The First Family - Live at the Winchester Cathedral 1967

The First Family - Live at the Winchester Cathedral 1967
Live album by Sly and the Family Stone
Released	12 April 2025
Label	High Moon Records HMRLP-025
Producer	George Baer Wallace, Patrick Whalen

The First Family - Live at the Winchester Cathedral 1967 is an album of live recordings by Sly & the Family Stone. It was released in 2025.

Background

Sly & the Family Stone were a resident band at the Winchester Cathedral club in Hampshire, England, from 16 December 1966 to 28 April 1967. The recordings on the album are from their time at the venue. This was before the band was signed to Epic Records in 1967. The songs performed are a mix of an original composition and covers. ^[1]

The record was one of the Record Store Day Releases mentioned on 7 February 2025 by The Music as scheduled for Saturday, 12 April. ^[2]

Reception

The review of the album at Tinnitist said that it had intoxicating energy and was a fascinating recording, and it "explicates Sly Stone’s genius on a tremendously exciting and atmospheric set of vintage soul covers". The article finished off by referring to it as a historic document and that it was required listening. ^[3]

Music collector magazine Goldmine mentioned the quality of the packaging, the clear vinyl and the 24-page booklet. The reviewer also said that acquiring a copy should be a no brainer. ^[4]

Track listing

• A1. "I Ain't Got Nobody" - (Sylvester Stewart)
• A2. "Skate Now" - (Louis Pegues, Robert Bateman)
• A3. "Show Me" - (Joe Tex)
• A4."What Is Soul?" - (Ben E. King, Bob Gallo)
• A5. "I Can't Turn You Loose" - (Otis Redding)
• B1. "Baby I Need Your Loving" - (Holland-Dozier-Holland)
• B2. "Pucker Up Buttercup" - (Danny Coggins, Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol)
• B3. "Saint James Infirmary" - (Traditional)
• B4. "I Gotta Go Now (Up on the Floor) - Funky Broadway - (Arlester Christian, C. Dunn*, P. Holman*, Rex Garvin)

Personnel

Musicians

• Larry Graham - bass, vocals
• Sly Stone - guitar, harmonica, vocals, organ
• Brother Freddie Stone - guitar, trombone, trumpet, vocals
• Greg Errico - percussion
• Jerry Martini - saxophone, tambourine
• Cynthia Robinson - trumpet, vocals

References

1. Goldmine, Apr 30, 2025 - RSD 2025 was good to Soul music fans all across the globe
   From the U.S. to the U.K., Record Store Day 2025 produced a great selection of soul music releases. Goldmine explores some of the best.
   TONE Scott, SLY & THE FAMILY STONE | The First Family — Live at the Winchester Cathedral 1967
2. The Music, 7 February 2025 - Record Store Day Release List Revealed, Sly & the Family Stone - The First Family: Live At Winchester Cathedral 1967 (Deluxe Color LP) / 12
3. Tinnitist, 2025-04-06 - Next Week in Music | April 7-13 • The Short List: 18 Titles You Want to Hear (Part 2)
   Sly & The Family Stone, The First Family: Live At Winchester Cathedral 1967
4. Goldmine, Apr 30, 2025 - RSD 2025 was good to Soul music fans all across the globe
   From the U.S. to the U.K., Record Store Day 2025 produced a great selection of soul music releases. Goldmine explores some of the best.
   TONE Scott, SLY & THE FAMILY STONE | The First Family — Live at the Winchester Cathedral 1967

External links

• Discogs - Sly & The Family Stone ‎– The First Family - Live At The Winchester Cathedral 1967