Hot Streets

Last updated
Hot Streets
Chicago - Hot Streets.jpg
(From left to right)
Donnie Dacus, Lee Loughnane, Danny Seraphine, Peter Cetera, James Pankow
Studio album by
Chicago
ReleasedOctober 2, 1978
RecordedMay–June 1978
Studio
Genre
Length41:53
Label Columbia
Producer Phil Ramone and Chicago
Chicago chronology
Chicago XI
(1977)		Hot Streets
(1978)		 Chicago 13
(1979)
Singles from Hot Streets
  1. "Alive Again"
    Released: October 1978
  2. "No Tell Lover"
    Released: December 1978
  3. "Gone Long Gone"
    Released: March 1979

Hot Streets is the tenth studio album (and twelfth overall album) by the American rock band Chicago, released on October 2, 1978, by Columbia Records. This was the band's first album with all-new material released since their second that did not have a numbered title. It was also the first album not to feature original guitarist/vocalist Terry Kath, who died from an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound in January 1978. He was replaced by Donnie Dacus on this album.

Contents

Background

Having worked with James William Guercio since their 1969 debut, Chicago decided to part ways with the producer following the release of Chicago XI in 1977. Another major change for the group was the death of guitarist Terry Kath in January 1978, who accidentally shot himself at a roadie's house while playing with a gun. The members of the band were devastated by his death and considered breaking up. After the initial shock waned, the group decided they still had something to offer musically and carried on.

Phil Ramone, who had mixed some of their earlier albums, was called upon to co-produce their new effort. But before Chicago could begin recording, they had to contend with the difficult process of finding a new guitarist. Accomplished guitarist Donnie Dacus was chosen, bringing his own distinctive style to the group's music. Prior to joining Chicago, Dacus had worked with both Roger McGuinn and Stephen Stills.

Recording sessions took place both in Miami and Los Angeles that spring, after years of working at Guercio's Caribou Ranch in Colorado. By the end of the sessions, the band felt as though they were still in a strong musical position even after the loss of Kath. Some of the tracks featured the Bee Gees and their keyboardist, Blue Weaver, who were recording the album Spirits Having Flown next door at the same Miami studio. The Gibb brothers added vocals to the song "Little Miss Lovin'" while Weaver added synthesized strings to "No Tell Lover" and "Show Me The Way". In turn, Chicago's horn section played on Spirits Having Flown, most notably on the hit single "Too Much Heaven".

To mark their new beginning, the band broke with tradition by giving their album a title, rather than a number. Having chosen the title Hot Streets, the album cover featured a picture of the band (shot by photographer Norman Seeff) rather than just the group logo. Because a later marketing survey noted that consumers expected to see the logo on the cover, Chicago's logo returned in the form of a high-rise building for the follow-up album, Chicago 13 .[ citation needed ]

The album was released in October 1978, preceded by a release of the lead single "Alive Again". Hot Streets was another hit for the group, who had been concerned that the public might not accept them without Kath. Although the album went platinum, and Chicago scored a second top-twenty hit with "No Tell Lover", Hot Streets was the first Chicago album since their debut that failed to reach the US Top 10; fittingly, the band's twelfth album peaked at #12.

Following the release of Chicago 13 and at the end of the Christmas 1979 tour, Dacus would be released from the group, bringing his short tenure with Chicago to an abrupt end.

In 2003, Hot Streets was remastered and reissued by Rhino Records with an alternate version of Lamm's "Love Was New" sung by Dacus as a bonus track.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [2]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [3]

Although unsuccessful commercially, Cash Box said of the single "Gone Long Gone" that the guitar introduction sounds like George Harrison and said that it has "slick harmonies and smooth production" and praised "Donnie Dacus' guitar shadings." [4] Record World said it is "a soft, mid-tempo rocker propelled by Peter Cetera's familiar vocals and some compelling lofty guitar work." [5]

Track listing

Side One
No.TitleWriter(s)VocalsLength
1."Alive Again" James Pankow Peter Cetera 4:08
2."The Greatest Love on Earth" Danny Seraphine, David "Hawk" Wolinski Peter Cetera3:18
3."Little Miss Lovin'"CeteraCetera (featuring the Bee Gees)4:36
4."Hot Streets" Robert Lamm Lamm5:20
5."Take a Chance" Lee Loughnane, Lawrence "Stash" Wagner Donnie Dacus 4:42
Side Two
No.TitleWriter(s)VocalsLength
6."Gone Long Gone"CeteraCetera4:00
7."Ain't It Time"Dacus, Seraphine, Warner SchwebkeDacus, with Cetera4:12
8."Love Was New"LammLamm3:30
9."No Tell Lover"Loughnane, Seraphine, CeteraCetera, with Dacus4:13
10."Show Me the Way"Seraphine, WolinskiLamm3:36
Bonus Track (2003 Rhino edition)
No.TitleWriter(s)VocalsLength
11."Love Was New" (Alternate Vocal)LammDacus3:32

Personnel

Chicago

Additional personnel

Production

Charts

Chart (1978)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) [6]
14
United States (Billboard 200) [7]
12

Singles – Billboard (North America)

YearSingleChartPosition
1978"Alive Again"Pop Singles14
1979"No Tell Lover"Pop Singles14
1979"Gone Long Gone"Pop Singles73
1979"No Tell Lover"Adult Contemporary5

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [8] Platinum100,000^
United States (RIAA) [9] Platinum1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

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References

  1. ↑ "Hot Streets". Archived from the original on 2017-02-11. Retrieved 2015-02-17.
  2. ↑ https://www.allmusic.com/album/r3855/review
  3. ↑ The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 130.
  4. ↑ "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. March 31, 1979. p. 34. Retrieved 2022-01-01.
  5. ↑ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. March 31, 1979. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
  6. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 62. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  7. ↑ "Billboard 200: Chicago III". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 22, 2019. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  8. ↑ "Canadian album certifications – Chicago – Hot Streets". Music Canada . Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  9. ↑ "American album certifications – Chicago – Hot Streets". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved June 21, 2023.
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