| SONS OF CHAMPLIN Live at Crystal Ballroom, Portland, OR May19th 2001 Reviewed by Serial Killer~~June 20, 2001 The Crystal Ballroom is one of old p-towns mainstays with the rolling dance floor and draconian décor. It's the greatest look into the old way of presentation. It has that old Filmore feel. You know the Filmore and Geary venue that Bill Graham opened in the early 60s. The Procenium arch. Speaking of that, we find the Sons of Champlin, a horn outfit superb. They opened at the Filmore in 68 with Clover which was a Huey Lewis band in the day. Anyway, seems right at home in the Crystal. These cats are seasoned to the nines. A band of ringers featuring the terrorizing Mic Gillette blowing hard. You might know the name. He fronted Tower of Power. He sits in with Paul Shaffer on Letterman at least once a month with the bad boy Saveanno blowing too. A little tuba even was heard. Bill Champlin, bandleader and king rat, with that soulful sweet voice lead the group. Bill Champlin By the way, Bill took time off from Chicago's rigorous touring schedule to do this. We got a little ear candy from the venerable Terry Haggerty, fusionesque guitar slinger to the stars. Just a bunch of Bay Area/Oakland laureates having fun and getting paidfor it. Funk horn buffet with Satrianniesque guitar very nice. Bad note:
lots of geriatrics. Large ones blocking Serial Killer's view. No good
I say. And I took my editor (my own little El Mako thorn) and he did nothing
but complain You know, "the blues this" and "old hat that"
and on but me droogies Serial Killer was in old g funk heaven. Try it.
You'll like it. Remember, Dont bite it, Chew it. |