Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Chicago
Label: Warner Bros. Records
Release: 1982
Running time: 41:51
Rating: 4/5
Chicago, American masters of jazz rock and (later) melodic rock, were back on a creative and commercial upswing in 1982, when they released their thirteenth studio album, »Chicago 16«, with singer and bassist Peter Cetra calling the shots on the stylistic direction and the songwriting. That came after the not-so-successful predecessor, »Chicago »XIV« (1980). From the album »Hot Streets« (1978) up to 1982 they hadn’t landed a single hit, and it seemed like the end of the disco era had also spelled the decline of one of the most successful American rock acts of the seventies. But they picked themselves up at just the right moment, mostly thanks to Cetera. Chicago managed to adapt to the new sonic trends and moved their sound much closer to the hugely popular AOR scene of the day, led by bands like Toto, though with a bit more of a stopover in soft rock.
It was precisely at Toto, who were at their commercial peak back then, that Cetera got a rough idea of where to steer Chicago on »Chicago 16« to guarantee success. So it’s no surprise that no fewer than three founding Toto members appear on this album as guest musicians: guitarist Steve Lukather and keyboardists David Paich and Steve Porcaro. And the Chicago–Toto connection didn’t end there, since future (and current) Toto singer Joseph Williams, who had just launched his solo career in 1982, also helped write the opening track and the album’s best song, »What You’re Missing«.
Around this time Chicago also managed to recruit a new guitarist/keyboardist, Bill Champlin (Sons of Champlin), who also took care of select vocal lines once so successfully delivered by the late, tragically deceased original guitarist Terry Kath. At the time it looked like Champlin, who had turned down an offer in 1978 to replace the late Kath even then, would only stick around with Chicago for a short while, but he stayed a member all the way until 2008. Additional guitar parts were once again handled by ‘old acquaintance’ Chris Pinnick, who faced very serious competition in weaving guitar variations from the other two guest guitarists, Lukather and Michael Landau.
Producer David Foster provided additional synth textures, and he did a masterful job on the production of »Chicago 16«. By freshening up the sound with a bigger role for distorted guitars and synth textures, he indirectly made sure Chicago entered the eighties as a modern, relevant band. Cetera, who by then had firmly established himself as the lead vocalist, along with the rest of the original Chicago members – keyboardist/singer Robert Lamm, the Loughnane/Pankow/Parazaider horn section and drummer Danny Seraphine – made sure the band’s sonic core stayed healthy, even though it sounded completely different than, say, ten years earlier, when jazz rock fusion was still far more present in their sound.
Among the best moments on »Chicago 16« was definitely the aforementioned »What You’re Missing«, a minor hit that, thanks mainly to its magical chorus, spiky yet clever guitar lines and refined vocal melodies, strongly recalls Toto, while the horn arrangements are totally Chicago. »Waiting For You to Decide« carries on in the same vein, with Lukather and Paich having a hand in the songwriting, so it’s no surprise this is another number that sounds like a fusion of some of the best Chicago and Toto sonic elements.
On »Bad Advice«, the horn arrangements, neglected through most of the album, finally get a bit more room to breathe, while the masters of jazz/classic rock really shine at crafting melodic choruses. »Chains« is a solid melodic rock workout, the hit single »Hard to Say I’m Sorry/Get Away« is a sugar-coated but brilliantly arranged power ballad, and »Follow Me« is yet another AOR energy catalyst with a sweet balance of guitar distortion and horn arrangements, which melodic rock gourmets will still be savoring today. On »Sonny Think Twice«, Champlin’s vocal talent gets its moment. The third hit, »Love Me Tomorrow«, also deserves a special mention: despite its syrupy lyrics, it’s a perfect example of arrangement and production perfection.
With »Chicago 16«, one of the best moments in their sprawling discography, Chicago finally made a successful entry into the eighties and delivered an album that’s still interesting today, even for most Toto fans. Cetera, Lamm and the rest of the Chicago crew could truly thank the latter from the bottom of their hearts for the successful collaboration, the inspiration and their renewed relevance, since with the dawn of the new era they badly needed an infusion of ‘new energy’. The album could have used a bit more stylistic variety, though, as the individual tracks, especially on the second half, sound pretty similar to each other. You can fault »Chicago 16« for plenty, especially in light of their classic albums from the first half of the seventies, but it saved the legendary band from probable ruin.
Lineup
Peter Cetera – lead vocals, bass guitar, acoustic guitar on “Hard To Say I’m Sorry”, BGV arrangements, rhythm arrangements
Bill Champlin – keyboards, guitar, lead and backing vocals, BGV arrangements
Robert Lamm – keyboards, backing vocals
Lee Loughnane – trumpet, horn, piccolo trumpet, backing vocals
James Pankow – trombone, horn arrangements
Walter Parazaider – woodwinds
Danny Seraphine – drums, rhythm arrangements
GUEST MUSICIANS:
David Foster – keyboards, rhythm arrangements, additional horn arrangements
Chris Pinnick – guitar
Steve Lukather – guitar
Michael Landau – guitar
David Paich – synthesizer
Steve Porcaro – synthesizer programming
Production
David Foster
Tracklist
1. What You’re Missing (4:09)
2. Waiting For You To Decide (4:05)
3. Bad Advice (2:57)
4. Chains (3:22)
5. Hard To Say I’m Sorry / Get Away (5:06)
6. Follow Me (4:52)
7. Sonny Think Twice (4:00)
8. Rescue You (3:56)
9. What Can I Say (3:48)
10. Love Me Tomorrow (5:06)
