Roger Chapman, Poli Palmer, Rob Townsend and Jim Cregan back together again as Family for the first time in 40 years are playing the Shepherds Bush 02 Arena on Friday and Saturday night (1st & 2nd Feb). Sadly guitarist Charlie Whitney, now living in Greece, won't be joining them which will be a little disappointing for the fans of this once extraordinary group, but look at it the other way it's a minor miracle any of them have survived to even do this reunion gig. The young Roger Chapman seemed on the verge of exploding at most gigs as it was.
Except for their old fans, Family have been largely over looked on retrospectives of their work over the years (not here we might add, see post ) but with the release of a box set a new appreciation of just how unusual this band was and also how innovative they were is being realised.
Released on 4th February as a 2.000 copy 14CD box set including all 8 original albums in mini card sleeves, a 2 CD of unissued alternative takes, 3 CD singles, a live CD from 1971, a 72 page book and numbered certificate signed by Roger Chapman.
Available from FamilyOnceUponATime.com
It's fare to say not all of their music successfully translated to record but playing live they stood in class of their own. A band not afraid to improvise and develop a song live can thrill an audience far beyond the predictability of note for note copies of hit albums.
Of course no one should expect a performance like the halcyon days of that young band but if their fans are out in force, and it looks like they are with Friday night as a sell out, the 02 Arena will definitely be on full rock.
So until a video does appear of the latest concerts have a look at Family as they were. Could be the Isle Of Wight 1970 or that year.
The song is "Good News Bad News". Not great picture, sound a bit wooly at times.. but it's pretty clear what power this band had led by Chapman's presence.
