Chicago - Chicago V [2]

Title: Chicago - Chicago V
Year/Genre/Sub-Genre/City: 1972, Jazz Rock, Classic Rock, Chicago, Illinois 10/26
Matrix #: KC 31102 (Columbia, US, custom wood grain label); runout not legible in photo
Condition: EX (LM) | Members: Robert L (44' - ), Terry K (46' - 78'), Peter C (44' - ), James P (47' - ), Walter P (45' - ), Lee L (46' - ), Danny S (48' - ) | Producer: James William Guercio
Cultural Facts: [2]

1. Why It Skips to Five: Chicago put out three double albums in a row and then a four record live box from Carnegie Hall, which the band counted as Chicago IV. So this, their first single LP, became Chicago V. It was cut in just over a week in late 1971 and then held back until the summer of 1972 so the Carnegie Hall set could have its turn.
2. Their First Number One: Saturday in the Park came out just ahead of the album and went to No. 3, the band's biggest hit up to then. Chicago V became the group's first No. 1 album and stayed at the top of the US chart for nine weeks.
3. Robert Lamm's Record: Keyboardist Robert Lamm wrote eight of the ten songs by himself. Guitarist Terry Kath's only song here is the acoustic closer Alma Mater, and it is the last Chicago album of Peter Cetera's run with no song by Cetera at all. Lamm's A Hit by Varese is a nod to the French American composer Edgard Varese.