Stupid sub-title to get 2 extra viewers :)
The album starts with “Prelude to Aire” as you will see in the link below, and just play it straight, like it’s meant to be played, by the band’s official site. There’s
It's my favorite album. I thought it was bold to go almost a half an hour with no vocals. I wish they would have followed through this vision. I love VIII, but X is my least favorite of the Kath era... I also don't know where Robert got this, "The audience hated it" - I have the shows. They love it, and second, even if an audience doesn't applause, well, you're playing stuff for the first time. I saw the Eagles, and didn't know "Bitter Creek" oddly enough, so I was just taking it all in. Sometimes it takes several listens. And this "We played none of the hits" - again, I have the concerts, and the set-lists are all online for anyone to see... I wonder how it would have been received if it was "blended". Basically a variety from song to song. I wish SO badly Terry Kath wasn't such an encouraging friend and mate, and would have sung "Song of the Evergreens" himself. My friends still think it's Terry, but I have to remind them it's Lee, the trumpet player. "Women Don't Want To Love Me" is a song I'm surprised wasn't a hit, or just more popular, radio play. It's funny, because just last night, I did a demo of that song, but played the drums "straight" - which is the reverse of the rhythm on the album, although it is unique, but live, probably would have worked out better that way, or even a single version. I think "Wishing You Were Here" is one of Chicago's 10 best songs, and the best song Peter ever wrote. "Byblos" is a very cool song, and "Searchin'" is probably in my Top 5 Chicago songs. I think I've listened to it almost every day of 2022 (I have this morning YouTube playlist when I brush my teeth, put in contacts, etc) and still haven't gotten sick of it!
What I'd love to mention is how the process works. James writes a song about SELF-discovery, and then probably does a sing-off, but in the end, Peter sings it, and I wonder how that works. Peter said James wanted things note for note the way he wanted, while Robert was the loosest, and Terry in between. So I wonder what things Peter added (like "Call on Me"), and if they work it out together. But it must be .... interesting, for another man to sing another man's heart out, and boy did he! I think the playing is top-notch all the way through the album. Terry loved this album, but Guercio is quoted, saying he and Peter talked to each other and said they weren't having fun, and put in some other songs. I believe "Happy Man", which I think fits in well. Latin rhythm with jazz chords. And Peter said he didn't like jazz! I could keep talking about this album, it's wonderful, and one of my favorites in general.. Danny is the writer on Side One, with some co-crediting with with Walter and Jimmy after the prelude, which again, I think is such a bold way to start an album. I wonder how many Chicago fans (maybe you all can answer) listened to it and thought, "Where's the singing?" and how many just listened and thought, "Far out!" because there's plenty of wonderful vocals. I wish they would have stuck with the three guys on lead vocals, though.