Post Tagged with: "When Good Bands Do Bad Things"

Chicago, “Better” from ‘Chicago XXX’ (2006): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Better” from ‘Chicago XXX’ (2006): Saturdays in the Park

Like so many goodbyes, nobody knew “Better” would represent Bill Champlin’s last released original recording with Chicago.

Chicago, “Already Gone” from ‘Chicago XXX’ (2006): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Already Gone” from ‘Chicago XXX’ (2006): Saturdays in the Park

“Already Gone” shows once again that ‘Chicago XXX’ isn’t a bad album. It’s a good album that was just ruined by poor production.

Yes, “Music to My Ears” from ‘The Quest’ (2021): YESterdays

Yes, “Music to My Ears” from ‘The Quest’ (2021): YESterdays

With “Music to My Ears,” Yes continues to seesaw between song ideas that clearly sprang from individual members. That leads to an ego-driven mistake.

Chicago, “90 Degrees and Freezing” from ‘Chicago XXX’ (2006): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “90 Degrees and Freezing” from ‘Chicago XXX’ (2006): Saturdays in the Park

This checks all of Chicago’s boxes, including prominent horns and alternating lead vocals. Where “90 Degrees and Freezing” fails is in the production.

Chicago, “Feel” from ‘Chicago XXX’ (2006): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Feel” from ‘Chicago XXX’ (2006): Saturdays in the Park

Working with Rascal Flatts certainly wasn’t conventional. But at this point Chicago’s sails had been slack for more than a decade. They had nothing to lose.

Yes, “Vevey” from ‘Going For the One’ (bonus track, 1977): YESterdays

Yes, “Vevey” from ‘Going For the One’ (bonus track, 1977): YESterdays

This ‘Going For the One’-era bonus item would have made an interesting interlude. At just over four minutes, however, it seems too long as a Yes song.

Chicago, “The Show Must Go On” from ‘Stone of Sisyphus’ (2008): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “The Show Must Go On” from ‘Stone of Sisyphus’ (2008): Saturdays in the Park

By the time “The Show Must Go On” finally saw official release, everything had changed – for the song, and for Chicago.

Chicago, “Holdin’ On” from ‘Twenty 1’ (1991): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Holdin’ On” from ‘Twenty 1’ (1991): Saturdays in the Park

Initially written for 1988’s ‘Chicago 19,’ “Holdin’ On” represents yet another misuse of Bill Champlin, the band’s most prominent talent.

Chicago, “Who Do You Love” from ‘Twenty 1’ (1991): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Who Do You Love” from ‘Twenty 1’ (1991): Saturdays in the Park

Sometimes, as the Bill Champlin-sung “Who Do You Love” from Chicago’s ‘Twenty 1’ makes clear, less is more and more is less.

The Evolution of Yes’ Timeless ‘Roundabout’: Gimme Five

The Evolution of Yes’ Timeless ‘Roundabout’: Gimme Five

Yes’ forthcoming ‘The Royal Affair Tour: Live in Las Vegas’ includes yet another live update of “Roundabout.” Let’s take a look back.