Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Look Away” from ‘Chicago 19’ (1988): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Look Away” from ‘Chicago 19’ (1988): Saturdays in the Park

Producer Ron Nevison takes over for Bill Champlin’s “Look Away,” a faceless smash single from a forgettable Chicago album.

Chicago, “Come in From the Night” from ‘Chicago 19’ (1988): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Come in From the Night” from ‘Chicago 19’ (1988): Saturdays in the Park

“Come in From the Night,” more than any other, is a fantastic example of the potential of Bill Champlin and Chicago.

Chicago “We Can Last Forever” from ‘Chicago 19’ (1988): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago “We Can Last Forever” from ‘Chicago 19’ (1988): Saturdays in the Park

Another of Jason Scheff’s well-written masterpieces, “We Can Last Forever” makes me appreciate his tenure in Chicago even more.

Chicago, “I Stand Up” from ‘Chicago 19’ (1988): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “I Stand Up” from ‘Chicago 19’ (1988): Saturdays in the Park

Artificial drum beats are all that prevent “I Stand Up” from fitting right into 1972’s ‘Chicago V’ or 1974’s ‘Chicago VII.’

Chicago, “I Don’t Wanna Live Without Your Love” (1988): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “I Don’t Wanna Live Without Your Love” (1988): Saturdays in the Park

If you somehow feel compelled to listen to Chicago’s by-the-numbers ballad “I Don’t Wanna Live Without Your Love,” check out the weird and delightful video.

Chicago, “Heart in Pieces” from ‘Chicago 19’ (1988): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Heart in Pieces” from ‘Chicago 19’ (1988): Saturdays in the Park

The first time I heard the opening track from ‘Chicago 19,’ I was drawn in – and even listening today, “Heart in Pieces” still stands out to me.

Chicago, “When Will the World Be Like Lovers” (1986): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “When Will the World Be Like Lovers” (1986): Saturdays in the Park

The ‘Chicago 18’-era leftover “When Will the World Be Like Lovers” represents everything that is wrong with their post-Peter Cetera material.

Chicago “One More Day” from ‘Chicago 18’ (1986): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago “One More Day” from ‘Chicago 18’ (1986): Saturdays in the Park

“One More Day” is an appropriate ending for an album that likewise had some good, some bad, but overall represents a dated version of Chicago.

Chicago, “I Believe” from ‘Chicago 18’ (1986): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “I Believe” from ‘Chicago 18’ (1986): Saturdays in the Park

David Foster designed 1986’s ‘Chicago 18’ to be our introduction to Jason Scheff, but Bill Champlin continued his emergence as a force to be reckoned with.

Chicago, “Nothin’s Gonna Stop Us Now” from ‘Chicago 18’ (1986): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Nothin’s Gonna Stop Us Now” from ‘Chicago 18’ (1986): Saturdays in the Park

This ironically named Chicago song is well written, detailed and very descriptive, but it took me a while to understand what the lyrics really meant.