Family – Burlesque

Destination BurlesqueI got all my cards in one shoe

I posted the Streetwalkers last Sunday and I got a lot of positive comments so I thought I would post the band that started them. I kept hearing the song Burlesque played by the Streetwalkers but could not find a studio version… it’s because Family did the original.

Some of the UK readers may know more about this band. I like what I’ve heard from them. I’m no expert but they blend progressive rock, blues, folk, and psychedelia. Just like I said with The Streetwalkers…Roger Chapman is a hell of a lead singer…he was the lead singer for both bands.

Altogether they released 7 studio albums that were quite successful. All of their studio albums were top 40 in the UK with 3 being in the top 10 and two in the top 20. This song was on their album Bandstand released in 1972. The song peaked at #13 and the album peaked at #15 in the UK. They also had one album called Anyway that peaked at #18 on the Billboard 200 in 1970.

Family was formed in Leicester, England, in 1966 by Roger Chapman (vocals), John Charlie Whitney (guitar), Jim King (saxophone, harmonica, vocals), Ric Grech (bass, violin, vocals), and Rob Townsend (drums). The name that pops out to me is Ric Grech who was the bass player for supergroup Blind Faith.

Whitney lays down some great guitar and Chapman does his usual fantastic job of singing. This is a band that I’m going to explore. Some trivia here…their debut album I’ve heard of from reading about The Beatles. It was called “Music in a Doll’s House” and released in 1968. The Beatles were going to name their new album “A Doll’s House” and even had a cover drawn up but changed their mind after Family’s album. Instead of that name…they chose The Beatles, or as it’s more popularly known as The White Album. 

Chapman and guitarist Charlie Whitney were the primary songwriters for Family. They often sought to blend various musical styles and to experiment.

Roger Chapman: Charlie would come up with these difficult and magical chord sequences that were just outrageous, and I had some lyrics and just sang a melody straight through them. I could do that without even thinking about it. Maybe if he had been with a more classical person there might have been a more classical direction to these chords. I was the simple one! I had one talent, he had the other, and we merged together very well, it seems.

I thought I would give you the studio version by Family and a great live version by the Streetwalkers.

Burlesque

Rolling and tumbling ain’t done me no harmGonna boogie my night all awayRita and Greta been twisting my arm intoHeading out westDown to the BurlesqueSaving my ace through to you

Well, drinking and sinking, I’m feeling alrightRight down to my snakey spat shoesJust about shutdown and three in the nightBecause I’m heading out westDown to the BurlesqueShow ’em a moon at the door

We got to show the Burlesque

Rolling, tumblingSure ain’t done me no harmDrinking, sinkingJust been too bad on my arm

Well I finally lost Rita and Greta went homeI guess that leaves just me and youBeen kinda sneaky to get you aloneOh but you in that dressDestination BurlesqueI got all my cards in one shoe

I got all my cards in one

Rolling, tumblingSure ain’t done me no harmDrinking, sinkingJust been too bad on my arm

Well I finally lost Rita and Greta went homeI guess that leaves just me and youBeen kinda sneaky to get you aloneOh but you in that dressDestination BurlesqueI got all my cards in one shoe

…

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Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, Alternative music, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player. Not the slightest bit interested in politics at all.

23 thoughts on “Family – Burlesque”

  1. Terrific band and such a unique vocalist in Chapman. I think I’m right in saying the LP cover for Bandstand was cut in the shape of an old radio, not just a picture.

    I never got to see them ‘live’ though I do wish I’d gone when I had the opportunity.

    I have a ‘Best of’ double CD complication – there sure is a great variation of styles. Probably, I’d say, Folk and early psychedelic sounds the predominant underlying influences.

    They were a quintessentially English band, well worth further listening.

    😃

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    1. Thanks for commenting… yea there is a song called “Glove” on this album that could have been a single as well. They were more successful than I ever thought.
      His vocals are outstanding in everything I’ve heard and I like Whitney’s guitar as well.

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    2. Big bass strings in this one also Max. I’ve probably listened to this song … well I cant count that high. What a great groove. An all time favorite song. Lyrics are great and perfect for Roger’s voice
      “I’ve been kinda sneaky to get you alone”. Love that lyric

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      1. That is a good lyric CB….I could have picked another song easily as well…like the song Glove. I will be hitting their albums now.

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      2. Lots of good stuff to listen to. Check out the Ric Grech penned ‘How-Hi The -Li” ‘Second Generation Woman’ and ‘Face In The Cloud’. So many talented people that never saw much light of the day.

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      3. Listening to ‘Second Generation Woman now… a very good rocker. Face in the Cloud is right up my alley…I’m going to check that album out today.

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      4. The first one has a Traffic vibe. They were contemporaries. not surprising. Family was (is) a different listen. They really do defy labels. I like that about them. They just make very good interesting music.

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      5. I was going to say that…I tried to describe them but that wasn’t on every song…they would wander and I like that.

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  5. never heard of these guys either! Good digging there Max. And great bit of trivia you dropped in there about the Beatles…I’d never heard that. They probably made a good call by going with the plain cover and self-titled – hard to imagine what they would have made for packaging if it was ‘A Doll House’

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      1. Wow! I missed the link first time through. That was an odd pic but I guess we’d be used to it & be buying coffee mugs with it on them by now!

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  8. Running a bit behind the times here and a thunderstorm is knocking out the power on and off so that’s working against me as well! I do not know these guys at all. Great gritty vocals by Champman and a really cool song lyrics wise.

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