ANYWAY

This album is a good introduction to the band's best side: live on stage. Of course, the audience might have been surprised to listen to several unknown songs but when your hear them cheering, no doubt that they must have appreciated.

And how can't you appreciate such a monster track as Good News, Bad News. This is an extremely heavy song, which is not far away of some Led Zep ones (it evokes Dazed & Confused at times). Chapman vocals are really phenomenal: such a power is astonishing. He was already brilliant in the studio, but on stage, man!

I already mentioned in my review of their debut album, that I saw the band on the Belgian TV in 1971 or so. They mini-concert played live in the studio was really impressive and I have ever since remembered this band in the back of my head.

Chapman can also be emotive and full of tact. His vocal range is really vast, and the sweet Willow Tree, although it is not a great song, is the perfect example of Roger's ability. Not all songs are great, even if played live. The country-rock Holding The Compass is such one as well.

The electric goat is again the highlight during the powerful Strange Band. It was their last single at the time and it is another feat. The beat is again rather wild and destructive.

Family music was complex to apprehend. Not truly progressive, it combined lots of musical genres. The second part of this album is highlighting this aspect. The funky-rock Part Of The Load is the first example.

It was also pretty obvious that the studio tracks would sound a bit flat (if you bear in mind the two fantastic Good Times. and Strange Band). Some fine music, difficult to catalogue like the jazzy instrumental Normans.

My favourite studio track is the good closing number Lives & Ladies. A fine r'&'b song tinted with a good rock base. Efficient piano play and of course, Chapman. But Chapman is everywhere.

The live experience is prolonged on the CD version and it shows sufficiently how well studio are raised to a much higher level while played on stage (Part Of The Load and Lives & Ladies).

Three stars for this work. What a shame that it was never possible to experience of full live album from Family!