CHICAGO - Twenty 1 [Full Original Unreleased Ron Nevison Mix] (1990)

There's an interesting story behind "Twenty 1", the album released officially in 1991 by all-star band CHICAGO.
Originally the record was produced, engineered and mixed by the - in my humble opinion - best producer in rock & pop history; Ron Nevison. But at the eleventh hour, the project was handed to Humberto Gatica to re-mix, because the record company wanted a more poppy, polished sound.

Often regarded as a black sheep in Chicago's discography, I always liked "Twenty 1". It has some truly great songs on it and a delicate sound.
However, some years ago, the original Ron Nevison Mix surfaced among collectors and I was shocked. Is it the same album? Is that different.
"Twenty 1" is a perfect example on how a sound engineer is able to completely change a recording. Kudos to Humberto Gatica because he really modified the final product.

But let's get back to the original, unreleased Ron Nevison Mix. This is an entirely different beast.
I mean, Ron Nevison is a 'Rock' producer, and all his work for diverse bands has his distinctive touch, and I love it. Take as example Ozzy's 'Ultimate Sin', Survivor's 'When Seconds Count', Heart's 'Bad Animals', Damn Yankees albums, Icon's 'Night Of The Crime', and countless other gems.
And with "Twenty 1" was not an exception. Ron's mixing is far cleaner, crisp, less effects-laden than the material finally released and re-mixed by Gatica.



Done in 1990, Nevison's "Twenty 1" is more rocking I'd say. His 'studio approach' is not technical, it's very emotional, and you can tell that listening this mix.
The most notable, instant difference are the drums. All tracks feature real drums, played by talented John Keane (most of them were deleted by Gatica, who used electronic samples).
The vocals are more visceral, direct, less processed, while the guitars have a lively, valvular feel.

Just listen "Somebody Somewhere", it's simply a new song on this mix, where Bill Champlin comes more tight and the keyboards grasp much firmly to the melody, whilst the guitar solo rocks.
There's also a song not present on the official release, the velvety "Secrets Of The Heart" penned by Jason Scheff, replaced by "Explain It To My Heart" opening the disc.
Additionaly, Nevison opted for this tracklist sequence, which works far better in my opinion.
As bonus, at the end it's included "Love Is Forever", a song demoed during the "Twenty 1" sessions but never properly recorded / published.



Chicago's "Twenty 1 Unreleased Ron Nevison Mix" is a must have for collectors and AOR aficionados.
It's that kind of rare gems that worth to be discovered and enjoyed by fans.
Disclaimer: these are lossy, compressed files presented here for educational / entertainment purposes. Rights belong entirely to Mr. Ron Nevison.


01 - If It Were You
02 - Chasin' The Wind
03 - Who Do You Love
04 - You Come To My Senses
05 - One From The Heart
06 - What Does It Take
07 - Holdin' On
08 - God Save The Queen
09 - Man To Woman
10 - Only Time Can Heal The Wounded
11 - Secrets Of The Heart
12 - Somebody, Somewhere
13 - Love Is Forever (Twenty 1 sessions Demo) [bonus]

Bill Champlin – keyboards, lead & background vocals
Robert Lamm – keyboards, lead & background vocals
Jason Scheff – bass, lead & background vocals
Dawayne Bailey – guitars, background vocals
Tris Imboden – drums, percussion
Lee Loughnane – trumpet, flugelhorn, background vocals
James Pankow – trombone, background vocals
Walter Parazaider – woodwinds, background vocals
Additional personnel:
John Keane – drums, percussion
Robbie Buchanan, Tom Keane, Efrain Toro – keyboards
Steve Porcaro – keyboard programming
David Foster – acoustic piano
Michael Landau – guitar
Stephen "Doc" Kupka – baritone sax


CHICAGO Twenty 1 Ron Nevison Mix
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DARIN SCHEFF - Demos feat. Warren Wiebe, Tim Feehan & more

The Scheff family is a musical one. Of course the most well known by us is the awesome Jason Scheff of the Chicago fame, but his brother DARIN SCHEFF is also a talented songwriter who has penned some beautiful tunes for many artists (including Chicago).

This is a collection of songs written / co-written and recorded by Darin Scheff during the '80s and '90s on a Fostex 8-track Machine, 'the personal home studio for the eighties' as it was known back in the day. These are some real Westcoast AOR gems never released or recorded by other artists.
We have the late, fantastic Warren Wiebe performing lead vocals on the terrific "Heart To Mend", and also "Safe Back In Your Arms" - song featured in the 1989 movie Under Crystal Lake, but the soundtrack never was released.

The great Tim Feehan sings the poppy "You Don't Know" and the super midtempo AOR "Why Did You Ever Let Me Go" which features as well a superb guitar work by Dawayne Bailey (Bob Seger, Chicago).
More luminaries are presented on lead vocals: John Keane, Sherwood Ball, Bill Cantos and of course bro Jason Scheff among others.
You can hear John Parr playing guitar on couple of cuts, Cantos on piano and strings, Jason on bass, keyboards and even offering a guitar solo on a track. And more...



Very good sound on these lovable demos, additionally enhanced, cleaned and restored by me.
You can find a complete line-up / story of each track inside the tag comments.
AOR suckers; enjoy.


01 - Heart To Mend (Warren Wiebe lead vocals)
02 - Why Did You Ever Let Me Go (Tim Feehan lead vocals)
03 - Looking Up At Heaven (Bill Cantos lead vocals)
04 - Driven (Sherwood Ball lead vocals, John Parr guitar)
05 - Safe Back In Your Arms (Warren Wiebe lead vocals)
06 - Secretly Loving You (Danny Mishkit lead vocals)
07 - Don't Let Love Come Between Us (John Keane lead vocals)
08 - You Don't Know (Tim Feehan lead vocals, John Parr guitar)
09 - Victoria (Jason Scheff lead vocals)
10 - If It Were You [demo version] (Chicago the band)
11 - Life Goes On (Donny Kerr lead vocals)
12 - Slow (unknown lead vocals)
13 - Down 'N Dirty (Mary Knox lead vocals)

Darin Scheff: guitar, background vocals
Tony Smith: keyboards, programming
Donny Kerr: guitar, bass, keyboards, vocals
John Keane: keyboards, programming, vocals
Jason Scheff: bass, keyboards, guitar, vocals
Dawayne Bailey: guitar
Bill Cantos: piano, strings, pads, vocals
John Parr: guitar
Danny Mishkit: sax, vocals
Dean Gretch: guitar


DARIN SCHEFF Demos '80s / '90s
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