|
|
 |
While it might be a stretch to claim that disco in effect killed Chicago, as this effort exemplifies, the dance craze certainly didn't help the band, either. After the moderate success of its previous long-player, Hot Streets (1978), Chicago seemed to have the fortitude to be able to carry on in the wake of the tragic loss of original member Terry Kath (lead guitar/vocals). With the addition of Donnie Dacus (guitar/vocals) and producer Phil Ramone, Chicago scored a pair of strong Top 40 hits with "No Tell Lover" and "Alive Again." By mid-1979, the fickle pop music tides had fully turned toward the beat-intensive drone of disco. Somewhere along the line the rhythm temporarily fixated the band -- much in the same way a deer reacts to oncoming headlights. As Chicago 13 (1979) proves, the results in either instance are not pretty. The nine-plus minute "extended" opener, "Street Player," could easily be mistaken for a Village People number. The same fate befalls the overtly funky and urban-influenced "Paradise Alley." Interestingly, the latter was originally slated as the title track from a concurrent Sylvester Stallone snoozer of the same name. The disc does contain a few redeeming moments, however. Laudir DeOliveira (percussion) contributes the breezy and jazz-flavored "Life Is What It Is." Featuring an equally liberating vocal from Peter Cetera (bass/vocals), it includes one of the more tasteful horn arrangements on the album. The ragtime blues feel on Danny Seraphine's (drums) "Aloha Mama" has some well-seasoned brass augmentation, proving that Chicago had not completely abandoned its roots or audience. The 2003 CD reissue sports not only significantly improved sound, but also a pair of "bonus selections." These appear in the form of an alternate mix of "Street Player" as well as a Dacus' B-side track, "Closer to You." The latter was paired with his "Must Have Been Crazy" and issued as the first of three singles from the LP -- none of which charted in the Top 40. ~ Lindsay Planer
Producer Phil Ramone returned for this 1979 smash, highlighted by the hit Street Player and featuring two bonus tracks!
Recorded at Le Studio, Montreal, Quebec; A&M Recording Studios, Hollywood, California.
Personnel: Donnie Dacus (vocals, guitar); Lee Loughnane (vocals, trumpet); Robert Lamm (vocals, keyboards); Peter Cetera (vocals); Walter Parazaider (woodwinds); Maynard Ferguson (trumpet); James Pankow (trombone); David "Hawk" Wolinski (synthesizer); Daniel Seraphine (drums); Airto Moreira (percussion).
Audio Remasterer: David Donnelly.
Recording information: A&M Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA; Le Studio, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Photographer: Gary Heery.
Unknown Contributor Role: Daniel Seraphine.
Chicago: Peter Cetera (vocals, guitar); Lee Loughnane (vocals, trumpet); Robert Lamm (vocals, keyboards); Donnie Dacus (guitar); Walter Parazaider (woodwinds); James Pankow (trombone); Danny Seraphine (drums).
Additional personnel: Maynard Ferguson (trumpet); David "Hawk" Wolinski, Mrs. Wolinski (synthesizer); Airto Moreira (percussion).
Chicago XIII Music Review
Average Rating: (4.4 out of 5 stars)    List All 7 Reviews Very Good Buy, Unknown Quality Album
This CD was clearly better than I thought it would be. Street Player is a nice, jazz sounding tune covered as a dance track in the 80's. Window Dreamin' features a nice horn section with the deep vocals of the unknown T.C. Moblee. Must Have Been Crazy is a nice Donnie Dacaus bluesy song while Reruns has nice percussion and the backing horns that is Chicago. Peter Cetera continued his vocal and writing style effectively w/ Loser With a Broken Heart and Run Away as well as Life is What It Is. I enjoyed every song except Aloha Mama and Paradise Alley. Nevertheless, it is unfortunate this CD never got more recognition. There is nice musicianship here despite the turmoil the band was going through after the loss of the great Terry Kath.
Submitted by wolverinedave22 (Middletown,NJ) 
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No
Nice remix, overlooked album
Some of the best horn charts written by Pankow overlooked on this album that didn't score very big in the charts, except for the one disco song "Street Player." Some nice funky charts on the rest of the album, but this was in the middle of the disco fever and didn't get much single release. Good quality album with some nice vocals, arrangements and nice Donnie Dacus bonus track "Closer to You."
Submitted by a reviewer (Bear, DE)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No  Underrated Album, Chicago blows it's horns!
I always thought "Street Player" was one of the coolest songs going back in 1979. Unfortunately for the band, not many others did. This song takes me back to my younger days when I was flirting with the disco thing, but really did'nt feel I fit into that mode.
It sounded great and made me feel good.
I liked "Must of been crazy", but I knew it would'nt sell on the radio. "Aloha Mama" is worth the listen.
"loser with a broken heart" was one I skipped by, I just did'nt like it. Sorry Pete! "life is what it is" was one I did like alot. "reruns" and "runaway" gave it alot of up tempo.
The Album cover is just one of my Chicago all time favorites. I loved it in '79 and I still lve it today!
Submitted by Eric (Cedar Key, Florida)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No
Chicago as usual firing on all cylinders!!!!
"13" was the 2nd album after Terry's death and the band pulls off another winner. A different mix of styles and sounds which were in tune with 1979.
Just another reason why this versatile bands non inclusion in the R&RHOF is a sin!
Submitted by Cronkbrast (LI, NY, USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No A different Chicago
As somewhat of a late bloomer to the Chicago sound, I'm suprised just how many incarnations this band has survived. Here on this album we have Donnie Ducas who was also on Hot Streets and only lasted two albums with Chicago. This is more of a feel-good jazzy album and less ballad oriented as some of their material, I feel it has a good outcome on the overall album. All these Rhino re-issues are excellent very well done and this one has two extra selections as well. Very nice price at CdUniverse too.
Submitted by a reviewer (Dover, NH USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No List All Reviews | Have you heard this album? |  |
Purchase Chicago XIII CD
To buy, Click on price to add to cart
|
|
|
|
|
Share this Product