Chicago 13
Encyclopedia
Chicago 13 is the 13th album by American
rock
band Chicago
and was released in 1979. The follow-up to Hot Streets
, Chicago 13 is often considered an unpopular release among Chicago's catalog, both critically and with fans. This would be the band's final release that features Terry Kath
's replacement Donnie Dacus
.
Well aware that musical trends were evolving, with disco
at its peak in 1979, Chicago and co-producer Phil Ramone
went for a slick sound, placing the band into a late 1970s clubbing context. While at the time they felt they were moving on and exploring new areas, Chicago's move into that territory, especially "Street Player", was reviled by critics and bewildered the group's rapidly dwindling fanbase. While all band members would contribute to the songwriting (one of only two albums where this was the case, the other being Chicago VII
), Robert Lamm
and James Pankow
's once-prolific songwriting had dwindled, while Peter Cetera
was still gaining in momentum, singing most of the lead vocals.
After recording sessions in Montreal
and Hollywood, Chicago 13 - which saw the band return to numbering their albums with their trademark name logo - was released that August and was preceded by Donnie Dacus
' "Must Have Been Crazy" as lead single - a track that couldn't have been further removed from Chicago's well-known sound. As a consequence, Chicago 13 was the first Chicago album to bear no significant hit singles, hurting their reputation greatly, especially since they had just re-signed with Columbia Records
for millions. With dismal reviews, Chicago 13 only reached #21 - good enough to go gold, but well under expectations. Not long after its release, realizing that the union was perhaps not as well-fitting as originally thought, Terry Kath
's replacement, Donnie Dacus, was let go. Now at the end of the 1970s and facing an uncertain future, Chicago pondered what their next move would be.
In 2003, Chicago 13 was remastered and reissued by Rhino Records with a B-Side, Dacus' "Closer To You" (an outtake from the Hot Streets sessions), and the 12-inch single mix of "Street Player" as bonus tracks. (Trivia: The songs "Street Player" and "Closer To You" had previously been released by other artists -- "Street Player" by Rufus
, who originally recorded it before Chicago; and "Closer" by Stephen Stills
, though with a Donnie Dacus lead vocal. "Street Player" did eventually reach hit status, being sampled for both the 1995 hit "The Bomb! (These Sounds Fall into My Mind)" by The Bucketheads and the 2009 hit "I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)
" by Pitbull
.)
Bonus Tracks on Rhino Re-issue:
Additional personnel
Singles- Billboard (North America)
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band Chicago
Chicago (band)
Chicago is an American rock band formed in 1967 in Chicago, Illinois. The self-described "rock and roll band with horns" began as a politically charged, sometimes experimental, rock band and later moved to a predominantly softer sound, becoming famous for producing a number of hit ballads. They had...
and was released in 1979. The follow-up to Hot Streets
Hot Streets
Hot Streets is the 12th album by American rock band Chicago and released in 1978. In many ways, Hot Streets marked the beginning of a new era for the band...
, Chicago 13 is often considered an unpopular release among Chicago's catalog, both critically and with fans. This would be the band's final release that features Terry Kath
Terry Kath
Terry Alan Kath , born in Chicago, Illinois, was the original guitarist and founding member of the rock band Chicago...
's replacement Donnie Dacus
Donnie Dacus
Donnie Dacus is a musician best known for his work in the band Chicago and his role as Woof Daschund in the 1979 movie Hair.-Early life:Don Dacus was born in Galena Park, Texas on October 12, 1951....
.
Well aware that musical trends were evolving, with disco
Disco
Disco is a genre of dance music. Disco acts charted high during the mid-1970s, and the genre's popularity peaked during the late 1970s. It had its roots in clubs that catered to African American, gay, psychedelic, and other communities in New York City and Philadelphia during the late 1960s and...
at its peak in 1979, Chicago and co-producer Phil Ramone
Phil Ramone
Phil Ramone is a South-African violinist, composer, recording engineer, and record producer.-Biography:As a young child in South Africa, Ramone was a musical prodigy, beginning to play the violin at age three and performing for Queen Elizabeth II at age ten...
went for a slick sound, placing the band into a late 1970s clubbing context. While at the time they felt they were moving on and exploring new areas, Chicago's move into that territory, especially "Street Player", was reviled by critics and bewildered the group's rapidly dwindling fanbase. While all band members would contribute to the songwriting (one of only two albums where this was the case, the other being Chicago VII
Chicago VII
Chicago VII is the seventh album by American rock band Chicago and was released in 1974. It is notable for being their first double album of new material since 1971's Chicago III, and remains their final studio release in that format....
), Robert Lamm
Robert Lamm
Robert William Lamm is an American keyboardist, singer and songwriter who came to fame as a founding member of the pop rock band Chicago...
and James Pankow
James Pankow
James Carter "Jimmy" Pankow is an American trombone player, songwriter and brass instrument arranger best known as a founding member of the rock band Chicago.-Early life:...
's once-prolific songwriting had dwindled, while Peter Cetera
Peter Cetera
Peter Paul Cetera is an American singer, songwriter, bassist and producer best known for being an original member of the rock band Chicago, before launching a successful solo career...
was still gaining in momentum, singing most of the lead vocals.
After recording sessions in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
and Hollywood, Chicago 13 - which saw the band return to numbering their albums with their trademark name logo - was released that August and was preceded by Donnie Dacus
Donnie Dacus
Donnie Dacus is a musician best known for his work in the band Chicago and his role as Woof Daschund in the 1979 movie Hair.-Early life:Don Dacus was born in Galena Park, Texas on October 12, 1951....
' "Must Have Been Crazy" as lead single - a track that couldn't have been further removed from Chicago's well-known sound. As a consequence, Chicago 13 was the first Chicago album to bear no significant hit singles, hurting their reputation greatly, especially since they had just re-signed with Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
for millions. With dismal reviews, Chicago 13 only reached #21 - good enough to go gold, but well under expectations. Not long after its release, realizing that the union was perhaps not as well-fitting as originally thought, Terry Kath
Terry Kath
Terry Alan Kath , born in Chicago, Illinois, was the original guitarist and founding member of the rock band Chicago...
's replacement, Donnie Dacus, was let go. Now at the end of the 1970s and facing an uncertain future, Chicago pondered what their next move would be.
In 2003, Chicago 13 was remastered and reissued by Rhino Records with a B-Side, Dacus' "Closer To You" (an outtake from the Hot Streets sessions), and the 12-inch single mix of "Street Player" as bonus tracks. (Trivia: The songs "Street Player" and "Closer To You" had previously been released by other artists -- "Street Player" by Rufus
Rufus
Rufus may refer to:People * Milan Rúfus , Slovak poet and writer* Rufus * Rufus , consul in 457* Several Saints Rufus* Rufus , French actor...
, who originally recorded it before Chicago; and "Closer" by Stephen Stills
Stephen Stills
Stephen Arthur Stills is an American guitarist and singer/songwriter best known for his work with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills & Nash . He has performed on a professional level in several other bands as well as maintaining a solo career at the same time...
, though with a Donnie Dacus lead vocal. "Street Player" did eventually reach hit status, being sampled for both the 1995 hit "The Bomb! (These Sounds Fall into My Mind)" by The Bucketheads and the 2009 hit "I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)
I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)
"I Know You Want Me " is a song by rapper Pitbull released as the second single from the album, Rebelution. The song samples "75, Brazil Street" by Nicola Fasano versus Pat Rich, which itself samples "Street Player" by Chicago. The core is from a song by Dominican rappers El Cata and Omega. The...
" by Pitbull
Pitbull (rapper)
Armando Christian Pérez , better known by his stage name Pitbull, is an American rapper, singer-songwriter and record producer. His first recorded performance was from the Lil Jon album Kings of Crunk in 2002, after which he released his debut album in 2004 titled M.I.A.M.I. under TVT Records...
.)
Track listing
- "Street Player" (Danny SeraphineDanny SeraphineDaniel Peter "Danny" Seraphine is an American drummer, record producer, theatrical producer and film producer, best known for being the original drummer and founding member of the rock group Chicago, a tenure which lasted from February 1967 to May 1990.-Early life:Danny Seraphine was born in...
/David WolinskiHawk WolinskiDavid J. "Hawk" Wolinski is an American keyboardist, songwriter and record producer probably best known for his work with the funk band Rufus and their lead singer Chaka Khan....
) 9:11 - "Mama Take" (Peter CeteraPeter CeteraPeter Paul Cetera is an American singer, songwriter, bassist and producer best known for being an original member of the rock band Chicago, before launching a successful solo career...
) 4:14 - "Must Have Been Crazy" (Donnie DacusDonnie DacusDonnie Dacus is a musician best known for his work in the band Chicago and his role as Woof Daschund in the 1979 movie Hair.-Early life:Don Dacus was born in Galena Park, Texas on October 12, 1951....
) 3:26 - "Window Dreamin'" (Walter ParazaiderWalter ParazaiderWalter Parazaider is best known for being a founding member and saxophone player for the rock band Chicago. He also plays the flute and other woodwind instruments in the band, including clarinet. On the hit "You're Not Alone," he played backing rhythm guitar.Parazaider began playing the clarinet...
/Lee LoughnaneLee LoughnaneLee Loughnane , born 21 October 1946 in Elmwood Park, Illinois to Juanita Wall and Philip Louis Loughnane, is an American trumpeter, flugelhorn player, vocalist, and songwriter, best known for being a founding member of the rock band Chicago.- Biography :...
) 4:11 - "Paradise Alley" (Robert LammRobert LammRobert William Lamm is an American keyboardist, singer and songwriter who came to fame as a founding member of the pop rock band Chicago...
) 3:39 - "Aloha Mama" (Danny Seraphine/David Wolinski) 4:11
- "Reruns" (Robert Lamm) 4:29
- "Loser With A Broken Heart" (Peter Cetera) 4:43
- "Life Is What It Is" (Laudir de Oliveira/Marcos ValleMarcos ValleMarcos Kostenbader Valle is a Brazilian singer, songwriter and record producer. He has produced works in many musical styles, including bossa nova, samba, incidental music and fusions of American/European rock, soul and dance music with Brazilian styles.-Biography:Valle's talent was evident from...
) 4:37 - "Run Away" (James PankowJames PankowJames Carter "Jimmy" Pankow is an American trombone player, songwriter and brass instrument arranger best known as a founding member of the rock band Chicago.-Early life:...
) 4:18
Bonus Tracks on Rhino Re-issue:
- "Closer To You" (Donnie Dacus/Stephen StillsStephen StillsStephen Arthur Stills is an American guitarist and singer/songwriter best known for his work with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills & Nash . He has performed on a professional level in several other bands as well as maintaining a solo career at the same time...
/Warner Schwebke) 4:54 - "Street Player" (Alternate Mix) (Danny Seraphine/David Wolinski) 8:44
The band
- Peter CeteraPeter CeteraPeter Paul Cetera is an American singer, songwriter, bassist and producer best known for being an original member of the rock band Chicago, before launching a successful solo career...
- bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Donnie DacusDonnie DacusDonnie Dacus is a musician best known for his work in the band Chicago and his role as Woof Daschund in the 1979 movie Hair.-Early life:Don Dacus was born in Galena Park, Texas on October 12, 1951....
- guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, vocals - Laudir de Oliveira - percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
- Robert LammRobert LammRobert William Lamm is an American keyboardist, singer and songwriter who came to fame as a founding member of the pop rock band Chicago...
- keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, vocals - Lee LoughnaneLee LoughnaneLee Loughnane , born 21 October 1946 in Elmwood Park, Illinois to Juanita Wall and Philip Louis Loughnane, is an American trumpeter, flugelhorn player, vocalist, and songwriter, best known for being a founding member of the rock band Chicago.- Biography :...
- trumpetTrumpetThe trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
, vocals - James PankowJames PankowJames Carter "Jimmy" Pankow is an American trombone player, songwriter and brass instrument arranger best known as a founding member of the rock band Chicago.-Early life:...
- tromboneTromboneThe trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate... - Walter ParazaiderWalter ParazaiderWalter Parazaider is best known for being a founding member and saxophone player for the rock band Chicago. He also plays the flute and other woodwind instruments in the band, including clarinet. On the hit "You're Not Alone," he played backing rhythm guitar.Parazaider began playing the clarinet...
- woodwinds - Danny SeraphineDanny SeraphineDaniel Peter "Danny" Seraphine is an American drummer, record producer, theatrical producer and film producer, best known for being the original drummer and founding member of the rock group Chicago, a tenure which lasted from February 1967 to May 1990.-Early life:Danny Seraphine was born in...
- drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Additional personnel
- David "Hawk" WolinskiHawk WolinskiDavid J. "Hawk" Wolinski is an American keyboardist, songwriter and record producer probably best known for his work with the funk band Rufus and their lead singer Chaka Khan....
- synthesizerSynthesizerA synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
on "Street Player" - Airto MoreiraAirto MoreiraAirto Moreira is a Brazilian jazz drummer and percussionist. Airto is married to jazz singer Flora Purim, and their daughter Diana Moreira is also a singer. He currently resides in Los Angeles.-Biography:...
- percussion on "Street Player", "Paradise Alley", "Life Is What It Is" and "Run Away" - Maynard FergusonMaynard FergusonMaynard Ferguson was a Canadian jazz musician and bandleader. He came to prominence playing in Stan Kenton's orchestra, before forming his own band in 1957...
- trumpet on "Street Player" - "P.C. Moblee" - lead vocals on "Window Dreamin'" and "Aloha Mama" (Moblee was actually Peter Cetera singing in a lower register. His appearance on the album is credited as "courtesy of the Peter Cetera Vocal Company").
Charts
Album - Billboard (North America)| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Pop Albums | 21 |
Singles- Billboard (North America)
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Must Have Been Crazy | Pop Singles | 83 |
| 1979 | Street Player | Black Singles | 91 |