OLD SONGS, NEW SONGS

"Old Songs, New Songs" is a compilation album by UK rock act Family. The album was released through Reprise Records in March 1971. It bridges the gap between the band's fourth and fifth full-length studio albums "Anyway" (November 1970) and "Fearless" (October 1971). "Old Songs, New Songs" is a rarities type compilation album featuring single tracks (which had not been included on the previous album releases), some re-recordings of early tracks, and a couple of remixes of previously released tracks ("Hung Up Down", "Observations from a Hill", and "The Weaver's Answer" from "Family Entertainment" (1969)).

Stylistically the material is in the standard rock/psychadelic rock style of the previous releases by Family, which of course isn't a surprise, since many of these tracks have been released in other versions on some of the preceding releases by the band. This is great, organic, and at times quite adventurous rock music, featuring a lead vocalist in Roger Chapman who has a distinct sounding voice and delivery.

Upon conclusion "Old Songs, New Songs" doesn't add much to the discography of Family and it's certainly what you'd label a "fan" release, but since the material is of a high quality and some of the re-recordings/remixes do add something to the original recordings (and some of the rarity tracks are nice too), a 3 star (60%) rating is still warranted.