“What Child Is This” demonstrates that Bill Champlin’s greatest contribution to Chicago was his arrangement acumen. This statement in no way diminishes Champlin’s obvious vocal chops, or his keyboard/organ talent. There are also a few great examples of Champlin’s excellent fretwork with Chicago.
Chicago XXV: The Christmas Album – and its expanded successor, What’s Its Gonna Be, Santa? – showcases vocal stacks to die for. Indeed, the vocal savant Champlin was able to blend with Jason Scheff in a way that in many cases surpassed his work with Peter Cetera. On this old Christmas chestnut, Champlin’s vocal harmonies are among his best work. The arrangement builds as the song progresses and supports the passionate lead vocal.
Producer Roy Bittan achieved something not many other producers have with the band: He balanced all the elements to move them forward yet retained the unique Chicago sound. Lee Loughnane’s muted trumpet, Tris Imboden’s intuitive drumming (along with an understated drum-machine program) and Keith Howland’s melodic electric guitar wrap the perfect rock, jazz and R&B elements in a bow.
The Bittan-produced songs stand is stark contrast to the Phil Ramone-produced songs from What’s Its Gonna Be, Santa?, and make me wonder why he didn’t get an opportunity to produce a full album of original Chicago material.
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