Chicago VII

Chicago - Chicago VII

Chicago VII
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Music CD Cover

Artist: Chicago
Brand: Chicago
Edition: Music CD
Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
CD Release Date: 2002-11-05
Music Label: Rhino
Soundtracks:
  1. Prelude to Aire
  2. Aire
  3. Devil's Sweet
  4. Italian from New York
  5. Hanky Panky
  6. Life Saver
  7. Happy Man
  8. (I've Been) Searchin' So Long
  9. Mongonucleosis
  10. Song of the Evergreens
  11. Byblos
  12. Wishing You Were Here
  13. Call on Me
  14. Women Don't Want to Love Me
  15. Skinny Boy
  16. Byblos [Rehearsal][#][*]

Free Music Notes for Chicago VII

Free Music Review: Chicago Refreshed & Renewed
Hit: 5 Stars

After the relatively downbeat pop of "Chicago VI," this album shows an energetic Chicago with a positive musical outlook. While the pop element is retained, there are also incredible jazz moments that can take you back to the first three Chicago albums.

The first five tracks are instrumentals, yielding more than 25 minutes of wonderful music that alternates between jazz, progressive jazz, jazz-rock, and other combinations that are easy to lose in the complexity of the music. The instruments include congas, horns, keyboards, including a mellotron, Fender Rhodes, ARP synthesizer, and clavinet, a flute, drums and guitars.

"Prelude to Aire" provides an initial indication of the flavor of the instrumentals with a strongly African influenced beat. If you liked Paul Simon's "Graceland," you should also like "Prelude to Aire." "Aire" is a jazz instrumental with but a flavor of the introductory song. Peter Cetera and Terry Kath both get to strut their stuff in the second half of the song, with Terry Kath turning funky for a portion of his lead.

"Aire" is complex and relatively long at almost six and a half minutes, but the following instrumental, "Devil's Sweet," is even longer. Portions of this ten minute composition are introspective, allowing jazz noodling of a core musical theme. Certain portions remind me of some of King Crimson's more experimental 70s work. The mixture of 50s retro style with Jazz and rock creates an interesting instrumental composition that requires multiple listens for full appreciation. "Italian from New York" fits well with the previous instrumentals. This instrumental begins with sound effects that are retro, yet modern. The sound effects are married to horns and later a funky guitar to create a fusion that is new and old, interesting and unique. The last instrumental composition, "Hanky Panky," sets up the transition from the instrumental mini-suite to the first song of the album. "Hanky Panky" is a celebration of music and jazz and declares its enthusiasm for the music that came before and the music that comes after.

The first song keeps a jazz theme for continuity with the opening instrumentals. The vocals have a Beatle's style when they open, and "Life Saver's" peppy beat sets the optimistic tone for the music of this CD. "Happy Man" is a mellow pop love song from Peter Cetera. The pace is slower than the earlier songs, and yet the song is a celebration, with upbeat percussion and vocals.

The next song was the first hit from this album. An edited version of "(I've Been) Searchin' So Long" was backed by "Byblos" in release. The single reached #9 on the Hot 100 and #8 on the Easy Listening charts. As was typical of Chicago's music at that time, the music was very carefully arranged and heavily orchestrated. This pop song is flavored by horns rather than being a true jazz fusion. This song also features strings to further expand the complexity of the music. The vocals are arranged with similar complexity and make this song one of Chicago's all-time greats.

I have no idea what "Mongonucleosis" is about. The lyrics are "Que pe chesa" repeated. The music is Hispanic-styled and fast. This music is easy on the ear and fun, maintaining the optimistic tone of the album. "Song of the Evergreens" is Terry Kath poetry. The lyrics are evocative and the complex music is rock. The repeated "snow" lyrics at the end of the song could be annoying, and yet they are not. Once again the music is catchy and tempts you to hum along. Near the end of the song the guitars break down into a funky sound characteristic of the mid-70s.

"Byblos" is a lyrically complex song. This song is a story song in the tradition of those sung by Harry Chapin and Gordon Lightfoot. We never learn her name, but we know she affects those around her with her presence, an inner beauty that makes you long for her presence once more, while feeling comfortable just because she is in the world. This song is yet another Terry Kath poem set to mellow and pretty music.

The next song has always been one of my all-time Chicago favorites. "Wishing You Were Here" was ethereal and haunting well before that type of song was popular in rock. Chicago's vocals are enhanced by the presence of the Dennis and Carl Wilson of the Beach Boys and Al Jardine. There is also an interesting synthesizer contribution to this song that helps provide an eerie aspect to the song's ethereal air. This song is one that must be heard to be appreciated. This song reached #11 on the Hot 100 chart and #1 on the Easy Listening chart, backed by "Life Saver."

The next song charted #6 on the Hot 100 chart and also went to #1 on the easy listening chart. "Call on Me," backed by "Prelude to Aire," is a jazz-influenced pop love song. The lyrics are simple with yet more catchy pop hooks. The song speeds up at the end to rush through the last 30 seconds, leading into "Women Don't Want to Love Me." This song has a funky blues rhythm and is a breakup song. Similarly, "Skinny Boy" also has a funky blues style. Both songs are by Robert Lamm.

This version of the CD includes a rehearsal of "Byblos," which pushes the total time for this CD to about 78 minutes, indicative of the original double vinyl album. This rehearsal is shorter than the released version, and contains some variation from the original.

From "Chicago Transit Authority" Chicago just seemed to get better and better. This CD shows pop influence, but there are just as many other influences, including jazz, blues and even Hispanic. This music is more than just great pop or rock; it is great music, period. If you are going to own music by Chicago, this CD is a must.
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Chicago VII Poster

Expanded and Remastered, features the original double-album's 15 jazzy pop tracks, including the hits '(I've Been) Searchin' So Long,' 'Wishing You Were Here' and 'Call On Me.' Also includes the bonus track 'Byblos' (rehearsal version). Rhino. 2002.

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