FAMILY were and still are one of the most revered bands to come out of the late Sixties early Seventies. Fronted by the manic but prolific vocalist ROGER CHAPMAN, Family were one of the most popular bands on the UK and European gig and festival circuit where their particular brand of “progressive art rock”, backed by Chapman’s on stage antics and a brilliant band, excited audiences everywhere.

The band became a brilliant vehicle for the song writing partnership of Roger Chapman and CHARLIE WHITNEY who were joined along the way by a number of top musicians including JOHN WETTON and later TONY ASHTON.

The popularity of Family was reflected by top thirty singles, including a number 4 with “In My Own Time”, and 7 top thirty albums, with “A Song For Me” reaching number 4, “Entertainment” number 6 and “Anyway” number 7.

This four CD box set features the following:

1. 49 tracks including 14 previously unreleased performances.
2. The first release on CD of the album “Old Songs, New Songs”.
3. Booklet written by Pete Feenstra on the history of Family, featuring quotes from band members and previously unseen photos.
4. A reproduction of the 1970 Isle Of Wight Festival programme.

The first 1000 copies will receive a free bonus CD featuring eleven historically significant demos and live performances.

CD 1
OLD SONGS, NEW SONGS
1 Hurry Up Down
2 Today
3 Observations From A Hill
4 Good Friend Of Mine
5 Drowned In Wine
6 Peace Of Mind
7 Hometown
8 The Cat And The Rat
9 No Mule’s Fool
10 See Through Windows
11 The Weavers Answer

All versions previously unavailable on CD

CD 2
1 Drowned In Wine (Previously unreleased demo)
2 Love Is A Sleeper
3 Stop For the Traffic
4 Wheels
5 Song For Sinking Lovers
6 Number Six Blues (Previously unreleased demo)
7 A Song For Me
8 No Mule’s Fool (Previously unreleased demo)
9 Good News – Bad News (Live)
10 Part Of The Load
11 Normans
12 Holding The Compass (Live)
13 Anyway
10 Strange Band (Live)

CD 3
1 Burlesque
2 Bolero Babe
3 Coronation
4 My Friend The Sun
5 Glove
6 Ready to Go
7 Top Of The Hill
8 The Rockin’ B’s
9 In My Own Time
10 Seasons
11 Between Blue And Me (Live)
12 Sing ‘Em The Way I Feel (Live)
13 Sat’d’y Barfly
14 Larf & Sing
15 Spanish Tide (Live)
16 Crinkley Grin

CD 4
1 Blind
2 Burning Bridges
3 Children (Live)
4 Take Your Partners
5 It’s Only A Movie
6 Buffet Tea For Two
7 Sweet Desire
8 Rockin’ Pneumonia And Boogie Woogie Flu (Live)
9 Suspicion
10 Checkout
11 In My Own Time (Live)
12 The Weavers Answer (Live)

Bonus CD (First 1000 copies only)
1 Song For Lot’s
2 Theme For A Dream
3 Wheels
4 Kick A Cat
5 Sinking Lovers
6 Part Of The Load
7 Drowned In Wine
8 Holding The Compass
9 Good News Bad News
10 The Weavers Answer
11 A Song For Me

Tracks 1 – 5 Previously unreleased demos
Tracks 6 – 11 Recorded live at the Circus Krone Munich 7.11.1970

Amazon USA:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CDRI1E/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000CDRI1E/?tag=imwan-21

(Note regarding the current availability of that 5th bonus disc: according to the label, everything they've pressed since August in the UK includes the bonus CD, and the first batch going to Amazon USA next week will include the bonus too. So at this time you can pretty much guarantee getting the limited 5CD version of the box by either ordering directly from Amazon UK or pre-ordering from Amazon USA.)

Are there any Family experts out there who can tell me if this is a set worth buying. I would like to add some Family to my collection. Is this the set?

Yeah, the set looks fantastic. And even though I already own all of there CD's I'm going to take the plunge
and buy the box set too~

This is a must get !

Great band !

USD 22.99 on amazon USA for product noted by amazon's listing as having 5 discs... this is either a pricing error or one hell of a deal, grab it now.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CDRI1E/?tag=imwan-20

Oh well, here we go again with a pricing error on a box set. I'm in, for what it's worth.

Jimbo confirmed over at our Here And Now board that Amazon USA is now shipping out the box -- and it's been further reduced to $19.99, so grab this quickly!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CDRI1E/?tag=imwan-20

Indeed, great deal! Go for it!

I've always been curious about them, and this deal seems almost too good to be true. Nevertheless, I just placed my order at Amazon for $19.99. Thanks for the info, all.

Rich K

I'd be curious about this band as well (John Wetton is one of my favorites ever, but Roger Chapman's voice grates on my nerves), especially at that price, but what label is Mystic and can they be trusted to do good work and have good sound on this?

Here's info on the label from their UK website:

>>Mystic Records was originally founded in 1995 in the UK by Don McKay and Robert Barrs-James to provide a truly new platform for emerging and established recording artists. Mystic's very successful debut CD was Harmonics Of Love from ex Curved Air lead singer Sonja Kristiana. In contrast, this excellent folk acid offering was followed up with solid blues from the late Big Joe Turner's Memphis Blues Caravan and the distinctive power rock of STRAY.

The first two years were hectic with many new recordings and some inspired signings. 1997 saw the successful release of CD's from top German prog rockers, Amon Duul II and high demand for the excellent tribute band ReGenesis and their brilliant album LIVE which has gained worldwide distribution.

In the past year we have enjoyed several successful releases from Roger Chapman plus a fine album from the late Joe Turner, which have further heightened the profile of the label. As the success of Mystic Records has continued, the label has been able to attract other leading recording artists such as Colin Blunstone. Indeed, The Light Inside was Colin Blunstone's first studio album for five years and has been a roaring success for both the artist and Mystic.

This year, Mystic Records have established an extensive European and US distribution network which is complimented by our thriving mail order service. You can now order the latest Mystic CD releases along with a choice superb titles from the back catalogue.

Thank you for visiting the Mystic Records web site. Note that we are not connected to Mystic Records in the USA.<<

I'm in...let's see what happens!

I have all the Mystic Family reissues and I can assure you they are all top notch. Great sound and packaging with really informative liner notes. I can't wait for the box set to arrive!

I saw this today at an indie shop in SC for 21.99, so that discount must be for real, unless this shop was selling a promo.

Amazon now has this box set for $18.99. Mine already shipped at $19.99, and they're no longer giving credits for price changes made after the item ships, but it's only $1 so still a good deal. I read some reviews of an earlier edition of this being sold at Amazon, and they recommended against buying this as an introduction to the band, mostly based on sound quality. I'm hoping those people are wrong. I'll post my thoughts after I've heard it.
Rich K

I'm just not into these guys enough to buy it (I tried) and I'm still unsure about the sound quality, but if you're a fan or casual fan $20 for a boxset is too good to pass up unless it's total crap which I doubt.

Mine arrived today...pretty quick for Amazon's "Super Saver" shipping!

Amazon USA now says it ships in 1 to 3 weeks. And I still haven't gotten my Joe Jackson BBC set from them. Grrrrrr. Maybe I'll check out Amazon UK instead.

My came today very quick for amazon !! Sound very good so for .

It's all good !!!

Highly recommended guys.

Those of you who received it from Amazon.....

Did you get the limited 5th disc?

Mine shipped yesterday.

Yep, mine came on Friday, and I got the 5th disc.