The Fat Angel Sings

BBC Radio, Volume 1 – 1968-69 – Released by Hux Records in the United Kingdom in June 2004, this album features sixteen songs Family performed for various pop shows on BBC’s Radio 1 station between September 1968 and July 1969. Except for the July 1969 performances, which featured John Weider in place of Ric Grech, these recordings feature the original lineup. Many of these songs were composed with Grech and/or Jim King in mind and performed on the BBC before Family properly recorded them for disc, so many of these performances sound different from the officially released versions. Also included here is a stunning cover of J.B. Lenoir’s “I Sing ‘Um The Way I Feel.” More information on this release is available here.

BBC Radio, Volume 2 – 1971-73 – Released by Hux Records in the U.K. in September 2004, this album features fourteen songs Family performed on various pop shows on BBC’s Radio 1 station from March 1971 to May 1973. Although not as consistent as the earlier CD – these appearances on Radio 1 cover a period in which Family endured most of their personnel changes – it contains several interesting variations on their best-known songs that are definitely worth a listen, and an intriguing medley of “Processions” and “No Mule’s Fool” is included. More information on this release is available here.

BBC Radio, Volume 3 – 1970 – This Hux Records disc, released in the U.K. in August 2009, features rare BBC Radio 1 performances from January 1970 and September 1970, including Poli Palmer’s debut with the group. Among the surprises are Palmer’s instrumental “Here Comes the Grin” and a jam titled “Blow By Blow,” both available here for the first time anywhere. Most of the original BBC Radio 1 tapes that comprise this collection were “wiped” (Britspeak for “erased”), and so this album was derived from private off-air recordings. As this was done in 1970, sound quality is substandard, but it’s still worth a listen, as many of the songs featured here have arrangements different from the studio versions on the original Family LPs. More information on this release is available here.

Once Upon a Time – This box set brings together the complete Family catalog for the first time ever in a strictly limited edition complied with Roger Chapman’s co-operation, limited to 2,000 numbered copies and individually signed by Chapman. It includes all seven Family albums (plus one anthology) in mini LP Japanese-style gatefold sleeves, the Live album, plus two compact discs of previously unreleased alternative versions and rarities, three CD singles reproduced in original picture sleeves, and a 72-page hardback book about the band that features many previously unseen photographs and memorabilia reproductions – all for £125, or US$200. If you can afford it, buy it while you can. Also available is a box set of the four original albums of Chapman’s and Whitney’s mid-seventies band Streetwalkers, on CD.