Sly and the Family Stone rip through a rendition of Otis Redding’s “I Can’t Turn You Loose” in the latest offering from the upcoming album, The First Family: Live at Winchester Cathedral 1967.
The First Family contains the earliest known live recording of Sly and the Family Stone. It was recorded on March 26, 1967, near the end of the group’s residency at the Winchester Cathedral, a small nightclub in Redwood City, California.
During that run, from December 1966 through April 1967, Sly and the Family Stone quickly developed into a live force, which is more than apparent on their delirious, hard-charging version of “I Can’t Turn You Loose.” The performance also offers a unique glimpse into how Sly and the Family Stone tackled Redding’s tune, before flipping it into their own song, “Turn Me Loose,” on their 1967 studio debut, A Whole New Thing.
In the liner notes for the set, drummer Greg Errico recalled, “I think it was one of the early ones in development, and you’re trying different things out. That song just happened to be there at that time.”
“I Can’t Turn You Loose” is the second track to be shared from The First Family, following the show (and album) closer, “I Gotta Go Now (Up On The Floor) / Funky Broadway.” The album primarily contains an hour’s worth of Joe Tex, Ben E. King, and Redding covers, though there is one original song, “I Ain’t Got Nobody,” which later appeared on 1968’s Dance to the Music.
This 1967 gig was recorded by Sly and the Family Stone manager Rich Romanello, who then shelved the tapes after the band signed to Epic Records. It wasn’t until 2002 that Dutch twins and Family Stone enthusiasts Edwin and Arno Konings rediscovered them. The recordings were restored by producer Alec Palao.
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The reissue was in the works prior to Sly Stone’s death last month. The liner notes for the album contain extensive interviews with Stone as well as the other original members of the Family Stone.
A special edition of The First Family was previously released for Record Store Day, while the wide release is now slated for July 18.
