We loved this so much in 1971. It's sad to see where we are today. We were idealistic and knew that peace and love couldn't last forever. But the world is in such a sorry mess today. And, no good (innovative) music, films, clothes. Sad to see that n 40 years we've totally gone downhill. I know I am blessed to have lived through those times.and feel sorry for the kids today -who don't know what they've missed!!!!!
I think the year was 1970. I just transferred to Fresno State. I had very little funds and no stereo. I'd go into the music library every single school day and listen to the Son of Chaplin "Freedom". It got to be like a meditation to me. It had everything, funk, soul, jass and ROCK. Now that I'm an old Geezzer I still love their music. THANKS
In 1969 when I was in the band "Everyday People" we learned this song....all 15 minutes of it! It was one of our most-requested songs. Much thanks to The Sons of Champlin for the song and to my fellow EDP band mates, we really did have something back then! Miss you all. Paul, Mike, Ronnie, Dean, Dennis, Bob and Danny (RIP).
I'm about 2 years late noticing... but I take my hat off to anyone who attempts to play Freedom and actually pulls it off. So my hat is off to you sir! I grew up in SF and have been in bands since 1967. In 1969 The Sons of Champlin played a full concert at my high school (yes!) All we knew was that they were from Marin County across the GG Bridge. We didnt know what to expect. My musician friends and myself who saw them were completely blown away and our lives were changed forever. The double LP Loosen up Naturally came out a few months later and I wore it out (I am on my 4th LP now) The concert we saw sounded *EXACTLY* like the record. My favorites of all time are Freedom and Get High, which I have memorized every single note (as you have I'm sure)... but only in my head. I have never been in a band that did Freedom or seen it done by anyone but the Sons. It is a complex, high energy song that exhalts you right into the eternal bliss of heaven, would you agree? My very close guitar friend Bob (R.I.P.) became a professional and had studied Terry Haggarty since 1969. We did a few Sons songs but not Freedom. I am impressed that your band did! Did you have somebody who could sing like Bill Champlin? Try singing like that! Anyway... You da man! Would love to have seen your band do this incredible song by the Sons!
Jesus Christ this is a great epic and gets my vote for best song on the album. Bill Champlin has been around the block a million times by now he put in his time with this band. Then almost thirty years with Chicago and not to mention his 6 or 7 solo albums and all of the guest vocal appearances he has on tons of albums. Check out the 13 minute title track to (Welcome To The Dance) 1973
I spent every day at the recording studio when the Sons were recording this album. I even have some of my work on the album. The epic highlight was Terry's solo on Freedom. It blew everyone away. Terry was tucked away in a small space with headphones and the rest of us were in the control room. He lit up the entire place with his brilliance.
As far as I know, this had no impact in the UK and I think I only heard it because my brother got it from a small record shop in Oxford run by some San Franciscans called Sunshine Records. There is an undefinable west coast jazz essence here (occassionally heard on Spirit albums). I will never get tired of this not least because of the astonishing playing of Terry Haggerty.
saw them new years eve 69- 70. winterland. before their set, my bud and I bumped into champlin, Hagerty in front of a pizza counter. short story long, we enjoyed the best show ever on some real deal orange sunshine, gratis the Sons....I still get da shivers rememberin that night! what a show they put on.
Are you talkin Winterland SF or NY? I saw em in SF & wasn't on the O.S. that nite- but did do some another time in 71' Eweeeee! Love Sons!! U can't supress yerself anymore! See yourself Be yourself! Freeeedom!
I'm 22 and randomly came across this record at Jerry's Records in Pittsburgh. The cover made me curious so I had to look it up, now I wish I woulda bought it! This is fantastic!
James--it was abouit 1971 in the Fresno State library when a friend was rocking out with the headphones on and showed me what he was listening to and I was knocked out. Even bought the album. Just thought of it and looked it up. Great memory.
For real!!!!! those days and these songs are magic! you can't duplicate them by copying little frilly techniques, you got to practice with a smile on fully! Oh joy that these songs can still be heard! I remember it with my soul, thank you "you can't suppress what you are anymore...you got to be yourself free yourself!"
It is truly difficult to envision the chasm between these boys and what we have today. C'mon musicians, those of you who can connect with this energy and truth, bring it back, pleeeeeeease!!!
Saw 'em live at the Fillmore West, w/ Albert King and Cold Blood, back in the day..Wow. Never forget the impression they made on me and everyone there. It is about US, others and sisters!
I was there....when the Fillmore was at the Carousel Ballroom. I remember being roused at the end of the show after passing out from a lot of heavy hash smoking! Caught the Steve Miller Band the night before at the Avalon Ballroom. Boy....those were the days...$3.50 admission!
I saw em @UCSD commencement ceremonies 1970, with about 10 other bands incl.GD, Pink Floyd, etc.I forgot exactly which bands because the Grateful Dead roadies came outt & threw big handfuls of pink doobies, REALgood ones into the crowd- - several dozen into a crowd of about 500, so they were going back & forth continuously for awhile.Amazing. that. I. Can. Even. Remember. But I was the campus DJ and had to record it for posteriority📼
Sat in on a rehearsal in some church in Palo Alto, with about 30 very lucky people. Soon after the LP release, was lucky enough to see them perform it again at the Chateau Liberte', from the front row. Whole set. WOWWWWW!!!!!
I saw them first in Des Moines, Iowa at The Daily Planet it was a really cool music venue/bar in the 70’s! We loved the Sons I think they came a few times to a packed to the rafters crowd!
Wow, thank you Evan Gary Hirsch of Soul Twin Messiah for the introduction. Im an 80s toddler so I didn’t know about this until today. #TodayYearsOldWhen
got this when it first came out ( I was 16 ) I grew up in sacto ca but never got to see these guys though I saw lots of others between the lake , the city, freeborn hall in davis and the auditorium etc at home.
I owned the Loosen Up Naturally album on vinyl back in the early 1970s. I loved the album until It got ignored after I became a fan of Uriah Heep,Black Sabbath and Deep Purple in 1970 and 1971.
I love this damm album the next cd i buy is gonna be Loosen Up Naturally i just cant bring myself to spend $70 on a cd. While Chicago Transit Authority was working on their debut The Sons Of Champlin were working on theirs. Both albums apparentely were released on the same day. It is a shame these guys didnt get more recognition they were fantastic.
Great Bay area band that we saw and drove around listening to when this first came out. Great memories and sounds then and now. Horns, soul, vocals, and a two lp release, they had it all. Incredible guitar solo, Not sure how it was recorded? but it is very distinctive, every change is still good.
I love the song as well as Get High, Terry is no longer with the group and I saw them a few weeks ago at the Mystic here in Petaluma, they played one song from this album, 1st time I didn't hear Freedom and then Get High, my two favorite songs, I was disappointed.
I know that you can feel abused And I know the feeling that there ain’t no use When something is doing you under Don’t you know it makes you wonder Why do I stay here? Can I find my way here? You may find it’s just a matter of faith that’s lost its way Take some time to reaffirm the feeling that’s gone astray And baby there’ll be sunny weather If we get our heads together Who cares where the fault lies Be free from the false ties The feeling has got to be there to have the inspiration How can you get anywhere out of desperation? Your strength is in your smile and not your frustration If we try for a while there’ll be no hesitation I know there’s a much better way to feel Even though some of the desires begin to seem so real But they won’t be here forever If we try to love each other I’m gonna stay here Till I see my way clear Do you remember all the good times that you thought you used to have While you were riding wildly in your car? But you didn’t dig it all that much, did you really then? ‘Cause it had nothin’ much to do with what you are You can’t suppress what you are any more You got to carry yourself through the door You got to see yourself, be yourself, freedom Can you honestly evaluate the story from within Without part of you blocking the way? If there never is no way but up you’re starting to feel When where you are at is just to face another day You can’t suppress what you are any more You got to carry yourself through the door You got to see yourself, be yourself, freedom Freedom, freedom
8:24 for Pete Rock Fans & the best few mins of the track!!!
My high school friend Phil Kennemore with Y and T loved the Sons. RIP brother Phil. Beautiful dreamer!!
All we can do is keep the music alive!! Keep playing the music!!! At least we have that!! ☮️💜☮️
We loved this so much in 1971. It's sad to see where we are today. We were idealistic and knew that peace and love couldn't last forever. But the world is in such a sorry mess today. And, no good (innovative) music, films, clothes. Sad to see that n 40 years we've totally gone downhill. I know I am blessed to have lived through those times.and feel sorry for the kids today -who don't know what they've missed!!!!!
Yup. How did we fail so badly? We were going to change the world. Heartbreaking. But the Sons still bring us a little love...
2023and I still love thee
I think the year was 1970. I just transferred to Fresno State. I had very little funds and no stereo. I'd go into the music library every single school day and listen to the Son of Chaplin "Freedom". It got to be like a meditation to me. It had everything, funk, soul, jass and ROCK. Now that I'm an old Geezzer I still love their music.
THANKS
In 1969 when I was in the band "Everyday People" we learned this song....all 15 minutes of it! It was one of our most-requested songs. Much thanks to The Sons of Champlin for the song and to my fellow EDP band mates, we really did have something back then! Miss you all. Paul, Mike, Ronnie, Dean, Dennis, Bob and Danny (RIP).
I'm about 2 years late noticing... but I take my hat off to anyone who attempts to play Freedom and actually pulls it off. So my hat is off to you sir! I grew up in SF and have been in bands since 1967. In 1969 The Sons of Champlin played a full concert at my high school (yes!) All we knew was that they were from Marin County across the GG Bridge. We didnt know what to expect. My musician friends and myself who saw them were completely blown away and our lives were changed forever. The double LP Loosen up Naturally came out a few months later and I wore it out (I am on my 4th LP now) The concert we saw sounded *EXACTLY* like the record. My favorites of all time are Freedom and Get High, which I have memorized every single note (as you have I'm sure)... but only in my head. I have never been in a band that did Freedom or seen it done by anyone but the Sons. It is a complex, high energy song that exhalts you right into the eternal bliss of heaven, would you agree? My very close guitar friend Bob (R.I.P.) became a professional and had studied Terry Haggarty since 1969. We did a few Sons songs but not Freedom. I am impressed that your band did! Did you have somebody who could sing like Bill Champlin? Try singing like that! Anyway... You da man! Would love to have seen your band do this incredible song by the Sons!
Jesus Christ this is a great epic and gets my vote for best song on the album. Bill Champlin has been around the block a million times by now he put in his time with this band. Then almost thirty years with Chicago and not to mention his 6 or 7 solo albums and all of the guest vocal appearances he has on tons of albums. Check out the 13 minute title track to (Welcome To The Dance) 1973
Great band, Great song, Great singer!
This is probably my favorite song of all times,ever since 1968 !!!
+Ignacio Betancourt Reyes That makes two s us!!!!
God bless you MJ !
Me too bro' !
Mine too! Saw 'em a dozen times & never got enuf of em!!;!!
I spent every day at the recording studio when the Sons were recording this album. I even have some of my work on the album. The epic highlight was Terry's solo on Freedom. It blew everyone away. Terry was tucked away in a small space with headphones and the rest of us were in the control room. He lit up the entire place with his brilliance.
As far as I know, this had no impact in the UK and I think I only heard it because my brother got it from a small record shop in Oxford run by some San Franciscans called Sunshine Records. There is an undefinable west coast jazz essence here (occassionally heard on Spirit albums). I will never get tired of this not least because of the astonishing playing of Terry Haggerty.
Last time I heard Terry was about five years ago in San Francisco and he was still playing his ass off.
saw them new years eve 69- 70. winterland. before their set, my bud and I bumped into champlin, Hagerty in front of a pizza counter. short story long, we enjoyed the best show ever on some real deal orange sunshine, gratis the Sons....I still get da shivers rememberin that night! what a show they put on.
I saw them New Year's Eve 1971-72 at Winterland; unbelievable concert with the Dead and NRPS
Are you talkin Winterland SF or NY? I saw em in SF & wasn't on the O.S. that nite- but did do some another time in 71' Eweeeee! Love Sons!! U can't supress yerself anymore! See yourself Be yourself! Freeeedom!
😆 See ya put your name 2 yer face FG! 👍
I'm 22 and randomly came across this record at Jerry's Records in Pittsburgh. The cover made me curious so I had to look it up, now I wish I woulda bought it! This is fantastic!
James--it was abouit 1971 in the Fresno State library when a friend was rocking out with the headphones on and showed me what he was listening to and I was knocked out. Even bought the album. Just thought of it and looked it up. Great memory.
For real!!!!! those days and these songs are magic! you can't duplicate them by copying little frilly techniques, you got to practice with a smile on fully!
Oh joy that these songs can still be heard!
I remember it with my soul, thank you
"you can't suppress what you are anymore...you got to be yourself free yourself!"
Terry's solo is jaw-dropping. And the tone on whatever big fat Gibson jazz box he was using, amazing.
criminally forgotten/underated band/album
Outstanding shit for its time, still sounds sweet today
Yep. This NEVER gets old. Memories.....
oh, heck yes!!!!
It is truly difficult to envision the chasm between these boys and what we have today. C'mon musicians, those of you who can connect with this energy and truth, bring it back, pleeeeeeease!!!
Champlin's vocals are absolutely stunning. One of the best vocal performance i've heard and that guitar solo...
Saw 'em live at the Fillmore West, w/ Albert King and Cold Blood, back in the day..Wow. Never forget the impression they made on me and everyone there. It is about US, others and sisters!
I was there....when the Fillmore was at the Carousel Ballroom. I remember being roused at the end of the show after passing out from a lot of heavy hash smoking! Caught the Steve Miller Band the night before at the Avalon Ballroom. Boy....those were the days...$3.50 admission!
I saw em @UCSD commencement ceremonies 1970, with about 10 other bands incl.GD, Pink Floyd, etc.I forgot exactly which bands because the Grateful Dead roadies came outt & threw big handfuls of pink doobies, REALgood ones into the crowd- - several dozen into a crowd of about 500, so they were going back & forth continuously for awhile.Amazing. that. I. Can. Even. Remember. But I was the campus DJ and had to record it for posteriority📼
Thanks! Nice to hear this again. Love this band. I added this to my channel.
The original "hip horn band". KILLER guitar player Terry Hagerty. Top shelf all the way !!
Still one GREAT album!!!
15 minutes of musical GENIUS!
+chrisallen78 I was in the Bay area when this was recorded. In all the years since then, I have never heard ANYTHING better!!!
Saw them 3 or 4 times. Best at the local college of Marin Kentfield Campus. In my top 7 favorite all time albums
Sat in on a rehearsal in some church in Palo Alto, with about 30 very lucky people. Soon after the LP release, was lucky enough to see them perform it again at the Chateau Liberte', from the front row. Whole set. WOWWWWW!!!!!
WoW 💕 I'm from Santa Cruz . I was born late and missed out on Chateau Liberte
That is so rad! Wow!!!
This was a great band, Bill Champlin was a great musician.
Still ❤
One of the truly great consciousness rock & roll songs!
Saw them in Tahoe when music prevailed. What a sound! Still love them.....
this experience drives my very soul
excellent.......my brother was in Viet Nam when I listened to this album
I saw them first in Des Moines, Iowa at The Daily Planet it was a really cool music venue/bar in the 70’s! We loved the Sons I think they came a few times to a packed to the rafters crowd!
Wow, thank you Evan Gary Hirsch of Soul Twin Messiah for the introduction. Im an 80s toddler so I didn’t know about this until today. #TodayYearsOldWhen
got this when it first came out ( I was 16 ) I grew up in sacto ca but never got to see these guys though I saw lots of others between the lake , the city, freeborn hall in davis and the auditorium etc at home.
I owned the Loosen Up Naturally album on vinyl back in the early 1970s. I loved the album until It got ignored after I became a fan of Uriah Heep,Black Sabbath and Deep Purple in 1970 and 1971.
Still have it
Takes. Me back to the days of acid and reds at fillmore west
Trippin' on those upstairs mirrors
I love this damm album the next cd i buy is gonna be Loosen Up Naturally i just cant bring myself to spend $70 on a cd. While Chicago Transit Authority was working on their debut The Sons Of Champlin were working on theirs. Both albums apparentely were released on the same day. It is a shame these guys didnt get more recognition they were fantastic.
They absolutely were!!!
MJ Hawkins Now i own two copies of Loosen Up one brand new and one copy used. Bill Champlin has had a great 40 plus year career
Great Bay area band that we saw and drove around listening to when this first came out. Great memories and sounds then and now. Horns, soul, vocals, and a two lp release, they had it all. Incredible guitar solo, Not sure how it was recorded? but it is very distinctive, every change is still good.
Still my favorite album
Listen to it, find your smile, and help the world be a better place
great album
I love the song as well as Get High, Terry is no longer with the group and I saw them a few weeks ago at the Mystic here in Petaluma, they played one song from this album, 1st time I didn't hear Freedom and then Get High, my two favorite songs, I was disappointed.
An awakening.
I met Bill Bone today while on outing
Cutting off the climactic end of this life altering song is
akin to having your heart ripped out after being admitted to Heaven !
well said ~ huh
yeah, WTF?
One of my favorite songs ever since early 1970, but whatever happened to the end??
Thanks anyway!!!!!1
Bah Dah!......(there you have it!)
I know that you can feel abused
And I know the feeling that there ain’t no use
When something is doing you under
Don’t you know it makes you wonder
Why do I stay here?
Can I find my way here?
You may find it’s just a matter of faith that’s lost its way
Take some time to reaffirm the feeling that’s gone astray
And baby there’ll be sunny weather
If we get our heads together
Who cares where the fault lies
Be free from the false ties
The feeling has got to be there to have the inspiration
How can you get anywhere out of desperation?
Your strength is in your smile and not your frustration
If we try for a while there’ll be no hesitation
I know there’s a much better way to feel
Even though some of the desires begin to seem so real
But they won’t be here forever
If we try to love each other
I’m gonna stay here
Till I see my way clear
Do you remember all the good times that you thought you used to have
While you were riding wildly in your car?
But you didn’t dig it all that much, did you really then?
‘Cause it had nothin’ much to do with what you are
You can’t suppress what you are any more
You got to carry yourself through the door
You got to see yourself, be yourself, freedom
Can you honestly evaluate the story from within
Without part of you blocking the way?
If there never is no way but up you’re starting to feel
When where you are at is just to face another day
You can’t suppress what you are any more
You got to carry yourself through the door
You got to see yourself, be yourself, freedom
Freedom, freedom
❤❤❤❤❤
♥♥♥
Sounds like Chicago's first album.
Horrible! Lousy then, lousy now!!
You need a re-education my friend.
@@markbridwell8972 Or a hug.
You unfortunate soul.
Larry you are so full of it
If it's not you style so sorry for you. Listen to hip hop
Listen to it, find your smile, and help the world be a better place