Chicago III

Chicago III
Studio album by
ReleasedJanuary 11, 1971
RecordedJune – December 1970
StudioCBS 30th Street, New York City
Genre
Length71:29
LabelColumbia
ProducerJames William Guercio
Chicago chronology
Chicago
(1970)
Chicago III
(1971)
Chicago at Carnegie Hall
(1971)
Singles from Chicago III
  1. "Free"
    Released: February 1971
  2. "Lowdown"
    Released: April 1971
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]

Chicago III is the third studio album by the American rock band Chicago. It was released on January 11, 1971, through Columbia Records. The album was produced by James William Guercio and was the band's third consecutive double album in less than two years.[2]

Much like the previous year's Chicago (many times referred to as Chicago II), Chicago III is made up of both multi-part suites and more conventional individual songs. The album saw the band integrate a number of different genres including folk and country ("What Else Can I Say", "Flight 602"), free improvisation ("Free Country"), and musique concrète ("Progress?") into their sound, while also continuing in their trademark jazz-rock style.

Chicago III was a critical and commercial success. It peaked at number two in the US, their highest chart placement at that point, and received positive reviews. While neither of its singles ("Free" and "Lowdown") matched the success of the band's previous and following singles, both managed to make the top 40, peaking at numbers 20 and 35, respectively. After the release of the album, Chicago would perform at New York's Carnegie Hall. Performances from this run would be released on the following album, Chicago at Carnegie Hall.

  1. ^ https://www.allmusic.com/album/r60769
  2. ^ "Chicago III". Chicagotheband.com. Archived from the original on January 22, 2019. Retrieved January 21, 2019.