Chicago XI (Expanded)

I have two albums by Chicago that are signed by all 7 original members: My favorite album (Chicago II) and this one (XI). Both are special to me. "II" is my favorite and "XI" is Terry Kath's last album before his death. What is interesting is that Chicago XI was released in Sept 1977 and Kath died in January of 1978. He only had a 4 month window to sign my album. That makes it special to me. I am a HUGE Chicago fan and I agree with the reviews that say that Chicago lost a great deal of their heart and soul with Kath's passing. Kath had soul and his guitar playing will never be imitated or surpassed. My favorite Kath song is probably "In the Country" from Chicago II. Although I have been a fan of Chicago's through all of their changes in style, especially through the 80's with the addition of David Foster as producer, Kath never would have allowed that. I cannot imagine Kath in the studio or on stage putting up with "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" or "You're the Inspiration". Don't get me wrong, these songs are good songs but they lack soul. They would have been too top 40 for Kath. Even the ballads of the 70's ("Just You N Me") and ("If You Leave Me Now") had something in them that made them seem not unlike a style that Kath would have dismissed. I've always loved the Ray Charles-like sound of Kath's voice. Boy is he missed.

thanks for this album

In the seventies, I wore a hole in my cassette of this album, but I hesitated in buying it 30 years later because I didn't think it would hold up over time. I like it, though. Earlier Chicago demanded a lot of attention. Later stuff wandered away from the Chicago formula. This one is just solid. Be sure to check out Little One. Great track.

Not only was this Terry Kath's final album but it was also James W. Guercio's last time producing the group. Even with their relationship with their producer deteriorating during the making of this album, it still is a satisfying listening experience. "Mississippi Delta City Blues" highlights Terry Kath's amazing talents as a rhythm guitarist as well as his amazingly soulful vocals. "Baby What A Big Surprise" was the big hit single, "Take Me Back To Chicago" features some additional vocals from Chaka Khan, "Vote For Me" is an amusing song from Robert Lamm inspired by the Presidential Election of 1976. It features some of the last authentic electric organ work he would commit to a Chicago album before trading it for synthesizers. "Little One" is poignant and sentimental and certainly a fitting close to the album. Tracks 12 and 13 are bonus tracks not included on the original release, fairly pedestrian numbers courtesy of Lamm. Should Chicago have broken up with the death of Kath? Thanks to intervention by Doc Severinsen, this did not happen. But let's face it, things have never been the same. Yes there has been some good albums since Kath's passing but without him the band has lost a lot of its heart and soul.

To me and most Chicago hardboots, this album marked the disconsolate end of an era that saw Chicago reigning as simply, the best! Its like this, my music lovers, . . . it doesn't get any better than, "Baby what a big surprise." Peter's voice on this song is frickin' butter! "Little one" is bittersweet. Terry Kath's last song. There is a line in there where he's talking to his infant daughter, telling her that, 'music is my life. I hope you understand'. powerfully poignant to say the least. All the other songs are middle of the road. But good none-the-less! Not their best, but a must have for sure!