superior Rock-Classic Music!!!!
This is another superior classic rock album from Chicago. The vocals are tight and the bass is excellent. An excellent set of songwriting indeed.
Submitted by jejr9 (Irvine)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 1 of 1 found this helpful.
Chicago at its Best
Chicago weaves into jazz, rock, latin
and never loses its identity. An excellent album.
Submitted by a reviewer (San Francisco, Ca. USA) 
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 2 of 3 found this helpful.  Mediocre reputation is undeserved
This album has soft moments but is more rock oriented than other Chicago albums of the era. "Oh, Thank You Great Spirit" may be a particular surprise to people who expect soft pop from Chicago; after a slow, dreamy build-up, it rocks pretty hard. The three bonus tracks are from the appropriate time period and are pleasant, although their jazz orientation doesn't match the other tracks.
Critics tend to consider this album mediocre, but it exhibits a high level of creativity and quality--especially compared to the band's later output.
Submitted by Reviewer (Seattle)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No
their best
got your attention !
dare I say,yes I do
guitar work,vocals,bass,brass
everything in top form
terry kath is awesome
sure miss him
chicago VII not even close
the only thing previous person
has right is the fact that the artwork is wrong
Submitted by robert (rockford,il.usa)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No The picture of the cover is wrong!!
The picture of the cover shown here is the cover of Cicago VII, which is a far superior album.
Submitted by AVF (Australia)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 0 of 2 found this helpful. | Have you heard this album? |  |
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