Search - Family :: It's Only a Movie

Ending in great style: it's only a movie, Family's last

José Coene | Belgium | 10/01/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I accidentally bought the vinyl record on a flea-market in 1975. it has been one of my most cherished albums since. Today, I accidentally discovered on Amazon there is a remastered CD-version available, which I find very reassuring although my vinyl album is still sounding OK. 'It's only a movie' is just perfect: from the opening title track (with excellent far-west bar piano by Tony Ashton and a 'far out' clarinet solo) to the steaming Check Out (which reminds me of the Spencer Davis Group at their best). In between there are wonderful intimistic tracks like Leroy and Boots'n'Roots, the slightly jazzy Buffet Tea For Two which has a very original guitar riff, the short crazy instrumental Banger and the very soulful Desiree (in her negligee!). And I just don't know how to describe Boom Bang: intense, haunting... The lyrics are little gems, Roger Chapmans' singing impressive (if you like bullfrogs).And I haven't mentioned the superb guitar work yet by the 'de luxe' musicians Cregan and Whitney and the excellent and original drumming by Rob Townsend. If you ever see a chance: listen to this great album, the last but certainly the best of Family."

Family Matinee

loce_the_wizard | Lilburn, GA USA | 09/07/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is the one Family recording that strikes the listener as "light." Apparently the fellows decided to do something quite different from their mainstay musical forays and different it is. Once they knew the gig was up, I'm guessing they decided to have fun with such songs as the title track "It's Only a Movie," "Leroy," and "Sweet Desiree." Their is an aching sadness to "Buffet Tea for Two," a paean to starting over (which is exactly what Chapman and Whitney were about to do with the dissolution of Family) featuring a great, typically underplayed solo by Charlie Whitney. The jaunty keyboards of the late Tony Ashton give this recording a real tilt toward the R&B fold, and Chappo's vocals, as always, prove to have the right touch. Jim Cregan's vocals, second guitar, and bass fill in the edges nicely, and Rob Townsend shows his deft touch once more on drums. The last song on the recording, "Check Out" really rocks and as it ends, you cannot help but be both amused and sad that the greatest band of its time closed out its recording career with such an aptly named song. (Note: there are two bonus tracks not on the LP version tacked on here.)
Though I would not recommend this CD as an introduction to Family, I do think it is a fitting conclusion."