When Chicago exploded onto the music scene with their stellar 1969 double-LP debut, Chicago Transit Authority, the band's innovative fusion of up-front horns in a rock 'n' roll context and impeccable pop sensibilities was an instant smash. Chicago rank among the all-time most successful American rock group. On their 30th album, and first new studio album in 10 years-the band's songwriting mastery and world-class musicianship shines on a collection of tracks ranging from signature ballads to funked-up grooves to solid rockers.
Chicago XXX is the twentieth studio album, and thirtieth album overall, by the American band Chicago, released on March 21, 2006. It was Chicago’s first album of entirely new material since 1991’s Twenty 1.
The album was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee with horn sessions in Los Angeles, California over the summer of 2005. Production duties were handled by Jay DeMarcus of the country group Rascal Flatts, who came to the project through a friendship with Chicago’s bassist-singer Jason Scheff. DeMarcus used several session players for the album.
Chicago XXX peaked at number 41 in the US during a brief chart stay, spawning minor hits “Feel” and “Love Will Come Back.” This would be the last studio recording with long-time vocalist/keyboardist Bill Champlin, who had originally been brought in to replace the missing baritone of the band’s original guitarist, Terry Kath.
Tracks 1 Feel (Hot Single Mix) (Blair Daly; Danny Orton) 4:02 2 King Of Might Have Been (Greg Barnhill; Dennis Matkosky; Jason Scheff) 3:52 3 Caroline (Chas Sandford; Jason Scheff) 3:39 4 Why Can’t We (Bill Champlin; Jay DeMarcus; Chas Sandford; Jason Scheff) 4:07 5 Love Will Come Back (Jay DeMarcus; Chas Sandford; Jason Scheff) 3:48 6 Long Lost Friend (Jay DeMarcus; Brett James; Jason Scheff) 4:33 7 90 Degrees And Freezing (Jay DeMarcus; Brett James; Robert Lamm; Jason Scheff) 3:52 8 Where Were You (Bill Champlin; Jay DeMarcus; Jason Scheff) 4:17 9 Already Gone (Bill Champlin; George Hawkins) 6:51 10 Come To Me, Do (Robert Lamm) 4:36 11 Lovin’ Chains (Jay DeMarcus; Marcus Hummon) 3:56 12 Better (Bill Champlin; Chas Sandford) 4:41 13 Feel (With Horns) – (Bonus Track) (Blair Daly; Danny Orton) 4:30Biography Chicago
Musicians
Bass - Jason Scheff Guitar - Tom Bukovac Guitar - Jay DeMarcus Guitar - Keith Howland Acoustic Guitar - Tom Bukovac Fender Rhodes - Bill Champlin Keyboards - Jay DeMarcus Keyboards - James Matchack Organ - Robert Lamm Organ - Bill Champlin Piano - Robert Lamm Piano - Bill Champlin Wurlitzer - Robert Lamm Flugelhorn - Lee Loughnane Flute - Walter Parazaider Sax - Walter Parazaider Trombone - James Pankow Trumpet - Lee Loughnane Trumpet - Lee Thornburg
Other Musicians
1 Feel (Hot Single Mix) Drums - Tris Imboden Vocals - Robert Lamm
2 King Of Might Have Been Drums - John Brockman Piano - Jay DeMarcus Background Vocals - Joseph Williams Vocals - Jason Scheff
3 Caroline Drums - Steve Brewster Guitar - Dann Huff Background Vocals - Bobby Kimball Vocals - Bill Champlin Vocals - Jason Scheff
4 Why Can’t We Drums - Steve Brewster Guitar - Dann Huff Vocals - Shelly Fairchild Vocals - Bill Champlin
5 Love Will Come Back Drums - Tris Imboden Guitar - Dann Huff Vocals - Rascal Flatts Vocals - Jason Scheff
6 Long Lost Friend Drums - John Brockman Guitar - Jakk Kincaid Guitar - Yankton Mingua Vocals - Jason Scheff
7 90 Degrees And Freezing Drums - Tris Imboden Guitar - Dann Huff Vocals - Robert Lamm Vocals - Jason Scheff
8 Where Were You Drums - Tris Imboden Vocals - Jason Scheff Vocals - Bill Champlin
9 Already Gone Drums - Tris Imboden Guitar - Dann Huff Vocals - Bill Champlin Vocals - Jason Scheff
10 Come To Me, Do Drums - Tris Imboden Vocals - Robert Lamm
11 Lovin’ Chains Drums - Tris Imboden Guitar - Dann Huff Vocals - Bill Champlin Vocals - Jason Scheff
12 Better Drums - Tris Imboden Guitar - Dean DeLeo Vocals - Bill Champlin
13 Feel (With Horns) – (Bonus Track) Drums - Tris Imboden Vocals - Robert Lamm
Liner Notes
Producer – Jay DeMarcus Arranged By – Jay DeMarcus, James Matchack Arranged By (Background Vocals) – Jason Scheff, Bill Champlin Arranged By (Horns)– James Pankow Mixed By –Jeff Balding (Tracks 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) Mixed By – James Matchack (Tracks 3, 4, 5, 6) Mixed By (Assistant) – Jed Hackett (Tracks 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) Recorded By – Ben Fowler, Jeff Balding, Sean Neff, Jay DeMarcus, James Matchack Recorded By (Assistant) – Aaron Walk, Tony Zeller, David Fricks, Jay Goin, Jed Hackett, Jody Sappington Sequenced By – James Matchack Design – Hugh Brown Photography – Hugh Brown, Jimmy Katz, Phil Weston Mastered At Gateway Mastering & DVD Mixed At Sound Stage Studios Mixed At The Music Howse Recorded At Emerald Entertainment Recorded At Glenwood Place Studios Recorded At J Studio, Nashville, TN Recorded At Cartee Day Studios Recorded At Westlake Studios Recorded At Sound Stage Studios Recorded At Secret Sound, Nashville Phonographic Copyright Rhino Entertainment Company Copyright Rhino Entertainment Company
