R. Angeloni | Northern California, USA | 10/26/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
""Peter Cetera" is Cetera's very first solo album, released in 1981, when he was still a member of Chicago. While he is known for writing and singing many ballads, both with Chicago and as a solo artist, this album shows that Cetera can flat out rock when he wants to, especially with the first cut on the CD, "Livin' in the Limelight," which is the best rocker on the album. It features a heavy bass sound from Cetera, with Toto's Steve Lukather providing great lead guitar work.
There are several other good cuts on the CD, including "Holy Moly," "Mona, Mona," "On the Line" and "Ivy Colored Walls."
Cetera has often noted that the Beatles were a big influence for him artistically, and you can hear that in this CD as well.
All in all, a very good first effort, and one that was overlooked when it was first released more than 20 years ago."
The voice of Chicago, raw
Etz | Nashua, NH | 12/08/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I spoke with Peter last night during his "Christmas Tour 2004" tour stop at Borders Books and he said he's thinking of resurrecting "Living in the Limelight". I couldn't think of a better song to dust off.
I bought "Peter Cetera" when I was in college in 1981, right when it was released, and it has been my favorite ever since (of all albums, not just PC's). It's pure Peter, raw and rocking. The songs are terrific, the voice rich and powerful, and the power chords on Living in the Limelight and Evil Eye will knock your socks off. The "ballads" are every bit as good as from his Chicago days, but not sugary.
This is PC's best kept secret, and I'm not sure why it was never "put out there" and had been out of print in the US for so long. Perhaps the record company didn't advertise this album very well when it came out, or they just didn't produce many copies.
I guarantee you'll listen to this one over and over."
Cetera - no glitz R&R
M. Giorgio | Ramsey, NJ USA | 08/03/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"For years Peter Cetera had been the lead singer for Chicago. This is his first solo project and he hit a homne run with it. This is a very introspective project. It gives you a glimpse into the mind and heart of this singer. Very well recorded and very well re-mastered. If you're looking for the seeds from which Peter Cetera grew as a solo artist, you should check this out.
Mike - Ramsey, NJ"
PC's best was first
J. S. Keating | Los Angeles, CA | 12/10/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Cetera's first solo album came out when Chicago was between record labels and before that band found a new audience with a synth-heavy power-ballad sound (which kept Chicago viable for another decade but sorely commercialized its sound). Though Cetera's LP didn't find much commercial success -- it barely cracked the Top 200 albums on Billboard -- "Livin' in the Limelight," a better rocker than Cetera or Chicago has recorded since, got some FM airplay, and the album as a whole is something of a surprise to those more accustomed to Cetera's '80s work with his former band. "Mona Mona," "Holy Moly," "Evil Eye" and "Practical Man" are as fine examples of pop-rock songcraft as any work of the period, and better in most cases. The one true ballad, "Ivy Covered Walls," is thoughtful without being sappy, and is a nice counterpoint to "Limelight," which to this day is a worthy roll-down-the-windows, turn-up-the-stereo driving song. It's unfortunate to think Cetera peaked creatively with his very first solo effort, but his work since doesn't exactly undermine that theory."
Best Cetera album
J. R. Johnson | Orlando, Florida | 04/30/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Peter Cetera released this album around 1980 when Chicago was not doing well. It has some good rock songs with a country rock feel. Obviously, Cetera wrote these songs from his heart. It is far better than most of the ballad tripe he put out later on. The album also uses some brass and nice piano lines. This album is much better than anything Cetera has done since. Cetera should write what he wants to write and record and not listen to the studio execs who keep wanting all the repetitive sounding ballads!"