Sly & The Family Stone: 1967 Live Album Release
- A previously unreleased live album, capturing Sly and the Family Stone's early sound, is set to drop July 18.
- The live album, a treasure trove of early funk music, was recorded March 26, 1967, at the Winchester Cathedral in Redwood City, California, where the band was the...
- Before signing with Epic Records in 1967 and releasing their debut album, A Whole New Thing, Sly and the Family Stone honed their sound with live performances.
Sly and the Family Stone Announce ‘The First Family’ Live Album
A previously unreleased live album, capturing Sly and the Family Stone’s early sound, is set to drop July 18. Titled The First Family: Live at the Winchester Cathedral 1967,the album will be available via High Moon Records on digital,LP,and CD formats. Physical copies will include a booklet featuring liner notes, interviews, and rare photos.
The live album, a treasure trove of early funk music, was recorded March 26, 1967, at the Winchester Cathedral in Redwood City, California, where the band was the house act. Rich Romanello, their first manager, taped the performance two years before the release of their acclaimed album, Stand!.Dutch archivists Edwin and Arno Konings rediscovered the reels in 2002, and Alec Palao co-produced the restored recordings. A CD-exclusive bonus track features a rendition of Otis Redding’s ”Try a Little Tenderness.”
Before signing with Epic Records in 1967 and releasing their debut album, A Whole New Thing, Sly and the Family Stone honed their sound with live performances. Their early work laid the groundwork for later funk classics such as Dance to the music and Life. A previous live album,Live at the Fillmore East October 4th & 5th 1968,was released in 2015.
What’s next
Fans can anticipate a deep dive into the band’s formative years with The First Family, offering a glimpse into their raw energy and musical innovation before they achieved mainstream success. The album promises to be a meaningful addition to the sly and the Family Stone discography.