Friday, August 1, 2025

The Family That Plays Together Dept.

Cheersh! *hic*. Note Chappo taking a modest position far left - even though he had a magnetic stage presence, he was no showboat (like, f'rinstance, Rod Stewart), and the band was a true band of brothers.

Another binge-fest for a band that hasn't yet garnered enough IoF© real estate, Family. One of the most idiosyncratic, eccentric, and flat-out fantastic bands ever to conquer the UK's prestigious polytechnic circuit, Family left a legacy of albums that qualify as first tier releases. As thirsty as the Faces, Family sobered up in the studio, never short changing, always delivering. Great covers that spared no expense, either.

1968. Aaaaaah.


 

Designed by Swinging London groovy graphic designer Alan Aldridge. Him what done the Beatles Illustrated Lyrics books.

 


 








 
Th' th' that's all, folks!


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23 comments:

  1. Farquhar Throckmorton IIIAugust 1, 2025 at 5:59 AM

    Doll's House (xtry trx):

    https://workupload.com/file/CQqQ5Hpmdqq

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousAugust 1, 2025 at 10:02 AM

    Thank thee, FT3. My intro to them was from one of them thar WB Loss Leaders (Big Red Ball, as I recall) . . . Great stuff, though more or less obscure to the average listener, undeservedly so. --Muzak McMusics

    ReplyDelete
  3. Songkhla SteveAugust 1, 2025 at 3:33 PM

    Excellent band!! Saw 'em live - BBC In Concert - John Peel - 1970 (?) Roger Chapman managed to break the mic stand in the first 5 minutes!!! Poli Palmer on vibes!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. vincentsearAugust 1, 2025 at 7:26 PM

    a real fave. saw them open for Elton John once upon a time.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Mr GrimsdaleAugust 1, 2025 at 7:55 PM

    Loved "Burlesque", had to get used to Chappo's voice, but preferred the more 70's "Streetwalkers", and saw them 3 times BITD.

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousAugust 1, 2025 at 8:55 PM

    Thanks! You have good taste, in case you wondered!

    ReplyDelete
  7. BambiAugust 1, 2025 at 9:24 PM

    Great cover indeed. Back cover, even better. Just a shame I find Chappos' voice a challenge.

    ReplyDelete
  8. ThamesAugust 1, 2025 at 10:24 PM

    I had your other Family deliverables. This is a very nice addition. Thanks! I was not familiar with Family until you enlightened me but have thoroughly enjoyed listening since. For whatever reason, I love the 1969-1972 period - what was being produced musically. This is certainly a wonderful addition to what was going on overall.

    ReplyDelete
  9. DeadmandeadmanAugust 1, 2025 at 10:30 PM

    So many great bands come & go with little notice, developing a devout cult following. Bands like Gomez, Green On Red, and so many others.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Farquhar Throckmorton IIIAugust 2, 2025 at 1:55 AM

    "Entertainment" had some great material, but this is their "we wus screwed by management" album. Better mixes of some of the tracks appeared on "Old Songs New Songs".

    https://workupload.com/file/qTpgyw8ehNw

    (And why did they go for a B/W cover?)

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousAugust 2, 2025 at 7:22 AM

    I'm late to the Family game, and sorry for the time missed. Maybe it's that Peter Gabriel / Pict style of singing that threw me off at first - but after a while it just fits. I've come think of Family as a less show off version of Genesis.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Farquhar Throckmorton IIIAugust 2, 2025 at 10:48 AM

      The best is yet to come!

      Delete
    2. AnonymousAugust 2, 2025 at 2:41 PM

      Anonymous again,

      Holy Moley - you were right! Much thanks from the land of Non.

      Delete
  12. Farquhar Throckmorton IIIAugust 2, 2025 at 2:00 PM

    Song for you:

    https://workupload.com/file/S9hNM8KR8M4

    ReplyDelete
  13. MrDaveAugust 2, 2025 at 6:15 PM

    I'm (very) late to the Family game as well though they've been on my list of bands I ought to listen to for quite a while now. Thanks for the reminder and extra servings.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Farquhar Throckmorton IIIAugust 4, 2025 at 5:34 AM

    "Abrasive" seems to be the keyword for this ... Anyway:

    https://workupload.com/file/pPkhr3PGrDZ

    (First side recorded live at Croydon's glamorous Fairfields Hall - kind of like Sarf London's Caesar's Palace)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Farquhar Throckmorton IIIAugust 5, 2025 at 5:00 AM

    Fearless: https://workupload.com/file/k9daYhg3sNh

    Headed up with the single (a hit! a palpable hit!) in the UK. Strange band, strange times.

    ReplyDelete
  16. geAugust 5, 2025 at 6:25 PM

    The first cuts on DOLL'S HOUSE are the greatest opening to any album ever!
    The followup album is one of the greatest disappointments ever!...the magic all gone/slumped somehow

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Farquhar Throckmorton IIIAugust 5, 2025 at 7:05 PM

      It's a very different sound. A little like comparing the second Blossom Toes album to the first. And the opening cuts are superb. Weaver's Answer? Observations From A Hill? Und so weiter? Nobody else was making music that sounded quite like this.

      Delete
  17. Farquhar Throckmorton IIIAugust 6, 2025 at 5:08 PM

    Burlesque: https://workupload.com/file/kMXLwB4Fd4R

    Big Hit Burlesque heads up the album, its b-side wraps it up.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Farquhar Throckmorton IIIAugust 7, 2025 at 7:56 AM

    "It's Only A Movie" gets sidelined because it has only vestigial prog connections, and if you think this is a good thing, this is your gateway Family album. Good songs, well played, and a splendid time is guaranteed for those who like good songs, well played.

    https://workupload.com/file/RukGrXV8BbT

    (One more to come ... no flipping!)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Farquhar Throckmorton IIIAugust 9, 2025 at 3:08 PM

    Old Songs New Songs: https://workupload.com/file/C54S79hNr7R

    Never intended as a "canonical" release, this budget rag-bag is an enjoyable and curious twig on the gnarly Family tree.

    ReplyDelete

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