Featuring vocalist Roger Chapman, guitarist John ‘Charlie’ Whitney, drummer Rob Townsend, bassist and vocalist John Wetton and multi-instrumentalist John ‘Poli’ Palmer on vibes, keyboards and flute, “Fearless” was released in October 1971 and was the first album to feature their new then member John Wetton following the departure of John Weider following the band’s second US tour in 1971 and the UK Top Ten hit single ‘In My Own Time’.
The album was one of Family’s finest and reached the UK Top 20 upon its release; featuring such strong material as ‘Spanish Tide’, Burning Bridges’ and ‘Between Blue And Me’.
The Leicester band Family arrived in the late ’60s, and didn’t stay around much after the delivery of six albums, most with Reprise Records. But they left a mark on the fans that resonate to this day. For three years, they released a furious slate of music, one being their 1971 classic – “Fearless“.
“Fearless” featured the arrival of bass player vocalist John Wetton, who would go on to enjoy extraordinary success as bassist and lyricist with many bands including Wishbone Ash, UK, King Crimson, Roxy Music, Uriah Heep, and Asia.
“Fearless” will celebrate its 50th Anniversary with the release of a 3CD Box that will provide access to the newly remastered original album, two bonus tracks, and a collection of live tracks across two more CDs.
This new three-disc edition of this classic album has been newly remastered from the master tapes and also includes 24 bonus tracks drawn from the ‘In My Own Time’ single, BBC Radio sessions and a fine performance for BBC Radio One In Concert in December 1971. This new expanded remastered release also features an illustrated booklet with a new essay.
Including BBC Bob Harris Session – January 3rd,1971, BBC Top Gear Session – July 2nd, 1971, BBC Bob Harris Session November 8th, 1971 and BBC Radio One In Concert – December 28th, 1971 The boxed set will add in a booklet, and a repro poster for the celebration of the 1971 album. The 3CD Box will be reissued via Esoteric Recordings and Cherry Red UK.
The “Fearless” Extended package is brilliant! Esoteric Recordings and Cherry Red Records have done another excellent job to keep the Family flame burning. “Fearless” is still my favourite album of all time so this is a must-have addition to my music collection, it really is an album that every fan of exceptional unique music at it’s best
Family dissolved in 1973.
The Fat Angel Sings 