The Chicago version of “Sleigh Ride,” from 1998’s Chicago XXV: The Christmas Album, begins with the roll and crack of drummer Tris Imboden’s snare. Then the horns come charging in, and away we fly! Trumpeter Lee Loughnane sings the familiar verses of the song with a slightly bluesy inflection, yet stays true to the original melody.
Loughnane has always borne a slight vocal resemblance to the band’s late leader, Terry Kath (lead vocals/lead guitar), minus the latter’s vocal richness. In any case, it’s great to hear that tone color once again on a Chicago album.
Background vocals join the lead on the second verse. What passes for a chorus on this song (“Giddy up, giddy up, let’s go”) is sung by bassist Jason Scheff. Wah-wah guitar from Keith Howland and jazzy piano chords add frosting on this holiday cake. The horns play the bridge melody, which is then restated by the Chicago vocal team in nice harmony. Scheff’s bubbly bass feels like the sleigh is bobbing along quite nicely.
Lee Loughnane comes back with more backing vocals behind him for the last verse, and we’re out. There are many now-former band members on this selection (Chicago now seems to change band members with the seasons), but this track is different spin on an old warhorse – and for that, I gave the band some credit. Enjoy!
- Chicago, “Watching All the Colors” (2014): Saturdays in the Park - January 22, 2022
- Chicago, “Love Lives On” from ‘Chicago XXXVI: Now’ (2014): Saturdays in the Park - January 8, 2022
- Chicago, “More Will Be Revealed” from ‘Chicago XXXVI: Now’ (2014): Saturdays in the Park - December 11, 2021
