Released in 1981, Peter Cetera's self-titled solo debut album was a musical departure from the legendary band Chicago, where he served as lead vocalist and bassist. Yet, with a greater focus on rock elements, this release showcases just what an incredible talent as a musician, vocalist, and songwriter Cetera really is.
Co-produced with Jim Boyer (renowned for his work with Billy Joel), Peter Cetera is one of the best albums that, unless you’re a die-hard fan, you’ve likely missed. Yes, dear reader, this is a hidden gem that shouldn’t be ignored and while it was a failure from a sales perspective, success at the cash register has never been a hallmark of quality as it pertains to the creative arts.
It truly amazes me how this album flew below the radar. The album artwork alone is stunning and was released when vinyl records were still the dominant music format. I don’t know about you, but I would have been captivated by the cover art alone if I had seen it on display at a local record store.
While I would love to say that musicians don’t need record labels, and their marketing teams, this is one example where the support just wasn’t given for the album’s release and sales were subsequently absent. There’s no doubt, however, that Warner Bros. Records knew that this self-titled release had the potential to be a breakout album for Cetera. Perhaps if Chicago, as well as Cetera, hadn’t just been dumped from Columbia Records, Warner (their new label) may well have been interested in focusing on something other than Chicago’s 1982 release Chicago 16.
While it is easy to vilify record labels, Cetera’s solo success would indeed have been a concern for Warner, as few artists can maintain simultaneous solo and band careers. The downside to their decision to not push the album resulted in one of the greatest albums from 1981 going largely unnoticed for decades. It is with that thought that I’m so incredibly grateful that we have access to streaming services for it allows us to seek out these hidden gems and share them with other music-loving individuals, such as yourself.
Livin’ In The Limelight is a killer tune that has a catchy and upbeat rhythm with one of the very best driving basslines and guitar riffs you’re ever likely to hear in all of recorded music history. It’s a masterpiece!
I Can Feel It continues the rocking groove, with a slightly slower tempo, that allows Cetera’s impressive vocal reach to take center stage. It’s a fantastic tune and while not as strong as Livin’ In The Limelight, it’s thoroughly enjoyable and the guitar solo, while subtle within the mix, adds to the overall feel of the tune.
How Many Times has an incredibly funky bassline and catchy chorus. It’s simply fantastic and is one of the best songs Cetera ever recorded; including those with Chicago. Some may disagree, but How Many Times showcases Cetera's versatility as a musician, particularly as a vocalist, and is one of the greatest hidden gems just waiting for music lovers to find.
Holy Moly has an upbeat Boz Scaggs' feel to the tune; magnificent!
Mona Mona is a stunning jazz-inspired song. All elements are utterly perfect and Cetera’s lyrical pace is spot-on for his style of vocal delivery. However, the most noteworthy element is Gary Herbig's saxophone playing for it takes the tune to masterpiece status.
On The Line is a perfect mid-tempo tune with yet another incredible vocal performance from Cetera and a memorable guitar solo from Josh Leo. It may be an album tune, but it’s songs like On The Line that make this self-titled release so compelling.
Not Afraid To Cry is a solid album track. It's not a standout, but every song need not be extraordinary to ensure an album is thoroughly enjoyable.
Evil Eye is a funky, country guitar-driven track with a catchy chorus. What’s not to like? Cetera’s ability to fuse different genres seamlessly never ceases to amaze me.
Practical Man transitions extremely quickly from Evil Eye, perhaps a little too quickly as you could mistake Practical Man for a continuation, a second part if you will, of the previous song. Intentional or otherwise, Practical Man is another solid album tune with some memorable musical hooks and more of Cetera’s unique and pleasurable singing.
Ivy Coloured Walls is a perfect closer. While not the strongest song, although I love the chorus and the guitar solo, it does compel me to listen to the album again and further enjoy Cetera’s extensive catalogue of solo recordings as well as those with Chicago.
Overall, Peter Cetera's self-titled debut solo album is a rocking release that not only played to the era, but showcased Cetera’s incredible musical talents. With a little less production, compared to Chicago’s releases, Cetera took center stage as he explored new musical directions. It remains a shame that the album didn’t garner more recognition for it is severely underrated. Nevertheless, this self-titled album is a timeless classic that can now be fully appreciated in the modern era by music lovers the world over.