Search - Sons of Champlin :: Hip Lil Dreams

Champlin Unleashed

Bill Fleck | Wurtsboro, NY USA | 05/27/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I started following Champlin's career after seeing him as the musical guest on "Fridays" 'way back in 1981 (imagine my surprise when he showed up as a member of Chicago on "16" the very next year). Simply put, the guy rocks.



This new set by the Sons is a stylish revamping of their classic sound. All the old elements are there--the funky melodies, the wah-wah guitars, the back beats, the punchy horns (courtesy of Mic Gillette and Tom Saviano), plus Champlin himself is growling in fine form. There are no bad tunes on "Hip Li'l Dreams," and there are several great ones, including "For Joy" and "Star Outta You" (a *terrific* indictment of today's cookie-cutter music scene).



Recently, on "Chicago XXX," Champlin has been able to break out with that classic band, penning and singing some of the best cuts on that set ("Already Gone," "Better," "Where Were You"); the Sons, however, seem to be his laboratory, and "Hip Li'l Dreams" is well worth having."

GREAT STUDIO ALBUM FROM THE BEST LIVE BAND

James R. Wattenbarger | La Mesa, CA United States | 09/22/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was lucky enough to get a copy of this in 2004 before it's final mix and release. Since then I've bought at least 10 copies because I keep giving them away to people who've never heard of the Sons. Buy this CD if you are into R&B/Jazz Rock/Soul/funky stuff with a real San Francisco vibe. Many people acknowledge Bill Champlin as the preminenet "Blue Eyed Soul" singer in the business. He's an unbelivable song writer who won Grammy's for writing "After the Love is Gone" for Earth, Wind & Fire, and "Turn your Love Around" for George Benson. I'm just happy this band didn't really go away. Everything changes but some people don't like or want change. Maybe that's where the one negative reviewer is coming from. Terry Haggerty has left the room. Get over it already. Tal Morris, the excellent lead guitarist on Hip Li'l Dreams has moved on too (Creedence Revisited) but the core of the Sons, Geoff Palmer who plays any instrument he can get his hands on, funky bass player David Schallock, and the baddest drummer on earth James Preston. He is a human DRUM MACHINE with more heart & soul than anybody. If you like horns you have to buy this CD. Sons fans want these guys playing together full time, not just when Champlin can fit a few Sons gigs into his unbelivable Chicago schedule. This is the real deal. The band that other musicians ALWAYS go see live if they happen to not be working that night. Carmen Grillo, lead guitar player for Tower of Power is now a full fledged member of the Sons since Tal left. The boy is BAD. Buy this one as well as every recording put out by the Sons and SPREAD THE WORD. Peace."