Once upon a time, being in a rock band meant, ipso facto, being in a cover band. There are still plenty of cover bands, of course, but the Beatles and especially punk helped move it from being the default. Still, mastering other people’s material before embarking upon one’s own presents its own sort of artistic challenge. Can a group make those songs resemble the originals while still putting their own stamp on them? And can they do it for an entire set?
Before anybody outside the Bay Area knew who they were, Sly and the Family Stone absolutely could. Originally issued as a Record Store Day vinyl exclusive, The First Family: Live at Winchester Cathedral 1967 is documentary proof that Sly and the Family Stone were ready to remake…

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please .

« »