Bill Champlin
Live at the Rio Theater
11-7-78
Santa Cruz, CA
USA
Stereo Soundboard
Quality A- (Drop Outs)
Unknown Lineage
Bill Champlin, the proverbial leader of the Sons of Champlin,
assembled an incredible set of songs, studio musicans, and with
the help of David Foster produced what many considered
to be best of the Sons records in 1977 called "Circle Filled
with Love". Recorded mainly in Los Angeles, Bill hooked up
the LA Studio greats, including Jay Graydon.
When Bill couldn't make the commercial jump with the Sons, he
assembled the LA musicians, the producers, and tried it on his
own with his first solo album, "Single".
This concert catches Bill on one of the kickoffs for his "Single" album in
1978. Recorded at the Rio Theater in downtown Santa Cruz, this
concerts features many of his songs on the "Single" album,
including what was hoped to be his single, "What Good is Love," as
well as "Your Mama," the ballad "Elaine", and "Fly With Me".
However, the concert also includes such Sons staples as "To the Sea"
"Here's Where Your Love Belongs," and "Hold On". Always one for
on stage wit, Bill remarks that his new album is "taking
the world by drizzle." So sad, I wish it wasn't true.
Bill gave up on his solo career in the 1980's when Chicago tapped him
to replace departing Peter Cetera and he probably plays 100 gigs a
year with them, so he is super busy--a good thing.
Carmen Grillo moved to LA and plays with his church in the
San Fernando Valley, and is a guest guitarist on the Sons reunion gigs.
I still long for another Bill Champlin solo concert in my lifetime.
Set List:
1. What Good Is Love
2. Thankful (feat. Carmen Grillo)
3. Fly With Me
4. Here is Where Your Love Belongs
5. Love is Forever
6. To the Sea
7. Yo Mama
8. Elaine
9. Nobody's Home
10. Checkin Out (feat. Carmen Grillo)
11. Hold On > Band Introductions
12. Maybe
Personnel (Other than Bill and Carmen, I can not tell who is playing what.
Maybe someone can chime in and help):
Bill Champlin: Organ, Guitar and Vocals
Carmen Grillo: Guitar and Vocals
Willie Ornellis: Drums
Michael Millwod: Bass
Jan Gutherie: Keyboards