Family - Family Entertainment

Family
Family Entertainment
Compact Disc
PUC 702


1. The Weaver's 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


I had put this on my "physical wish list" a long time ago and didn't hear it for a long time. Finally got it this past holiday, and played it yesterday for the first time in a long time, and I was quite surprised at how GOOD this album is. The band's music had very much "matured" since their first album (which is very good in its own right), become smoother and more polished. Describing the actual music of Family is something else entirely.......just keep in mind that they're an excellent, eclectic band in 1969, and you should be groovy.

Simon and Garfunkel - Sounds of Silence

Simon & Garfunkel
Sounds of Silence
Vinyl LP
Columbia CS 9269

A1. The Sounds of Silence
2. Leaves That Are Green
3. Blessed
4. Kathy's Song
5. Somewhere They Can't Find Me
6. Anji
7 (B1). Richard Cory
8. A Most Peculiar Man
9. April Come She Will
10. We've Got a Groovey Thing Goin'
11. I Am a Rock


The pseudo-folk legends in 1965. The main thing about this record that struck me is the running theme of crazy alienation. "Somewhere They Can't Find Me", "I Am a Rock", "A Most Peculiar Man"......What was going on in Paul Simon's life and mind during the time when this came out? ("All songs except 'Anji' written by Paul Simon", it says on the back.) In addition to the hits "I Am a Rock" and the electrified "Sounds of Silence" is a curious retelling of Edward Arlington Robinson's "Richard Cory". I only just played this once, a few days ago, so the music itself isn't as fresh in my mind as the ideas presented here.