Iconic rock band Chicago to release 36th album “Now” Chicago XXXVI in July via Frontiers Records Over 60 U.S. and European shows scheduled for the summer.
CHICAGO—one of the longest running, successful and iconic rock bands in American musical history—is set to release their 36th album “NOW” CHICAGO XXXVI in Europe on July 4th and in the U.S. July 8 via Frontiers Records. Featuring 11 brand-new, original songs from the group known for their groundbreaking rock-with-horns sound, “NOW” CHICAGO XXXVI was written and recorded on the road during the band’s rigorous, never-ending tour schedule, playing for fans who have supported them since they formed in 1967.
Putting aside an awesome accumulation of honors, awards, accomplishments, numbers and peer respect, this remarkable group of talented musicians continues to make history with a new recording process geared towards musical excellence, doing the business of music “NOW,” while reckoning with the logistical realities of a world-wide touring band. Produced by CHICAGO—founding members ROBERT LAMM (keyboard, guitars, vocals), LEE LOUGHNANE (trumpet, guitar, percussion, vocals), JAMES PANKOW (trombone, percussion, keyboards, vocals), WALTER PARAZAIDER (woodwinds, backing vocals) along with JASON SCHEFF (bass, vocals), TRIS IMBODEN (drums, percussion), KEITH HOWLAND (guitars, vocals), LOU PARDINI (keyboards, vocals) and WALFREDO REYES, Jr., (percussion)—the album was recorded on “the Rig,” the band’s customized mobile recording system. Each songwriter oversaw the production of their compositions, and the band collaborated as a cohesive unit throughout the writing and recording process.
Pre-orders for “NOW” CHICAGO XXXVI are available on the band's website here: http://chicago-now.com/ and will also be available soon via Amazon and iTunes.
Of the new album and the band’s continued growth and evolution, LAMM says, “There’s certainly more context, and there’s certainly more musical ability, and perception rather than youthful naivete that we had when we started.” LOUGHNANE says, “Thank goodness, we have 46 years of track record behind us. We’re just trying to grow the legacy even more.” The band—as always—will tour heavily in 2014 to support the new album. “Outside of being creative and making new music, going out, doing even better shows, I think we’ve put together a show right now that’s the best one we’ve ever had out there, which, as long as that curve is going up, I don’t think we have to sit back and re-assess things,” says PARAZAIDER. Check out the album’s EPK here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOH5g4s_V7k
Originally formed as the CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY in 1967, the band found almost immediate success and have become a bona fide institution of American music. Their signature sound of solid rock songs augmented by the best horns in the business has endeared them to several generations of music fans. Hit singles include “If You Leave Me Now,” “Saturday In The Park,” “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is,” “Feelin’ Stronger Every Day,” “25 or 6 to 4,” “Beginnings,” “I’m A Man,” “Hard To Say I’m Sorry,” “(I’ve Been) Searching So Long,” “Look Away,” “Just You And Me” and “Old Days,” among others. The band has accumulated a total of 47 gold and platinum records awards.
“47 years later and to think that people - young people especially, but all ages, are actually still discovering Chicago's music!," says PANKOW. "People have become fed up with all of the robotic programmed junk and they come to our shows to hear and witness the real thing - gifted veteran musicians with serious chops - no smoke and mirrors or lip-syncing. Wow, what a concept!"
Here’s the “NOW” CHICAGO XXXVI track listing:
--Now
--More Will Be Revealed
--America
--Crazy Happy
--Free At Last
--Love Lives On
--Something’s Coming, I Know
--Watching All The Colors
--Nice Girl
--Naked In The Garden of Allah
--Another Trippy Day
CHICAGO is on the road now and will tour throughout the rest of the year. They will be in the U.S. through early June, and kick off a European tour June 26 in Paris, France before hitting Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria and Norway. They return to the U.S for an August 1 date at Los Angeles’ Greek Theatre and have New York-area shows August 16 at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ and August 17 at Jones Beach in Wantagh, NY. Tour dates can be found here: http://www.chicagotheband.com/tour.html
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