The small Faces

[scotty]

The Small Faces were they the all time Mod band of the 60s or did Mods favor The Who
As the Jam were the top of their form in the 80s Secret Affair were close at their heels
As were Oasis in the 90s battling with blur.But as im a mere lad what was the consensus between T S F and The Who at the time was there any friction or was the 60s all love and Flowers?

[winston]

Hey Scott,

This band was certainly a huge contributor to the mod scene. The Who was also. The mod scene as I recall was about attitude, music, lifestyle and clothing. Both bands were on the forefront of the movement.

The Small Faces, The Faces and their offshoot, Humble Pie were incredible live. Their recordings however never did quite capture the magic of their stage act. Even so they were very good in my estimation. I am a big fan of their music.

Sadly Steve Marriott and that powerful throaty voice is gone forever and so is Ronnie (Plonk) Lane.

[iamthebassman]

Lucky to live in Austin, got to meet Ronnie a couple times, and Mac is a fan of the band! He's been to several gigs. First time I met him I introduced myself as "Ronnie the bass player". He got a kick out of it.

[mgauction]

"Plonk" was a very inderrated bass player! Listen to any of the early Faces or Rod Stewart sessions. Listen to his 'funk' style in those early sessions. He was leading the band.

[winston]

I got to see and briefly talk to Ian McLagan when he was touring with David Lindley.

David is not all that well known in the mainstream but he has played with Jackson Browne, Warren Zevon, Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Bob Dylan, and Rod Stewart. But I digress.

Ian or 'Mac' as he is better known of course was the Small Faces keyboard player. His distinctive playing can be heard on the Faces' "Stay With Me" and the Rolling Stones' "Miss You". It was Mac's Hammond B3 you heard on "Itchycoo Park" as well as Rod Stewart's "Maggie May" and "You Wear It Well".

'Mac' has plied his trade in the studio for such luminaries as Bob Dylan, David Lindley, the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen and Bonnie Raitt

The Small Faces line-up included some of the best musicians of their era. "Plonk" was an incredible bass player, besides having a great solo career he has toured also with many of the greats including Clapton.

One of the sad things about the music business is that it continues mistreat its own stars. The major record labels in particular are infamous for their callous and underhanded, deceptive practises. This became a big problem for Ronnie when he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Despite his illness, he continued to work, because he had to. He was not receiving any royalty payments for all of his work with the Small Faces and The Faces. It was only later after the tireless work of Ian McLagan and Kenney Jones that the Small Faces finally started to receive royalties. Unfortunately Steve and Ronnie had both died by then.

Just a little history and business placed into the mix for your consumption.

[scotty]

It was very sad that Steve and Ronnie had both passed away before any of the royalties came through. I was and am still a huge fan of the S F.Great moments that shine personally for me are Get yourself together, Eddies Dreaming,Talk to you and the universal. All stunning songs that Need to be listened to again.So Brian do me a fav and put the CD on in the car today!The Immediate years for me were the greatest, my favorite years would be 65-69 brilliant band that echo in my household often.
All things that pass need never be forgotten as long as we keep them alive in our hearts!

[ozover50]

Missed this one. Probably my favourite band when I was at school in the 60s. We ("Tomato Sauce Expansion") had "Lazy Sunday", "Itchycoo Park" and "Tin Soldier" on our playlist - "Tin Soldier" always went down well with the meagre audiences we had!!

[scotty]

At school in the 60s Howard your not that old are you
Yeah tin solider a fav but then again i luv em all

[ozover50]

You bet, Scotty......... still got a mind like a steel trap but the body is more like something that got caught in it!!

[scotty]

posted this for Brian a while back just thought id post this before this thread slipped away.Enjoy the small faces Get yourself together

[godber]

In a nutshell The Small Faces were mods who became a band and The Who were a band who became mods. You can hear it in the Small Faces grooves; that mod dance thing driving things on. Whereas Townshend was reaching out to somewhere else, a message, a direction, an art statement. Both bands interpreting and absorbing black music, and moving on and through - back to their own roots.

SUBLIME sounds here, the distorting biscuit-tin-kits, Gretsch, Hammond, thudding Harmony bass.

Love this and all the later stuff, especially Ronnie Lane's organic mix of pastoral sounds. The Passing Show DVD is uplifting and heartbreaking.

[whojamfan]

The Small Faces were simply an awesome band. I still listen and get great enjoyment out of their music. Afterglow is still one of my all time favorites, and still sends shivers down my spine and a tear in my eye everytime I hear it!

[iamthebassman]

Me and Mac at Austin Music Awards.

[scotty]

Great pic Ronn.Thanks for sharing that one!

[iamthebassman]

Great pic Ronn.Thanks for sharing that one!

You bet! He's a great guy to hang out with, and comes to Eggmen gigs on ocassion. He calls me "The other Ronnie the bass player".