Customer Reviews

If You Leave Me Now

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It's easy to see why someone who was in junior high in the 70's would love this CD. I certainly did. Each song takes you back to a time when life was definitely less hectic and, for this 40-something, much more romantic. Starting with "Saturday in the Park" from 1972, and with songs that were played constantly through 1979, Chicago has put together a greatest hits album which appears to be aimed specifically at those who graduated from high school some 20 or so years ago. How many of us heard "25 or 6 to 4" played by our high school bands at ballgames? That has to bring back some pretty great memories! With "If you Leave me now," "Wishing you were here," and "I've Been Searching" used to cover the sentimental loves of our youths, Chicago gives us a chance to reacapture that innocent love of life, and with "Song for You" as the last song on the CD, gives us some hope that there is still that lasting love out there somewhere. This is a great CD that continually plays at my home....in my car....at the office.

As a casual Chicago fan and listener, I do own several of their compilations, including this one. Unlike several others, this one is really disappointing. It was quite a letdown to me.

The good things I have to say are it includes '25 or 6 to 4,' 'Saturday In The Park,' 'If You Leave Me Now,' 'Wishin' You Were Here' and 'Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?.' Those songs were their concert classics in the '70s, and it's nice to see them in one place.

Now, here are the flaws (and the reasons I gave this three stars):

-'Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?' is edited. The intro is cut off, which is very irritating. ARGH! I hate it when they do that!

-Remastering has come a long way since this was released. In translation, if you are buying this solely because of the sound quality, you will be very disappointed. There are plenty of better-sounding Chicago compilations out there.

-This is way to skimpy! Only 39 minutes? COME ON!!! You could include the full length 'Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?' and even add a song like 'Beginnings' in the mix as well.

Overall, stick to 'Greatest Hits,' 'Heart Of Chicago 1967-1997' and 'Love Songs.' 'If You Leave Me Now' is a major disappointment. Unless you are a Chicago die-hard, a very casual fan or an avid collector of Chicago's music, I would recommend you avoid this in favor of other compilations.

Skip this one unless you are an easily pleased casual fan.

I've always enjoyed Chicago's lush sound with the horns and vocals. This album really covers a lot of what makes the band so great. From the title ballad, which really touches you even after many years, you move on to "Saturday in the Park" which really captures that carefree mood.

"Feelin' Stronger Everyday" is not only a feel-good dancy song but has one of the best ending sequences of any song I've heard. Then of course there is the super-classic "25 or 6 to 4" which surely every classic song singer knows by heart :)

"Baby, what a big surprise" is another classic that gets your heart going. There's something about truly each song here on this album. You can leave the CD in your stereo and play it each day, and find something in there to enjoy.

How can you even compare to the horns of "Does anybody really know what time it is" - never mind the lyrics, which get you thinking ...

True classic work.

Columbia attempted to cash in on Chicago's runaway success in the mid-80's circa "Chicago 17". Another swell collection.

Any greatest hits album by Chicago is bound to be excellent, and this one's no exception. Still, this album seems incomplete without such classics as 'Just You And Me', 'Make Me Smile' and others. This is why I gave it four stars instead of five. A very good album.

A hits album hastily thrown together. A poor cover design and peculiar song selection. Even at a budget price, this is not worth it. Stick to the more mainstream anthologies.

I do not own this release on compact disc... but I did own it on cassette. I am writing to explain why its track listing is limited.

This was the third cassette of CHICAGO's music that I ever purchased. This compilation was originally released in 1982 (as Columbia records was vying for sales as Warner Brothers hit album CHICAGO 16 climbed the charts.

The song selection is almost superb considering the limited space that LP's had at the time. However, in the post-compact disc era with ever-increasing disc space (up to 80 minutes per side on CD and infinite space on various memory cards) the limited track listing could cause consternation among music fans who want "more."

Sadly, the album was re-mastered without additional tracks and that is a hard reality that diminishes the quality of this release. However, what tracks are here comprise nearly the very best HIT songs from CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY to HOT STREETS.

While all knowledgable CHICAGO fans could easily list 10 more songs from 1969 to 1980, that they might wish were included, such songs are not.

If you want a very thorough compilation please look at other (more recent) collections. If you want one disc that has nothing but hit songs, then this might be the starting point for you (as it was for me in 1984). But I now cannot imagine any CHICAGO collection that fails to include every track from CHICAGO X.

It was then a nearly flawless compilation of the the music during their pinnacle (with Terry Kath at the six-string helm.)

This is my favorite Chicago CD. I love listening to the entire album and there aren't too many albums you can say that about.

This low budget 1983 Columbia compilation has it's flaws such as poor remastering and a meager song selection. However, for those who just want a casual inexpensive listen of this four decade band, will find this program very approachable. The title number "If You Leave Me Now" was the groups first #1 hit back in 1976, and it's biggest world hit. Most of this disc takes on a mellow mood along the lines of the title. The most brash offering is "25 or 6 to 4". This selection's sound really shows it's age! Overtime Chicago has gone through transitions, but has maintained quality instrumental(brass, strings, etc.) arrangements and meaningful lyrics. All well represented on this album. I understand Rhino Records is remastering the older Columbia stuff. Perhaps look there before buying this. I would have added a star if "Color My World" had been included.

one of the earliest memories is my dad putting the "if you leave me now" cassete tape in his Chevy Silverado. i love this album. 5 stars