Free Download: Melissa McClelland's "GlenRio"

Here is a free mp3, "GlenRio," by a relatively new Canadian artist on the scene, Melissa McClelland. Her new album Victoria Day was just released today. Check this out!

"GlenRio" by Melissa McClelland

Read more!

Free Download: Galaxie 500’s “Fourth of July”

For the first time in about two decades, the three studio albums by legendary alternative rock act Galaxie 500 has just been released on vinyl: On Fire, Today and This Is Our Music. To celebrate the occasion, former Galaxie 500 members Damon Krukowski and Naomi Yang are offering a free download of “Fourth of July,” off of This Is Our Music, on their Web site.(source: www.damonandnaomi.com).

Read more!

CD Review: Don Henley

Don Henley
The Very Best of Don Henley
Geffen/UME
By David Chiu

Don Henley is one of those rare artists whose solo career exceeds and maybe eclipses
the success of his then-former band—in this case the Eagles. There is a lot of depth and substance in his solo work, which is spotlighted in this latest compilation. (With the exception of three songs from last solo record, Inside Job, the track selection is very similar to his 1995 collection Actual Miles). His music in the ‘80s seem to be a reaction to that decade’s sense of greed and lack of sensitivity starting with his first solo hit “Dirty Laundry”—an indictment of tabloid media, through the funky “All She Wants to Do Is Dance,” and the legacy of the Reagan era in “The End of the Innocence” and “New York Minute.” Yet in contrast to Henley’s sharp and biting lyrics set is a deep and reflective side as evident on lovely tracks like “The Last Worthless Evening,” “The Heart of the Matter” and “Taking You Home.” Perhaps his most well-known hit, and one pop music’s greatest songs, is “The Boys of Summer,” a track that conveys both youthful nostalgia and regret—it remains the major highlight of his career as well as on this best-of. This set is also packaged with a DVD of videos to some of his hit songs along with rare audio songs from soundtracks.

Read more!

Appreciation: Michael Jackson: 1958-2009

Perhaps of all the deaths of famous rock stars throughout history, Michael Jackson’s recent passing hit really hard for me personally. I grew up and lived through the Thriller-era madness when Jackson seemed to have ruled the world from 1983 and 1984. His music and presence was unescapable, whether it was a song from Thriller on the radio; the amazing “Beat It” and “Billie Jean” videos; a guest vocal appearance on Rockwell’s “Somebody’s Watching Me”; and the Victory tour with his brothers. As we’ve all learned, especially in the last couple of days, Jackson was certainly larger than life.

The Thriller era is how I remember Jackson. Nearly every cut on that record--the hits “Beat It,” “Billie Jean,” “Human Nature” (my personal favorite), “The Girl Is Mine,” “PYT,” “Wanna Be Starting Something,” and the title track—was classic. It is truly a great pop album and its record millions of copies sold is proof of its popularity and resonance. That to me is prime vintage Michael—a fruitful musical period that may never be duplicated.

It may be hard to separate the musical genius of Jackson with his latter-day eccentric behavior and extravagance, not to mention the scandals and criminal allegations. But clearly his influence on pop culture is not deniable. His popularity and talent has a unifying hold on so many people regardless of race, class division, or borders. Thus, Jackson should be best appreciated for that.

Read more!

DVD Review: Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden
Flight 666: The Film
UME
By David Chiu

Those who may have heard of the veteran British metal band Iron Maiden, but yet are not entirely familiar with their music or history, will get a good introduction through this documentary film. Flight 666, directed by Sam Dunn and Scot McFaydn, takes the viewers to the band’s relentless jaunt through five continents their 2008 tour. What makes this tour interesting is that the band traveled in its own jumbo plane, dubbed “Ed Force One,” piloted by their singer Bruce Dickinson!

While Iron Maiden may not be the most popular of bands outside of heavy metal circles, they have a tremendous international fan base. The film captures that by documenting the rabid fans who were excited to see their heroes on stage (There is even a South American priest who has over 160 Iron Maiden-related tattoos all over his body).

Interspersed with the footage of the traveling and backstage stuff are excerpts of concert performances in which the band performs tracks such as “Can I Play With Madness,” “The Number of the Beast” and “Run to the Hills.” The music sounds like progressive rock with a heavy metal edge—yet accessible too. The musicianship, especially the triple guitar attack and Dickinson’s over-the-top vocals and stage antics, is pretty impressive, even as the band is over 30 years old. (In addition to the movie, the DVD set also contains a second disc of the entire performances from the tour.)

Interestingly, Flight 666 also provides a glimpse into a day in the life of a heavy metal band. While one would expect that a band with a name like Iron Maiden would be all about partying and debauchery, the members of the band lead relatively normal lives: on their off time, they play tennis, golf and soccer, as well as do some sightseeing. In short, the guys seem down to earth, even charming and genuine—especially Dickinson--without the rock star attitude.

So if you were initially resistant to the world of Iron Maiden, watching this film will pleasantly surprise you. No wonder the band has a strong following from all over the world.

Read more!

Book Review: Subway Art

Subway Art: 25th Anniversary Edition
By Martha Cooper and Henry Chalfant
Chronicle Books
Review by David Chiu

I grew up in the early ‘80s when the New York City subway cars were strewn with graffiti. Even as a kid, I kind of shared the sentiments of my elders who found it an eyesore. However, over the years, I have gained an appreciation of that “art” and so has the rest of the world. Graffiti has now become a respected art form to the point of being formally exhibited, such as at the Brooklyn Museum a few years ago. That would have never had happened in the 1980s, way before Giuliani, gentrification, the decrease in crime, and the now-squeaky clean Times Square.

Subway Art is a book of photographs of graffiti on subway cars and the artists (or “writers” as described in the text) behind it, They were taken by Martha Cooper and Henry Chalfant, who back then saw something that nearly all average and hardened New Yorkers didn’t see: that subway graffiti was for these young people a way of expression and the sign of the times.

In this 25th anniversary edition of the book, we get to see a wide, panoramic view of how much art has covered throughout several subway cars such as on the #1 and #5 lines. There’s a bold, fresh, in-your-face character to the work, from being an advertisement of the writer’s name, such as the late Dundy—to even expressing social consciousness (like the futility of war in “Stop the Bomb.” There are also photographs of the writers in action—some of these kids would do their work at night, while others mugged for the cameras. What may also be surprising to most of us is that the graffiti writers were not an exclusive boys’ club—a few of them included a woman such as Lady Pink. The book concludes with new text by the authors on how the popularity of the book has affected their lives. while mentioning the current status of some of the writers, most of whom went on to pursue careers in art and other endeavors.

Going through the photographs of Subway Art triggered a flood of memories—it makes me miss that gritty, adventurous time of the city. Aside from the art, it is amazing to see or remember what life in New York was like back then. Photographs of commuters and even cops who rode these graffiti-filled subway cars showed us that even back then New Yorkers seemed unflappable. (One image features someone flipping the bird through the subway door window!).

Of course now graffiti is virtually gone on the trains except for perhaps what we dub as scratchiti (making marks on the windows using a sharp instrument) or some form of tagging on movie posters in the station. Subway Art is a reminder of how talented, energetic and brave these then-kids were. It marked an era that is now gone but, thanks to the authors of this book, will never be forgotten.

Images from Chronicle Books Web site.

Read more!

CD Review: Rolling Stones

Rolling Stones
Undercover
Rolling Stones/UME
By David Chiu

Undercover, the Rolling Stones’ 1983 album, doesn’t often receive the attention that is bestowed on more triumphant post-‘70s efforts such as Sticky Fingers, Some Girls and Tattoo You. While it is safe to say Undercover is not in the same league as those aforementioned works, it’s not a bad record either. Its problem is there is too much going on with the album stylistically where the mix of rock (“All The Way Down”), funk (“Tie You Up”), reggae (“Feel You Baby”) and even rap (the rather morbid “Too Much Blood”) collide. It sounded like the group back then was trying to find its voice. The rest of the songs on Undercover are vintage Stones such as "Too Tough" and the Keith Richards-sung “Wanna Hold You.” The best cuts from the album are the well-known ones today: “Undercover of the Night,” a nasty funk-track; and the electrifying rocker “She Was Hot.” Both also have memorable videos, the former a dramatic mini-movie, and the latter featuring the sexy actress Anita Morris. Undercover is by no means a perfect Stones album, but it should be given a wider appreciation.



Rolling Stones Undercover of the Night


Rolling Stones She Was Hot

Read more!

Interview: Vera Ramone King

Dee Dee Ramone’s First Wife Tells Her Story About Their Marriage
By David Chiu

Punk rocker Dee Dee Ramone was probably the most interesting, colorful and wild of the Ramones. Not only a bassist, Dee Dee, who died of a drug overdose in 2002, played an integral part of the band’s musical legacy since he also wrote a lot of the Ramones songs. In 1989 he tried his hand at rap and recorded a solo album under the name Dee Dee King,

Vera Ramone King knows well about the unpredictable nature of Dee Dee Ramone as his first wife for 17 years. In her recent memoir Poisoned Heart: A Punk Love Story, King describes their tumultuous marriage, one that included Dee Dee’s drug use, his erratic behavior, and physical abuse towards her. At one point, according to the book, Dee Dee threatened King by holding a switchblade towards her neck, then forcing her to drive back to New York City so he can get drugs—an episode that ended the marriage right there. Yet King also writes about the tender and loving side of Dee Dee, such as his generosity towards strangers and his attempt to save a man through mouth-to mouth.

Poisoned Heart also documents the world of the Ramones as it offers insight to the personalities of the two other famous band members, Joey and Johnny, the latter depicted as very controlling and domineering in the book.

Today King, who is a brain cancer survivor, has remarried and now resides in Florida. She spoke to NewBeats about writing the book (which also contains a foreword by former Talking Heads’ Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth) and living with the unique personality of a punk legend.

Your book really captures the two sides of Dee Dee: the good and the bad.
That was part of the reason why I wrote the book. I know there is only a certain legacy that has been left behind. I wanted his fans to know that there was a lot more to the man that they know about. I hope that came across but not in a negative way.

I’d rather just say that I wrote the book because I wanted his fans to know that there was a lot more to him than just the legacy that was left behind, kind of like a drug induced legacy that people remind themselves when they hear name. And there quite a few different sides to Dee Dee. He had a lot of loving qualities as well. He was a very talented person and I wanted to bring some of those things to surface and have people know what he was all about.


If I read correctly from the book, you first met Dee Dee at the former New York City venue Max’s Kansas City?
That is correct. That was mainly where I used to go. He wasn’t playing there that night. We just happened to meet at the bar. He came over and stood next to me and we talked about three or four hours. And he asked me for my number—he said he was leaving to go to the United Kingdom—he was going to London to do some shows. And he asked me if you could call me when he got back. I came home from work one day and my mom said to me A Dee Dee called you from England. I was like Oh my God! Oh my God! And he called me back and he said he was coming home and wanted to see me when he got back. From the moment he came back, we were inseparable. It was just one of those things—we just clicked.

It was love at first sight. He said it in many interviews before while he was alive, and for me it was the same thing. I’d love his sense of humor, I thought he was really funny. He had that sexy raspy voice that I adored. He was absolutely adorable and he was a rock star.

Many people probably don’t know that Dee Dee penned a lot of the Ramones songs.
Towards the end he started singing more. And that’s when he wanted to expand his writing capabilities. He wanted to write about different things other than geeks and freaks and warthogs and pinheads. The band sort of stifled him and wanted him to write that same old stuff. And that was when he came up with the Dee Dee King thing because rap was starting to become big. It wasn’t a serious rap album by any means nor was it supposed to be, but it still had that sense of humor of the Ramones and a little bit of rap involved. It was kind of a rap and roll kind of album. It was very cute.

In writing the book, what was the hardest incident or memory that you had to recall?
There were several painful incidents that I thought I had forgotten about and I really didn’t, and I would get very emotional when I would start to remember it. And it was still very much there. Dee Dee will always have a part of my heart, but at some point I had to make that break, break that chain because I wouldn’t be sitting here talking to you now if I didn’t. I’d probably be dead right now.

For as long as you stuck by him, did you ever think there was a possibility he might change or you can change him?
When I got married I took my vows very seriously. I think we both did. We married for better or worse, richer or poorer. And things were a lot worse than better. You always have that hope in there in time things are going to get better, he’s gonna change. But I think in the end you can’t change people, they are who they are, and it’s a hard lesson to learn. If they would have told me the same thing now I probably wouldn’t change my mind. I was very strong headed when I was younger. I went with my heart, not my brain. I think I still do (laughs).

Still, there was the very generous side to the man too.
Just in general, he was very, very giving, not just to me when he screwed up. He would go out and buy me the most lavish present or three dozen roses. It was more than that. If somebody admired something he had, he would just give it to them. Here you can have it. I would say to him That was your favorite knife. You loved that knife. [He was a knife collector]. He’d say I know. But I wanted him to have it. It made him happy to see that he made other people happy. That was an admirable quality I thought that he had. And that incident with the coat, I bought this gorgeous black cashmere coat and then two weeks later he came home in the freezing weather without a coat. I said What happened to your coat. And he said he gave it to some homeless man who was living in a cardboard box on the Bowery. And that was typical Dee Dee. He wouldn’t think twice about something like that.

What do you want people to come away from reading the book?
I would just like them to know that the legacy he left behind, that there was a lot more to him than what was written about. I want people to know that he loved his fans more than anything and he enjoyed what he did until the day he died. He was a very special human being. People like him don’t come around that often. His life ended early, just like Joey and Johnny’s. I don’t know if there is such a thing as a curse. it never really occurred to me until many years after all this started to happen. It all happened when they were around the age of 50. It was just a little bit eerie that all of that happened around that time.

Of all the songs he has written, what’s your favorite of his?
It’s a song he wrote on his Dee Dee King album. It’s called "Baby Doll." That’s the way I signed the end of my book. Baby Doll was a song he wrote for me on his solo album. It’s quite touching: "Until we see each other in the highest trails above, Faithfully yours forever, Baby Doll." I chose those three to end the book because it was my sign off letter to him. And he knows exactly what that means.

Read more!

Live Review: Jill Hennessy

Jill Hennessy
Borders, Columbus Circle, New York
June 17, 2009
Review and Photos by David Chiu

History has not always been kind to actors/celebrities-turned-singers: David Hasselhoff, Don Johnson, Bruce Willis, Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton. Let’s just say that the material they have tackled—or God forbid written—can be mildly described as disappointing. And perhaps the only reason to have those records is for collectors and obsessed fans to have something by them, not for artistic quality. Exceptions are very rare; say for William Shatner, where his stint into music is more known for its camp value.

And then there’s Jill Hennessy, who is best known for her work on the television series Law and Order and Crossing Jordan. However, to the possible surprise of the mainstream public, Hennessy has sunk her teeth into music before acting. According to her Web site, she had played music by busking in her native Toronto; later when she was living in New York City in the early ‘90s, she also was performing with a band, the New Originals, on the subway. Growing up she was raised on the music of Cat Stevens, Elton John and Joni Mitchell.

Earlier this week Hennessy released her debut album, Ghosts in My Head, which coincided with her scheduled show at The Living Room on Tuesday. Tonight she was at Borders as part of an instore performance and signing. Accompanied by a pianist/accordionist, a guitarist and a cellist, the singer performed a few cuts from the album. All of the songs carry a country-folk inspired sound that is expansive in terms of the musicianship and the introspective lyrics.

Those who probably heard Hennessy singing voice for the first time could immediately draw comparisons to Natalie Merchant and Cowboy Junkies’ Margo Timmins—it was both very earthy and soulful. One could really hear the shimmering sound emanating from her acoustic guitar, which certainly reflects her past experiences in playing. By the way she projected herself onstage, Hennessy wasn’t posing or acting rock star cool—here was someone who actually enjoyed making music.

Overall Hennessy was very impressive as a musician. Her genuine singing and playing proves that this isn’t a vanity project. Let’s hope that Ghosts in My Head is not a one-shot moment but the start of more new music from her to come.

Set List:

10,000 Miles
For Small Hands
Ghosts In My Head
Save Me
Oh Mother

Read more!

CD Review: Rolling Stones

Rolling Stones
Sticky Fingers
Goats Head Soup
It’s Only Rock 'n Roll
Black and Blue
Rolling Stones/UME
By David Chiu


The Rolling Stones entered the 1970s diversifying their music beyond their distinct rock and Chicago blues sound. White their output during that decade doesn’t rival their classic ‘60s material, the Stones nevertheless made great music, some of which became classic in their own right. It’s their post-‘60s music that is now being reissued again starting off with the band’s first several ‘70s records and continuing to their last studio album A Bigger Bang.


Sticky Fingers (1971) is an instant and beloved classic. It has the musical of a typical Stones record with some lean rockers, a little blues and tender ballads. Every cut on this album is golden, from the soulful rocker “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking” and “Bitch,” to the blues heavy You Gotta Move, and the majestic and dark “Sister Morphine.” The album’s most memorable tracks are the signature “Brown Sugar” and the sublime ballad “Wild Horses.”


Goats Head Soup (1973) has the misfortune of having to follow in the footsteps of Sticky Fingers and Exile on Main Street, thus its cool reception. On the contrary, it’s a really good album in itself if given the proper chance. It has two automatic hits in the classic ballad “Angie” and the shaking rocker “Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker).” The rest of the album have some strong, if underrated tracks in the lean and mean “Dancing with Mr. D.” and “Star Star,” and the country-blues Silver Train., plus the ambitious sounding orchestral ballad Winter.


It’s Only Rock 'n Roll (1974) is most known for the great title track but again like with Goats Head Soup, the rest of the album tracks are quite good, and you can hear the band shifting its sound a bit: there’s a little bit of reggae in “Luxury,” a tough-sounding cover of the Temptations’ “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” and “Times Waits For No One,”


Guitarist Mick Taylor departed shortly after It’s Only Rock and Roll and in is place was Ron Wood, then of the Faces. He appears on Black and Blue (1975), an album in which the band really broaden its musical palette first with very disco-influenced “Hot Stuff,” the very sincere reggae cover of “Cherry Oh Baby,” the jazzy big-band “Melody,” the soul rocker “Hey Negrita.” The two best songs on the record, however, are ballads: the epic story-song "Memory Motel" and the absolutely lovely “Fool to Cry.”

Read more!

Live Review: Patty Smyth and Scandal

Patti Smyth and Scandal
B.B. King Blues Club and Grill
June 13, 2009
Review by David Chiu


One of the first Scandal songs I heard back in the early ‘80s was “Love’s Got a Line On You.” I thought then it was one of the greatest pop songs ever—even listening to it again today, it’s still sounds magnificent. In fact, “Love’s Got a Line On You” was also one of the first 45 singles I bought; its flipside was “Goodbye To You,” which continues to be one of the band’s most popular hits.

So it seemed appropriate that “Love’s Got a Line On You” would be the first song that opened Patti Smyth and Scandal’s show on Saturday at B.B. King Blues Club and Grill. The band, which reunited a few years ago, and featuring original members Patty Smyth, Keith Mack and Benjy King, was making a homecoming appearance at the comfy and cozy venue. Thus, it turned out to be special in more ways than one.

For those who need a refresher course, Scandal was a pop-rock band formed in New York City that emerged at the height of the early ‘80s New Wave scene. They released a hugely successful EP in 1982—it contained “Goodbye to You and “Love’s Got a Line On You.” That was followed by their first, and so far only, full-length album, The Warrior (1984), which yielded a hit in the title track. Shortly after, the band broke up and singer Smyth went on to a solo career. Her biggest hit was the ballad “Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough” in 1992. Now that Scandal is back, Smyth and company are planning to release their first new album of original material in 25 years.

The set list from Saturday’s show mainly drew from the EP and The Warrior album as well as Smyth’s 1992 solo album. It was a seamless mix of upbeat power pop rockers (“Beat of a Heart,” “Talk to Me”) and mature, heartfelt music (“Wish I Were You,” “No Mistakes”). One of the pleasant surprises during the set was I Should Be Laughing, a great song off of Smyth’s previous solo album that should have been a bigger hit upon its initial release. The band also performed a new song, Hard To Make You Love Me, which sounds like a classic Patty Smyth/Scandal track and is a promising indicator of the new music to come.

As far as the band’s performance goes, the musicians, including new members Eran Asias and Tom Welsch, were on the mark and sounded tight. But certainly the focal point was Smyth who vocally still got it—her singing sounded stronger as the evening went on, especially on the ballads Sometimes Love and No Mistakes. Her moves and attitude still conveyed feistiness while also displaying a charming sense of humor in between songs; at one point she got off stage and sang and navigated to the audience members sitting at the tables during “Talk to Me.”

Two interesting highlights came during the encore. The first was the band's cover of Ike and Tina Turner’s River Deep, Mountain High, which closed the show. The second and perhaps somewhat surreal was moment when tennis great (and Smyth’s husband) John McEnroe got on stage with the band. He sang and played guitar for a rocking version of “What a Wonderful World.”

Set List:

1. Love’s Got a Line On You
2. Heartache Heard Round The World
3. Hands Tied
4. Talk To Me
5. Beat of a Heart
6. Isn’t It Enough
7. Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough
8. Hard For You To Love Me (new song)
9. No Mistakes
10. I Should Be Laughing
11. The Warrior
12. Wish I Were You
13. Goodbye To You

Encore
14. What a Wonderful World (featuring John McEnroe)
15. River Deep, Mountain High


For an interview with Patty Smyth in Spinner.com, click here:

Photo from pattysmythandscandal.com

Read more!

CD Review: Sonic Youth

Sonic Youth
The Eternal
Matador
By David Chiu

After spending nearly 20 years with a major label, Sonic Youth sensibly goes back to their indie record company roots this time with Matador. The group’s latest debut for that label, The Eternal, is another solid Sonic Youth album with its fast-paced punk and minimalist/bombastic art rock. Yet for those who never really caught on with the band because of Sonic Youth’s affinity for noise, there are some tracks that could be interpreted as “accessible”: the ‘60s styled militaristic rocker “Anti-Orgasm” and the pile-driving “No Way.” The group also shows their funky and somewhat popish side too like on “Leaky Lifeboat (For Gregory Corso)” and the rocker “Malibu Gas Station.” Of course the album is not short of somber and atmospheric songs that feature swirling guitar solos (“Antenna,” “Massage the History”). The band’s sense of exhilaration, urgency and introspection is still evident both in the punkish playing (the passionate “What We Know”) and the artsy, introspective lyrics on The Eternal. Sonic Youth continues to put out music that still feels fresh and exciting.

Read more!

From the Archives: An interview with Peter Cetera

As part of NewBeats' 10th anniversary, here is an interview with bassist and singer Peter Cetera from 2004.

Peter Cetera's Holiday Present to You
By David Chiu


Peter Cetera's distinctive tenor voice is unmistakable and unavoidable. On any pop radio station on any given day, you are most likely to hear either a tune that features his vocals either with his former band Chicago or on his own. For the last 35 years, Cetera has written and recorded hits that have been pop staples including such classics as "If You Leave Me Now," "Baby What a Big Surprise," "Hard to Say I'm Sorry," "You're the Inspiration," "Glory of Love," "The Next Time I Fall," and "Restless Heart."

Now Cetera is taking on the musical Santa role with his first ever holiday CD called You Just Gotta Love Christmas on the Viastar label. Recorded in Nashville, it features fresh reworkings of familiar holiday songs such as "Deck the Halls," "The Christmas Song," "Jingle Bells,"and "Let It Snow." In keeping up with the holiday spirit, Cetera recently participated in this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, and is making several in-store appearances to promote the album.

From his residence in Idaho, Cetera explains that the idea of the holiday album came from a benefit concert he did with former collaborator David Foster in the Windy City. "I sang in front of the eight piece orchestra for the first time in front of the Chicago [, IL] fans," he remembers. "I got the idea that now was the time [for] three things I wanted to do a Christmas CD, going on the road with symphony, and a studio CD."

In recording the holiday songs, Cetera did not want to merely rehash what has been already done to death, but rather reinterpret the standards in a contemporary spin. "Some songs you just don't want to tamper with because they're just beautiful pieces," he says, "yet I wanted to do my own spin on things. It's the best thing I've ever done."

The singer also wrote three wonderful new songs on the record: the lush ballad "Alone for the Holidays," the feel-good title track, and the uplifting "Something That Santa Claus Left Behind," a potential Christmas standard in its own right. "We started with little scraps of things and I came up with three things," explains Cetera. "Whether they are classics or not, they are certainly three wonderful Christmas songs."Something That Santa Claus Left Behind" is a fun song. I ended up playing bass on that one that I haven't done on tracks in a while."

On the album Cetera duets with bluegrass artist Alison Krauss on the folkish "Deck the Halls." "I kind of wanted to do the Irish version of it," he says. "Since I've been doing every thing in Nashville, I got a hold of Alison. We certainly had a grand time doing it." You Just Gotta Love Christmas also features a duet with his eldest daughter Claire on "Blue Christmas," a father and daughter moment captured forever on record (his youngest daughter Senna also contributes to the CD's artwork. "I'm ecstatic that I could include my just my daughters on something that is going to be around for years to come."

You Just Gotta Love Christmas is the first new Peter Cetera album in four years since Another Perfect World. His output in the last ten years has been less prolific in contrast to the many recordings he made in the '70s and '80s with and without Chicago. But he hadn't completely dropped off the face of the earth; he was recently on a concert tour playing the hits with an orchestra. Cetera admits he is in no hurry to do the record-and-tour grind. "The rut I was in with the people that I had been previously been with it took the heart right out of me," he says. "I'm the type of person who needs to write for a purpose. I would love to do another studio album and with the Viastar people we are going to do that. So that is the next phase of my 'Hello world, I'm back.'"

Since leaving Chicago in 1985 as their bassist and vocalist for 17 years, Cetera continued having hit songs, including two number ones "Glory of Love" and "The Next Time I Fall." Of the six studio albums he recorded as a solo artist, World Falling Down (1992) is probably regarded as his most poignant and personal. "Yeah, without a doubt," the singer agrees. "To me, I just did love that album. I worked a lot with [producer] Andy Hill in London. I look back with fond memories of that. Part of the bittersweet thing with my solo career that I haven't been with the right company or people that have helped me to promote this in a way that it should have been."

As hard as he might try or not, Cetera will be forever linked with Chicago. More than eligible to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since 1994, Chicago-a group that had many hits and sold millions of records- has yet to even be nominated for that prestigious honor. Cetera's opinion about that oversight hints at disappointment and indifference.

"I don't know how I would react. I've been now out of Chicago longer than I was in Chicago. If they get inducted, great. But I think it's ironic that we haven't been nominated. [Chicago] had so many wonderful songs and has been such a part of people's lives. When it's time for me to retire and if they nominate me, I'll go [to the ceremony]. I'm not ready to retire yet."

Today Cetera is not looking back but rather ahead with this new holiday album and making more music. "I know there are a lot of people who have been asking, "Are you going to do a reunion [with Chicago]?' That doesn't thrill me. When people listen to this Christmas album they'll understand why I waited and did it the way I did."

Judging from the very positive reaction of his fans' postings on his web sites, Peter Cetera's songs still touch people of all generations, "It's astounding the number of hits I get from all around the world," he says. "People are saying 'Oh I am so happy you are talking to us.' And I'm excited back. Of course it's flattering. You realize how important you are to so many people. It's an eye-opening experience."

Photo from www.petercetera.com

Read more!