The family stand
Encyclopedia
The Family Stand is a New York
based R&B/soul
group, active since the late 1980s, consisting of Sandra St. Victor
, Peter Lord Moreland, and V. Jeffrey Smith.
, which was St. Victor's favorite book that year. The name seemed a good idea at the time, but later regretted for all the time it took in interviews to explain, and because everyone referred to St. Vicotr as Evon. At the suggestion of A&R man Merlin Bobb, the name was changed to more understandable, The Family Stand.
release was Chapters: A Novel By Evon Geffries & Stand.
Chain brought them their international hit "Ghetto Heaven", which was remix
ed by Nellee Hooper & Jazzy B of Soul II Soul
in 1990. The group's single
"Ghetto Heaven" also reached #10 in the UK Singles Chart
in April 1990. At the same time The Family Stand members were largely responsible for creating the song
s on Paula Abdul
's album
Spellbound.
Moon In Scorpio the album that became their swan song, was released in 1991.
, which inspired a reunion tour and new album, 2007's Super Sol Nova. Their latest release in 2010 was a single, "Story", chronicling the madness of the American justice system where an innocent boy can easily be lost. The follow-up full length project is entitled, In A Thousand Years.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
based R&B/soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
group, active since the late 1980s, consisting of Sandra St. Victor
Sandra St. Victor
Sandra St. Victor is a Dallas born singer songwriter most known for her work as lead singer of The Family Stand. She attended the now famous Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, High School studying all styles of music. Arts Magnet was also stomping grounds for...
, Peter Lord Moreland, and V. Jeffrey Smith.
Evon Geffries & The Stand
Their first incarnation was called Evon Geffries & The Stand. Evon came from the name of Moreland's mother; Geffries from Jeff Smith; and The StandThe Stand
The Stand is a post-apocalyptic horror/fantasy novel by American author Stephen King. It demonstrates the scenario in his earlier short story, Night Surf...
, which was St. Victor's favorite book that year. The name seemed a good idea at the time, but later regretted for all the time it took in interviews to explain, and because everyone referred to St. Vicotr as Evon. At the suggestion of A&R man Merlin Bobb, the name was changed to more understandable, The Family Stand.
Early 1990s
The Family Stand's music tackled politics, social issues, relationship tensions, sexual tension. Their first albumAlbum
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
release was Chapters: A Novel By Evon Geffries & Stand.
Chain brought them their international hit "Ghetto Heaven", which was remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
ed by Nellee Hooper & Jazzy B of Soul II Soul
Soul II Soul
Soul II Soul are a British group that was created in London in 1988. They are best known for their 1989 UK chart-topper and U.S. Top 5 hit, "Back to Life ".-Career:...
in 1990. The group's single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
"Ghetto Heaven" also reached #10 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
in April 1990. At the same time The Family Stand members were largely responsible for creating the song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
s on Paula Abdul
Paula Abdul
Paula Julie Abdul is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, choreographer, actress and television personality.In the 1980s, Abdul rose from cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers to highly sought-after choreographer at the height of the music video era before scoring a string of pop music-R&B hits...
's album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
Spellbound.
Moon In Scorpio the album that became their swan song, was released in 1991.
Connected
After discussion between the three, and disappointment with the lack of record company support, the group decided not to record again for the label. Lead vocalist St. Victor began to launch her solo career, and was replaced with Jacci McGhee (Keith Sweat) in 1995. The reformed group came out with Connected.2000s
The original trio reunited in 2006 for a concert at New York City Central Park's SummerstageSummerstage
SummerStage is an annual, free performing arts summer festival founded in 1986 which takes place at Rumsey Playfield in New York City's Central Park and, since 2010, in parks throughout the five boroughs of New York. In 1994, SummerStage was transferred to the City Parks Foundation, where it has...
, which inspired a reunion tour and new album, 2007's Super Sol Nova. Their latest release in 2010 was a single, "Story", chronicling the madness of the American justice system where an innocent boy can easily be lost. The follow-up full length project is entitled, In A Thousand Years.
Albums
| Year | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Chapters: A Novel By Evon Geffries And The Stand | Atlantic Records Atlantic Records Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz... |
| 1989 | Chain | Atlantic Records Atlantic Records Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz... |
| 1991 | Moon in Scorpio | East West America/Atlantic Records Atlantic Records Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz... |
| 1997 | Connected | East West America/Atlantic Records Atlantic Records Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz... |
| 2007 | Super Sol Nova | Rounder Europe/Go! Entertainment |
| 2010 | In A 1,000 Years | Digital-only release via Bandcamp |
Singles
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | "Ghetto Heaven" | Atlantic Records Atlantic Records Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz... |
| 1990 | "In Summer I Fall" | Atlantic Records Atlantic Records Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz... |
| 1990 | "Sweet Liberation" | Atlantic Records Atlantic Records Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz... |
| 1992 | "Shades of Blue" | East West America/Atlantic Records Atlantic Records Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz... |
| 1997 | "You Don't Have to Worry" | East West America/Atlantic Records Atlantic Records Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz... |
| 2010 | "Story" | Strategic Soul Ventures |
External links
- The Family Stand website
- Sandra St.Victor website
- [ The Family Stand] at Allmusic
- The Family Stand at DiscogsDiscogsDiscogs, short for discographies, is a website and database of information about audio recordings, including commercial releases, promotional releases, and bootleg or off-label releases. The Discogs servers, currently hosted under the domain name discogs.com, are owned by Zink Media, Inc., and are...