"Brand New Love Affair" sometimes alternatively listed as "Brand New Love Affair (Parts I and II)", is a song written by James Pankow for the group Chicago and recorded for their album Chicago VIII. The song was the third single released from the album and peaked at No. 61 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 43 on the US Cash Box Top 100. The single edit was truncated from the album version and features a fade into the second section.
Guitarist Terry Kath sings the first half while bassist Peter Cetera sings the second half. Keyboardist Robert Lamm played the distinctive Fender Rhodes electric piano on the song.
Critical reception Billboard characterized "Brand New Love Affair" as a "slow moody ballad" that "picks up strongly about half way through". They felt that the song's "ballad format here is an effective change for the group". Cash Box said that the song "sounds like a brand new standard" with a "Ray Charles style painful/mature/emotional vocal." Record World also noted the Ray Charles influence and called it a "brand new direction for the band, as stunning as it is adventurous."
Personnel Part One Terry Kath – lead vocals, electric guitars Robert Lamm – backing vocals, Fender Rhodes electric piano, Hammond organ Peter Cetera – backing vocals, bass Danny Seraphine – drums Laudir de Oliveira – wind chimes James Pankow – trombone Lee Loughnane – trumpet Walter Parazaider – alto saxophone
Part Two Peter Cetera – lead vocals, bass Terry Kath – backing vocals, electric guitars (special effects: fuzzbox and wah-wah pedal) Robert Lamm – backing vocals, Fender Rhodes electric piano, piano Danny Seraphine – drums Laudir de Oliveira – tambourine, temple blocks, congas James Pankow – trombone Lee Loughnane – trumpet Walter Parazaider – alto saxophone
Patrick Williams provided the orchestration on both parts of the song
References