FacesStay With Me: Faces AnthologyReview

Anthologised and immortalised, Faces’ actual career burnt bright, but incredibly short. They only ever enjoyed four bona-fide hits, and a handful of albums, but have become one of those bands that people speak of with fond reverence. For this latest compilation, the hit singles nestle next to key album tracks and three previously unreleased live cuts.

It’s hard not to smile listening to this double-CD collection, for all the musical slovenliness and ego battles, Faces were undeniably one of the few ‘good-time’ bands that could translate their live appeal onto disc. Each gig was a cross between a stag party and a football match, and hearing them at their best – Pool Hall Richard and Stay With Me; Maybe I’m Amazed and Memphis, Tennessee; and half a dozen more – the magic remains.

Rising out of the ashes of the Small Faces, with Rod Stewart stalling a promising solo career, Faces were the band The Rolling Stones might have remained had they stuck to light booze and bonhomie rather than taking the Satanic Majesties route.

It’s interesting to hear Rod tackle Love In Vain, a Stones favourite, and never before available. Disc one’s closer, it forcibly reminds of the listener of his vocal abilities before he went down the solo route. But then this was a band with pedigree, before and after – Ron Wood was poached by the Stones; Kenney Jones by The Who and Rod went on to that eventful solo career which, at the time, ran parallel with Faces. Poor Ronnie Lane was taken too early, which makes his contributions of Ooh La La and Richmond even more poignant.

“Had me a real good time,” they sing. And it’s a testament to the music and the memories that this writer swears that, with this anthology playing, he could smell the brown ale…