FINE LOVE Album Blurb
by Ian Smallbone March 2026
In 1979, FAMILY came together to record what would become our last Australia produced album. Our management was keen to have a producer with a flair for harmonies and we were disappointed that Graeham Goble from ‘Little River Band’ was unavailable. In the end, Chris Christian, an American singer, songwriter and producer sat in on all the sessions with producer Steve Wyatt. Steve was a Sydney local and often played keyboards for us on tours and occasional Sydney gigs.
Chris Christian’s song, the title track ‘Fine Love’, was at least partly composed during the time of the recording sessions. Chris had a theory that a song about our walk with God is a love song and that human love is a reflection of God’s love. The ‘Fine Love’ song went on to have considerable commercial success.
Several of our songs feature the then emerging talent of Tommy Emmanuel, including lead solo on ‘I thank you Lord’. We remember fondly listening as Tommy went from being a first time listener to the song to coming up with memorable and catchy guitar solos.
‘Don’t Fret’ based on Psalm 37 came out the other end quite differently from how it went in. Chris Christian helped us to restructure it with a more recognisable verse, chorus and bridge structure. He then took it back with him to Nashville, Tennessee where the strings were added.
Another highlight was the jazz ensemble on “Don’t Let the World”, a collaboration of Ian Truscott with his old friend Don Hardgrave. I’m not sure that they could have imagined the final result.
We recorded in Alberts Studios in Sydney. AC/DC were in the studio across the corridor from us, presumably preparing their studio album ‘Highway To Hell’. It was loud, even with the thick soundproof doors. We sang of our overwhelming gratitude to God, and peace in assurance of His care.
I hope you enjoy listening to this trip down memory lane.
For copyright reasons, the second bracket of songs are not available for download
