![Chicago VI [Original recording remastered]](http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00006FR46.01.TZZZZZZZ.jpg)
Expanded & remastered. This album shows the emergence of Chicago's more pop-oriented style, and features the hit singles 'Just You 'N' Me' and 'Feelin' Stronger Every Day' with 8 more original tracks, plus the bonus tracks 'Tired Of Being Alone' (with a Al Green) & 'Beyond All Our Sorrows' (Terry Kath Demo). 2002.
Chicago VI,Chicago,Rhino / Wea,Pop,Pop/Rock,Popular Music,Rock,Rock/Pop,Soft Rock
Chicago VI [Original recording remastered]
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Chicago VI
Chicago Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD  General
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Pop Rock
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ASIN: B00006FR46 Release Date: 2002-08-20 |
Tracks:
- Critics' Choice
- Just You 'n' Me
- Darlin' Dear
- Jenny
- What's This World Comin' To
- Something in This City Changes People
- Hollywood
- In Terms of Two
- Discovery
- Feelin' Stronger Every Day
- Beyond All Our Sorrows
- Tired of Being Alone
Album Description
Expanded & remastered. This album shows the emergence of Chicago's more pop-oriented style, and features the hit singles 'Just You 'N' Me' and 'Feelin' Stronger Every Day' with 8 more original tracks, plus the bonus tracks 'Tired Of Being Alone' (with a Al Green) & 'Beyond All Our Sorrows' (Terry Kath Demo). 2002.Customer Reviews:
Undanceable bummer, with hits.......2007-07-18
Chicago VI is a weak, yet important, entry into the band's work. Able to muster only one album, the band seems tried, discouraged and struggling for ideas. On the "discouraged" front (aside from the infamous "Critics' Choice") is "Something in This City Changes People," with Robert Lamm upset (again), this time about his "lady's" loneliness while he tours and his fans' disrespect of his commitment to her. Aside from being another downer, this song breaks my cardinal rule about bands writing song about being bands. Here, we have two on a single, short album, and from the same writer!
There are bright spots. "What's This World Coming To?," in spite of its pessimistic title and subject, is a romp where the band's lead singers -Peter Cetera, Terry Kath and Robert Lamm - alternate vocals. The tune tackles issues of evil, poverty and hunger, but the forceful tone, optimism ("Hope for love to come on through") along with brassy accents from Chicago's horn section make the tune tolerable and even fun.
The album's stinkers though are "Jenny" and "In Terms of Two." The first is a lovely piece featuring Terry Kath imitating an acoustic guitar on his electric, accompanied only by Cetera on bass, Seraphine's drums and Lamm on organ. The song is a plaintive melody that would have been touching if not for its subject matter. Yes, Kath actually wrote the song to his dog, asking her to comfort his "woman" when Kath was on the road. This tune is a major mistake from a strong writer, and should have been yanked. Lines like "You can chase the cats around the whole day through" should never have seen the light of day. And the pessimistic appraisal of others, ending as it does with a vulgarity (I think the only one on any Chicago album to this point) is of a piece with the rest of the album. Which is not mean as a compliment.
"In Terms of Two" is Peter Cetera's contribution to the album. It describes his feelings about being dumped or ignored by "Miss Hard-to-get" and is an early example of the bubble-gum music that Cetera would eventually inflict on the public. For a maturing individual (he was nearing age 30 in 1973), Cetera wrote from a pretty adolescent place. He does not think "in terms of two," that is in terms of committed relationships (a theme played out in many of his compositions), but flits after whichever flower has most recently caught his eye and is completely devastated when things don't turn out ("Before you leave, I want you to see what you've done to me"). The tune's easy country style, with steel guitars, is a mismatch for the song's mood, as is the harmonica solo that begins and ends the piece, especially when it segues into "O Susanna," of all things.
Anyway, as much as I dislike the album, I did buy it fully knowing hat I was getting into. Chicago VI came out as I was finishing high school (a great period to be depressed about everything) and one of its hits, "Feelin' Stronger Every Day" became a sort of slogan for the way I hoped someday to be. Chicago VI is a drag, but not a bore. The band is too strong and too talented for that. But the group's collective ennui heralded the end of the old-style rock era. I don't want to say that Chicago VI is responsible for the disco rage that followed close on its heels. But with gloomy material like this, the vapid cheeriness of disco was a welcome relief. Plus, you could dance to it.
The new CD release has a couple of bonus tracks. Terry Kath pounds his way through the chords of "Beyond All Our Sorrows," a demo for a meandering lament that had a long way to go before it rested. But "I'm So Tired of Being Alone" had the band backing up the incomparable Al Green. In comparison with Green's vocals stylings, Chicago came across as a rather mediocre backup band. But this was definitely one of the more upbeat and tolerable tracks on this album.
lost in the corporate shuffle.......2006-11-04
Chicago's Second Era.......2006-06-12
With VI, they move to the higher altitudes of the Caribou Ranch for inspiration. It makes a difference. It has been said that they became more "pop" about now. But I would disagree slightly. All artists ultimately seek long term respectability for themselves, once they have attained the heights that Chicago had in the early 70s. If it comes out "pop" to some, so be it.
The thin air of the mountains worked. Out comes Chicago VI, more introspective and poetic than any of their prior offerings. They have become better at their craft, and know how to write songs with great hooks and riffs. Not more pop, really . . . more mature.
Chicago now has more depth and breadth spread out over a single disc. Terry Kath and Robert Lamm sing more softly now, about things more personal and painful. Peter Cetera asserts himself and explores the edges of folk-country. And to demonstrate their hit-making prowess, Feeling Stronger Every Day and Just You 'N' Me provide an optimistic and catchy jolt in a way no previous album could (including V).
It is Chicago's first conga-heavy album, another indicator that their second era has begun. Laudir de Oliveira will soon become the first alteration to the Original Seven. The next Chicago era will be more fun, playful, predictable (and that's not all bad), and professional than the first era.
This was the first Chicago album I had ever bought, as a 12-year old in 1973. For that reason it is a special album to me. I loved it then, and love it now.
Yet - as a whole this is not a 5-star, which is only reserved for albums like Chicago V and Sgt Pepper. You need not be a Chicago fan to enjoy this album. It is for everybody.
A comfortable release in the middle of their classic period.......2006-05-24
Folks can argue that this release was a bit of a let down following the amazing run these guys had from 1969 - 1972, but to these ears, it contains all the same ingredients, just in different doses. There are still strong melodies, tight performances and incisive lyrics, with maybe just a bit more sheen and less improvisation than they had delivered before.
It's worth a listen unto itself, and as a precursor to the progressive explorations which characterized the follow-up release, "VII."
Inconsistent but Still a Must-Have.......2006-05-23
But there are some brilliant ones here, too, meaning that you have to get this album. "Just You And Me" is some of their best singing and instrumental playing, for example.
"Darling Dear" is strong albeit a little compromised. "What's This World Coming To" offers a strangely optimistic message which is hard to resist. "In Terms of Two" is great fun and very listenable, if a little unusual as an admixture of styles.
And then, "Something in this City Changes People" is the first inkling of the downer stuff to come - expressing disillusionment with the fruits of success is honest, but not necessarily interesting.
[sigh] You just have to buy it, whether you want to or not...
Average customer rating:
|
Chicago VI
Chicago Manufacturer: Chicago Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
Soft Rock
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
Pop Rock
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
General
| Rock
| Styles
| Music
Album-Oriented Rock (AOR)
| Classic Rock
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ASIN: B0000021RJ Release Date: 1995-02-28 |
Tracks:
- Critic's Choice
- Just You 'N' Me
- Darlin' Dear
- Jenny
- What's This World Comin' To
- Something In This City Changes People
- Hollywood
- In Terms Of Two
- Rediscovery
- Feelin' Stronger Every Day
Album Description
Expanded & remastered. This album shows the emergence of Chicago's more pop-oriented style, and features the hit singles 'Just You 'N' Me' and 'Feelin' Stronger Every Day' with 8 more original tracks, plus the bonus tracks 'Tired Of Being Alone' (with a Al Green) & 'Beyond All Our Sorrows' (Terry Kath Demo). 2002.Customer Reviews:
Undanceable bummer, with hits.......2007-07-18
Chicago VI is a weak, yet important, entry into the band's work. Able to muster only one album, the band seems tried, discouraged and struggling for ideas. On the "discouraged" front (aside from the infamous "Critics' Choice") is "Something in This City Changes People," with Robert Lamm upset (again), this time about his "lady's" loneliness while he tours and his fans' disrespect of his commitment to her. Aside from being another downer, this song breaks my cardinal rule about bands writing song about being bands. Here, we have two on a single, short album, and from the same writer!
There are bright spots. "What's This World Coming To?," in spite of its pessimistic title and subject, is a romp where the band's lead singers -Peter Cetera, Terry Kath and Robert Lamm - alternate vocals. The tune tackles issues of evil, poverty and hunger, but the forceful tone, optimism ("Hope for love to come on through") along with brassy accents from Chicago's horn section make the tune tolerable and even fun.
The album's stinkers though are "Jenny" and "In Terms of Two." The first is a lovely piece featuring Terry Kath imitating an acoustic guitar on his electric, accompanied only by Cetera on bass, Seraphine's drums and Lamm on organ. The song is a plaintive melody that would have been touching if not for its subject matter. Yes, Kath actually wrote the song to his dog, asking her to comfort his "woman" when Kath was on the road. This tune is a major mistake from a strong writer, and should have been yanked. Lines like "You can chase the cats around the whole day through" should never have seen the light of day. And the pessimistic appraisal of others, ending as it does with a vulgarity (I think the only one on any Chicago album to this point) is of a piece with the rest of the album. Which is not mean as a compliment.
"In Terms of Two" is Peter Cetera's contribution to the album. It describes his feelings about being dumped or ignored by "Miss Hard-to-get" and is an early example of the bubble-gum music that Cetera would eventually inflict on the public. For a maturing individual (he was nearing age 30 in 1973), Cetera wrote from a pretty adolescent place. He does not think "in terms of two," that is in terms of committed relationships (a theme played out in many of his compositions), but flits after whichever flower has most recently caught his eye and is completely devastated when things don't turn out ("Before you leave, I want you to see what you've done to me"). The tune's easy country style, with steel guitars, is a mismatch for the song's mood, as is the harmonica solo that begins and ends the piece, especially when it segues into "O Susanna," of all things.
Anyway, as much as I dislike the album, I did buy it fully knowing hat I was getting into. Chicago VI came out as I was finishing high school (a great period to be depressed about everything) and one of its hits, "Feelin' Stronger Every Day" became a sort of slogan for the way I hoped someday to be. Chicago VI is a drag, but not a bore. The band is too strong and too talented for that. But the group's collective ennui heralded the end of the old-style rock era. I don't want to say that Chicago VI is responsible for the disco rage that followed close on its heels. But with gloomy material like this, the vapid cheeriness of disco was a welcome relief. Plus, you could dance to it.
The new CD release has a couple of bonus tracks. Terry Kath pounds his way through the chords of "Beyond All Our Sorrows," a demo for a meandering lament that had a long way to go before it rested. But "I'm So Tired of Being Alone" had the band backing up the incomparable Al Green. In comparison with Green's vocals stylings, Chicago came across as a rather mediocre backup band. But this was definitely one of the more upbeat and tolerable tracks on this album.
lost in the corporate shuffle.......2006-11-04
Chicago's Second Era.......2006-06-12
With VI, they move to the higher altitudes of the Caribou Ranch for inspiration. It makes a difference. It has been said that they became more "pop" about now. But I would disagree slightly. All artists ultimately seek long term respectability for themselves, once they have attained the heights that Chicago had in the early 70s. If it comes out "pop" to some, so be it.
The thin air of the mountains worked. Out comes Chicago VI, more introspective and poetic than any of their prior offerings. They have become better at their craft, and know how to write songs with great hooks and riffs. Not more pop, really . . . more mature.
Chicago now has more depth and breadth spread out over a single disc. Terry Kath and Robert Lamm sing more softly now, about things more personal and painful. Peter Cetera asserts himself and explores the edges of folk-country. And to demonstrate their hit-making prowess, Feeling Stronger Every Day and Just You 'N' Me provide an optimistic and catchy jolt in a way no previous album could (including V).
It is Chicago's first conga-heavy album, another indicator that their second era has begun. Laudir de Oliveira will soon become the first alteration to the Original Seven. The next Chicago era will be more fun, playful, predictable (and that's not all bad), and professional than the first era.
This was the first Chicago album I had ever bought, as a 12-year old in 1973. For that reason it is a special album to me. I loved it then, and love it now.
Yet - as a whole this is not a 5-star, which is only reserved for albums like Chicago V and Sgt Pepper. You need not be a Chicago fan to enjoy this album. It is for everybody.
A comfortable release in the middle of their classic period.......2006-05-24
Folks can argue that this release was a bit of a let down following the amazing run these guys had from 1969 - 1972, but to these ears, it contains all the same ingredients, just in different doses. There are still strong melodies, tight performances and incisive lyrics, with maybe just a bit more sheen and less improvisation than they had delivered before.
It's worth a listen unto itself, and as a precursor to the progressive explorations which characterized the follow-up release, "VII."
Inconsistent but Still a Must-Have.......2006-05-23
But there are some brilliant ones here, too, meaning that you have to get this album. "Just You And Me" is some of their best singing and instrumental playing, for example.
"Darling Dear" is strong albeit a little compromised. "What's This World Coming To" offers a strangely optimistic message which is hard to resist. "In Terms of Two" is great fun and very listenable, if a little unusual as an admixture of styles.
And then, "Something in this City Changes People" is the first inkling of the downer stuff to come - expressing disillusionment with the fruits of success is honest, but not necessarily interesting.
[sigh] You just have to buy it, whether you want to or not...
Average customer rating:
|
Chicago VI
Chicago Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| Pop
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Soft Rock
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Pop Rock
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ASIN: B00000DRW2 Release Date: 1990-10-25 |
Tracks:
- Critics' Choice
- Just You 'N' Me
- Darlin' Dear
- Jenny
- What's This World Coming To
- Something in This City Changes People
- Hollywood
- In Terms of Two
- Rediscovery
- Feelin' Stronger Every Day
Customer Reviews:
Mellow and Downbeat.......2006-06-19
The opening song, "Critics' Choice," is about a favorite topic for a number of artists who sometimes feel they must pander to critics to have any musical success. I am a little surprised that Chicago would have felt this way given their highly creative and original first albums where they were clearly unconcerned by the critics. It may be that some criticisms started to sting about this time. This song is a piano solo accompanying a plaintive vocal; a mellow opening song that sets the tone for the rest of the album.
The second song, "Just You `N' Me," is an upbeat love song. The beat and hooks are somewhat pop, but the addition of horns gives this song a solid Chicago flavor. This song was released as a single with "Critics' Choice" and reached #4 in 1973. This song was also included in a couple of greatest hits collections for Chicago.
"Darlin' Dear" is a powerful rock love song with a touch of blues that stays in a lighter vein, even with the heavy music. This song is one of the more complex compositions on this album and features strong contributions from electric guitars, piano and horns. Once again Chicago proved their ability to create music in whatever style suited their needs.
The Terry Kath song "Jenny" is downbeat with blues vocals overlaying the instruments playing a rock beat. It is initially tempting to classify this song as pop, but while the flavor is there the song resists classification as pop and is closer to blues-rock.
The next song betrays its early 70s origins. "What's this World Comin' To" is a fast paced rock song with a soul flavor. Chicago's ever-present brass section is prominent throughout this James Pankow penned song. While the music is upbeat, the vocals are relatively downbeat, continuing to provide a darker tone to this album as compared to Chicago's earlier albums.
"Something in this City Changes People" is downbeat and slow. The poetic words describe the cynicism of city-dwellers and how they come to act differently from how they once were when they lived elsewhere. There are lines such as "...Everyone's my friend, they pretend..." lamenting how people will not say what they mean. Later there are lyrics that describe how people can become self-centered and egotistical, "...Egos magnified, quite unjustified..." I am assuming that this song relates some of Robert Lamm's experiences in Los Angeles, where it often seems that people create a persona that has little to do with their inner self and their true feelings. "Hollywood" is another Robert Lamm song that continues in the same vein as the previous song. The lyrics expand the theme of the previous song with lyrics such as:
Watch
What you say,
When you say it,
Someone you know,
Will betray it,
Will betray it.
"In Terms of Two" is a Peter Cetera love song. The song is typical of Peter Cetera's style, meaning pop, though the instruments used are a bit unusual. The vocals and music are competent, though generally unremarkable.
"Rediscovery" is a cleverly placed Robert Lamm song that talks about breaking out of a down mood. This funk-flavored song leads into the end of the original album, the upbeat power song "Feelin' Stronger Every Day," that is all the more powerful because of its placement at the end of a string of mellow songs. "Rediscovery" is about the search for personal meaning, relying on nature as the source. "Feelin' Stronger Every Day" continues the theme of picking up and moving on. This song is one of the best on the album and reached #9 in 1974, far less than it deserved, but competition was very stiff at that time.
There are at least three versions of this CD available. This version is one of the earliest CD versions, released in 1990. There is also a 1995 reissue and a 2002 remaster that includes two bonus tracks. If you like Chicago's blues music you may prefer a version with the extra tracks. You may wish to survey the available versions to determine which version best meets your needs before buying.
"Chicago VI" is emotionally downbeat. The group sounds tired and depressed, perhaps as a result of several years of intense creativity, moving to California and being overwhelmed by fame. There is a raw emotional edge to this album. There are some creative discontinuities, and yet, the album has some wonderful moments that provide an astute listener with a wonderful listening experience. This album may not be as polished as their earlier efforts, but has much less pop than the efforts to come.
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Richard Strauss: Don Quixote/Burleske
Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Strauss
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ASIN: B00000E6Q1 Release Date: 1994-01-18 |
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Schubert: Symphony No. 9
Franz Schubert , James Levine , and Chicago Symphony Orchestra Manufacturer: Universal Music & VI ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B00000E2V6 |
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