Articles by: Bob Helme

Chicago, “Watching All the Colors” (2014): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Watching All the Colors” (2014): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago’s “Watching All the Colors” introduced fans to Lou Pardini, but in the end is just a pleasant little bon-bon, forgotten as soon as it’s over.

Chicago, “Love Lives On” from ‘Chicago XXXVI: Now’ (2014): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Love Lives On” from ‘Chicago XXXVI: Now’ (2014): Saturdays in the Park

‘Now’ showed Chicago could produce a better album than they have in years when given complete artistic control. But they still had to include a ballad.

Chicago, “More Will Be Revealed” from ‘Chicago XXXVI: Now’ (2014): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “More Will Be Revealed” from ‘Chicago XXXVI: Now’ (2014): Saturdays in the Park

Robert Lamm shows that he can still write and arrange great Chicago songs, but it’s a shame the production betrays him.

Chicago, “Doin’ Business” from ‘Chicago XIV’ (1980): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Doin’ Business” from ‘Chicago XIV’ (1980): Saturdays in the Park

It’s a shame this didn’t make the album: “Doin’ Business” would have made a great replacement for a few duds on ‘Chicago XIV.’

Chicago, “Birthday Boy” from ‘Chicago XIV’ (1980): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Birthday Boy” from ‘Chicago XIV’ (1980): Saturdays in the Park

Is “Birthday Boy” the worst song from Chicago’s 1969-80 era with Columbia Records? Possibly …

Chicago “Life Is What It Is” from ‘Chicago 13’ (1979): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago “Life Is What It Is” from ‘Chicago 13’ (1979): Saturdays in the Park

“Life Is What It Is” doesn’t sound like it belongs on the stink-fest that is 1979’s ‘Chicago 13.’

Chicago, “Window Dreamin'” from ‘Chicago 13’ (1979): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Window Dreamin'” from ‘Chicago 13’ (1979): Saturdays in the Park

The lackluster “Window Dreamin'” showed that Chicago had more serious problems than their problem-child lead guitarist.

Chicago, “Street Player” from ‘Chicago 13’ (1979): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Street Player” from ‘Chicago 13’ (1979): Saturdays in the Park

Things actually got darker, but “Street Player” gave the ill-fated ‘Chicago 13’ a great lead-off track.

Chicago, “No Tell Lover” from ‘Hot Streets’ (1978): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “No Tell Lover” from ‘Hot Streets’ (1978): Saturdays in the Park

“No Tell Lover” isn’t the deepest song in the world, but it’s a very enjoyable track from an uneven Chicago album.

Chicago, “Sleigh Ride” from ‘Chicago XXV’ (1998): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Sleigh Ride” from ‘Chicago XXV’ (1998): Saturdays in the Park

This track is different spin on an old warhorse – and for that, I gave Chicago some credit.