Track Listing

1. Between Blue And Me
2. Sat D Y Barfly
3. Larf And Sing
4. Spanish Tide
5. Save Some For Thee
6. Take Your Partners
7. Children
8. Crinkley Grin
9. Blind
10. Burning Bridges
11. In My Own Time
12. Seasons
13. Between Blue And Me
14. Sing 'em The Way I Feel

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #14755 in Music
• Released on: 2007-02-12
• Number of discs: 1

CD Description
Although Family never received commercial success, their standing as a premier late 60s prog rock band is still considerable. Their blistering live shows revolved around the manicRoger Chapman, who in addition to pelting the audience withtambourines, had the most incredible vibrato and vocal range. FEARLESS maintained the quality songs that Chapman and Charlie Whitney had developed over the previous four albums, and all were sung with passion and subtle humour. The odd manout here is the beautiful "Larf And Sing", written by violinist Polly Palmer. Family's worthy catalogue has been sensitively remastered by Castle, and this is an album of hidden depth and character.

Customer Reviews

A Classic That Never Was
As it has been said by many already, Family was one of the Brit Rock bands which received the least--of what would have been highly deserved--praise toward the end of Rock's most creative years. Released in 1971, the lineup had changed a bit since its early days, long gone was Rick Gretch--who had joined short-lived super group Blind Faith--yet his replacement, pre-King Crimson John Wetton , was a stroke of genius.

The whole album maintains a level of inventiveness and musicianship that is rare today and not a given then. More daring that classic Rock and not quite as experimental as some of the great Prog-Rock gestating at the time, Family did not fit in a specific camp which it may why it suffered unjustly from full recognition, given some groups that would receive it in those years.

From the gutsy "Between Blue and Me" and the Tom Waits-like feel of "Sat'd'y Barfly"--a song Tom could actually add to his repertoire--the band is off to the races, so to speak. Then comes one of my favorite, "Larf and Sing," unfortunately only 2:40 long in which Wetton shines and a chorus sectioon--Gentle Giant would patent it later--that takes the song even to further creative heights. Also worth mentioning are the sweet folkie feel of "Children" and "Save Some for Thee" which might make you think of a gutsier Traffic--circa "The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys ..." era.

Last--best for last, if you will--and probably a voice even more neglected than the band he fronted, there is Mr. Roger Chapman, Family's lead singer and incandescent heart of the band. Chapman, gifted with pipes that could wrench your heart with his dramatic range at one point, rock like crazy or do justice to a soft lullaby, makes a great album simply extraordinary.

All in all one of the few albums of the early Seventies worth the price of an import, and capable of holding its own with any bands from those times as well as these.

FYI: make sure you get the edition that replicates the great packaging concept from the original vinyl edition.

Classic Family
All bands have a purple patch when they release one or two 'classic' albums. Family did better than most with at least four classic albums. 'Fearless' is perhaps their best (although 'Anyway' runs it very close).

This album isn't always as 'rocky' as previous albums but the diversity of styles that are played by 5 musicians of the highest quality and originality is staggering with not a bad track on the album. Don't expect to like it first time around - it is an album that rewards frequent listening.

'Between Blue and Me' is a great opener with some excellent (as always) guitar work from Charlie Whitney. The album then runs through numerous great songs, in particular 'Spanish Tide', 'Take Your Partners' and the wonderful 'Blind' before finsishing with the superb 'Burning Bridges'. The abiliies of all members of the band shine through with, of course, the truly original voice of Roger Chapman always a highlight.This album has a few extra tracks which also make it excellent value.

If you are going to buy one Family album this is not a bad one to have

Peerless Fearless
I bought the original album in 1971 when i was a student; i think it was £sd in those days, im not sure. What I am sure is the utter beauty of this album, i have played it over & over again in the last 33 years & it still talks to me clearly. Just last weekend I played the CD version to a young friend who was staggered at the writing & production; it really holds comparison to anything produced today.

In the late 60's early 70's I was a Family nut, collected all their albums, singles, went to all the gigs. They made great music, Bandstand the album after Fearless this was nearly as good but on Fearless Chapmans voice & Whitneys playing was never better with Wetton & Palmer & Townsend they were my favourite family.

Listen to this album once & it will own you...