Customer Reviews

Subtlety & Passion

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Subtlety and Passion, the fourth solo effort from one of the original members of the group Chicago, is Robert Lamm's best work to date. Filled with subtle nuances and ardor, the music is rich and the lyrics poignant, as Lamm reflects on midlife, looks back at youth, makes stinging observations of our way of life in this society, describes fatherhood, and pays tribute to former friend and musician Terry Kath. This CD offers a variety that's sure to please just about every listener, from hard driving rock and roll to pop to jazz to reggae. Oh yes, there are a couple of nice love songs, too.

Lamm is at his best when left to his own devices and ignores pop culture, and every cut on Subtlety is fresh, nothing is formula. Lamm thumbs his nose at the recording industry establishment, doing it his way, and he is to be applauded for doing so, and applauded also, for the result: not a single cut can be considered B-side. Commercial? Perhaps not, but in this reviewer's ears, it is precisely Subtlety's lack of commercial appeal that I find most appealing. Most of the other members of Chicago lend musical support, yet the result is not the Chicago sound of the 70s or 80s (the horns are much warmer, less brash than Chicago), but is distinctly Robert Lamm, who's vocals never sounded so good. My only criticisms are the mix, which sounds rather thin, and that a drum machine was used.

Outstanding cuts:

I Could Tell You Secrets-If I say I love you/No one else above you/In a world without romance/How would you know?

The Mystery of Moonlight-The mystery of a whisper/The mystery of the first time/And the mystery of life is the mystery of love/And I wonder how it slips away.

Gimmee Gimmee-Gimmee gimmee gimmee/Gimmee some award gimmee money gimmee something/Gimmee someplace in your hall of fame/Gimmee gimmee gimmee/Gold plated statues of an image I can pander to/Gimmee gimmee.

Another Sunday-I'm trying to believe dreams I had when I was young are still the same/Though time has passed/The dream has still remained.

For You Kate (written for his second daughter).

Intensity-this funky tune contains a guitar solo recorded years ago by the late Terry Kath!

You Never Know the Story (dedicated to Kath)-You never know the color of another's broken dreams/The ending of a love affair more costly than it seems.

It's a Groove, This Life-do we b--ch enough? Do we change enough? Is it full enough, this life?

Notable cuts: It's Always Something, Somewhere Girl and You're My Sunshine Everyday.

Highly recommended.

I just picked this up (sorry I am late to the party). I am pleased to report that Bobby's songwriting chops are as fine as ever. This is the best "Chicago" album in many many years.
The night I purchased this CD, I listened to it 2 times and thought this is a good CD, but not one of the best I have ever heard. Well, repeated listenings only improves this CD and I am at the point I cannot get these tunes outta my head. I am very pleased that Robert has released this fine snapshot of where he is now musically.
I hear there will be new "Chicago" release of new material in 2006. (As fas as I am concerned, Terry Kath was the "heart and soul" of Chicago and they have never recovered from his untimley passing and I have not purchased a new Chicago album since "11"). I can only hope that Bobby contributes some new tunes, because he still carries the torch and is as valid now as he was for CTA.

I'm a Chicago fan from the very beginning and I've truly missed not having a new Chicago LP to keep me enlivened. Well this album, though marketed as a solo effort by Robert Lamm,fills the bill nicely, thank you very much! I've been listening to this in my car ever since the day I received it in the Post. I will admit that this album is more of a Chicago album than most of the few minor efforts they've very infrequently put out. I class "subtlety & passion" with the likes of III, V, VI, X, XI and Hot Streets.

I'm not going to do a countdown of all the songs on the LP but will say that my favorites are: (#10)You Never Know The Story, (#11)It's A Groove This Life, (#6)For You Kate,(#5)Another Sunday, (#8)Intensity, and (#7)It's Always Something. The remaining tracks are very enjoyable but I could listen to the favorites just listed over and over tirelessly. As I've already said, I'm a Chicago fan and now you know where to find the best (non-titled) Chicago music currently available. So Robert, Peter, Walter, Lee, Jimmy, Greg, Larry, Jason and the rest, how about a new album?

If it weren't for Robert Lamm, Chicago fans wouldn't have much to look forward to in terms of new music. Fortunately he has not only the creative drive, but also the determination to get his music out to the public.

Subtlety and Passion is Robert's fourth solo album. True to his nature, Robert is not merely repeating himself here. True, the Chicago horns are present and in fine form throughout the album. True, every member of the current Chicago lineup sans Bill Champlin is present on the album. True, the song "Intensity" features a long-lost Terry Kath guitar solo rescued from the vaults. However, Robert has never had such an abundance of Chicago members on a solo album before. Not only that, the diversity of styles represented here is greater than on previous solo albums (or Chicago albums from the past 25 years, for that matter). The first few songs are catchy pop-styled tunes, while later in the album we get jazz in "Another Sunday," reggae in "You're My Sunshine Everyday," some Brazilian flavor in "For You Kate," some rocking energy in "Gimme Gimme," some funk in "Intensity"... you get the picture. The guy obviously loves music of all sorts and isn't afraid to let it show in his own music!

I certainly agree with the vast majority of Robert's fans that Subtlety and Passion is an effort to celebrate. However, I rated this album only four stars for one reason particular to my own taste. While I have no problems at all with drum loops and programming -- the loops and programming on his previous album "In My Head" sounded beefy and in-your-face in the best possible way -- on this album the drum sound is very thin, so thin to the point where even the acoustic drums sound synthesized. This robs the album of some energy and keeps a 'great' album from registering as 'kick-ass' in my mind. Other than that, 'bravo!'

Chicago fans have been waiting a long time for new material from their favorite band, and, although there's no word of when a new Chicago CD, of original material, will be released, Robert Lamm's Subtlety & Passion is the next best thing.
One listen and you'll know why. Lamm has tapped the services of many of his bandmates to help with this CD, including Jason Scheff, Tris Imboden, Lee Loughnane, Walt Parazaider, Jimmy Pankow, current guitarist Keith Howland, and even Chicago's original guitarist, the late, great Terry Kath, who appears on "Intensity."
The CD sports many different musical styles, from Pop to rock to Brazilian jazz. One track, "Somewhere Girl," is a very catchy tune pop tune that will stay with you.
If you like the old Chicago, or appreciate good writing and good musicians, then purchase this CD. It will not disappoint, and you'll play it again and again.

I have been a Chicago fan since listening to a friend's copy of Chicago X in junior high. This album is reminiscent of the albums the band recorded during that period. Lots of brass, great rhythms and vocals. Lamm even rearranged a piece that he wrote and recorded (but never released) in 1972 called "Intensity". He managed to use Terry Kath's solo from the original recording. I didn't know that Lamm had done that, but as soon as I heard the solo, I knew it was Kath; his sound is so distinctive.

Mr. Lamm always refers to himself as a songwriter first and a pianist second. This album certainly showcases his ability as a songwriter. Each cut is a different style, rock, jazz, ballad, reggae and even hip hop, the range and the quality of the album is amazing.

Subtlety and Passion employs almost every current member of Chicago, save Bill Champlain. Past band guitarist Chris Pinnick, Gerry Beckley of American and Timothy B. Schmidt of The Eagles are also used on the album.

If you are a fan, definitely invest in the album. Robert is going to be 60 this year and quite a few of the other band members are not far behind. This could well be the last original Chicago album ever released.

I agree folks, if you want to get a new Chicago album, this is your chance.

Amazing work, interesting in all moments of listening, it will bring back the good memories of the early Chicago days (pre-David Foster). I can't believe that Chicago is so resistant to recording new music when Robert was able to do so much with this effort. As far as quality is concerned (the major hangup to a new LP from Chicago as well as a producer that can keep 8 guys from the mixing boards and tweaking it to death), just listen to this and then to Chicago II or III. The quality and clear sound is so much better on S&P, especially when you factor in the budget Robert had to work with. After hearing this great effort from Robert, I really wish they would just get back to their roots. They worked hard for the art of music, when few listened to them in the early days. I wish they were as hungry now for the art as they were when they were 20 something. They could still do great new things that put joy into your heart.

In the meantime, get this album, support Robert Lamm's efforts to keep things going as an artist instead of just pounding a
A minor 7 chord 200 times a year for "Saturday in the Park..." Be a patron of the arts! Robert Lamm has showed them all the way with this wonderful LP. Listen to it and enjoy... and write their manager to get them back into the studio! This is Chicago for a new century! Keep them coming Robert!

Thoughtful Robert Lamm lyrics and arrangements (the kind we used to hear and the kind I so miss, the kind we heard on CTA, Chicago II, III, V, VI and VII) are back! If you miss the jazzy, grooving Chicago from the late 60's/early 70's you'll love this CD! Guaranteed.
Lamm's vocals and keyboards have never been better. And horns are all over it - including the trumpet and flugelhorn of Chicago's Lee Loughnane, the trombone of Chicago's James Pankow (on one song), the trombone of Nick Lane on most others, the sax of Larry Klimas and some flute from Chicago's Walt Parazaider. Back vocals from Jason Scheff (Chicago's current bassist/vocalist), Timothy B. Schmidt, Gerry Beckley (of America fame) and Marty Grebb are superb. Great percussion and drumming from Tris Imboden (Chicago's current drummer) and Jonathan Mitchell add to the groove. Bass is handled by Scheff and Greg Eicher.
Then, fially, there's the guitarists - Hank Linderman, Keith Howland (another current Chicago member), Chris Pinnick (a former Chicago guitarist) and yes, even a 40 second solo Mr. Lamm has pulled from the vaults featuring the late and truly GREAT Terry Kath (on a wonderful tune called Intensity).

Each of the 11 tunes on this disk are standouts, though I've got to say that "Another Sunday", "Intensity", "Somewhere Girl" and "It's A Groove, This Life" are probably my favorites. Subtlety and Passion is definitely a 5 star CD.

Unlike most who, I imagine, purchase "Subtlety & Passion," I am not much of a Chicago fan. Nor am I completely unbiased in my admiration of Robert Lamm's achievement with this CD, as it arrived on my doorstep a short while ago packaged as a Valentine. My heart for that reason alone was already feeling that first subtle warmth of passion even as I put it in my player.

But with all that put aside for a moment, and perhaps even increasing the twinkle of my five stars here assigned, I was duly impressed the moment Lamm's music flowed into my room. Ah yes, I could see why it served so well to convince me my Valentine was for me. I always respect an artist, in any genre or medium, who ignores the trends of the time. I respect one finding one's own unique voice and sound. I respect the courage to send that out to the world. I respect quality. Lamm has earned my respect.

Music, however, is not something a listener responds to through respect. Music is what we respond to on a purely emotional level. It is why it can so change our moods, near instantly, so uplift our spirits, so draw us into nostalgic dreams, so inspire us. Music communicates as words alone cannot. It does not require an expert ear or discerning taste. It requires only the honesty of the musician and the open heart of the listener.

As a writer, my medium being words, I responded to his lyrics, yes, which so often can be empty and meaningless and redundant in music, but not so on "Subtlety & Passion." The music surprised me, pleasantly so, with varying styles of jazz, reggae, rock. Vocals are excellent. Guitar solos were keenly enjoyable. Even the horns (I favor strings) were perfect in their seamless blend.

My Valentine, arriving soon after "Sublety & Passion," was most warmly received.

Wow, my favorite album of the last year! The Chicago Album that never was. Great vocals, arrangements, lyrics and horns. The cuts get better and better the more you listen... a stunning achievement for Robert. Although I'm not a Chicago fanatic, Robert makes good use of present and ex Chicago members. And his voice holds up well in all the different styles presented here. He's the "soul" of Chicago.

This CD takes me back to the days where all the guys were writing tunes for Chicago in different styles not just rockers and power ballads. The common links were always great vocals and the ever present horn section. I love EVERY cut on this CD!

Instrumentalists take note: It took me awhile to realize that the horn section on the first cut of the album is ALL TROMBONES. It's a beautiful thing (and I'm not even a bone player!) Jimmy Pankow and Nick Lane must have double tracked! Nick Lane did all the excellent horn arranging.

I can't recommend this CD enough!