Customer Reviews

Mayday

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Please consider the source of the comments from an obviously disgruntled Chicago/Robert Lamm fan who apparently hasn't listened to this CD and chooses not to remember who's responsible for his/her disappointment. There are only three balads on this CD, including Bill's classic grammy award winner, "After The Love Has Gone", Quincy Jones' soulful T.V. Theme, "In The Heat Of The Night", and a bluesy number co-written with Tamara Champlin, titled "Southern Serenade".

Most of the cuts on this CD are upbeat and all are masterfully arranged and executed by a very talented group of musicians who play their hearts out. The solos alone are worth the price of the CD. And Bill's vocals are superb!!!

Just listen to the real audio clips and you'll hear a taste of magic. Try it... you'll like it.

This came highly recommended by a friend of mine, Jerry Lopez, an incredible musician in his own right. I just received this CD and was blown away! I've listened to Chicago for YEARS and didn't realize this solo work was out there. I cannot thank Jerry enough for recommending it. Not only are the compositions great, but the musicians you had on this project are awesome. I've also had the pleasure of meeting Rochon & Eddie and hearing them play with Jerry in his band Santa Fe, the show STORM and Fahrenheit in Las Vegas. Their bass & drum solos on this CD blew me away! This is another whole side to Bill I never even knew existed! So un-Chicago... I mean the big band sound is there, but this music comes from the gut... raw... earthy... fantastic!

And Jerry Lopez and his bad... self on cut #6, (Organ Solo,In the Heat of The Night)! His skat and bluesy guitar on that number stood my hair on end! I was seriously impressed... Jerry Lopez, Tamara and Bill's voices really compliment each other. And Tom Saviano on the sax... incredible... he doesn't just make it talk to you, it caresses you! Cut 7, Headed for the Top, brought back memories of a Santa Fe "jam" in Las Vegas....I had this thing cranked. It is hard to pick a favorite cut on this CD, but I'd have to say Backstreets of Paradise featuring Bill's wife Tamara (her vocals, pure soul!) and Organ Solo/Heat of the Night featuring Jerry Lopez are running neck and neck! This is definitely something to be VERY proud of Bill.

This CD is truely for fans of blue eyed soul. Bill struts his stuff on the Hammond B3, the guitar, and especially his outstanding voice. Not only does this cd present Bill Champlin the musician, but also Bill Champlin the song writer. It was so nice to finally hear him sing after the Love is gone. Southern Serenade (duet w/ Tamara Champlin) has a wonderful gospel feel to it. Champlin's version of Quincy Jones In the Heat of The Night, blew my mind away. Bill has mastered the art of the B3 organ and this track prooves it. I recommend this CD to true Champlin fans.

Bill has proven once again that he still has what it takes to put out a great CD. He sounds perfect live and does it only like he could do it. I would also give his CD RUNAWAY a listen too. It has some really great songs on it.

This was the first of Bill Champlin's CD to be a part of my collection. It was recorded "live" in May of 1996, and contrary to what happens with many artist's live efforts, "Mayday" is a total delight from beginning to end. Of course, Bill's vocals are wonderful, but it's also a showcase for Bill's musicianship and the band's, with great solos by Bill, Tom Saviano, Jerry Lopez, Greg Mathieson, Rochon Westmoreland, and Eddie Garcia. It also features Bill's lovely wife, Tamara Champlin, on vocals.

One of my favorite songs is "First And Last", a very funky, off-beat love song that you'll find yourself singing along with. "Headed For The Top", "In The Heat Of The Night", and "Party Time In D.C." are favorites too. If anything, the live versions of these songs are even better than the studio recordings. (And the studio versions are wonderful.)

"After The Love Has Gone" was a hit for Earth, Wind, and Fire, and Bill received a Grammy for his co-writing on it. I actually like Bill's rendition even better than E.W. & F.'s. "Lovers Tonight" is another favorite, with Jerry Lopez singing lead vocal and sounding great.

This is a must for any of Bill's fans, or anyone who just likes great, R & B flavored rock. I recommend it highly!!!

This was the first of Bill Champlin's CD to be a part of my collection. It was recorded "live" in May of 1996, and contrary to what happens with many artist's live efforts, "Mayday" is a total delight from beginning to end. Of course, Bill's vocals are wonderful, but it's also a showcase for Bill's musicianship and the band's, with great solos by Bill, Tom Saviano, Jerry Lopez, Greg Mathieson, Rochon Westmoreland, and Eddie Garcia. It also features Bill's lovely wife, Tamara Champlin, on vocals.

One of my favorite songs is "First And Last", a very funky, off-beat love song that you'll find yourself singing along with. "Headed For The Top", "In The Heat Of The Night", and "Party Time In D.C." are favorites too. If anything, the live versions of these songs are even better than the studio recordings. (And the studio versions are wonderful.)

"After The Love Has Gone" was a hit for Earth, Wind, and Fire, and Bill received a Grammy for his co-writing on it. I actually like Bill's rendition even better than E.W. & F.'s. "Lovers Tonight" is another favorite, with Jerry Lopez singing lead vocal and sounding great.

This is a must for any Bill Champlin fan, or anyone who just likes great, R & B flavored rock. I recommend it highly!

After a thorough listen, this is a great live album by Bill Champlin, covering the majority of his great solo songs over a 20 year stretch. Some things are different here, the only down side to Mayday was that Tom Saviano was the only horn player here, an actual horn set would have made songs like First And Last and Backstreets of Paradise really special. Lovers Tonight was a welcome surprise, from his No Wasted Moments LP. If you listen carefully and read the liner notes you'll notice Bill didn't sing on that song, it was guitarist Jerry Lopez. His wife Tamara sings lead on her song Backstreets of Paradise, which was a welcome complement to Bill's Southern Serenade. The instrumental Another Day/Song For My Grandfather is catchy, I only wonder if it was meant to be without words or what. But this is defintely worth the buy if you are a big Champlin fan, this is the only album to find an actual release of After The Love Has Gone by Bill, as he won a Grammy for writing the song for Earth Wind & Fire. Also recommended-all of his previous solo albums: Runaway, Burn Down The Night, Through It All, and He Started To Sing. You may have to check E-Bay for copies of Single and No Wasted Moments, but it will be well worth the search.

Bill has proven once again that he still has what it takes to put out a great CD. He sounds perfect live and does it only like he could do it. I would also give his CD RUNAWAY a listen too. It has some really great songs on it.

The man is awesome. He is not only a great player, but also a tremendous singer & writer. If "Southern Serenade" doesn't hit you, you don't want to be hit!

I never thought a "live" studio CD could sound so great. This is a must for all fans, not only Champlin fans. This still proves that Bill is probably the best blues-rock singer of all time! A true masterpiece! The band sounds awesome! This CD is one of the best, if not THE best work Bill has produced. Thanks for the great music!