It's Only a Movie

Family | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 6, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mystic UK
• ASIN: B0000C84LG
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #342,793 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. It's Only a Movie

2. Leroy

3. Buffet Tea For Two

4. Boom Bang

5. Boots 'N' Roots

6. Banger

7. Sweet Desiree

8. Suspicion

9. Check Out

10. Stop This Car [*]

11. Drink to You [*]

Editorial Reviews

2003 reissue of 1973 album, that's unavailable domestically, includes five bonus tracks, 'Hometwown', 'Hold The Compass' (Live), 'Weavers Answer' (Live), 'Dim' (Live), & 'Procession/No Mules Fool' (Live). Mystic Records.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Family Matinee, May 10, 2004

By 

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

This review is from: It's Only a Movie (Audio CD)

This is the one Family recording that strikes the listener as "light." Apparently the fellows decided to do something quite different from their mainstay musical forays and different it is. Once they knew the gig was up, I'm guessing they decided to have fun with such songs as the title track "It's Only a Movie," "Leroy," and "Sweet Desiree." There is an aching sadness to "Buffet Tea for Two," a paean to starting over (which is exactly what Chapman and Whitney were about to do with the dissolution of Family) featuring a great, typically underplayed solo by Charlie Whitney. The jaunty keyboards of the late Tony Ashton give this recording a real tilt toward the R&B fold, and Chappo's vocals, as always, prove to have the right touch. Jim Cregan's vocals, second guitar, and bass fill in the edges nicely, and Rob Townsend shows his deft touch once more on drums. The last song on the LP version of this recording, "Check Out" really rocks and as it ends, you cannot help but be both amused and sad that the greatest band of its time closed out its recording career with such an aptly named song.

This part may get a bit confusing, so bear with me. Five live bonus tracks are included on this 2004 version. None of those tracks appear on the newly released Family Live CD, so Family collectors can make a case for getting this version of "It's Only a Movie." But two fairly good studio bonus tracks from the 2000 remaster of this same title---Stop This Car and Drink to You---are absent here. So completists will have to outlay some extra cash in an effort to get the whole Family catalog.

Though I would not recommend this CD as an introduction to Family, I do think it is a fitting conclusion to one of the more creative rock ensembles.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sometimes, It's Only a Movie, June 2, 2011

By 

OLD GUY. - See all my reviews

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This review is from: It's Only a Movie (Audio CD)

This is a good, unusual record. Family always made unusual records. This might be atypical in their line, but this was the end of their line. When making it they didn't know that, but people left, people came in--there were too many outside commitments. Then, too, around those days corporate in general was taking over and the freedom music meant was losing. When it's Profit Only, Product steps up. Party over. Too bad. Looked like a new phase coming up for the band. After listening to all the Family records, I have new respect for It's Only a Movie. This is about 50,000 miles away from their first album--they covered a lot of territory. It's a long way to simple. And fun. Dance. The title tune and Leroy both have a touch of americana. Buffet Tea For Two is an interesting tune with nice solos and arrangement. There's Boom Bang, a single--Banger, a cool instrumental, swinging Suspicion, and the pure Family tune, Check Out. A fine ending. The bonus tracks are the usual insights into the band and the times. Hometown is very, very pretty. Just put it on and pretend you're not looking for deep, wild man stuff and have fun. It doesn't always have to be a serious freak show on the cutting edge--just another version of adventurous. Something to appreciate, but maybe not love. Sometimes, It's Only a Movie.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Last Stop -- Family Coda Gets Looser & Funkier, January 13, 2005

By 

Michael Strom (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: It's Only a Movie (Audio CD)

Alas, the last Family album. At the end of an incredible run of creativity and intensity, they turned out their loosest, funkiest effort. Most Family devotees would not consider it their favorite, but this is nonetheless an outstanding album.

These guys were not exactly known for R&B roots, but along with a significant change in the band's personnel, several tracks displayed a surprisingly funky side ("Boots 'n' Roots," "Banger," "Sweet Desiree," & maybe even "Suspicion."). The trend continued into Chapman & Whitney's subsequent band, Streetwalkers.

The title track is a stunner, given Family's taut, intent past. The lead vocals are casual, offhand, conversational and not even by Roger Chapman. Chapman added to his rougues gallery of perverts-as-protagonists with "Boom Bang," with Chappo front & center as a flasher. As usual for his weirdo stories, the tempo is unusual, the pace is aggressive, the lyrics are amusing & Roger howls at the moon.

The album ends (fittingly?) with "Check Out," a song about a prison break. Check out they did, with a straightahead (for these guys) guitar and organ workout. I still miss them.