Record Reviews

FACES ~ 1970-1975: YOU CAN MAKE ME DANCE, SING OR ANYTHING… RHINO 081227954239 (Barcode: 081227954239) ~ UK ~ Pop & Rock Recorded: 1970 - 1975 Released: 2015 This Box Set collects the four studio albums recorded by the legendary British Rock group FacesFind albums by this artist, remastered and expanded with previously unreleased bonus tracks and also including a fifth CD full of bonus material like B-sides, rarities, etc. Faces were formed in 1969 by members of the iconic Pop / Rock band Small FacesFind albums by this artist, following the departure of their lead singer / vocalist Steve MarriottFind albums by this artist, who left to form the supergroup Humble PieFind albums by this artist. The remaining musicians: keyboardist Ian McLaganFind albums by this artist, bassist Ronnie LaneFind albums by this artist and drummer Kenney JonesFind albums by this artist were joined by guitarist Ronnie WoodFind albums by this artist and vocalist Rod StewartFind albums by this artist, both ex-members of Jeff BeckFind albums by this artist´s group. The new quintet lineup dropped the "Small" part of the group´s name and became Faces, one of the most successful British Rock acts in the first part of the 1970. Faces released four studio albums: the debut "The First StepFind albums with this title" in 1970 (which in the US was released still under the Small Faces moniker), the second album "Long PlayerFind albums with this title" in 1971, the third album "A Nod Is As Good As A Wink…To A Blind HorseFind albums with this title" in 1971 and finally the fourth album "Ooh La LaFind albums with this title" in 1973. An ill-fated live album followed before Faces finally disbanded in 1975. In many respects Faces were the epitome of British Rock. They had everything that a great Rock group needed: superb musicianship, sublime songwriting, charismatic and powerful lead singer, years of experience and tons of talent. All those are apparent while listening to the albums in this Box Set, especially from a retrospective viewpoint. The debut album is still full of the Small Faces idiosyncrasies, but the later albums present a new crystallized identity of a group that has its own voice. The fact that Faces used almost exclusively their own original material is also remarkable. And of course they were paying a tribute to the British Blues, with their music being completely soaked in it. Another strange observation that struck me while listening to these albums is how similar this music is to the music Humble Pie played more or less in parallel. Perhaps Marriott´s departure was indeed premature and Small Faces might have developed into an environment he might have been comfortable with. In any case we can´t turn the wheels of change back and after all we were lucky to enjoy both of these sublime groups. The music in this Box Set is evidence of how great the music of the Golden Decade was, consistently strengthened with every reissue of music recorded at that time. The dichotomy between this music and the travesty we call music that is being produced today is simply devastating. This Box Set is an essential capsule of British Rock history, which should not be missed in any serious music collection. Absolute honey to my ears!

Updated: 29/01/2019Posted:

CD 5 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

SMALL FACES ~ FROM THE BEGINNING (DELUXE EDITION) DECCA 602527813417 (Barcode: 602527813417) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1965 - 1966 Released: 2012 Following the release of their eponymous debut album British group Small FacesFind albums by this artist decided to change their management and record label, switching to the ill-fated ImmediateFind albums on this label label owned by Andrew OldhamFind albums by this artist. In response their former manager Don ArdenFind albums by this artist and former record label DeccaFind albums on this label responded by releasing this album, which is a collection of singles, outtakes and early version of material intended for their next album. For most groups such a potpourri of unrelated tracks would have smelled disaster, but the Small Faces were anything but just another group, and the music included herein is a fascinating glimpse at a period in music history, when rapid developments in Music transformed simple elements of early popular music into sophisticated artistic expressions, a journey which most of the musicians involved made often completely subconsciously. The recordings included on this album are a time capsule, luckily preserved by the recording technology, documenting this process for one particular group, but they are characteristic of the entire generation in UK and all over the world. Small Faces were definitely one of the best British groups emerging in the mid-1960, although the rate of their success was significantly less spectacular than many of their contemporaries. Nevertheless the group managed to produce some brilliant Pop / Psychedelic gems in the relatively short period of time they existed, which are part of the Pop / Rock Pantheon and will stay there forever. They group was fronted by one of the most charismatic and talented British musicians of the 1960s / 1970s, vocalist / guitarist / songwriter Steve MarriottFind albums by this artist. Marriott´s husky voice and incredible delivery knew few equals, as did his prophetic guitar licks, which heralded the inevitable arrival of Hard Rock. Alongside Marriott the band also included bassist Ronnie LaneFind albums by this artist, who also co-wrote most of the bands original material with Marriott, drummer Kenney JonesFind albums by this artist and organist Ian McLaganFind albums by this artist, who was the last to join the band´s celebrated and stable lineup (he replaced an early member Jimmy WinstonFind albums by this artist). Together these four young musicians started a journey, which would last for just over three years and three albums, which are in retrospect an integral part of the 1960s incredible heritage. This deluxe edition adds a plethora of bonus material, which includes alternate versions and alternate mixes of the album tracks, singles and to the original album in glorious mono. This is an essential piece of music history, which should not be missed!

CD 2 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

SMALL FACES ~ SMALL FACES (DELUXE EDITION) DECCA 602527652801 (Barcode: 602527652801) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1965 - 1966 Released: 2012 The debut album by British group Small FacesFind albums by this artist is a fascinating glimpse at a period in music history, when rapid developments in Music transformed simple elements of early popular music into sophisticated artistic expressions, a journey which most of the musicians involved made often completely subconsciously. The recordings included herein are a time capsule, luckily preserved by the recording technology, documenting this process for one particular group, but they are characteristic of the entire generation in UK and all over the world. Small Faces were definitely one of the best British groups emerging in the mid-1960, although the rate of their success was significantly less spectacular than many of their contemporaries. Nevertheless the group managed to produce some brilliant Pop / Psychedelic gems in the relatively short period of time they existed, which are part of the Pop / Rock Pantheon and will stay there forever. They group was fronted by one of the most charismatic and talented British musicians of the 1960s / 1970s, vocalist / guitarist / songwriter Steve MarriottFind albums by this artist. Marriott´s husky voice and incredible delivery knew few equals, as did his prophetic guitar licks, which heralded the inevitable arrival of Hard Rock. Alongside Marriott the band also included bassist Ronnie LaneFind albums by this artist, who also co-wrote most of the bands original material with Marriott, drummer Kenney JonesFind albums by this artist and organist Ian McLaganFind albums by this artist, who was the last to join the band´s celebrated and stable lineup (he replaced an early member Jimmy WinstonFind albums by this artist). Together these four young musicians started a journey, which would last for just over three years and three albums, which are in retrospect an integral part of the 1960s incredible heritage. This deluxe edition adds a plethora of bonus material, which includes alternate versions and alternate mixes of the album tracks, singles and to the original album in glorious mono. This is an essential piece of music history, which should not be missed!

CD 2 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend