Burlesque, Bolero Babe, Coronation, Dark Eyes, Broken Nose
My Friend The Sun, Glove, Ready To Go, Top Of The Hill.

Roger Chapman – Vocals, Percussion
John Whitney – Guitars, Percussion
Rob Townsend – Drums, Percussion
John Weider – Bass Guitar, Guitars, Violin, Vocals
John “Poli” Palmer – Vibes, Pianos, Flute, Percussion, Vocals

Del Newman/ String Arrangements

Produced by Family and George Chkiantz
Recorded at Olympic Studios, London.
Recorded at The Manor Autumn 1972 - Spring 1973.

Label: Reprise. Orginal Release: September 1972

Family's 1972 release 'Bandstand' was one of the most important English rock albums to have emerged out of the early 70s if not for just the sheer weight of it's incredible innovation for the time. Having said that, Bandstand is the one that should have put Family on the same platform that the likes of Zeppelin and Floyd erected but didn't quite manage to hold the same kind of global attention that the other guys managed to maintain.

For musicianship, compositional excellence, and production expertise certification, this album surely reaped them all. Roger Chapman's powerfully gripping vocals, John Whitney's guitar wizardry, and John “Poli” Palmer's keys 'n pipes work continually gather the kind of hypnotic momentum that enchants you when you'd convinced yourself that those days were left behind when your mother made a habit of getting you to turn the volume down on your 'stereo'!

The thing about Family is perhaps the misplaced genre categorization of 'prog rock' when they also delved into folk, fusion, jazz and psychedic musical persuasions that tended to be evenly and logically spread throughout their recording history from 1967 to 1973. I've heard it said that Family represented the genre of 'art rock' which is a title I quite like but not one that would necessarily fall into Family's lap. Regardless, Family remains a landmark event for their diversity and innovation and this is highlighted in their 1972 release 'Bandstand'.

Released with an exceptional album cover depicting a 50s TV set and cutaway corners, Bandstand contains two of the most frighteningly brilliant songs ever written.. 'Burlesque' and 'My friend the sun' which stand miles apart in form and format but which also stand the test of time as true classic recordings of the first division. Both tracks were released as singles in 1972 and 1973 respectively to wide acclaim and justifiable sales. Rather than adhere to the 'art rock' category, Bandstand is more 'hard rock' in places and yet the production is so universally informed and widely accessible to even the most encrusted of ears!

Tracks to pay particular attention to are: 'Burlesque', 'Bolero Babe', 'My Friend The Sun', 'Broken Nose', and 'Top of the Hill', but if you skip past the other gems you are a fool!

Grab some Family when you can and savour them while they're out there... and don't ever question this advice as it comes from the heart!

Colin Lynch