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.
Voyage
Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A shadow falls on open skies
Seeds of doubt leave me without
Any idea of my whereabouts
Where do I look for proof
Who do I ask and what do say
As I sail on my voyage of truth
Curiosity quickens, questions arise
Pick out the fools, show me the wise
Who's to know and what's to show
Is amber the step between stop and go
Songs of seasons, singers sing**
But is summer, winter, autumn, spring
What is time within my mind
Is a red rose red to a man who's blind
Where do I look for proof
Who do I ask and what do say
As I sail on my voyage of truth
The lyrics of Family’s song Voyage describe the uncertainty and confusion that comes with a search for truth. The lead vocalist asks the listener to join them on a journey of self-discovery, where they confront their doubts and question everything around them. The opening line, “A veil unfolds across my eyes,” speaks to the emergence of clarity and understanding, but it is quickly followed by “A shadow falls on open skies,” which reminds us that truths are often hidden or obscured. The singer is left “without any idea of my whereabouts,” reflecting the feeling of being lost or uncertain.
The lyrics suggest that the path to truth is not an easy one. The singer asks, “Where do I look for proof? Who do I ask and what do I say?” which conveys the difficulties in finding answers. However, the singer is determined to continue on their voyage, as their curiosity quickens and questions arise. They hope to find the wise who can guide them and steer them away from the fools. The final lines reflect on the nature of truth itself: “What is time within my mind? Is a red rose red to a man who's blind?” emphasizing that truth is often subjective and elusive.
Overall, the lyrics of Voyage are thought-provoking and encourage listeners to embark on their own voyages of discovery. The song acknowledges that the search for truth is a complex and challenging journey, but also emphasizes the importance of continuing the pursuit.
Line by Line Meaning
A veil unfolds across my eyes
I am having a realization that something has been hidden from me and now it's being revealed
A shadow falls on open skies
Despite everything being bright and clear around me, there is still some mystery lurking in the world
Seeds of doubt leave me without
I am feeling uncertain and confused about what I have always believed to be true
Any idea of my whereabouts
I am lost and unsure of what direction to take in life because I am questioning what I know to be true
Where do I look for proof
I need to find reliable evidence to support what I am being told or what I believe to be true
Who do I ask and what do say
I am seeking guidance from someone who can provide me with the information that I need
As I sail on my voyage of truth
I am embarking on a journey to discover what is truly real and what is not
Curiosity quickens, questions arise
I am becoming more and more curious about the world around me and seeking answers to my questions
Pick out the fools, show me the wise
I am seeking out the people who have reliable knowledge and insight, and avoiding those who don't
Who's to know and what's to show
I am questioning what is truly knowable and what can be shown to be true
Is amber the step between stop and go
I am wondering if there is a middle ground between opposing viewpoints and if I can find it
Songs of seasons, singers sing
I am hearing different interpretations of the world from different people and sources
But is summer, winter, autumn, spring
I am questioning if these different interpretations are valid or if there is only one true version of reality
What is time within my mind
I am pondering the concept of time and how it is experienced differently by different people
Is a red rose red to a man who's blind
I am questioning how much our sensory experiences shape our understanding of reality
Contributed by Mason B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.