TCCDM Pulls One Out..."Family Entertainment" - Family (1969)

"Family Entertainment" - Family (1969)    

From Leicester, England, Family released a musical discourse of seven studio albums, each one climbing the UK charts.  But rarely do their albums show up in bins around here.  Especially the early stuff.  I guess Family just wasn't promoted much in the States.   I'll have to pass the baton to someone else doing a Masterclass about the band.  But as for this epistle, I will tell you that "Family Entertainment" was the band's 2nd album and included their signature track..."The Weaver's Answer."

After cleaning and playing this record the first time, I was left with a bit of a..."That was okay, I guess, but what did I just listen to?"  I brewed some Chock full o'Nuts and watched the rest of the Cubs game.  That same evening I dropped the needle again on "Family Entertainment" and it was a much more enjoyable spin.  I guess my head wasn't in it the first time. 

"Family Entertainment" - Family (back)

The music is a cacophony.  Art rock, if you will.  A little proto-prog, nothing heavy.  Two songs with a light psych touch.  A little folk rock.  A country-rock sorta thing.  A classic rock banger.  Many styles can often sink a ship.  Here, it somehow dodges the iceberg.  Side one is easily the stronger, but get up and flip it anyway.

Favorites include "The Weaver's Answer"..."How-Hi-The-Li"..."Face In The Cloud."  My copy is a German pressing on the orange over tan Reprise label.  GEMA is printed on the left side of the spindle.  I found it with a VG+ and a $10 price tag at The Record Ship and I'm digging it more with every spin.

W7:Reprise label

Cat #  
RS 6340 / 6340
SIDE 1  DEADWAX
030881  Manufactured in Germany
SIDE 2  DEADWAX
030882  Manufactured in Germany 

"How-Hi-The-Li" - Family / "Family Entertainment" (1969)

TRACKS:
A1  "The Weaver's Answer" 5:01
A2  "Observations From A Hill" 3:12
A3  "Hung Up Down" 3:13
A4  "Summer '67" 3:18
A5  "How-Hi-The-Li" 4:59
B1  "Second Generation Woman" 3:14
B2  "From Past Archives" 3:21
B3  "Dim" 2:32
B4  "Processions" 2:49
B5  "Face In The Cloud" 2:55
B6  "Emotions" 5:11

PERSONNEL:
Roger Chapman - vocals, percussion
John "Charlie" Whitney - guitars, organ, piano
Jim King - saxophone, piano, vocals
Ric Grech - bass, violin, vocals 
Rob Townsend - drums, percussion
ADDITIONAL:
Nicky Hopkins - piano
The Heavenly Strings / strings
Dave Mason - possibly sitar on (B5)

Good stuff.

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