Chicago Christmas (2019) CD Release Date 10/11/19
2019 holiday release from the legendary "rock band with horns". Produced by founding member Lee Loughnane, Chicago Christmas is the 37th album of the band's career and it's fourth holiday collection. Whereas it's previous releases focused more on traditional Christmas songs, the new record spotlights holiday music the band wrote especially for the album. Along with the new songs, the album also features the band's interpretations of two holiday standards: "Here We Come A Caroling" and "Sleigh Ride." It's the second time Chicago has recorded "Sleigh Ride." A different version appears on Chicago XXXIII: O Christmas Thee (2011). The album's other non-original track is a soulful Chicago interpretation of the Hal David and Burt Bacharach classic, "What The World Needs Now Is Love," which founding member Robert Lamm thought had a timely message for the holidays. Chicago Christmas features original compositions by many of the band members, along with unmistakable horn arrangements by founding member James Pankow. The album was recorded and mixed by Tim Jessup.