I have to disagree with our esteemed Chicago reviewer Perplexio. In a glowing review of “The Only One,” he mentioned that producer Lenny Kravitz was the one producer the band used in their post-Terry Kath career who “got it.” I’d say that’s not entirely accurate.
The other guy who got it was Roy Bittan. The E Street keyboardist’s oversight of Chicago XXV: The Christmas Album (which later made up the majority of a re-release titled What’s It Gonna Be, Santa?) focuses on Chicago’s typically overlooked innate abilities.
Bittan’s work on “All Roads Lead to You” (and “Show Me a Sign,” the other bonus track from 1998’s Heart of Chicago Vol. II) employed subtle electric piano-like touches, and a sprinkling of organ to enhance the organic feel. Lenny Kravitz handled all the guitars and bass on “The Only One,” but Keith Howland continued to cement his role on “All Roads Lead to You.” Chicago’s longest-tenured guitarist took full advantage of the fact that Roy Bittan was opposed to employing another faceless session player. Jason Scheff is also as rock-solid here as ever.
The song, written by Desmond Child and Marc Beesin, is pure pop but it’s pleasant. Bittan’s arrangement is uncluttered, letting the guitar, bass and the keyboards have space. The vocal performance allowed Bill Champlin and Scheff an opportunity to rekindle their Chicago 18 magic and throws in a tasty dose of Robert Lamm too.
Champlin, in particular, adds a needed grit to what could have been a paint-by-numbers MOR song. It wasn’t a daring break from the past, but at least “All Roads Lead to You” was new music that played to Chicago’s strengths.
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