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53 of 54 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An underrated gem, July 24, 2002
CHICAGO III was originally released in January 1971 as (appropriately) Chicago's third double album inside two years. The first two, THE CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY (April 1969) and CHICAGO (January 1970) were big smashes and blessed with (unintentional) hits - part of the reason they're still big favorites. CHICAGO III was created in the same album-oriented manner as the first two and, this time around, there wasn't a goldmine of singles to be found; no "25 Or 6 To 4" and no "Beginnings". And this is part of the reason CHICAGO III hasn't worn as well as its predecessors, but that is also part of its charm. Both "Free" and "Lowdown" were hits, albeit on a lesser scale. Another reason for the album's overlooked nature is perhaps the fact that it was another double album in a succession of three. Never mind - CHICAGO III is every bit as inventive and meaningful as the previous two albums and a concentrated listening will bear this out. The band's musical palette was far more versatile on this album utilizing funk ("Sing A Mean Tune Kid", "Free") and even the avant-garde ("Free Country", "Progress?"). There were, in addition, three suites to be found on the album, "Travel Suite", Terry Kath's "An Hour In The Shower" and James Pankow's "Elegy". Some of the passages in these extended pieces are brilliant and some of them drag a bit, which could also be a cause for the lower regard the third album. All in all, CHICAGO III is a great and very essential Chicago release. It may take a few listens to unlock its charms but it is a most rewarding album and stands as a great, if slightly flawed creation WITHOUT having any classic singles to boost it. This album originally peaked at # 2 in early 1971 and remained in Billboard for well over a year - a definite hit. This new Rhino-remastered edition is the best quality you can get; soundwise and packagewise. There is a (slightly short) essay to go with it and comments from various band members. CHICAGO III encapsulates a time when artistic freedom and experimation were greatly encouraged, while today it is largely shunned.
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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Chicago at Their Most Diverse, April 26, 2003
Chicago III was the band's third double album released in as many years. The result of their recording efforts is their most eclectic offering in their immense catalogue. The styles on the 23 tracks range from classical to jazz to Chicago in their hardest rock medium.
The disc starts out in that vein with "Sing a Mean Tune Kid" featuring Peter Cetera belting out a dissonant melody over funkish rhythm tracks. Great horn scoring by Jimmy Pankow again, as Chicago III finds the legendary section at their fattest-sounding, blowing hard and free. But hold onto your hats as the tune kicks into one of guitarist Terry Kath's finest moments on any Chicago recording. He blazes through an extended solo over the changes as drummer Danny Seraphine and Peter Cetera on bass lay down a tight and adventurous foundation.
The band does a "180" into the next track, "Loneliness is Just a Word", featuring Terry on a smooth vocal in a swing mode. This tune spotlights a rare organ solo by Robert Lamm and he does a fine job, highlighted by Danny's killer drum part, Peter's round walking basslines and Terry's great rhythm guitar track.
Peter Cetera has, over the years with Chicago and as a solo artist, exhibited a flair for a bit of country music style in his writing , and "What Else Can I Say" was his first composition in this mode. Another solid Cetera melody and silky-smooth vocal is highlighted by Terry Kath exploring country guitar textures. Very nice.
"I Don't Want Your Money" finds Chicago letting out all of the hard rock stops with the Chicago horns propelling a great growling Robert Lamm vocal. Terry Kath shines again with gut-wrenching soloing throughout the track. The finished product stands as one of Terry's definitive guitar performances.
The adventurous "Travel Suite" dips into three part harmony, in a folk-country style ("Flight 602), hard funk-rock (the classic,
"Free"), and the classical style "Free Country" featuring only piano and Walt Parazaider's flute. The Suite concludes with "Happy 'Cause I'm Goin' Home", with Robert and Peter's two- part harmony blending perfectly, Terry Kath breezing through some smooth acoustic jazz guitar stylings and Walt Parazaider really shining on an extended flute solo. Danny Seraphine, as always, shows why he is considered one of the greatest drummers ever to record as he effortlessly improvises is his truly unique style.
Jimmy Pankow creates a showcase for his own great improvisational abilities on trombone with "Mother". He double tracks two trombones soloing on each side of the mix and the result is one of the most interesting tracks that Chicago ever cut.
"The Approaching Storm" is an instrumental designed to feature all band members' soloing ability with the horns crisply playing through a dissonant head melody leading into each solo.
Just terrific.
While Chicago III does not exhibit the same production polish of it's predecessor, "Chicago", the group's musical ideas continued to flow very freely and expand with this recording.
Since this disc never spawned a true "hit single" (although the album was a big success in it's initial release), it may be overlooked by those delving into the Chicago catalogue now. This CD is not to be missed as it is one of the band's finest moments and unquestionably, Chicago's most diverse release.
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An Exceptional Album., September 13, 2002
Chicago is considered one of the greatest acts in rock music ever. Commemorating the group's 35 years of existence, the first three Chicago albums were remastered, plus a better package and liner notes. That's a bonus for fans and a good preamble for new listeners.Chicago III is a compendium of varied sounds and genres going from rock to R&B and jazz. They created an excellent album achieved by experimentation and group cooperation. Terry Kath proved that he was one of the best guitar players in the world (we all know the anecdote with Hendrix when CTA was the opening act for his band). In the other hand, Robert Lamm is the brain of the band and he sets the example for the hole thematic on the album. Finally, James Pankow stands as a great composer, clearly shown at the end of this Chicago album. I bought this reissue in order to see if there was an improvement in the sound quality of the original recording. The sound of this newly remastered edition of the classic "Chicago III" is great and pure, the channel division is excellent and, well, this album sounds superb if we consider that it was done in 1971. Some persons may consider it subjective in comparison with Chicago Transit Authority and Chicago II, but I recommend everyone to listen and analyze the album and then give their personal point of view. This record is for connoisseurs; people who really appreciate music. Chicago III is a statement of excellent music and represents Chicago at their best form.
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