There’s something rather unusual about the three bonus tracks on the Rhino reissued version of 1980’s Chicago XIV: They are all good.
In fact, each one – including the final song, Robert Lamm’s “Soldier of Fortune” – would have been a worthy replacement for the weaker XIV material.
Lamm is in strong voice – which is good, since there is nary a harmony or backing vocal in sight. His narrative is straight forward and effective. The mid-tempo rocker finds Danny Seraphine providing what is his last interesting drum work and Peter Cetera providing his last solid McCartney-like bass work. The horn chart is equally solid and unobtrusive.
The song deserved a wider audience, especially given Chris Pinnick’s fiery lead and solo work.
Unfortunately, another end of an era was at hand for Chicago: Laudir de Oliveria was dismissed, Robert Lamm’s muse was sidelined due to his addiction, and Danny Seraphine was tied to a click track.
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