1) A British… Read Full Bio ↴There are several artists using this name, chronologically:
1) A British rock band (1967 - 1973)
2) A disco group signed to New York Salsoul Records (1970's-1980's)
3) A Spanish indie pop band (1991 - 1993)
1) Family was British rock band from Leicester, England, active between 1967-1973. Their music has been described as a masterful blend of Blues-Rock, Prog-Rock, Art Rock and Psychedelia.
Family's debut single "Scene Through The Eye Of A Lens/Gypsy Woman" was released by Liberty in the autumn of 1967. While the single received praise from critics, it received very little airplay, due to its rather complex, uncommercial nature. Family's debut album, Music in a Doll's House, was released in July 1968 and it was produced by Traffic's Dave Mason and Jimmy Miller on a 4-track machine at Olympic Studios, London. The band's line-up: Roger Chapman (vocals/harmonica/tenor saxophone), Charlie Whitney (guitars/vocals), Rick Grech (bass/violin/cello/vocals), Rob Townsend (drums/percussion), and Jim King saxophone/flute/harmonica/vocals). Bandleader Tubby Hayes and his brass section played on "Old Songs New Songs". An extraordinarily ambitious album, 'Music In A Doll's House' marked an audacious beginning of what was a rather mixed career for Family. Many of the sounds conjured up in the studio had never been heard before - more incredible given that the album was created on a 4-track. The band's ability clearly transcended the available technology. Chapman's unusual vibrating delivery did not appeal to everyone, but it's a remarkable voice all the same. The musicianship and the unusual arrangements on this album found favour with fans who regarded it as a rather surreal musical feast. Music In A Doll's House is a truly innovative album and years ahead of it's time. The album charted respectably in the UK (reaching No. 35 in the UK album charts) and received considerable airplay from well-known British radio personality John Peel. It did not chart in the US. Interestingly, Mike Batt got his first big break in record production on this album by arranging "Mellowing Grey".
Family's 1969 follow-up, Family Entertainment, toned down the psychedelics of their previous offering, and featured their first UK hit "The Weaver's Answer." For the 1970 release A Song For Me, they developed a more aggressive sound, gaining them a larger European following. That year they played at several major rock festivals including the Isle Of Wight music festival and Holland's Kralingen Festival. Both of which were included in the documentary films Message To Love and Stomping Ground. The next release, Anyway, featured a side of a live performance of new material at Fairfield Hall in Croydon, England, as well as a side of new studio recordings.
The bar was raised in 1971 with Fearless, but the band's biggest success was yet to come, in 1972's Bandstand, featuring hits "Burlesque" and "My Friend the Sun". This was followed by the underrated but enjoyable It's Only a Movie, where the band's sound was augmented by Tony Ashton of Ashton Gardner and Dyke on piano.
Family disbanded in 1973 and former members went on to play in the bands King Crimson, the Streetwalkers and Stud.
2) Family were a disco group who formed in the 1970's and released the single 'Music (Listen To The Music)', on the Salsoul label which was later re-released on the Suss'd 2007 compilation 'Deep Disco Culture Vol. 2'.
3) Family was a Spanish indie band active 1991-1993 formed by Javier Aramburu and Iñaki Gametxogoikoetxea. They released just one album in 1993 titled Un soplo en el corazón," a tribute to the film by Louis Malle. In 2003 Spanish magazine Rockdelux released an album with the same songs played by other Spanish bands to celebrate 10 years from probably one of the best Spanish albums of 90's.
Portugal
Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
empapado en poesía sigue el kamino de Kerouac.
Las olas inundan la kasa de sal.
Kon la mano en la cintura bailan el marido y la mujer,
balancean sus kaderas.
El océano le invita a kazar una ballena,
el arpón se desvía al korazón de Portugal,
al korazón de Portugal.
The lyrics of Family's song Portugal paint a vivid picture of a foreigner who travels along the roads of Portugal, driven by the influences of famous poet Jack Kerouac. The traveler is immersed in poetry, taking in the sights and sounds of the country as he goes. The waves of the ocean crash against the salt house in the distance, while the husband and wife on the shore sway their hips to the rhythm of the sea. The traveler's gaze is drawn to the water, where an opportunity to capture a whale presents itself. However, instead of following through with the hunt, the traveler's harpoon darts toward the heart of Portugal - a metaphorical representation of the traveler's affection and attachment to the country.
The lyrics are rich with sensory imagery and symbolic meaning, evoking a sense of wistfulness and nostalgia. The young foreigner's journey symbolizes the human desire for discovery and adventure, while the sights and sounds of Portugal represent a sense of comfort and familiarity. The husband and wife swaying their hips reflect the joy of everyday life, despite its difficulties, while the sea represents the vast unknown that is waiting to be explored. Ultimately, the traveler's decision to spare the whale suggests a reverence for the natural world and an acceptance of Portugal as a sanctuary.
Line by Line Meaning
Un joven extranjero bordea Portugal
A young foreigner travels near Portugal
empapado en poesía sigue el kamino de Kerouac.
Immersed in poetry, he follows the path of Kerouac.
Las olas inundan la kasa de sal.
The waves flood the house of salt.
Kon la mano en la cintura bailan el marido y la mujer,
With their hands on their waists, the husband and wife dance
balancean sus kaderas.
And sway their hips.
El océano le invita a kazar una ballena,
The ocean invites him to hunt a whale,
el arpón se desvía al korazón de Portugal,
But the harpoon deviates towards the heart of Portugal,
al korazón de Portugal.
The heart of Portugal.
Contributed by Xavier G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Pablo Salas
Viajo a Portugal en 3 días más y es imposible no acordarme de esta canción
Quedeponios
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