Tag: Charlie Whitney

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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Streetwalkers – Daddy Rolling Stone

I love the energy of this song. It has rock, soul, gospel, a tinge of blues plus a super lead singer. They did a great job of this Otis Blackwell song.

CB sent a link months ago on this band and got lost in the shuffle. I really like Roger Chapman’s voice. They were not a singles band…more like really great album tracks and I was enjoying them on my work trip last week. This song, however, would have fit in on the radio beside the Stones with no problem.

After the breakup of the band Family in 1973, Roger Chapman and Charlie Whitney decided to continue their musical collaboration. They initially formed a group called Chapman-Whitney Streetwalkers, which later became simply Streetwalkers. They knew the lineup would be fluid and it was from then on.

The initial lineup included Chapman and Whitney, along with other musicians such as John Wetton (bass), who later became famous with King Crimson and Asia, and drummer Ian Wallace, also from King Crimson. Another bass player they had,  Nicko McBrain, later joined Iron Maiden. Ric Grech (bass player for Blind Faith) was also with them at times.

This song was on their album Red Card released in 1976. It’s full of great songs. That is the album I’ve been listening to recently. Red Card peaked at #20 on the UK charts in 1976.

The band had some internal tensions and the changing musical tastes (disco) led to the band’s disbandment in 1977. Roger Chapman and Charlie Whitney went on to pursue solo projects, with Roger Chapman achieving some success as a solo artist in Europe.

They released 4 studio albums, 2 live, and one greatest hits. They were a band that deserved more attention globally than they got. I’m also going to check the band Family out more now. Below is a video of them on the Old Grey Whistle Test…it should be ready to play Daddy Rolling Stone.

Daddy Rolling Stone

Now girls you think you’ve had lovin’ (yeah)
And girls you think you’ve had fun (yeah)
And sisters you ain’t seen nothin’ (yeah) till I come along

(Daddy Rolling) Oh, what’s my name ?
(Daddy Rolling) Yeah yeah yeah, what’s my game ?
(Daddy Rolling) Oh well, I’m Daddy, I’m Daddy, Daddy Rolling Stone, yeah yeah yeah

I’ve got a friend named Tony (yeah)
He’s got a girl named Cherise (yeah)
I’m gonna get that girl though he’s twice my size and I know I can do it like this

(Daddy Rolling) Oh, sing it to me
(Daddy Rolling) Yeah yeah yeah …
(Daddy Rolling) Oh well, I’m Daddy, I’m Daddy, Daddy Rolling Stone

That’s my name

Now girls you think you’ve had lovin’ (yeah)
And girls you think you’ve had fun (yeah)
And sisters you ain’t seen nothin’ (yeah) till I come along

(Daddy Rolling) Oh, what’s my name ?
(Daddy Rolling) Yeah, what’s my game ?
(Daddy Rolling) Oh well, I’m Daddy, I’m Daddy

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