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If the Sons of Champlin were breathing fire during their heyday in the late sixties, they were far from just blowing smoke forty years later on July 24, 2010 at The Green Spot Entertainment Club in Coos Bay, Oregon.

Who are the Sons of Champlin? Like the telling title of their DVD/CD release, Secret (2002), they are a treasure unknown to many but have built a loyal following that branches out from the Bay Area. 

They emerged from the late sixties rock scene in San Francisco, along with better know contemporaries like Santana, Jefferson Airplane, the Grateful Dead, Quicksilver Messenger Service (coming to Woofstock in Eureka, CA on 8/22/2010) and Big Brother and the Holding Company. Despite being recognized for their advanced arrangements and musicianship, which was an amalgamation of rock, soul, funk and the use of horns, it remains a mystery why they never enjoyed the commercial breakthrough that came to some of their peers.

Perhaps the horns worked for and against them. Those adverse to horns, as I initially was, might never give them a chance. But for fans of the Sons, a song without sax or some kind of brass was lacking something essential.  When the band released Follow Your Heart (1971), a recording without horns, it was akin to sacrilege. They atoned for it nicely by following with the popular Welcome to the Dance (1973).

The driving force behind the Sons is Bill Champlin. The years have seen personnel changes, but Champlin has periodically reformed the band in between session and solo work and his stint with another horn band, the legendary Chicago, in which he played an integral part for more than 20 years. He was the voice behind, “Look Away,” the song probably heard at hundreds of prom dances. After recently leaving Chicago, his gathering again of the Sons was like a homecoming. 

The Sons rocked The Green Spot from the start, using a familiar opening song, “Hold On,” to launch into “California,” a hard-driving song by Will Champlin, son of Bill and Tamara Champlin. Will brings a new fire to the band, playing keyboards and contributing vocals. 

I was fortunate enough to be attending the show with a friend who recognizes talent when she hears it. She was immediately taken with Will’s vocals and asked about his music. You can find his solo releases on iTunes. With his mother Tamara singing in the band, the Sons have become a family affair. 

Being the consummate musician and performer that he is, Bill always surrounds himself with some of the best musicians in the business. Nine people, including a two member horn section, filled the stage. This included longtime members, Geoff Palmer on keys and vibes, and James Preston on drums. Carmen Grillo, formerly with Tower of Power, is now the Sons’ guitarist.

One of the hottest moments started when Bill launched into the first part of “Hey Children,” following with an extended guitar solo. The band caught fire when the song segued into Will and several others taking vocal turns on the Stevie Wonder classic, “Higher Ground.” It’s no secret that Bill Champlin is a Stevie man, and the Sons made this song their own. (Note to Bill: please make this into a recording.)

Sadly, most of Coos Bay missed this stellar performance. My friend and I ate beforehand at Ciccarelli’s in North Bend, Oregon, where we learned that their normally packed establishment was likewise only sparsely attended because of a music festival in the area. By the way, for you food connoisseurs, this is a place that you don’t want to miss if you are ever in the area. The salads and fresh bread were excellent. The dessert we ordered was near divine. We were told by a local Red Lion employee that it was the best restaurant in the area, and we left that establishment totally satisfied.

Due to the aforementioned music festival in the area, the citizens of Coos Bay can be forgiven for what they missed. They would have seen a band relaxed enough to joke around between songs from approximately two one hour sets broken-up by a short break. Towards the end of the evening the low turnout wore on the band’s leader, but it never affected their performance, which was powerful and tight all the way through the final song, “Gold Mine.” Along the way, they played four songs from the early two LP recording, _Loosen Up Naturally_ (1968), which ought to be considered a rock classic. This included a fusion of their signature song, “Get High,” with the faster parts of “Freedom.” They also played “Rooftop,” which includes the memorable opening line, “I got one thing to say to the fool on the hill, you’re gonna feel funny on a rooftop.” Among a number of stirring thoughts from the same song, you also get: “All of us are radical, now is not the time for a sabbatical.” 

It should be noted that the Sons are one of the original jam bands. They bring fire to old and new songs by extending them in fresh directions. If you love great music, especially a hybrid of rock, funk and soul, don’t miss an opportunity to see the new incarnation of the Sons of Champlin. 

Michael Dalton
July 24, 2010