Chicago XI: Difference between revisions

Chicago XI
Chicago XI
Studio album by Chicago
Released	September 12, 1977
Recorded	April – June 1977
Studio	Caribou Ranch, Nederland, Colorado
Genre	Rock, jazz fusion, pop rock
Length	44:33
Label	Columbia
Producer	James William Guercio
Chicago chronology
Singles from Chicago XI
	"Baby, What a Big Surprise"; Released: September 1977; "Little One"; Released: January 1978; "Take Me Back to Chicago"; Released: May 1978;

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Chicago XI is the ninth studio album by the American rock band Chicago. It was released on September 12, 1977, through Columbia Records. It was both the last to feature guitarist and vocalist Terry Kath prior to his death in a gun accident just over four months later, and the last to be produced by longtime associate of the band James William Guercio.

Chicago XI was a commercial and critical success for the band, reaching the top 10 in the US and garnering generally positive reviews. Three singles were released from the album—"Baby, What a Big Surprise", "Little One", and "Take Me Back to Chicago"—with the former reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100. Chicago XI would become the band's last album to make the top 10 until Chicago 16 in 1982.

The cover design for the album is called "Regional Map" on the group's official website.^[1]

Background

According to the web site Ultimate Classic Rock, Chicago XI seems like a collection of solo songs rather than the work of the ensemble whole Chicago had been earlier in the 1970s.^[2] Peter Cetera aimed to replicate the success of the Grammy-winning "If You Leave Me Now" with "Baby, What a Big Surprise", which proved to be the album's biggest hit, going to No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.^[3] This was his only writing contribution to the album and, quite atypically, the only song with him on lead vocals. Terry Kath revived his old live favorite "Mississippi Delta City Blues" for the album, while turning in a touching vocal on Danny Seraphine's "Little One." Seraphine also co-wrote "Take Me Back to Chicago", which charted at No. 63.^[4]

Kath, who was planning a forthcoming solo album,^[5]^[6] may have intended "Takin' It On Uptown" — which, besides some uncredited backup singers, possibly features only Kath himself — as a solo album "preview" along the lines of Lamm's "Skinny Boy" on Chicago VII.^{[nb 1]} James Pankow sang lead on his own "Till the End of Time," as did Lee Loughnane on his original, "This Time." The once prolific Robert Lamm contributed only two songs, "Policeman" and "Vote For Me."

Upon its September 1977 release, Chicago XI (Columbia 34860) reached No. 6 in the US on the Billboard 200,^[7] stayed in the charts for 20 weeks and went platinum in October the same year.^[8] It did not chart in the UK.^[9]

While recording Chicago XI, longtime producer James William Guercio's smothering artistic control had reached its breaking point, with the band deciding to take their career into their own hands and strike out on their own after finishing the album with him.^[10] However, as big a change in their career as Guercio's dismissal would be for Chicago, it would be minor in comparison to the tragedy that awaited them.

On January 23, 1978, a few months after Chicago XI's release, Terry Kath, regarded by many as the "soul" of Chicago, accidentally and fatally shot himself during a party at roadie Don Johnson's house. A gun enthusiast, Kath attempted to calm the guests' surprise when—while reportedly inebriated—he pulled out his gun to clean it by demonstrating that it was unloaded and promptly pointed the gun to his head and pulled the trigger, not realizing a bullet was in the chamber. The remaining members of Chicago were shocked and devastated by Kath's death, and even considered breaking up. After a few weeks of mourning, they decided to move on, thus beginning a new era in the band's history. They would recruit singer/guitarist Donnie Dacus for the follow-up, Hot Streets.^[11]^[12]

In 2002, Chicago XI was remastered and reissued by Rhino Records with rehearsal recordings of Pankow's "Wish I Could Fly" (backing track) and Lamm's "Paris" as bonus tracks.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	^[13]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide	^[14]

In her review of the album for The Sydney Morning Herald, Christine Hogan said, "If there had never been a Chicago X, this album would have been the best ever made by these perennials."^[15] Writing for The Evening Journal, Hugh Cutler called the album a "critical and commercial triumph" and said it even drew a "rave review" from Rolling Stone.^[16]

Record World described the single "Little One" as "a mid-tempo love song," saying that "the brass and vocal arrangements stand out as always."^[17]

Track listing

Side One
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Vocals	Length
1.	"Mississippi Delta City Blues"	Terry Kath	Terry Kath	4:39
2.	"Baby, What a Big Surprise"	Peter Cetera	Peter Cetera	3:04
3.	"Till the End of Time"	James Pankow	James Pankow	4:49^{[nb 2]}
4.	"Policeman"	Robert Lamm	Robert Lamm	4:02
5.	"Take Me Back to Chicago"	Danny Seraphine, Hawk Wolinski	Lamm	5:17

Side Two
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Vocals	Length
6.	"Vote for Me"	Lamm	Lamm	3:47
7.	"Takin' It on Uptown"	Fred Kagan, Kath	Kath	4:45
8.	"This Time"	Lee Loughnane	Lee Loughnane	4:44
9.	"The Inner Struggles of a Man"	Dominic Frontiere^{[nb 3]}	Instrumental	2:44
10.	"Prelude (Little One)"	Seraphine, Wolinski	Kath	0:52
11.	"Little One"	Seraphine, Wolinski	Kath	5:40

Personnel

Chicago

Robert Lamm – acoustic piano, Hammond organ, clavinet, Fender Rhodes, lead and backing vocals
Terry Kath – electric guitars, acoustic guitars, percussion, lead and backing vocals
Peter Cetera – bass, backing vocals, lead vocals on "Baby, What a Big Surprise"
James Pankow – trombone, keyboards, percussion, lead vocals on "Till the End of Time", brass arrangements
Walter Parazaider – saxophones, flute, clarinet
Lee Loughnane – trumpet, piccolo trumpet, flugelhorn, lead vocals on "This Time"
Danny Seraphine – drums, percussion
Laudir de Oliveira – percussion

Additional personnel

David "Hawk" Wolinski – ARP synthesizer on "Take Me Back to Chicago"; Fender Rhodes on "Little One"
James William Guercio – acoustic guitars and bass on "Baby, What a Big Surprise"
Tim Cetera – additional backing vocals on "Baby, What a Big Surprise"
Carl Wilson – additional backing vocals on "Baby, What a Big Surprise"
Chaka Khan – backing vocals and incredible preach at end of "Take Me Back to Chicago"
Dominic Frontiere – orchestral conception and conducting on "Baby, What a Big Surprise"; orchestration for "The Inner Struggles of a Man"; string and orchestral arrangements for "Little One"
The Voices of Inspiration – choir on "Vote for Me"

Production

Producer – James William Guercio
Audio engineer – Wayne Tarnowski
Assistant engineer – Tom Likes
Strings recorded by Armin Steiner at Sound Labs (Hollywood, California).
Audio mastering – Mike Reese at The Mastering Lab (Los Angeles, California).
Album cover design – John Berg
Logo design – Nick Fasciano
Inside photography – Reid Miles

Charts

Chart (1977)	Peak position
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)^[18]	7
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)^[19]	9
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)^[20]	4
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)^[21]	12
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)^[22]	39
Italian Albums (Musica e Dischi)^[23]	15
Japanese Albums (Oricon)^[24]	37
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)^[25]	5
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)^[26]	8
US Billboard 200^[27]	6

Certifications


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)^[28]	Platinum	100,000^{^}
United States (RIAA)^[29]	Platinum	1,000,000^{^}
^{^} Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

^ "Chicago XI". www.chicagotheband.com. Archived from the original on July 3, 2018. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
^ "Chicago Albums Ranked Worst to Best". Ultimate Classic Rock. 12 February 2016. Archived from the original on July 7, 2018. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
^ "Chicago Baby, What A Big Surprise Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 14, 2018. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
^ "Chicago Take Me Back To Chicago Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 14, 2018. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
^ Mieses, Stan (December 8, 1976). "Room for Individuality in Chicago". Playground Daily News. Fort Walton Beach, Florida, USA. p. 6B. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 10, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Wood, Tim. "Terry Kath's Official Bio Pages". Archived from the original on 2021-01-08. Retrieved 2017-10-02.
^ "Chicago Chicago XI Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 13, 2018. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
^ "Gold & Platinum - RIAA". RIAA. Archived from the original on October 10, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
^ "CHICAGO | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. The Official UK Charts Company. Archived from the original on December 4, 2017. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
^ Ruhlmann, Willam James (1991). Chicago Group Portrait (Box Set) (Media notes). Columbia Records. p. 7. Archived from the original (CD booklet archived online) on February 13, 2016. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
^ Jerome, Jim (October 16, 1978). "Chicago's 'Alive Again'!". PEOPLE.com. Archived from the original on April 4, 2019. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
^ Ruhlmann, William James (1991). Chicago Group Portrait (Box Set) (Media notes). New York City, NY: Columbia Records. p. 8. Archived from the original (CD booklet archived online) on March 28, 2019. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
^ https://www.allmusic.com/album/r3854/review
^ The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 130.
^ Hogan, Christine (October 24, 1977). "A mellow Chicago". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney, Australia. p. 3, The SMH Monday Guide section. Archived from the original on July 5, 2018. Retrieved July 5, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Cutler, Hugh (November 9, 1977). "Chicago Brings It Back at the Spectrum". Evening Journal. Wilmington, Delaware, USA. p. 48. Archived from the original on July 6, 2018. Retrieved July 5, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. February 4, 1978. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-02-15.
^ 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.
^ "Austriancharts.at – Chicago – XI" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 5439a". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Chicago – XI" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Chicago – XI" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
^ "Classifiche". Musica e Dischi (in Italian). Retrieved June 20, 2024. Set "Tipo" on "Album". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Chicago".
^ Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Chicago – XI". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
^ "Swedishcharts.com – Chicago – XI". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
^ "Chicago Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
^ "Canadian album certifications – Chicago – Chicago XI". Music Canada. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
^ "American album certifications – Chicago – Chicago XI". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 21, 2023.

Notes

^ A note in the credits for "Takin' It On Uptown" says "This song appears through the courtesy of Cook County Music. Keep your eyes open." The same note appears on the single where "Uptown" is the B-side of "Baby, What A Big Surprise."
^ CD versions fade this song out slightly earlier than the LP version.
^ The original LP ambiguously gives a single writing credit of Seraphine/Wolinski/Frontiere to "The Inner Struggles of a Man" and "Prelude (Little One)" together.

[1] "Chicago XI". www.chicagotheband.com. Archived from the original on July 3, 2018. Retrieved July 5, 2018.

[2] "Chicago Albums Ranked Worst to Best". Ultimate Classic Rock. 12 February 2016. Archived from the original on July 7, 2018. Retrieved July 6, 2018.

[3] "Chicago Baby, What A Big Surprise Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 14, 2018. Retrieved July 6, 2018.

[4] "Chicago Take Me Back To Chicago Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 14, 2018. Retrieved July 6, 2018.

[5] Mieses, Stan (December 8, 1976). "Room for Individuality in Chicago". Playground Daily News. Fort Walton Beach, Florida, USA. p. 6B. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 10, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.

[6] Wood, Tim. "Terry Kath's Official Bio Pages". Archived from the original on 2021-01-08. Retrieved 2017-10-02.

[8] "Chicago Chicago XI Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 13, 2018. Retrieved July 5, 2018.

[9] "Gold & Platinum - RIAA". RIAA. Archived from the original on October 10, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2018.

[10] "CHICAGO | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. The Official UK Charts Company. Archived from the original on December 4, 2017. Retrieved July 5, 2018.

[11] Ruhlmann, Willam James (1991). Chicago Group Portrait (Box Set) (Media notes). Columbia Records. p. 7. Archived from the original (CD booklet archived online) on February 13, 2016. Retrieved July 5, 2018.

[12] Jerome, Jim (October 16, 1978). "Chicago's 'Alive Again'!". PEOPLE.com. Archived from the original on April 4, 2019. Retrieved July 5, 2018.

[Ruhlmannp8-13] Ruhlmann, William James (1991). Chicago Group Portrait (Box Set) (Media notes). New York City, NY: Columbia Records. p. 8. Archived from the original (CD booklet archived online) on March 28, 2019. Retrieved July 5, 2018.

[14] ttps://www.allmusic.com/album/r3854/review

[15] The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 130.

[16] Hogan, Christine (October 24, 1977). "A mellow Chicago". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney, Australia. p. 3, The SMH Monday Guide section. Archived from the original on July 5, 2018. Retrieved July 5, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.

[17] Cutler, Hugh (November 9, 1977). "Chicago Brings It Back at the Spectrum". Evening Journal. Wilmington, Delaware, USA. p. 48. Archived from the original on July 6, 2018. Retrieved July 5, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.

[rw-18] "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. February 4, 1978. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-02-15.

[21] 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.

[ac_Austria_Chicago-22] "Austriancharts.at – Chicago – XI" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 20, 2024.

[CAN1-23] "Top RPM Albums: Issue 5439a". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 20, 2024.

[ac_Netherlands_Chicago-24] "Dutchcharts.nl – Chicago – XI" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 20, 2024.

[ac_Germany4_Chicago-25] "Offiziellecharts.de – Chicago – XI" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved June 20, 2024.

[26] "Classifiche". Musica e Dischi (in Italian). Retrieved June 20, 2024. Set "Tipo" on "Album". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Chicago".

[27] Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.

[ac_Norway_Chicago-28] "Norwegiancharts.com – Chicago – XI". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 20, 2024.

[ac_Sweden_Chicago-29] "Swedishcharts.com – Chicago – XI". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 20, 2024.

[ac_Billboard200_Chicago-30] "Chicago Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 20, 2024.

[CanadaChicagoChicago_XIalbumCertRef-31] "Canadian album certifications – Chicago – Chicago XI". Music Canada. Retrieved June 21, 2023.

[United_StatesChicagoChicago_XIalbumCertRef-32] "American album certifications – Chicago – Chicago XI". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 21, 2023.

[7] A note in the credits for "Takin' It On Uptown" says "This song appears through the courtesy of Cook County Music. Keep your eyes open." The same note appears on the single where "Uptown" is the B-side of "Baby, What A Big Surprise."

[19] CD versions fade this song out slightly earlier than the LP version.

[20] The original LP ambiguously gives a single writing credit of Seraphine/Wolinski/Frontiere to "The Inner Struggles of a Man" and "Prelude (Little One)" together.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[nb 1]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[nb 2]

[nb 3]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

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[28]

[29]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{More citations needed|date=March 2009}}
+{{More citations needed|date=March 2024}}
 {{Infobox album
 | name       = Chicago XI
@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 | venue      =
 | studio     = [[Caribou Ranch]], [[Nederland, Colorado]]
-| genre      = [[Rock music|Rock]]
+| genre      = [[Rock music|Rock]], [[jazz fusion]], [[pop rock]]
 | length     = 44:33
 | label      = [[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
@@ Line 25: / Line 25: @@
  | single2     = Little One
  | single2date = January 1978
- | single3     = Take Me Back to Chicago
+ | single3     = [[Take Me Back to Chicago#Title track single release|Take Me Back to Chicago]]
  | single3date = May 1978
 }}
-}}
-{{Album ratings
-| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
-| rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r3854/review|pure_url=yes}}</ref>
 }}
-'''''Chicago XI''''', released in 1977, is the ninth studio album (eleventh overall) by the [[United States|American]] band [[Chicago (band)|Chicago]] and marked the end of an era for the band. This would be the last Chicago studio album to feature guitarist [[Terry Kath]] prior to his death in a gun accident just over four months later, and the last Chicago LP to be produced by [[James William Guercio]].
+'''''Chicago XI''''' is the ninth studio album by the American [[Rock music|rock]] band [[Chicago (band)|Chicago]]. It was released on September 12, 1977, through [[Columbia Records]]. It was both the last to feature guitarist and vocalist [[Terry Kath]] prior to his death in a gun accident just over four months later, and the last to be produced by longtime associate of the band [[James William Guercio]].
+''Chicago XI'' was a commercial and critical success for the band, reaching the top 10 in the US and garnering generally positive reviews. Three singles were released from the album—"[[Baby, What a Big Surprise]]", "Little One", and "[[Take Me Back to Chicago]]"—with the former reaching number four on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Billboard Hot 100|Hot 100]]. ''Chicago XI'' would become the band's last album to make the top 10 until ''[[Chicago 16]]'' in 1982.
+The cover design for the album is called "Regional Map" on the group's official website.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotheband.com/albums/chicago11.html|title=Chicago XI|website=www.chicagotheband.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703221344/http://chicagotheband.com/albums/chicago11.html|archive-date=July 3, 2018|access-date=July 5, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 ==Background==
-According to the web site, [[Ultimate Classic Rock]], ''Chicago XI'' seems like a collection of solo songs rather than the work of the ensemble whole Chicago had been earlier in the 1970s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/chicago-albums-ranked/|title=Chicago Albums Ranked Worst to Best|website=Ultimate Classic Rock|language=en|access-date=July 6, 2018|archive-date=July 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707005731/http://ultimateclassicrock.com/chicago-albums-ranked/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Peter Cetera]] aimed to replicate the success of the [[Grammy]]-winning "[[If You Leave Me Now]]" with "[[Baby, What a Big Surprise]]", which proved to be the album's biggest hit, going to No. 4 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/chicago/chart-history/hsi/|title=Chicago Baby, What A Big Surprise Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 6, 2018|archive-date=July 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714185827/https://www.billboard.com/music/chicago/chart-history/hot-100/song/336374|url-status=live}}</ref> This was his only writing contribution to the album and, quite atypically, the only song with him on lead vocals. [[Terry Kath]] revived his old live favorite "Mississippi Delta City Blues" for the album, while turning in a touching vocal on [[Danny Seraphine]]'s "Little One." Seraphine also co-wrote "[[Take Me Back to Chicago]]", which charted at No. 63.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/chicago/chart-history/hsi/|title=Chicago Take Me Back To Chicago Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 6, 2018|archive-date=July 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714201611/https://www.billboard.com/music/chicago/chart-history/hot-100/song/336642|url-status=live}}</ref> Kath, who was planning a forthcoming solo album,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20838679/playground_daily_news/|title=Room for Individuality in Chicago|last=Mieses|first=Stan|date=December 8, 1976|work=Playground Daily News|location=Fort Walton Beach, Florida, USA|page=6B|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=June 10, 2018|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142924/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20838679/playground_daily_news/|url-status=live}} {{free access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.terrykath.com/bio-official/|title=Terry Kath's Official Bio Pages|last=Wood|first=Tim|access-date=2017-10-02|archive-date=2021-01-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108033859/http://www.terrykath.com/bio-official/|url-status=live}}</ref> may have intended "Takin' It On Uptown" — which, besides some uncredited backup singers, possibly features only Kath himself — as a solo album "preview" along the lines of Lamm's "Skinny Boy" on ''[[Chicago VII]]''.{{refn|group=nb|A note in the credits for "Takin' It On Uptown" says "This song appears through the courtesy of Cook County Music. Keep your eyes open." The same note appears on the single where "Uptown" is the B-side of "Baby, What A Big Surprise."}} [[James Pankow]] sang lead on his own "Till The End of Time," as did [[Lee Loughnane]] on his original, "This Time." The once-prolific [[Robert Lamm]] contributed only two songs, the sympathetic "Policeman" and "Vote For Me."
+According to the web site ''[[Ultimate Classic Rock]]'', ''Chicago XI'' seems like a collection of solo songs rather than the work of the ensemble whole Chicago had been earlier in the 1970s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/chicago-albums-ranked/|title=Chicago Albums Ranked Worst to Best|website=Ultimate Classic Rock|date=12 February 2016 |language=en|access-date=July 6, 2018|archive-date=July 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707005731/http://ultimateclassicrock.com/chicago-albums-ranked/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Peter Cetera]] aimed to replicate the success of the [[Grammy]]-winning "[[If You Leave Me Now]]" with "[[Baby, What a Big Surprise]]", which proved to be the album's biggest hit, going to No. 4 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/chicago/chart-history/hsi/|title=Chicago Baby, What A Big Surprise Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 6, 2018|archive-date=July 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714185827/https://www.billboard.com/music/chicago/chart-history/hot-100/song/336374|url-status=live}}</ref> This was his only writing contribution to the album and, quite atypically, the only song with him on lead vocals. [[Terry Kath]] revived his old live favorite "Mississippi Delta City Blues" for the album, while turning in a touching vocal on [[Danny Seraphine]]'s "Little One." Seraphine also co-wrote "[[Take Me Back to Chicago]]", which charted at No. 63.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/chicago/chart-history/hsi/|title=Chicago Take Me Back To Chicago Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 6, 2018|archive-date=July 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714201611/https://www.billboard.com/music/chicago/chart-history/hot-100/song/336642|url-status=live}}</ref>
-The cover design for the album is called "Regional Map" on the group's official web site.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotheband.com/albums/chicago11.html|title=Chicago XI|website=www.chicagotheband.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703221344/http://chicagotheband.com/albums/chicago11.html|archive-date=July 3, 2018|access-date=July 5, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
+Kath, who was planning a forthcoming solo album,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20838679/playground_daily_news/|title=Room for Individuality in Chicago|last=Mieses|first=Stan|date=December 8, 1976|work=Playground Daily News|location=Fort Walton Beach, Florida, USA|page=6B|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=June 10, 2018|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142924/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20838679/playground_daily_news/|url-status=live}} {{free access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.terrykath.com/bio-official/|title=Terry Kath's Official Bio Pages|last=Wood|first=Tim|access-date=2017-10-02|archive-date=2021-01-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108033859/http://www.terrykath.com/bio-official/|url-status=live}}</ref> may have intended "Takin' It On Uptown" — which, besides some uncredited backup singers, possibly features only Kath himself — as a solo album "preview" along the lines of Lamm's "Skinny Boy" on ''[[Chicago VII]]''.{{refn|group=nb|A note in the credits for "Takin' It On Uptown" says "This song appears through the courtesy of Cook County Music. Keep your eyes open." The same note appears on the single where "Uptown" is the B-side of "Baby, What A Big Surprise."}} [[James Pankow]] sang lead on his own "Till the End of Time," as did [[Lee Loughnane]] on his original, "This Time." The once prolific [[Robert Lamm]] contributed only two songs, "Policeman" and "Vote For Me."
-Upon its September 1977 release, ''Chicago XI'' (Columbia 34860) reached No. 6 in the [[United States|US]] on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]],<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/chicago/chart-history/tlp/|title=Chicago Chicago XI Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 5, 2018|archive-date=July 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713122104/https://www.billboard.com/music/chicago/chart-history/billboard-200/song/315766|url-status=live}}</ref> stayed in the charts for 20 weeks and went platinum in October the same year.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Chicago&ti=Chicago+XI&lab=&genre=&format=Album&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section|title=Gold & Platinum - RIAA|work=RIAA|access-date=July 5, 2018|publisher=RIAA|language=en-US|archive-date=October 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010045156/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Chicago&ti=Chicago+XI&lab=&genre=&format=Album&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section|url-status=live}}</ref> It did not chart in the UK.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/13861/chicago/|title=CHICAGO {{!}} full Official Chart History {{!}} Official Charts Company|website=www.officialcharts.com|publisher=The Official UK Charts Company|language=en|access-date=July 5, 2018|archive-date=December 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204115420/http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/13861/chicago/|url-status=live}}</ref>
+Upon its September 1977 release, ''Chicago XI'' (Columbia 34860) reached No. 6 in the [[United States|US]] on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]],<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/chicago/chart-history/tlp/|title=Chicago Chicago XI Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 5, 2018|archive-date=July 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713122104/https://www.billboard.com/music/chicago/chart-history/billboard-200/song/315766|url-status=live}}</ref> stayed in the charts for 20 weeks and went platinum in October the same year.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Chicago&ti=Chicago+XI&lab=&genre=&format=Album&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section|title=Gold & Platinum - RIAA|work=RIAA|access-date=July 5, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=October 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010045156/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Chicago&ti=Chicago+XI&lab=&genre=&format=Album&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section|url-status=live}}</ref> It did not chart in the UK.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/13861/chicago/|title=CHICAGO {{!}} full Official Chart History {{!}} Official Charts Company|website=www.officialcharts.com|publisher=The Official UK Charts Company|language=en|access-date=July 5, 2018|archive-date=December 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204115420/http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/13861/chicago/|url-status=live}}</ref>
-In her review of the album for ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]'', Christine Hogan said, "If there had never been a ''Chicago X'', this album would have been the best ever made by these perennials."<ref>{{cite news|last=Hogan|first=Christine|title=A mellow Chicago|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=October 24, 1977|page=3, The SMH Monday Guide section|location=Sydney, Australia|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20838049/the_sydney_morning_herald/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=July 5, 2018|archive-date=July 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705233051/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20838049/the_sydney_morning_herald/|url-status=live}}{{free access}}</ref> Writing for the [[Wilmington, Delaware]] ''[[Evening Journal]]'', Hugh Cutler called the album a "critical and commercial triumph" and said it even drew a "rave review" from ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cutler |first=Hugh |title=Chicago Brings It Back at the Spectrum |newspaper=Evening Journal |date=November 9, 1977 |page=48 |location=Wilmington, Delaware, USA |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21590675/the_news_journal/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=July 5, 2018 |archive-date=July 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706024119/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21590675/the_news_journal/ |url-status=live }}{{free access}}</ref>
 While recording ''Chicago XI,'' longtime producer [[James William Guercio]]'s smothering artistic control had reached its breaking point, with the band deciding to take their career into their own hands and strike out on their own after finishing the album with him.<ref>{{Cite AV media notes|url=http://aln3.albumlinernotes.com/Chicago_Box_Set_-_Page_7.html|title=Chicago Group Portrait (Box Set)|last=Ruhlmann|first=Willam James|date=1991|format=CD booklet archived online|page=7|access-date=July 5, 2018|publisher=Columbia Records|archive-date=February 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160213222057/http://aln3.albumlinernotes.com/Chicago_Box_Set_-_Page_7.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, as big a change in their career as Guercio's dismissal would be for Chicago, it would be minor in comparison to the tragedy that awaited them.
@@ Line 50: / Line 48: @@
 In 2002, ''Chicago XI'' was remastered and reissued by [[Rhino Entertainment|Rhino Records]] with rehearsal recordings of Pankow's "Wish I Could Fly" (backing track) and Lamm's "Paris" as bonus tracks.
+==Critical reception==
+{{Album ratings
+| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
+| rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r3854/review|pure_url=yes}}</ref>
+|rev2 = ''[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide]]''
+|rev2score = {{rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite book |title=The Rolling Stone Album Guide |date=1992 |publisher=Random House |page=130}}</ref>
+}}
+In her review of the album for ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]'', Christine Hogan said, "If there had never been a ''Chicago X'', this album would have been the best ever made by these perennials."<ref>{{cite news|last=Hogan|first=Christine|title=A mellow Chicago|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=October 24, 1977|page=3, The SMH Monday Guide section|location=Sydney, Australia|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20838049/the_sydney_morning_herald/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=July 5, 2018|archive-date=July 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705233051/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20838049/the_sydney_morning_herald/|url-status=live}}{{free access}}</ref> Writing for ''[[The Evening Journal]]'', Hugh Cutler called the album a "critical and commercial triumph" and said it even drew a "rave review" from ''[[Rolling Stone]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cutler |first=Hugh |title=Chicago Brings It Back at the Spectrum |newspaper=Evening Journal |date=November 9, 1977 |page=48 |location=Wilmington, Delaware, USA |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21590675/the_news_journal/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=July 5, 2018 |archive-date=July 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706024119/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21590675/the_news_journal/ |url-status=live }}{{free access}}</ref>
+''[[Record World]]'' described the single "Little One" as "a mid-tempo love song," saying that "the brass and vocal arrangements stand out as always."<ref name=rw>{{cite magazine|magazine=Record World|date=February 4, 1978|accessdate=2023-02-15|title=Hits of the Week|page=1|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/78/RW-1978-02-04.pdf}}</ref>
 ==Track listing==
@@ Line 92: / Line 101: @@
 | length7  = 4:45
+| writer7  = Fred Kagan, Kath
-| writer7  = Fred Kagen, Kath<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.discogs.com/Chicago-Baby-What-A-Big-Surprise-/release/1824097 |title=Chicago - Baby, What a Big Surprise |website=[[Discogs]] |access-date=2020-09-05 |archive-date=2021-02-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220114352/https://www.discogs.com/Chicago-Baby-What-A-Big-Surprise-/release/1824097 |url-status=live }}</ref>
 | extra7   = Kath
 | title8   = This Time
@@ Line 115: / Line 124: @@
 }}
-==Personnel==
+== Personnel ==
-===Chicago===
+=== Chicago ===
-*[[Peter Cetera]] – [[bass guitar|bass]], [[Lead vocalist|lead]] and [[Backing vocalist|backing vocals]]
+* [[Robert Lamm]] – [[acoustic piano]], [[Hammond organ]], [[clavinet]], [[Fender Rhodes]], lead and backing vocals
+* [[Terry Kath]] – electric guitars, acoustic guitars, percussion, lead and backing vocals
-*[[Laudir de Oliveira]] – [[percussion instrument|percussion]]
+* [[Peter Cetera]] – bass, backing vocals, lead vocals on "Baby, What a Big Surprise"
-*[[Terry Kath]] – [[Electric guitar|electric]] and [[acoustic guitar]]s, percussion, lead and backing vocals
+* [[James Pankow]] – trombone, keyboards, percussion, lead vocals on "Till the End of Time", brass arrangements
-*[[Robert Lamm]] – [[acoustic piano]], [[Hammond organ]], [[clavinet]], [[Rhodes piano|Fender Rhodes]], lead and backing vocals
-*[[Lee Loughnane]] – [[trumpet]], [[piccolo trumpet]], [[flugelhorn]], vocals
+* [[Walter Parazaider]] – saxophones, [[flute]], [[clarinet]]
-*[[James Pankow]] – [[trombone]], [[Keyboard instrument|keyboards]], percussion, vocals, brass arrangements
+* [[Lee Loughnane]] – trumpet, [[piccolo trumpet]], [[flugelhorn]], lead vocals on "This Time"
+* [[Danny Seraphine]] – drums, percussion
-*[[Walter Parazaider]] – [[saxophone]]s, [[flute]], [[clarinet]]
-*[[Danny Seraphine]] – [[Drum kit|drums]], percussion
+* [[Laudir de Oliveira]] – percussion
-===Additional personnel===
+=== Additional personnel ===
-*[[Hawk Wolinski|David "Hawk" Wolinski]] – [[ARP Instruments|ARP]] [[synthesizer]] on "Take Me Back to Chicago"; Fender Rhodes on "Little One'
+* [[Hawk Wolinski|David "Hawk" Wolinski]] – [[ARP Instruments|ARP]] [[synthesizer]] on "Take Me Back to Chicago"; Fender Rhodes on "Little One"
-*James William Guercio – acoustic guitars and bass on "Baby, What a Big Surprise"
+* [[James William Guercio]] – acoustic guitars and bass on "Baby, What a Big Surprise"
-*Tim Cetera – additional background vocals on "Baby, What a Big Surprise"
+* Tim Cetera – additional backing vocals on "Baby, What a Big Surprise"
-*[[Carl Wilson]] – additional background vocals on "Baby, What a Big Surprise"
+* [[Carl Wilson]] – additional backing vocals on "Baby, What a Big Surprise"
-*[[Chaka Khan]] – background vocals and incredible preach at end of "Take Me Back to Chicago"
+* [[Chaka Khan]] – backing vocals and incredible preach at end of "Take Me Back to Chicago"
-*[[Dominic Frontiere]] – [[orchestra]]l conception and [[orchestration]] on "Baby, What a Big Surprise"; orchestration for "The Inner Struggles of a Man"; [[String section|string]] and orchestral [[arrangement]]s for "Little One"
+* [[Dominic Frontiere]] – orchestral conception and conducting on "Baby, What a Big Surprise"; orchestration for "The Inner Struggles of a Man"; string and orchestral arrangements for "Little One"
-*The Voices of Inspiration – [[choir]] on "Vote for Me"
+* The Voices of Inspiration – choir on "Vote for Me"
-===Production===
+== Production ==
-* Producer – [[James William Guercio]]
+* Producer – James William Guercio
 * Audio engineer – Wayne Tarnowski
 * Assistant engineer – Tom Likes
@@ Line 146: / Line 155: @@
 ==Charts==
-{| class="wikitable"
+{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
-!align="left"|Chart (1977)
-!align="left"|Peak<br>position
 |-
+! scope="col" | Chart (1977)
-| Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|edition=illustrated|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6|page=62}}</ref>
+! scope="col" | Peak<br />position
-| 17
 |-
+! scope="row" | Australian Albums ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|edition=illustrated|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6|page=62}}</ref>
-| United States ([[Billboard 200]])<ref name=BB200>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/chicago/chart-history/tlp/|title=Billboard 200: Chicago III|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 21, 2019|archive-date=January 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190122065911/https://www.billboard.com/music/chicago/chart-history/billboard-200/song/820561|url-status=live}}</ref>
-| 6
+| 7
-|}
-===Singles===
-{|class= "wikitable"
-! Year
-! Single
-! Chart
-! Position
 |-
+{{album chart|Austria|9|artist=Chicago|album=XI|rowheader=true|access-date=June 20, 2024}}
-| 1977
-| "Baby, What a Big Surprise"
-| ''[[Billboard Hot 100|Billboard'' Hot 100]]
-| 4
 |-
+{{album chart|Canada|4|artist=Chicago|album=Chicago XI|chartid=5439a|refname=CAN1|rowheader=true|access-date=June 20, 2024}}
-| 1978
-| "Little One"
-| ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' Hot 100
-| 44
 |-
+{{album chart|Netherlands|12|artist=Chicago|album=XI|rowheader=true|access-date=June 20, 2024}}
-| 1978
-| "Take Me Back to Chicago"
-| ''Billboard'' Hot 100
-| 63
 |-
+{{album chart|Germany4|39|artist=Chicago|album=XI|id=7896|rowheader=true|access-date=June 20, 2024}}
+|-
+! scope="row"|Italian Albums (''[[Musica e Dischi]]'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicaedischi.it/classifiche_archivio.php|title=Classifiche|work=[[Musica e Dischi]]|language=it|access-date=June 20, 2024}} Set "Tipo" on "Album". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Chicago".</ref>
+|align="center"|15
+|-
+!scope="row"|Japanese Albums ([[Oricon]])<ref>{{cite book |title=Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 |publisher=[[Oricon|Oricon Entertainment]] |location=Roppongi, Tokyo |year=2006 |isbn=4-87131-077-9 |language=ja}}</ref>
+|align="center"|37
+|-
+{{album chart|Norway|5|artist=Chicago|album=XI|rowheader=true|access-date=June 20, 2024}}
+|-
+{{album chart|Sweden|8|artist=Chicago|album=XI|rowheader=true|access-date=June 20, 2024}}
+|-
+{{album chart|Billboard200|6|artist=Chicago|rowheader=true|access-date=June 20, 2024}}
 |}
+==Certifications==
+{{Certification Table Top}}
+{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|relyear=1977|region=Canada|award=Platinum|certyear=1977|artist=Chicago|title=Chicago XI|access-date=June 21, 2023}}
+{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|relyear=1977|region=United States|award=Platinum|certyear=1977|artist=Chicago|title=Chicago XI|access-date=June 21, 2023}}
+{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}
 ==References==

v t e Chicago
Robert Lamm Lee Loughnane James Pankow Walfredo Reyes Jr. Ray Herrmann Neil Donell Ramon Yslas Tony Obrohta Loren Gold Eric Baines Walter Parazaider Danny Seraphine Terry Kath Peter Cetera Laudir de Oliveira Donnie Dacus Chris Pinnick Bill Champlin Jason Scheff Dawayne Bailey Tris Imboden Bruce Gaitsch Keith Howland Drew Hester Lou Pardini Daniel De Los Reyes Jeff Coffey Brett Simons
Studio albums	Chicago Transit Authority Chicago Chicago III Chicago V Chicago VI Chicago VII Chicago VIII Chicago X Chicago XI Hot Streets Chicago 13 Chicago XIV Chicago 16 Chicago 17 Chicago 18 Chicago 19 Twenty 1 Night & Day: Big Band Chicago XXX Chicago XXXII: Stone of Sisyphus Chicago XXXV: The Nashville Sessions Chicago XXXVI: Now Chicago XXXVIII: Born for This Moment
Christmas albums	Chicago XXV: The Christmas Album Chicago XXXIII: O Christmas Three Chicago XXXVII: Chicago Christmas
Live albums	Chicago at Carnegie Hall Live in Japan Chicago XXVI: Live in Concert Chicago XXXIV: Live in '75
Compilations	Chicago IX: Chicago's Greatest Hits Greatest Hits, Volume II If You Leave Me Now Take Me Back to Chicago Greatest Hits 1982–1989 Group Portrait The Heart of Chicago 1967–1997 The Heart of Chicago 1967–1998 Volume II The Very Best of Chicago: Only the Beginning The Box Love Songs The Best of Chicago: 40th Anniversary Edition
Singles	"Questions 67 and 68" "Beginnings" "Make Me Smile" "25 or 6 to 4" "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" "Free" "Lowdown" "Saturday in the Park" "Dialogue (Part I & II)" "Feelin' Stronger Every Day" "Just You 'n' Me" "(I've Been) Searchin' So Long" "Call on Me" "Wishing You Were Here" "Harry Truman" "Old Days" "Brand New Love Affair" "Another Rainy Day in New York City" "If You Leave Me Now" "Baby, What a Big Surprise" "Take Me Back to Chicago" "Alive Again" "No Tell Lover" "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" "Love Me Tomorrow" "Stay the Night" "Hard Habit to Break" "You're the Inspiration" "Along Comes a Woman" "Will You Still Love Me?" "If She Would Have Been Faithful..." "Niagara Falls" "I Don't Wanna Live Without Your Love" "Look Away" "You're Not Alone" "We Can Last Forever" "What Kind of Man Would I Be?" "Chasin' the Wind" "Here in My Heart"
Related articles	Discography Members Leonid and Friends