Road weary and dying for a day off, Chicago still manages to address both their jazz roots and rock and roll side in a single composition.

Is this Peter Cetera-composed, Terry Kath-sung track the best ballad in Chicago’s canon, or just one of many highs?

From ‘Chicago VI’ on, it was increasingly apparent that guitarist / vocalist / band heart and soul Terry Kath was becoming weary of his diminishing role.

Musically, Chicago’s “Song of the Evergreens” is brilliant. Where the disconnect occurs are the vocals.

Chicago’s Terry Kath delivers a raw, emotional performance not unlike John Lennon’s brilliant but bleak ‘Plastic Ono Band’ album.

If ‘Chicago VI’ had opened with “Jenny” instead of “Critic’s Choice,” the album might be held in higher regard than it is today.

I remember my late father listening to this Chicago song and remarking, “Terry Kath could sing the telephone book and make you weep!” True and tragic.

Robert Lamm contributes a stand-out cut from the last album (except for parts of ‘VII’) where Chicago is truly an experimental band.

On an album as strong as ‘Chicago V,’ “Now That You’ve Gone” still manages to stand out – a testament to its greatness.

“Hour in the Shower” is a welcome reminder that as serious as Chicago took themselves at times, they still knew how to have fun.