Entertainment [Import, Original recording remastered]

Family | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 30, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Original recording remastered
• Label: Pucka Italy
• ASIN: B00009PBX8
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #145,289 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. The Weavers Answer

2. Observations From A Hill

3. Hung Up Down

4. Summer 67

5. How Hi The Li

6. Second Generation Woman

7. From Past Archives

8. Dim

9. Processions

10. Face In The Cloud

11. Emotions

Editorial Reviews

Remastered reissue of second album, originally released in 1969. A mainstream progressive rock album. 11 tracks. Pucka. 2003.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Second Helping, May 10, 2004

By 

loce_the_wizard "loce_the_wizard" (Lilburn, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Entertainment (Audio CD)

If Family's first album, "Music from a Doll's House," had not set such an incredibly high standard, then their rather eclectic second album "Entertainment" might not be so overlooked. I think it is clear that the group decided to assert more influence over their sound, and the results are mixed. The recording itself has some technical problems and the band actually remixed and rereleased several of these songs on a long out-of-print LP to compensate their fans.

An undercurrent of tension fills some songs, showing what happens when this much creativity is brought to bear on a project. If you have heard some of the later live versions of "Weaver's Answer" without reedman Jim King, then you can see how flat those takes sound compared to this one. His spark also lights up cuts such as "Hung Up Down" and "Procession." King also arranged much of the music though he did not receive writing credits.

Rick Grech, never a contender for the greatest bass player ever, still made solid contributions with his violin, which was an integral component of the first two Family albums. I actually like both "How-Hi-The-Li" and "Second Generation Women," both Grech-penned and sung tunes that many Family fans dismiss too quickly.

Roger Chapman, as always, sings as if his life depended on each note. You cannot question his heart even if his delivery leaves you cold. Charlie Whitney seems to be in the background but then he emerges from the mix to nail a few bars of riveting lead guitar. "Dim" showcases Charlie's versatility and presages his current focus on bluegrass, acoustic, and folk music. The drummer Townsend is rock solid when needed and subtle when needed, proving why he was the perfect drummer for this band that refused to be nailed down into one category throughout its too brief history.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Family's Finest Hour, May 7, 2010

By 

Morten Vindberg (Denmark) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Entertainment (Audio CD)

Family's second album "Family Entertainment" since 1969, clearly is among group's best releases; in fact perhaps the album is their most seamless.

The original line-up is still intact and the group's songwriting (mostly Chapman / Whitney) is original, exciting and versatile. Many genres are touched upon, without compromising the overall feel, and there is varied and tasteful instrumentation. Not the least important is it that the band's desire to experiment does not go beyond the melodic which to the finest degree characterizes the entire album.

On this excellent record you'll find some of the group's live favorites. Not least, the outstanding "The Weaver's Answer" which is one of the finest recordings the group has released.

Among other highlighs there is "Observations From a Hill", which funny enough here on the original album is not sung by Chapman, perhaps a fact which also in a positive way helps to vary the overall impression of variety. Chapman's version can be found on "Old Songs New Songs" - a version which must not be overlooked. On these two cuts the group is stronly related to contemporary groups like Traffic and Jethro Tull.

On the "Hung Up Down" we hear the groups sounding more like Family on their later albums, also a very strong track.

The instrumental "Summer 67" is for an instrumental very interesting, very inspired by oriental sounds and tones.

Bassist Rick Grech, who left Family immediately after this album contributes to writing songs on four tracks. "How Hi the Li" is one of those, and it is an exciting number a little in the vein of Cream on "Wheels of Fire", maybe the song does not quite have the catchiness the Chapman / Whitney songs.

On the other hand Grech shows on "Second Generation Woman" a strong flair for writing a straight-forward rocker - a number that must have had clear hit potential.

"From Past Archives" is a sad and small acoustic tune that shows the group was a little rare soft side, but also a little surprising change of style towards the jazzy. Indeed, it is worth listening to acoustic guitar through the album, very well played and well-produced.

The song "Dim" is one of my big favorites, a little in JJ Cale style - would really like to hear a Cale version of this little laid-back tune with a very catchy chorus.

"Procession" is equally strong, almost country - again with nice acoustic guitars.

"Face In The Cloud" is Grech again you'll notice his songwriting a little different - not bad but different.

The closing track "Emotions" is a Whitney / Chapman / Grech collaboration - and a fine and worthy one too.

Definitely an album that is among the classics of the late 1960's

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars entertainment for the whole family... sorry had to say it!, March 22, 2010

By 

B. E Jackson (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Entertainment (Audio CD)

After the extraordinary Music in a Doll's House album (one of the most underrated albums from the late 60's by the way) Family follows up that impressive offering with an album that seems to take away some of the pop and replace it with more rock and Procol Harum-style vocal melodies and instrumentation. This is actually a GREAT thing in my book. A natural progression in the life of a rock band.

"Weaver's Answer" is a highly melodic (not to mention ANGRY) display of Chapman's Peter Gabriel-like vocals. I don't think Gabriel ever sang so direct and cold-heartedly though. A treasure of a song here.

Other highlights include "Second Generation Woman" (yeah yeah, the song sounds like a Five Man Electrical Band throwaway number, I don't care- those vocals are melodic and enjoyable) and the utterly bizarre and fascinating "Face in the Cloud" with a sitar actually jamming in the background. The vocals closely resemble David Bowie from his "Space Oddity" song, and seeing as how both songs were both released the same year, I doubt this was a coincidence.

The album finishes up with perhaps the most emotionally devastating song I've ever heard- "Emotions". Ever think about your own family during a gathering, and the day seems so nice you wish it'd never come to an end?

So years later when you think upon those joyous times, you realize so much has changed in your life since that spectacular period in time that you only have the great memories to connect to that experience, and no matter how hard you want those days to return, they never will. They're gone forever. That's exactly why this song makes me shed some tears. It strikes me pretty darn hard. It gives off that powerful and somewhat negative feeling that a certain part of your life is gone forever. Maybe I'm alone with these thoughts.

Overall, not quite as insanely melodic as Music in a Doll's House, but a great follow-up nonetheless, and a perfect album for Procol Harum fans. Also pick up Procol Harum's A Salty Dog for another incredible album with compositions written similarly to this one.