Small Faces Reissues

In the 1960's there were only three bands that really mattered (and I say that not to offend any fans of The Beatles or The Rolling Stones, but because it's my blog, and hence, my choices!) - The Who, The Kinks and the Small Faces.

When it came to singers the two who stood out for me were Eric Burdon of The Animals and Steve Marriott of the Small Faces.

Very excited by the news that four albums are getting the Deluxe treatment and all four will be released on May 7th 2012.

First up is the 1966 Debut 'Small Faces'

The debut album includes their first two hit singles 'Whatcha Gonna Do About It' (reached #14) and 'Sha-La-La-La-Lee' (reached #3 in the charts)

Then it's the 1967 album 'From the Beginning'

Decca released this album after the band had left to sign for Immediate and it is regarded as an Unofficial Retrospective of their time at the label. Decca actually released this when the band hit the charts with their first Immediate single 'Here Comes The Nice'. The album includes their only #1 Hit 'All or Nothing'.

 

Their first Immediate album release from 1967 also titled 'Small Faces'

'Small Faces' is the 2nd studio album of the band and was rush released a couple of weeks after Decca had put out 'From The Beginning'. 1967 turned out to be quite a good year for the Small Faces as they enjoyed hit singles with 'Itchycoo Park' and the magnificent 'Tin Soldier'.

and the brilliant 'Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake' from 1968

 Ogdens' contains the hit single 'Lazy Sunday' that was released prior to the album release and against the wishes of the band. The the second half of the album is a concept based on a fairy tale! The album has one of my favourite tunes of the Small Faces - 'Song of a Baker'. The whole album shows off the quality songwriting of Steve Marriott, Ian McLagan and Ronnie Lane, but particularly the partnership of Marriott and Lane.

The first three titles are all expanded to two disc sets and Ogdens' is expanded to a three disc set. Kenney Jones and Ian McLagen have been involved in the remastering of the four albums and of putting together the bonus discs which feature Alternate versions, mixes, rare outtakes, and both Stereo and Mono recordings of the albums. The liner notes are to be written by Mark Paytress and include interviews with both Jones and McLagen as well as rare photos of the band.

Prices on Amazon range from £11.99 to £13.99.