Chicago X

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by BGC (talk | contribs) at 22:18, 25 September 2005 (improving page). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Jump to navigation Jump to search
Untitled

Chicago X is the tenth album by American rock band Chicago and was released in 1976. The album is notable for its soulfulness, it ended up being a turning point in the band's career thanks to one song.

After recording Chicago VIII in a state of tiredness, Chicago didn't return to record until the spring of 1976, feeling refreshed after a substantial break away. While making Chicago X, the band felt satisfied that they were making a solid record, yet the feeling - especially with producer James William Guercio - was that there may be a paucity of hits on the album. Robert Lamm's "Another Rainy Day In New York City", Terry Kath's "Once Or Twice" and James Pankow's "You Are On My Mind" were both strong enough to be singles, but Guercio was keen to include Peter Cetera's outstanding new composition, "If You Leave Me Now" on Chicago X. Although the others really liked the song, they felt that it was completely out of place in style as a romantic ballad with strings (a correct observation, according to most reviewers) and should not be alloted a place on the album. However, as producer, Guercio overruled them and included it and when it became the band's first #1 hit in the US and UK, it completely changed the public's perception of Chicago, leading to more demand to feature Cetera and the ballads. Lamm and Kath, in particular, were uncomfortable with this turn of events, and it led to a growing dissatisfaction with Guercio's control over the band and, contributing to his impending 1977 dismissal.

Chicago X was released in June 1976 to a receptive audience, especially after "If You Leave Me Now" had become such a big worldwide hit, giving Chicago their first UK chart album in years, reaching #21, though, oddly, it missed #1 in the US, resting at #3.

In early 1977, Chicago X would win three Grammy awards; two for "If You Leave Me Now" and one for John Berg's trademark artwork.

In 2002, Chicago X was remastered and reissued by Rhino Records with an early rendition of Chicago XIV's "I'd Rather Be Rich" by Lamm, in addition to Kath's "Your Love's An Attitude" - both cut in 1975 - as bonus tracks.

Track listing

  1. "Once Or Twice" (Terry Kath) - 3:01
  2. "You Are On My Mind" ([[James Pankow]) - 3:24
  3. "Skin Tight" (James Pankow) - 3:20
  4. "If You Leave Me Now" (Peter Cetera) - 3:58
  5. "Together Again" (Lee Loughnane) - 3:53
  6. "Another Rainy Day In New York City" (Robert Lamm) - 3:03
  7. "Mama Mama" (Peter Cetera) - 3:31
  8. "Scrapbook" (Robert Lamm) - 3:28
  9. "Gently I'll Wake You" (Robert Lamm) - 3:36
  10. "You Get It Up" (Robert Lamm) - 3:34
  11. "Hope For Love" (Terry Kath) - 3:04

Chicago X (Columbia 34200) reached #3 in the US during a charr stay of 44 weeks. It also peaked at #21 in the UK.

Personnel

Additional personnel

  • David J. Wolinski - piano and mellotron on "Hope For Love"
  • James William Guercio - acoustic guitar and bass on "If You Leave Me Now"; guitar on "Hope For Love"
  • Othello Molineaux - steel drums on "Another Rainy Day In New York City"
  • Leroy Williams - steel drums on "Another Rainy Day In New York City"
  • Jimmie Haskell - string and french horn orchestration on "If You Leave Me Now"; string conductor on "Gently I'll Wake You"
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chicago_X&oldid=24029428"