A SONG FOR ME

"A Song For Me" is the third full length studio album by UK progressive/psychadelic rock act Family. The album was released through Reprise Records in January 1970. It´s the successor to "Family Entertainment" from March 1969 and there´s been a couple of lineup changes since the predecessor as Rick Grech (bass, violin) left to join Blind Faith and Jim King (saxophone/harmonica) was fired because of his excessive drug abuse. Most of the material was written while King was still in the band, and therefore the original arrangements of the songs centered around his saxophone. Family however opted not to replace the two members as one to one replacements. Instead they hired John Weider (guitars, bass, violin, dobro) and John Palmer (vibes, piano, flute). Especially the latter has great impact on the musical direction of "A Song For Me", as the flute is now a central instrument in the band´s sound compared to the first two albums, where the saxophone took that place in the soundscape. The inclusion of vibraphone is also a new element in Family´s sound.

Stylistically Family are as eclectic as ever. The core of the band´s sound is rock/hard rock, but you´ll also be exposed to musical elements from jazz, folk, progressive rock, and psychadelic rock. This is a smorgasbord of different elements and influences, but Family can handle it, and although not all tracks are equally interesting ("Stop for the Traffic - Through the Heart of Me" is for example not a particularly remarkable song), the quality of the compositions is overall high throughout. Lead vocalist Roger Chapman is quite the unique singer and his voice and singing style is arguably an aquired taste. He has an almost demented vibrato and presence, but to my ears he is a great asset to the band´s sound, and there´s no Family without him.

Upon conclusion "A Song For Me" is a good quality third album release from Family, and considering the short time between this album and "Family Entertainment" (10 months) and the fact that two out of five members were replaced in that time, it´s a testimony to the strength of Family that they came through that period and produced an album like "A Song For Me". A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.