5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful entertainment

R.R. · 12 November 2014

Family's 2nd studio release finds the 'Fabulous Five' in excellent form; however, this is much closer to a conventional progressive rock album than their debut, the overtly psychedelic 'Music in a Doll's House'. The sinuous sound of 'The Weavers Answer' is a marvellous opener here and 'Observations From A Hill' is another superb track written by the John Whitney/Roger Chapman axis. Whitney's Eastern-tinged 'Summer '67' is a dreamy instrumental whilst Rik Grech gets in on the act with the classy 'How-Hi-The-Li'. Family's reflective mood is best illustrated by several of the songs on the second half of proceedings, for example, 'From Past Archives', 'Dim' and 'Processions' which are all quite lovely. If you're looking to discover Family via their studio releases, this is as good a place to start your journey as any. Happy listening!

5.0 out of 5 stars Family Entertainment

s. · 12 February 2013

I had the vinyl copy when it first came out but got mislaid in the 90's. So just got around to buying the remastered cd a week ago. Really glad I did,I had forgotten how good it was, sounds even better than I remember. I've had the Music in a Dolls House cd for some years and like them both equally. ..Dolls House was very much of its time, far out and freaky man!just what I was into at the time and Entertainment was more cohesive and mellow, both absolutely trippy and hippy, where did those days go?

4.0 out of 5 stars Better than I expected

N.G. · 2 February 2010

You know how it is: that music from the past which sounded great at the time. But when you hear it again many years later, it doesn't sound so wonderful.With this in mind, I was expecting to be a bit disappointed with this - but I was pleasantly surprised. For a start, the remastering has produced a much sharper sound than the scratchy LP which, ahem, my parents played. (Oh alright, I admit it: it was mine!).As regards the tracks, the superb 'Weaver's Answer' is even better than I remember. And the others aren't bad either, with a good deal of variety. 'From Past Archives' and 'Dim' are ones I particularly like.(For anyone not familiar with Family, it's a bit difficult to define their music. Sixties origins show through, but it's not badly dated in style. It's not Beatles, nor Hollies, nor Beach Boys, nor Led Zeppelin. I'd say that Rolling Stones is perhaps the nearest comparison, while lead singer Roger Chapman's voice is a bit Joe Cocker-ish).So whether you're tempted to wallow in nostalgia or you're completely unfamiliar with their material, I'd say don't hesitate to get this. I don't think you'll regret it.

5.0 out of 5 stars family entertainment means no swearing's allowed

P.F. · 17 January 2011

What can I say 44 years on? 1967's long gone but the music lives on; this LP ranks alongside The Beatles Sgt Pepper's, and The Stones Satanic Magesties LPs in British psychedelic innovativeness. 'The Weaver's Answer' still sounds awesome.

5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars

V.B. · 4 April 2015

The very best Family album and a very special vocal from Roger Chapman. A classic rock album.

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome

J.E. · 8 April 2014

One of the best records I have ever heard. What a fantastic group of musicians Family were, so talented. Absolutely brilliant.

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific

M.B. · 16 December 2013

Saw Family many times in the late 60s and bought this album on vinyl at the time - finally bought the CD!

4.0 out of 5 stars Good follow up to a classic debut

M.D. · 14 March 2007

Released early 1969 "Entertainment" was their second studio album and incredible as it may seem was almost as good as their stunning Dave Mason produced debut album "Music in a Doll's House". The line up was the same; Jim King (saxophones), John Whitney (guitar, vocals), Ric Grech (vocals/bass/violin), Rob Townsend (drums, percussion), Roger Chapman (vocals). Grech shows his writing abilities on this album and maybe displayed his restlessness that led him to leave to join Clapton, Winwood and Baker in BLIND FAITH.Some critics thought it not as strong as the first album although some think it has aged better than "doll's House"; I love them both. I think it certainly resides in the 'early progressive' stable. I believe it was reported that the band were quite disappointed with the production of this album which resulted in them having more say in production from then on.Their eclectic sound influenced by folk, country, and pop was rooted in the blues. I think "Entertainment" produced by Glyn Johns and Family manager John Gilbert created a worthy album that drew on all of their musical influences and abilities. It opens with "The Weaver's Answer", a haunting song about a dying old man about to see his life in the form of tapestry. Chapman sings the lyric of remembrance with real bluesy grit and Grech's violin at the end makes you feel the old fella's death. A classic opener for a very good album.

family entertainment family

b.d. · 1 February 2014

secondo album per il quintetto di leicester meno sofisticato del disco di debutto.si va dalla swingata"from past archives"al progressive"the weaver's answer"

Le meilleur de Family

K. · 20 January 2013

Ce CD de 1969 commence très fort avec "The weaver's answer" morceau fétiche du groupe qui allie mélodie et hargne, remarquable par la voix chevretante et très particulière de Roger Chapman suivi du très bon "Observations from a hill" interprété cette fois-ci par l'autre chanteur Ric Grech. Puis cela repart fort avec Chapman dans "Hung up down" suivi d'un très bon instrumental "Summer' 67" de type oriental. Ensuite le mélodique "How-Hi-The-Li" de R Grech suivi d'une autre composition de ce dernier plus incisive "Second generation woman". "From the past archive" est un morceau plus swing interprété par Chapman tout comme le suivant "Dim". "Processions" est une belle ballade très dansante. On repart en orient avec "Face in the cloud". Le CD s'achève par le très bon "Emotions" interprété par Chapman. Tous les morceaux sont composés par les membres du groupe qui utilisent des instruments variés évitant toute monotonie. Ce disque dispose d'une qualité constante, classé # 6 UK il est pour moi le meilleur de Family.

Five Stars

S. · 6 November 2016

Good as expected

Family's Sophomore Effort continues their Tradition and their Evolution

B.C.C. · 3 June 2015

As with other bands of the time, experimentation both musically and within the sphere of one's inner space was the rage at the time. It certainly was a great time for rock music in the mid-1960's as each band applied its own styling to the common sound. Family always was a unique band, in their earlier formation, they could bust their chops along with the best of them. We see in their sophomore effort a group already pulling away from the ethereal sound they crafted in their first album, "Music in a Doll's House." If you enjoy the era then this CD is one everyone should own as many have no idea they even exist. The voice of Roger Chapman is so versatile, so unique as is the guitar of Charlie Whitney, bassist Ric Grech, the horns of Jim King, and the constant thumping drumbeats of Rob Townsend, a man who truly deserves far more credit than anyone has ever given him. Check it out, you will be glad you did.

Pépite de l'âge d'or du rock

M.o.t.w. · 28 December 2010

Ce disque je l'avais en vinyle et ai su l'acheté au bon moment sur le site, il faut avoir le flair d'un boursicoteur (que je ne suis pas).En CD, là le son est remastérisé "Super 20-bit recording", aux petits oignons !.Si un vieux "Pop 2 " du groupe live m'avait déçu, de même que le suivant de celui-ci ("A song for you") cet album n'a rien perdu de son charme.Tout ce que je continue d'apprécier dans le rock, cette conjugaison, équilibre entre énergie, voix de Roger Chapman en tête, et harmonie.Il y a des compositions vraiment réussies, la plus célèbre "The weaver's answer" et quelques autres, choix personnel : Processions.Mais l'album est très plein, pas de remplissage.Roger Chapman (harmonica/tenor sax/vocals), Rick Grech (violin/cello/bass guitar/vocals), Rob Townsend (percussion/drums), John "Charlie" Whitney (guitar/pedal steel guitar/keyboards)et quelques uns de leur amis - dont l'immanquable Nicky Hopkins au piano avaient une musique à la fois bien inscrite dans le rock si prolifique de l'époque qu'un son particulier au sein de celui-ci.A coté des chefs d'oeuvres des plus connus alors, une excellent réussite que l'on peut déguster dans les meilleures conditions.