Two Leicester rhythm and blues bands, Jim King and The Farinas, formed one of the most exciting formations of the late 1960s and early 1970s, Family. Despite never achieving star status, the band is one of the defining progressive bands of the era. They quickly became critical favorites and attracted a large fan base with their music. The two defining figures of this unique sounding music are Roger "Chappo" Chapman and Charlie Whitney, who pioneered the double-neck Fender guitar. Chapman's scratchy, cigar- and whiskey-infused voice and Whitney's unique guitar playing were the foundation on which Family built their sound and style...
➡ Family Entertainment (1969/1998) See For Records
Tracks:
1. The Weaver's Answer (5:01)
2. Observations from a Hill (3:12)
3. Hung Up Down (3:13)
4. Summer '67 (3:18)
5. How-Hi-The-Li (4:59)
6. Second Generation Woman (3:14)
7. From Past Archives (3:21)
8. Dim (2:32)
9. Processions (2:49)
10. Face in the Cloud (2:55)
11. Emotions (5:12)
Personnel:
- Roger Chapman / vocals, percussion
- John 'Charlie' Whitney / guitar, piano, organ
- Jim King / tenor & soprano saxophones, harmonica piano, lead vocals (2)
- Rick Grech / bass, violin, lead (6,10) & backing vocals
- Rob Townsend / drums & percussion
With:
- Nicky Hopkins / piano
- The Heavenly Strings / strings
- Tony Cox / string arrangements
➡ A Song For Me (1970/1988) See For Records
Tracks:
1. Drowned in Wine (4:10)
2. Some Poor Soul (2:44)
3. Love Is a Sleeper (4:02)
4. Stop for the Traffic-Through the Heart of Me (2:11)
5. Wheels (4:43)
6. Songs for Sinking Lovers (4:06)
7. Hey-Let It Rock (0:59)
8. The Cat and the Rat (2:32)
9. 93's Ok J (3:59)
10. A Song for Me (9:20)
Personnel:
- Roger Chapman / vocals, percussion
- John 'Charlie' Whitney / guitar, banjo, organ
- John Weider / guitars, violin, dobro
- John 'Poli' Palmer / vibes, piano, flute
- Rob Townsend / drums & percussion, harmonica
With:
- George Bruno Money / organ (3)
➡ Anyway... (1970/1993) Castle Classics
Tracks:
1. Good News, Bad News (live*) (8:06)
2. Willow Tree (live*) (4:39)
3. Holding the Compass (live*) (4:28)
4. Strange Band (live*) (3:34)
5. Part of the Load (4:40)
6. Anyway (3:28)
7. Normans (4:21)
8. Lives and Ladies (6:37)
* Recorded at Fairfield Hall, London (July 26, 1970)
Personnel:
- Roger Chapman / vocals, percussion (4)
- John 'Charlie' Whitney / electric & acoustic (3) guitars, bass (2,6)
- John 'Poli' Palmer / piano (2,5,7,8), electric piano (4), drums (5), percussion (3,6), vibes (1,4-6)
- John Weider / bass, acoustic guitar (3), violin (2,4,7), flute (7), percussion (6)
- Rob Townsend / drums & percussion (3,6)