Summary
Moon in Scorpio is an album by the American band the Family Stand, released in 1991.[1][2] The album was a commercial disappointment, with the band receiving more attention for its contributions to Paula Abdul's Spellbound.[3]
| Moon in Scorpio | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1991 | |||
| Genre | Rock, R&B, funk | |||
| Label | East West | |||
| Producer | The Family Stand | |||
| The Family Stand chronology | ||||
| ||||
Production edit
The album was produced by the Family Stand.[4] Vernon Reid contributed some guitar parts.[5] "Plantation Radio" is about the needless segregation found in radio programming playlists.[6] "The Education of Jamie" is about the omnipresence of white culture.[7]
Critical reception edit
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [8] |
| Boston Herald | A[9] |
| Robert Christgau |  [10] |
| Los Angeles Times | [6] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide |  [11] |
Billboard declared that Sandra St. Victor "has the sassiness of Tina Turner and the range of Chaka Khan."[4] The New York Times called Moon in Scorpio a "full-bodied meltdown of soul, hip-hop and corrosive psychedelia," writing that "the Family Stand is fighting for musical and polemic freedom in a pop world where black artists are supposed to submit to cosmetic surgeons and let their whizbang producers do the talking."[12] The Washington Post considered it "a potent hard-rock-and-funk concoction that rings with blood-sweat-and-tears intensity."[13]
AllMusic wrote that the album's "meaty blend of R&B and rock was a creative triumph," and called it "an underexposed gem that's well worth searching for."[8] The Rolling Stone Album Guide deemed it "a tripped out explosion of talent."[11]
Track listing edit
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "New World Order" | 3:38 |
| 2. | "Shades of Blue" | 5:04 |
| 3. | "You'll Never Be" | 4:36 |
| 4. | "Plantation Radio" | 4:58 |
| 5. | "Sky Is Falling" | 4:57 |
| 6. | "Shelter" | 4:23 |
| 7. | "Winter in My Heart" | 5:12 |
| 8. | "Free Spirit" | 5:09 |
| 9. | "Moon in Scorpio" | 7:15 |
| 10. | "Quiet Desperation" | 4:58 |
| 11. | "Chakra Love" | 5:05 |
| 12. | "In the Midst of Revolution" | 1:41 |
| 13. | "The Education of Jamie" | 7:06 |
| 14. | "Where Does Mommy Live?" | 5:08 |
| 15. | "Say Love" | 4:46 |
| 16. | "Boom Shock" | 1:19 |
Personnel edit
- Peter Lord - keyboards, vocals
- V. Jeffrey Smith - multiple instruments
- Sandra St. Victor - vocals
References edit
- ^ "The Family Stand | Biography & History". AllMusic.
- ^ Maultsby, Portia K.; Burnim, Mellonee V. (October 26, 2016). Issues in African American Music: Power, Gender, Race, Representation. Taylor & Francis – via Google Books.
- ^ "Family Stand's Lord Is Also Pop-Song Standout". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. June 27, 1992 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b "Album Reviews". Billboard. Vol. 103, no. 48. Nov 30, 1991. p. 51.
- ^ Gore, Joe (February 1992). "Reviews". Guitar Player. Vol. 26, no. 2. p. 142.
- ^ a b Rosenbluth, Jean (3 Nov 1991). "Family Stand Leaves No Stone Unturned". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 61.
- ^ Johnson, Martin (10 Nov 1991). "Black Rock Rising". Fanfare. Newsday. p. 15.
- ^ a b "Moon in Scorpio - The Family Stand | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
- ^ Romandetta, Julie (December 13, 1991). "The Family Stand Moon in Scorpio". Boston Herald. p. S15.
- ^ "Robert Christgau: CG: Artist 2854". www.robertchristgau.com.
- ^ a b The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. pp. 240–241.
- ^ Tate, Greg (24 Nov 1991). "The Family Stand's Brave New World". The New York Times. p. H30.
- ^ Griffin, Gil (1 Jan 1992). "Recordings: Multifaceted `Moon': The Family Stand's Top-Notch 2nd Effort". The Washington Post. p. B7.