Customer Reviews

Sons

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

 

 

The year following the release of "Loosen Up Naturally" was marked both by great highs and some incredible confusion for the Sons. Unlike the tunes on their first album, which had been in their live show set lists for months or even years, most of the tunes on "The Sons" were written specifically for this album and this lack of familiarity with the material shows. Only on "Boomp Boomp Chop" do they find a groove as compelling as most of the material on their debut album. This album is a chronicle of the band members' attempts to seize some control back from Bill Champlin, who wrote all but two of the tunes on the first album. Listening now, some 30 odd years later, I find myself surprised that Geoff Palmer's tune "Country Girl" actually stands up better than the offerings from Tim Cain and Terry Haggerty. Geoff's vocals aren't much to shout about, but the arrangement provides a vivid illustration of why he remains with Bill Champlin in the band today while the all of the others have moved on.

Maybe this wasn't Bill Champlin's favorite Sons album, but the Sons were Bill Graham's favorite band. If the Dead, the Airplane, Quicksilver or the Youngbloods we're in town but not playing that night they went and heard the Sons. Mickey Hart said the Sons were the most talented of all the San Francisco bands. Carlos Santana said if it wern't for Terry Haggerty (Sons lead guitar) he'd still be just a blues guitar player.
I love all the songs on this album but the killer standouts are Boomp Boomp Chop, You Can Fly and Love of a Woman. For you Rock/Funk/Jazz/R&B/Soul fans, BUY IT.

This was an album that I enjoyed more years ago than I care to admit too.Great music from the past. The brass included by the Sons I beleive inspired many inovations in rock. ie. CTA,BS&t and more. It was good to hear again. If you are 60 years old,and loved music as a true HIPPIE, You will love hearing this selection once again.

This CD is a great addition to my collection. It sounds better than the LP I owned back in the '60s!