Articles by: Perplexio

Chicago, "Hold On" from 'Chicago XIV' (1980): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Hold On” from ‘Chicago XIV’ (1980): Saturdays in the Park

Perhaps ‘Chicago XIV’ falls short because it doesn’t sound like a Chicago album.

Chicago, "Closer to You" from 'Chicago 13' (1979): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Closer to You” from ‘Chicago 13’ (1979): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago got in their own way once again, as Donnie Dacus’s vocals marred an otherwise enjoyable song.

Toto, "Miss Sun" from 'Toto XX' (1998): Toto Tuesdays

Toto, “Miss Sun” from ‘Toto XX’ (1998): Toto Tuesdays

This Toto demo is thoroughly enjoyable but, in the end, “Miss Sun” truly was a gift for Boz Scaggs.

Toto, "Right Part of Me" from 'Toto XX' (1998): Toto Tuesdays

Toto, “Right Part of Me” from ‘Toto XX’ (1998): Toto Tuesdays

“Right Part of Me” should have kept Toto’s string of hits rolling. Instead, the song has never been elevated to the classic status it deserves.

Chicago, "Aloha Mama" from 'Chicago 13' (1979): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Aloha Mama” from ‘Chicago 13’ (1979): Saturdays in the Park

“Aloha Mama,” from the broadly disappointing ‘Chicago 13,’ is a fantastic song – until Peter Cetera starts singing.

Toto, "In a Word" from 'Toto XX' (1998): Toto Tuesdays

Toto, “In a Word” from ‘Toto XX’ (1998): Toto Tuesdays

This lost Toto track’s best moments are, unfortunately, what keeps it mired in a bygone era.

Chicago, "Must Have Been Crazy"  from 'Chicago 13' (1979): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Must Have Been Crazy” from ‘Chicago 13’ (1979): Saturdays in the Park

Much like a majority of the material on ‘Chicago 13,’ “Must Have Been Crazy” is not a bad song. It’s those lyrics.

Chicago, "Mama Take" from 'Chicago 13' (1979): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Mama Take” from ‘Chicago 13’ (1979): Saturdays in the Park

Nothing on ‘Chicago 13’ really reaches for greatness — but “Mama Take” at least makes a struggling grasp for mediocrity.

Toto, "Last Night" from 'Toto XX' (1998): Toto Tuesdays

Toto, “Last Night” from ‘Toto XX’ (1998): Toto Tuesdays

While it took a little longer to finally see the light of day, Toto’s “Last Night” was well worth the wait.

Chicago, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (2003): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (2003): Saturdays in the Park

Bill Champlin and Chicago gave “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” the breath of fresh air needed to make this over-exposed holiday classic listenable again.