What does it sound like?:
So, a five cd box set from the epitome of good time seventies rock bands, The Faces.
A few years ago we had the Ian MacLagan curated set, Five Guys Walk Into A Bar, which gave a good account of the bands career with selected highlights from throughout their catalogue.
However this box set is even more comprehensive. It comprises the band’s four studio albums, each augmented with bonus tracks. A fifth disc collects various non-album singles (You Can Make Me Dance, Pool Hall Richard, Cindy Incidentally etc.) and their respective B sides, plus the long lost track Dishevelment Blues that appeared as an NME flexidisc back in the day. (Sadly the Overtures and Beginners live album is not included in the box)
This is the first time I’ve heard these albums for a good few years, and it is both surprising and pleasing to hear how well they have stood the test of time. The studio material brings back many memories of days long gone, but it is the live cuts that really stand out, catching the vibrancy of the band in their early seventies prime.
The bonus tracks on the individual albums are a mixture of studio outtakes and rehearsals, BBC sessions and other live material and greatly add to the albums they feature on, although unfortunately there are no unreleased studio tracks from the ‘Nod’s As Good As A Wink’ album, only a couple of live tracks from the BBC being included.
What does it all *mean*?
As years have passed this is a band that history has not been particularly kind to and whose albums have become largely forgotten. This set will remind you just how good they once were, and will hopefully bring back as many fond memories for you as it did for me…..or maybe you just had to be there!
Goes well with…
If you weren’t around in the early 70’s then this is a great way of getting all the Faces you’ll ever need in one go.
Release Date:
Might suit people who like…
No frills good time rock from back in the day.
I’m looking forward to listening to this set when I get home from my hols later today having only had a compilation CD up to now. Thanks for the review bargie.
Wonder what pool hall Richard thinks of it ?
Re history not being kind , is that the case. certainly Rod’s career direction has been dissed but The Faces ?
I think it is fab – best reissue this year for me. Only knew less than half the stuff on this release so some good surprises along the way. MacLagans keyboards are great – sad he has gone.
Your mention of Dishevelment Blues remembered me I had that flexi!
(Anyone who knocks Rod in this thread will feel the awesomeness of my wrath. LEAVE ROD ALONE. Leave. Him. Alone.)
*knocks Rod*
You don’t deserve this, but …
http://dangerousminds.net/comments/kevin_spaceys_big_brother_is_boise_idahos_1_rod_stewart_impersonator_and_li
Hang on; “wrath”?
Sorry, I misread that as “width”.
still listening to the new Rodney,HP?
Yup!
“Dishevelment Blues” also appeared on the “Five Guys Walk Into A Bar” box set. It may stir up nostalgic pangs for the original NME flexi release, but in reality it was 8 minutes of drunken, turgid blues jamming.
… you say that like it’s a bad thing?
Here’s my two (yes two) copies of said Dishevelment Blues yesterday. I do hold it dear, but it must be said that in places Rod’s singing here can only be described (with apologies to Mr. Hepworth) as “a drunk shouting in a bus station”.
http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/mojoworking01/Faces_zpsoidy3rhl.jpg
Here’s a great review of their little reunion, last night. Let’s hope Rod gets the bug and they tour.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/the-faces-hurtwood-park-polo-club-review/
Ronnie Lane died in 1975?? Tsk!
And they only played 7 songs? Glad I didn’t go for this now, was tempted when first announced. Shall stick with enjoying the cd set. Loving the extra’s.
And who exactly was “Ian McGlagan” I wonder?
Glasto next summer? Rumour mill starts here!
The music is great, glad the live album isn’t included and that was very sub par. The package itself is lacking, expected more for £26, No book or history or anything. But the music is ace. Love the Faces.
They need to find a decent live album to release now.
The live album Coast to Coast: Overture and Beginners was very sloppy, but I recall it contained a killer version of I’d Rather Go Blind
The CD is long out of print and now sells for upwards of $100 on Amazon
most versions of I’d rather go blind are enjoyable because it is quite possibly the finest song ever written.
And Rod has always sung it wonderfully
That’s true. Even Christine Perfect (as was) couldn’t kill it on the Chicken Shack hit version.
The Faces live version is taken at a painfully slow pace and almost grinds to a halt in places, but is saved by some lovely guitar from Woody.
The live album is/was almost worth it for the wonderful Maybe I’m Amazed
They could just bung out ‘Too Drunk For The BBC’
http://rranthology.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/the-faces-too-drunk-for-bbc-1973-flac.html
Now that is a great concert!
Found it last year at a record fair for a fiver.
Marvellous!
And heres a clip from yesterday!
Good old phone recordings. We all hate the bastards til we wanna watch something.
more here
http://pitchfork.com/news/61092-the-faces-perform-one-off-reunion-show/
Yes the reunion gig was a little shambolic but this is The Faces ! Had to restart one song because Ron was out of time but i really enjoyed it. Just a shame they had to wait for Mac to die before they did it. 7 songs but probably more than I hoped for including You Can Make Me Sing which I don’t think they ever did live. Not been a fan of Rod since he took that Atlantic Crossing but he was on top form. Great day out for mullet spotting as well!