Small Faces. The Autumn Stone.
In three gloriously chaotic years between 1965 and ’68 these East End ravers notched up timeless classics like the chart-topping All Or Nothing, Itchycoo Park, and Whatcha Gonna Do About It. This 1969 double album, released after their break-up, contains most of the band’s Immediate and Decca singles, plus live recordings and unreleased material. Their notorious manager, Don Arden, famously cheated them out of a fortune, but the band’s incredible legacy has outlived him – and most of them.
These assembled hits show how the ‘ace face’ mods left their gutsy R&B roots behind to sashay into pop with songs like Sha La La La Lee, co-written by TV entertainer Kenny Lynch. Top 3 hit Itchycoo Park, a paean to a small East London park, was meant as a comic ‘summer of love’ mickey-take, but said co-writer Ronnie Lane, “It sounded too good to be a joke.” Bassist Ronnie took musical inspiration from a hymn, God Be In My Head and the lyrics, about ‘dreaming spires’ and a ‘bridge of sighs’, from a travel magazine he found in a hotel; singer Steve Marriott wrote the rest of it. 1968’s Lazy Sunday was another playful smash. We also get hits like Lazy Sunday and Tin Soldier, moody second single I’ve Got Mine (a rare flop), two covers of Tim Hardin songs and a brace of instrumentals. The title track and Wham Bam Thank You Mam were recorded as B-sides for an unreleased single. They split in 69 spawning The Faces. Drummer Kenney Jones joined the Who, guitarist Jimmy McCulloch joined Wings, and keyboardist Ian McLagan collaborated with the Stones. Steve Marriott – a Dickensian urchin with one of the biggest voices in rock – went on to form Humble Pie. Carol Harrison’s rave-reviewed All Or Nothing musical, telling his story, still tours to this day.
Dave Stewart. Dave Does Dylan.
Eurythmics star Dave has recorded 14 Bob Dylan covers. Not sure why. Released on vinyl for Record Store Days, the best tracks are love songs – Lay Lady Lay and Make You Feel My Love. There are okay versions of gems like Shelter From The Storm but Stewart largely sticks to the original arrangements and avoids early protest anthems like 1964’s The Times They Are A-Changin’ which would have had a modern relevance given today’s turbulent news cycle.
Somebody’s Child. When Youth Fades.
The excellent Irish indie rockers add electronics to their anthemic brand of alt-pop on a second album full of surging songs certain to seduce festival crowds. Dublin-born Cian Godfrey reflects poetically on the inevitable process of ageing and settling down. Porcelain and the title track stand out in an 11-song set of impressive quality.
The Godfathers. Electric Déjà vu.
The Godfathers deal in menacing post-punk rock’n’roll that’s fiercer than a cornered mobster with a death wish. From the dark pop of You Don’t Love Me to the all-out belt of I Can’t Sleep Tonight, this 40th anniversary comp never stops punching. Big Bad Beautiful Noise also serves as a four-word review as guitars growl and pummel you into submission.