Customer Reviews

Welcome to the Dance

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I remember hearing this album back when it first came out at my cousin's wedding and now all these years later finally bought it on CD. WOW! I can see why the band members call it their favorite of all the Sons' albums. Every tune is upbeat and full of the blue-eyed soul and good vibes that were the Sons' trademark. Not only that but every song is so much fun to listen to. If I'm bummed about anything before I put the CD on, I quickly forget whatever's wrong and just get into the vibe of the music! Truly the Sons were and are the most underrated band ever to come out of San Francisco. It's nice WTTD finally got released on CD, not so nice the Sons themselves don't make any money from it.

If you're a recent Sons "convert" like me, I suggest like another reviewer did that you first buy their LIVE CD, then this one. But make sure TO buy them both!

Back in the early seventies, I was a full-fledged Sons Hound. The Sons of Champlin may have been the best kept secret in the music industry but my biased view was (and still is) that the Sons were the best musicians and produced the best music. My opinion, which I shared with many friends, was reinforced by repeated concert and club dates that featured consistently great performances. Unlike many of their contemporaries, the Sons never had an off night! Their positive energy and life-affirming lyrical themes brought me back to see them again and again. After their breakup and especially now that they have reunited for some limited engagements, they have remained a source of musical and spiritual inspiration. My anticipation for the original release of Welcome to the Dance back in 1973 was recently matched by the re-release of this new CD. Old Sons fans will be ecstatic with this new package. New fans might do well to purchase the Sons' "LIVE" CD before getting WTTD, but I think this collection of songs translates well to the twenty-first century. Evangeline/Acadia, the UK company that is re-issuing WTTD, did a decent job repackaging this recording for CD. The new liner notes give a fairly in-depth history lesson detailing the Sons' star-crossed misfortunes. Still, it is the music that shines through, from the opening groove of "Lightnin'" with its trademark Hammond B-3 fills, to the "Welcome to the Dance" suite. They are all great songs!

Long before he was tapped to add vocals and keyboards to Chicago, Bill Champlin had his own gig. For those not in the know, Bill Champlin's musical journey started in the Bay Area as a contemporary to the Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Quicksilver Messenger Service. One would think that with such a pedigree success was inevitable. Sadly, this was not to be. This album, Welcome to the Dance, shows what the rest of the world has missed. Bill's vocals shine on this album and Terry Haggerty shows why he should be considered one of the best guitartists to come out of the 1960s.

As the liner notes point out it's something of a miracle that this album ever got made, but it did and it's wonderful to finally have it available on CD. Welcome to the Dance introduces one of the finest rhythm sections in all of rock and r&b -- James Preston on drums and David Shallock on base -- and with their fine playing the Sons never sounded tighter. The album features several of Bill Champlin's best compositions. For Joy, Right On, and The Swim all remain in the Sons' set lists to this day, albeit in ever evolving forms (a new live CD is due to be released soon and it will include all three of these tunes -- see sonsofchamplin.com for info on the release). This album has stood the test of time -- in fact, I think it stands up better than any of their old albums. Nothing beats seeing the band live, but if you can't make it to one of their shows listening to Welcome to the Dance is a pretty good substitute.

I first owned this album as vinyl, along with about 5 more of their albums. I was thrilled to discover they have been re-releasing their material on CD. The Sons of Champlin (later "The Sons") were, and continue to be, one of the most creative groups in rock. Their concepts, compositions, musicianship and execution have always been exceptional. Once you buy one of their albums, you'll probably want to explore them more.

The Sons Of Champlin are one of those great bands that never made it. Listen to their smokin 1969 debut album Loosen Up Naturally and you will see why. Long before ex Chicago Singer-Keyboardist Bill Champlin joined the band he was the lead singer and keyboard player for the sons a bay area psychadelic Jazz Rock band they other styles than that even. The Sons made two really solid albums and this is the other one. Terry Hagerty was the Sons guitar player and was an awesome guitarist. Tim Caine wrote the horn arrangements. Every song on this album is good but it is the 12 minute title track that steals the album. Welcome To The Dance is a great tune with lots of time changes and great singing from Bill. For fans of early Chicago and Blood, Sweat And Tears i recomend to you The Sons Of Champlin.

The Sons had a horn section that could rival Tower of Power!! They played all over the West Coast for years, and I was lucky enough to see them twice in Eugene, Oregon. A great group most 50 somethings never heard of....

This disc is a must have for anyone into soulful rock and roll. You will not listen to a better singer, songwriter, band, than Bill Champlins.

Donovan