Search - Family :: Music in Doll's House / Family Entertainment

Classic British Rock

dixie dean | Liverpool, United Kingdom | 08/05/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As someone who has an original vynyl recording of both of these albums, I can heartily recommend this CD. Whilst Family were essentially at their best live (especially when seen at the De Mountfort Hall in Leicester) these two albums showed them at their recorded best - Dolls House being one of the most innovative albums of the late 60s - on a parr with Zeppelin and Yes first albums - whilst Entertainment is full of wonderfully lyrical songs, especially Observations from a Hill and From Past Archives. If you ever read this Chappo - how about a one off reunion tour - I'm sure it would still be an absolute sell out - the only problem being what songs to do!!"

Essential glimpse of 60's British progressive!

Don MacGillivray | Vancouver, Brititsh Columbia Canada | 04/13/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First off, I truly believe five star ratings should be reserved for albums which define the term "classic" and have had a marked influence on other musicians over a period of time. This set contains two albums which easily meet the above criteria. As well the set begins with the first single Family released in 1967, two wonderful songs which have NEVER been re-released until now in any format "Scene Through The Eye Of A Lens b/w Gypsy Woman" This alone, for many a Family fan is worth the price of admission in itself. Hard to believe that when these two albums were released, LPs for the most part were still a collection of singles packaged with some filler, and that these two were of the first that clearly hung together as cohesive albums, 1968 and 69 respectively. I've reviewed these albums individually on Amazon so I'll keep this simple. The two (Music In A Dolls House and Entertainment) are clearly of a pair and belong together in a way that no other two Family albums would. These artifacts represent all was possible of late 60's progressive, ahead of it's time production, inspired writing and performance and an overall feeling of magic. Anyone I've ever played these works for has been amazed that music with this emotional resonance could have remained this obscure for so long. If you even have only a passing interest in music of the 60's I don't think you'll be disappointed with this set, lovingly packaged with complete, historicaly correct liner notes. Buy it for the hippie in you or in your life!"

Essential compilation

Stephen F Mulcahy | United States | 06/21/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"easily one of the very greatest british bands to never make much of an impression in commercial terms in america. it is difficult to express just how great and rather unique music in a doll's house is, NOT TO MENTION ROGER CHAPMAN'S EXTREMELY DISTINCTIVE VOCALS!. believe me this band is among the most distinctive and original ensembles you are likely to come across. for me it is in a class with are you experienced? led zeppelin 1 and moby grape as far as debuts of the period go. family were incredibly versatile excelling at everything from soft ballads (the breeze, mellowing grey) to powerful, hard, acid tinged collages like peace of mind and the voyage, to and everything in between . simply put, every track is a classic.family entertainment isnt quite of the same caliber, but it is a fine disc in its own right with several brilliant tunes like hung up down, how hi the li, emotions and observations from a hill, to name a few. unlike some of their contemporaries , family were remarkably unpretentious, this makes both records very fresh, listenable and impressive today.the early extra single included on this is another treat, especially the a side, scene through the eye of a lens which should please fans of british psych, its in a category with the pretty things defecting grey, arnold layne by pink floyd, i can hear the grass grow by the move, paper sun by traffic, and tomorrow and the idle race as great early english psychedelia. i also recommend the 2 cd anthology of their later work that has just come out. this features strong material as well, particularly some of the material from a song for me ( drowned in wine is GREAT!), and good news bad news , which you may have heard in the recent 1970 isle of wight documentary. i think the band slipped somewhat after the anyway album of 1970 , though for example, i do think my friend the sun is brilliant. you get good value out of your family cds , they will be listened to over and over.i strongly recommend this release as i feel the first two family albums, in particular the debut, are classics and essential for any comprehensive fan of pop/60s early 70s rock/acid/etc."