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Chicago US album cover thumbnails courtesy of The Stone Is On Fire!; Japanese covers scanned and resized by me.

U.S./NORTH AMERICAN RELEASES
 
JAPANESE RELEASES
     

Chicago 23 and Chicago 24:
The Heart Of Chicago -- 30th Anniversary Compilations

PAGE INITIATED:  DECEMBER 31, 2003.

LAST UPDATED:  SEPTEMBER 3, 2005!

NORTH AMERICAN RELEASES

The Heart Of Chicago 1967-1997 (Chicago 23) (US RED)  Track list
Released as Full Moon/Reprise/Warner Bros. 2-46554 on April 22, 1997.
Peak Hot 200 Album chart position:  #55.

The Heart Of Chicago 1967-1998, Volume II (Chicago 24) (US BLUE)  Track list
Released as Full Moon/Reprise/Warner Bros. 2-46911 on May 12, 1998.
Peak Hot 200 Album chart position:  #154.

JAPANESE RELEASES
Compilations and booklet texts by Hideyo Itoh, with "Hello and thanks to Robert Lamm for his merciful suggestion".
Lyrics transcriptions and Japanese translations by Ginger Kunita.
Digitally re-mastered by Keith Blake.

The Heart Of Chicago 1967-1981 (JAP BLUE)  Track list
Released as Teichiku Records TECW-2426 on June 25, 1997.

The Heart Of Chicago 1982-1997 (JAP RED)  Track list
Released as Reprise/WEA International WPCR-1330 (9362-46688-2) on June 25, 1997.

The Heart Of Chicago 1967-1981, Volume II (JAP GREEN)  Track list
Released as Teichiku Records TECW-2427 on July 25, 1998.

The Heart Of Chicago 1982-1998, Volume II (JAP YELLOW)  Track list
Released as Reprise/WEA International WPCR-1940 (9362-47065-2) on July 25, 1998.

For production and recording information, see the various album pages.  For the four 1997-1998 new recordings, click here.

Original band logo by Nicholas Fasciano.
Art Direction and Design:  Stephen Walker.
Photography:  Daniel Arsenault.


REVIEWER'S NOTES/DID YOU KNOW...?

...that The Heart Of Chicago was first used as the European title of Greatest Hits 1982-1989 (Chicago 20)?

...that the four Japanese versions more accurately split the coverage years, and also list the album title on the insert?
...that the two North American releases were the first in the U.S. to combine Chicago's Columbia and Warner Bros. hits?
...that originally, the blue cover was also intended for the first North American HOC release?
...that not all the past and present members of Chicago are listed in the booklets?

The reason for the differences could be that, at the time, Chicago Records had recently secured the rights to all their Columbia-era recordings, giving them greater flexibility in choosing who they licensed them to.  In Japan, this gave them the opportunity to include two original Japanese studio versions of those songs, and also expand the number of selections not previously included on other U.S. or import compilations.  In addition to the English CD inserts, these releases also included a companion booklet with lyrics in both English and Japanese, and brief stories about each song (only in Japanese, though :-( ).

For the North American versions, Reprise/Warner Bros. got two compilations consolidating the best of the four Japanese releases.  Both feature the four new songs recorded 1997-1998.  Yet only the Japanese versions include five tracks from the yet-to-be-released album Stone Of Sisyphus.  As you'll note on the track lists below, there are no tracks in the North American releases from Twenty-1 or Night & Day (Big Band).

As for the covers, the JAP BLUE insert clearly features the WB North American code number for US RED (9 46554-2) in the lower right corner of the back fold, with the Teichiku code number TECW-2426 in black print on the Top Left.  The North American releases had the titles listed only on the CD spine and label, and a sticker on the outer shrink wrap, where the Japanese releases (as you can see in the thumbnails above) superimpose the title above the band logo.

And the band member list?  Listed in all six inserts are Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane, James Pankow, Walter Parazaider, Terry Kath, Peter Cetera, Danny Seraphine, Bill Champlin, Jason Scheff, Tris Imboden, and Keith Howland.  Notably absent are Laudir de Oliveira, Donnie Dacus, Chris Pinnick, Dawayne Bailey, and Bruce Gaitsch.

The Japanese releases are also much better sonically than their North American counterparts.  Hideyo Itoh did a superb job overseeing the Japanese releases.  There is a noticeable sonic quality drop-off on some songs on the US BLUE release, where US RED was very good sonically.

My eternal gratitude go to (and a lot of my hard-earned cash went to) ko2cozy, astronetwork, and Rockrdude on eBay for the four Japanese HOC releases.

MY TRACK-BY-TRACK LISTING/REVIEW
All tracks listed are the same length and mix as originally released on the noted album, unless otherwise indicated.
(Track timings are as listed in the CD inserts, and may be off by a few seconds for track fade-outs and lead-ins.)

1997 RELEASES

The Heart Of Chicago 1967-1997 (US RED)
---------------------------------------
01) You're The Inspiration (LP mix) -- 3:50 (Chicago 17, 1984)
02) If You Leave Me Now -- 3:55 (Chicago X, 1976)
03) Make Me Smile (45 Edit) -- 2:59 (Chicago II, 1970)
04) Hard Habit To Break -- 4:44 (Chicago 17, 1984)
05) Saturday In The Park -- 3:55 (Chicago V, 1972)
06) Wishin' You Were Here -- 4:35 (Chicago VII, 1974)
07) The Only One -- 5:59 (NEW)
08) Colour My World -- 2:59 (Chicago II, 1970)
09) Look Away (LP mix) -- 4:01 (Chicago 19, 1988)
10) Here In My Heart -- 4:15 (NEW)
11) Just You 'N' Me -- 3:42 (Chicago VI, 1973)
12) Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? (45 edit) -- 3:19 (The Chicago Transit Authority, 1969)
13) Will You Still Love Me? -- 5:41(Chicago 18, 1986)
14) Beginnings -- 7:55 (The Chicago Transit Authority, 1969)
15) Hard To Say I'm Sorry/Get Away -- 5:05 (Chicago 16, 1982)

TOTAL DISC RUNNING TIME:  67:02


The Heart Of Chicago 1967-1981 (JAP BLUE)
-----------------------------------------
01) Questions 67 & 68 -- 4:56 (The Chicago Transit Authority, 1969)
02) Beginnings -- 7:53 (The Chicago Transit Authority, 1969)
03) Make Me Smile (45 edit) -- 2:59 (Chicago II, 1970)
04) 25 Or 6 To 4 -- 4:50 (Chicago II, 1970)
05) Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? (45 edit) -- 3:20 (The Chicago Transit Authority, 1969)
06) Free -- 2:17 (Chicago III, 1971)
07) Lowdown -- 3:34 (Chicago III, 1971)
08) Saturday In The Park -- 3:54 (Chicago V, 1972)
09) Just You 'N' Me -- 3:42 (Chicago VI, 1973)
10) (I've Been) Searchin' So Long -- 4:28 (Chicago VII, 1974)
11) Wishing You Were Here -- 4:36 (Chicago VII, 1974)
12) Old Days -- 3:29 (Chicago VIII, 1975)
13) If You Leave Me Now -- 3:55 (Chicago X, 1976)
14) Baby, What A Big Surprise -- 3:02 (Chicago XI, 1977)
15) Alive Again -- 4:05 (Hot Streets, 1978)

TOTAL DISC RUNNING TIME:  71:58.


The Heart Of Chicago 1982-1997 (JAP RED)
----------------------------------------
01) Hard To Say I'm Sorry (45 edit) -- 3:40 (Chicago 16, 1982)
02) Love Me Tomorrow (45 edit) -- 3:54 (Chicago 16, 1982)
03) Stay The Night -- 3:47 (Chicago 17, 1984)
04) Hard Habit To Break -- 4:43 (Chicago 17, 1984)
05) You're The Inspiration (original mix) -- 3:49 (Chicago 17, 1984)
06) Along Comes A Woman (original mix) -- 3:47 (Chicago 17, 1984)
07) Will You Still Love Me? (45 edit) -- 4:11 (Chicago 18, 1986)
08) If She Would Have Been Faithful... (45 edit) -- 3:50 (Chicago 18, 1986)
09) I Don't Wanna Live Without Your Love -- 3:54 (Chicago 19, 1988)
10) Look Away (45 Remix) -- 3:58 (Chicago 19, 1988)
11) You're Not Alone (45 Remix/edit) -- 3:58 (Chicago 19, 1988)
12) What Kind of Man Would I Be? (45 Remix/edit) -- 4:09 (Chicago 19, 1988)
13) Chasin' The Wind -- 4:17 (Twenty-1, 1991)
14) Here In My Heart -- 4:14 (NEW)
15) The Only One -- 5:59 (NEW)

TOTAL DISC RUNNING TIME:  62:29.


1998 RELEASES

The Heart Of Chicago 1967-1998, Volume II (US BLUE)
---------------------------------------------------
01) Dialogue (Part I and II) -- 7:09 (Chicago V, 1972)
02) Old Days -- 3:29 (Chicago VIII, 1975)
03) All Roads Lead To You -- 4:18 (NEW)
04) Love Me Tomorrow -- 4:58 (Chicago 16, 1982)
05) Baby, What A Big Surprise -- 3:04 (Chicago XI, 1977)
06) You're Not Alone -- 3:56 (Chicago 19, 1988)
07) What Kind Of Man Would I Be? (original LP mix) -- 4:17 (Chicago 19, 1988)
08) No Tell Lover -- 3:48 (Hot Streets, 1978)
09) Show Me A Sign -- 3:36 (NEW)
10) (I've Been) Searchin' So Long -- 4:28 (Chicago VII, 1974)
11) Call On Me -- 4:01 (Chicago VII, 1974)
12) I Don't Wanna Live Without Your Love -- 3:56 (Chicago 19, 1988)
13) Feelin' Stronger Every Day -- 4:12 (CD inserts show 'Everyday' as one word.) (Chicago VI, 1973)
14) Stay The Night -- 3:45 (Chicago 17, 1984)
15) I'm A Man -- 7:38 (The Chicago Transit Authority, 1969)
16) 25 Or 6 To 4 (original) -- 4:49 (Chicago II, 1970)

TOTAL DISC RUNNING TIME:  71:58.


The Heart Of Chicago 1967-1981, Volume II (JAP GREEN)
-----------------------------------------------------
01) All The Years -- 4:15 (Stone Of Sisyphus track) (CD DEBUT)
02) Call On Me -- 4:00 (Chicago VII, 1974)
03) Another Rainy Day In New York City -- 2:57 (Chicago X, 1976)
04) Questions 67 & 68 -- 3:30 (Japanese Version-studio-45 edit) (released in Japan in 1971)
05) Thunder And Lightning -- 3:30 (Chicago XIV, 1980)
06) Harry Truman -- 2:59 (Chicago VIII, 1975)
07) No Tell Lover -- 3:44 (Hot Streets, 1978)
08) Sleeping In The Middle Of The Bed Again -- 4:45 (Stone Of Sisyphus track) (CD DEBUT)
09) Feelin' Stronger Every Day -- 4:14 (Chicago VI, 1973)
10) Colour My World -- 2:59 (Chicago II, 1970)
11) Lowdown (Japanese Version-studio) -- 3:33 (released in Japan in 1971)
12) Dialogue (Part I & II) -- 7:10 (Chicago V, 1972)
13) Take Me Back To Chicago (LP mix) -- 5:16 (Chicago XI, 1977)
14) Street Player (12" Dance Mix) -- 8:44 (Chicago 13, 1979) (CD DEBUT OF THIS VERSION)
15) Prologue, August 29, 1968 - Someday (August 29, 1968) -- 5:09 (The Chicago Transit Authority, 1969)

TOTAL DISC RUNNING TIME:  66:53.


The Heart Of Chicago 1982-1998, Volume II (JAP YELLOW)
------------------------------------------------------
01) All Roads Lead To You -- 4:18 (NEW)
02) Niagara Falls -- 3:42 (Chicago 18, 1986)
03) The Pull -- 4:16 (Stone Of Sisyphus track) (CD DEBUT)
04) Here With Me -- 4:09 (Stone Of Sisyphus track) (CD DEBUT)
05) You Come To My Senses -- 3:48 (Twenty-1, 1991)
06) Please Hold On (Original LP/cassette mix) -- 3:40 (Chicago 17, 1984) (CD DEBUT OF THIS VERSION)
07) Show Me A Sign -- 3:36 (NEW)
08) Bigger Than Elvis -- 4:31 (Stone Of Sisyphus track)
09) What You're Missing (45 edit) -- 3:29 (Chicago 16, 1982) (CD DEBUT OF THIS VERSION)
10) Forever -- 5:16 (Chicago 18, 1986)
11) Explain It To My Heart (45 remix/edit) -- 4:07 (Twenty-1, 1991) (CD DEBUT OF THIS VERSION)
12) 25 Or 6 To 4 (1986 version) -- 4:11 (Chicago 18, 1986)
13) We Can Last Forever (45 remix) -- 3:44 (Chicago 19, 1988)
14) Along Comes A Woman (12" Dance Mix) -- 6:13 (Chicago 17, 1984) (CD DEBUT OF THIS VERSION)
15) Hard To Say I'm Sorry/Get Away -- 5:04 (Chicago 16, 1982)

TOTAL DISC RUNNING TIME:  64:24.


For the new tracks:

THE BAND
Robert Lamm -- Keyboards and vocals
Lee Loughnane -- Trumpet and flugelhorn
James Pankow -- Trombone
Walter Parazaider -- Woodwinds
Bill Champlin -- Keyboards and vocals
Jason Scheff -- Bass and vocals
Tris Imboden -- Drums and percussion
Keith Howland -- Guitar

FEATURED GUEST PERFORMERS
James Newton-Howard -- Piano on "Here In My Heart"
Michael Landau -- Additional Guitar on "Here In My Heart"
Lenny Kravitz -- Vocals and additional instruments on "The Only One"


THE NEW SONGS FROM 1997

"Here In My Heart" (James Newton-Howard/Glen Ballard)
Lead vocals:  Bill Champlin.
Issued as Reprise/WB promo single PRCD-8688 on March 25, 1997.
Peak chart positions:  Pop #59, AC #1.

Produced, Engineered and Mixed by James Newton-Howard.
Recorded and mixed at Conway Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA.

Origially written as a Bill Champlin solo cue for the George Clooney/Michelle Pfeiffer film, One Fine Day, the rest of Chicago was unaware of this when it was submitted as a possibility for Chicago to record.  Champlin reprised his vocal with the rest of Chicago, and JNH added piano and did the rest of the scut work on the track.  The fact the song sounds like classic Chicago is no mistake, either.  JNH first saw Chicago (as CTA) during one of the CBS showcases in 1968, and got to meet a fellow attendee (current Chicago drummer Tris Imboden) during this session.  The lyrics may also have an unintended double meaning about perhaps the door being open for a Peter Cetera return to the band ('17 reasons not to believe' a reference to the 17 Chicago albums Cetera was a part of, and the whole chorus...).

"The Only One" (James Pankow/Greg O'Connor)
Lead vocals:  Robert Lamm, Bill Champlin, Jason Scheff.
Edited version issued as Reprise/WB promo single PRCD-8691 in September 1997.
Peak chart position:  AC #17.

Produced, Engineered and Mixed by Lenny Kravitz.
Recorded at Sound City, Van Nuys, CA; and Goodnight LA Studios, Los Angeles, CA.
Mixed at Sound City, Van Nuys, CA.

This song is classic Chicago through and through.  The vocal interplay between Robert, Bill, and Jason evokes such strong memories of the original Robert-Peter-Terry interplay ("I'm A Man" in particular).  Lenny Kravitz was the obvious choice here to produce.  Kravitz had recently done an album of '70s cover tunes, staying true to the original sonics where possible.  In adding his vocal stamp on the end of the track, Lenny showed a great resemblance to both Robert and Terry.


THE NEW SONGS FROM 1998

Produced by Roy Bittan.
Engineered and Mixed by Ed Thacker, assisted by Eric Ferguson.
Recorded and Mixed at A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA.

"All Roads Lead To You" (Marc Beeson/Desmond Child)
Lead vocals:  Bill Champlin, Robert Lamm, Jason Scheff.
Issued as Reprise/WB promo single PROCD-9262-R in May, 1998.
Peak chart position:  AC #14.

"Show Me A Sign" (James Pankow/Greg O'Connor)
Lead vocals:  Jason Scheff, Bill Champlin.
Issued as Reprise/WB promo single 7-17170 in March, 1999.
Peak chart position:  AC #28.

Chicago brought in former Columbia label-mate Roy Bittan (pianist for Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band) to produce both of these tracks.  He was every bit as much insistent on Chicago doing the instrumental performances themselves as much as possible, just as Peter Wolf did on Stone Of Sisyphus.  The results are two very well delivered performances.  The former delivers another great vocal interplay 'twixt the three, and the latter seems a bit more commercially oriented, even though the keyboard solo evokes very strong memories of David "Hawk" Wolinski's session work with Chicago in the mid-1970s.