CHICAGO V
By Larry Launstein, Jr.

INTRODUCING THE GREATEST
CHICAGO RECORDING EVER

Chicago V is the greatest Chicago recording ever for many reasons. First, Chicago was able to create singles and songs like those that came before this album, with long, but not quite as long, instrumental excursions. Second, all songs are tight, including those which have instrumental excursions. And, with the success of "Saturday In The Park", Chicago was able to create songs that fit within a singles concept without compromising their legendary sound. And, all the other songs that do not fit within the singles concept, like "While The City Sleeps", nonetheless have a tightly defined style. And, the entire recording has a strong central focus. And, they have not forgotten the political and social tendencies that characterized their early music. It is this merger of the singles concept and the classic Chicago style from previous albums that marked a turning point in the band's career. It is this merger, and the spectacular results that came from it, that makes Chicago V the greatest recording in the band's long history.

THE SONGS

The songs themselves are a clear indication of Chicago's finally reconciling the balance between music designed specifically with radio in mind, and also incorporating longer instrumental excursions. All songs are tightly defined, but express Chicago's creative might.

A Hit By Varese: This song is a tribute to a composer named Varese, whose trademark was always attempting new elements in his music. Robert Lamm is trying to do the same thing here, and the results are spectacular. The song begins with a whoosh sound that continues in parts throughout the song. James Pankow and Lee Loughnane have a very energetic, sharp sound, and there is a large contrast between the high on Lee's trumpet, and the low on James' trombone. And, Walt Parazaider smoothes everything with his brilliant, smooth-sounding saxophone. And, the guitar, drums, and bass shine in this song as well. And, there is a fine musical excursion in the middle part of this song.

All Is Well: I love the chorus in this song. Like "A Hit By Varese", this song, and most others, were written by Lamm. Lamm, Peter Cetera, and Terry Kath are so good in the chorus parts it will blow you away. And, in the parts Lamm sings solo, he is very smooth, and somewhat authoritative. And, the horns utilize a�more mellow sound. This is one song I wish Chicago would remake with the current lineup. I�believe that it would sound just as great in its own way.

Now That You've Gone: This beauty was created by James Pankow, and is truly a beauty. Danny opens up this song with some fine, hard-hitting drum play. This song is one of the best examples of former guitarist Terry Kath's vocal range, and he uses it all right here. And, Walt puts on a woodwind-playing clinic at the end of this song. It is that awesome.

Dialogue (Parts I & II): Even with the presence of "Saturday In The Park" on this recording, this is probably the best effort Lamm, or most anyone else,�has put forth as far as social and political commentary is concerned. This song is about a political activist (played by Terry Kath) and an apathetic college student (Peter Cetera), whose number one ambition in life is "to keep a steady high". And, by the time these two are finished talking to each other about the problems facing America in 1972 (Vietnam, some lingering social and political unrest carried over, and prior to Watergate, as well as the usual suspects, hunger and alienation), there is an awesome horn, guitar transition punctuated by the tambourine, which goes into the chorus of "We can make it better ... We can change the world now ... We can save the children ... We can make it happen. Then, there is some fiery, screaming guitar from Kath, along with some intense horn play. And, the grand finale is one of the most unusual endings to a song by any rock band. They resume the chorus of "We can make it happen", and then the last verse they sing "We can make it hap ...". What a great ending!

While The City Sleeps: This is another awesome rocker from Lamm. Like the song "All Is Well", these guys put on an awesome vocal choral clinic. There is some dynamite guitar playing again, and the horns are loud, intense, and downright scary.

Saturday In The Park: This is the song that took Chicago from being a great band to a legendary band. Say what you will about later efforts such as "If You Leave Me Now" and how the ballads became the standard for how Chicago is judged, this is THE song that took Chicago to the level of rock immortality. All that followed might have happened, but this is the defining moment. When Lamm produced this song, he said he was out in New York's Central Park (probably taking a break from the recording studio). This is his observations on what he saw: the ice cream man, the guitar player, the bronx man telling stories his own way. This is the greatest piano performance by a rock band ever, and only people such as Elton John have done as well. Lamm is at his very best vocals, and Peter sings a couple of parts as well. And, the clincher: the mystery Italian line (?), which, to this day, nobody really knows what it is or what means. Lamm says he made up this whole to come off sounding Italian. If you want insight, see a philosopher. As for me, Robert provides all the philosophy I will ever need. For all these reasons, "Saturday In The Park" will forever be my favorite song by anybody. This is one of the greatest examples anyone has ever put forth of a song utilizing the modern single concept without sacrificing integrity. And this song has integrity.

State Of The Union: Another one of Lamm's social and political commentaries, sung by Cetera. For some reason, the normally clear-sounding voice of Cetera got just a bit mudded here. But, this is still one great performance by Peter. There is a somewhat long instrumental excursion at the middle of this song, and a very long fadeout at the end. Kath is his usual brilliant self on guitar.

Goodbye: A very jazzy song also created by Lamm. At least the way I see it, this song is about the breakup of a relationship, and there seems to be some regret here. What I also see here is Chicago yearning to break with LA and get home to Chicago. The reason I say all of this is the line "Feels so good to be sorry ... 'cause LA was so boring". There seems to be that dual meaning that is unusual for a Chicago song.

Alma Mater: This song is one of Terry Kath's beauties. His vocal range is dynamic and covers a wide range in this song. Dealing with the band's history up to 1972, some of the things that happened to them, and where they were headed from there, this song really sounds like a college alma mater. The chorus in this song is also excellent.

THAT'S A WRAP, CHICAGO ...

Chicago V is the defining moment where all of Chicago's enormous abilities come together. You have the legendary single, "Saturday In The Park", which merges the singles concept without sacrificing integrity. You have the political and social commentary that helped characterize Chicago's early music, you still have some musical excursions where instruments play with and off of each other, and you also have some brilliant vocal performances, both solo and in chorus.

This recording was the first of five Chicago recordings to make it to number 1 on the album charts. All of them, with the possible exception of the first Greatest Hits, became legendary recordings. This recording represents the most productive period in Chicago history, and set the standard for all the Chicago recordings that came afterward.

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