Marriott and Lane – Lonely No More

I ain’t lonely no more
Got a woman, got a kid
Got a whole lot more
Got my own backyard
With a fence and a big front door

As big a fan of Ronnie Lane and Steve Marriott as I am, I never heard their 1981 album  Majik Mijits. Sometimes when I run across something, I get really excited. This is one of those times. Marriott is probably my favorite vocalist of that genre. 

It was recorded in 1981 but not released until 2000, after both had passed. The opening song, Lonely No More, has a nice choppy rhythm and a fantastic groove. The lyrics are simple and repetitive, but they are so grounded in everyday life that I love them. I was 14 in 1981, and I would have bought this if it were released. 

This album came from a reunion that probably surprised a lot of people. By the early 1980s, Ronnie Lane and Steve Marriott had been apart for years. Their time in Small Faces was long behind them, and both had gone through hard stretches. Lane was dealing with multiple sclerosis, and Marriott had come through the rise and collapse of Humble Pie. When they crossed paths again around 1981, the old connection returned quickly. They had argued in 1969 when Marriott left the Small Faces, but their friendship was still there, and so was the music.

They recorded under the name The Legendary Majik Mijits, bringing in musicians from the British pub-rock world. The songs sounded natural, closer to musicians sitting together in a room than looking for radio play. Recording together again gave them a chance to step away from pressures and expectations. There was no pressure to recreate Small Faces. They were older, and the music reflected that.

The album sat in limbo for 19 years after it was recorded. Part of that came down to Lane’s health. Touring and promotion would have been difficult, and there was little interest in pushing the record without him being fully involved. Marriott said he did not want the album turned into something that forced Lane into a situation he could not handle physically. So the tapes stayed unreleased, almost becoming forgotten sessions. Majik Mijits finally appeared in 2000 and was remastered in 2014. 

They did one show together. This next is from Lane’s website:

Steve Marriott and Ronnie Lane got back together in 1981. Steve flew back from Atlanta, Georgia, to play a one-off gig with Ronnie at the Bridge House pub in East London. The gig on 1st September included the band Blind Drunk with old mates Jim Leverton on bass, Mick Green of the Pirates on guitar, Mick “Wynder K Frog” Weaver on keyboards, and Dave Hynes on drums. Sam Brown, daughter of Joe joined on backing vocals.

 

Lonely No More

I ain’t lonely no more
Got a woman, got a kid, lord, got a whole lot more
Can’t be lonely no more
Got my own back yard, I got my own front door

(lonely no more)
Can’t be lonely no more
(lonely no more)
How can I paint what I was now I ain’t gonna be lonely no more
(lonely no more)
(lonely no more)

I ain’t lonely no more
Sat here by the fire with my dog on the floor
Can’t be lonely no more
That’s one thing I know, lord, I’m certain, I’m so sure

(lonely no more)
can’t be lonely no more
(lonely no more)
How can I be what I was, don’t you see I can’t be lonely?
(lonely no more)
(lonely no more)

lonely no more
(lonely no more)
I ain’t lonely no more
got a woman, got a kid, I got a whole lot more
can’t be lonely no more
I got my own backyard with a fence and a big front door
look out

(lonely no more)
woo
(lonely no more)
(lonely no more)
lonely no more
(lonely no more)
can’t be lonely
(lonely no more)
can’t be lonely
(lonely no more)
can’t be…

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Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, Alternative music, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player. Not the slightest bit interested in politics at all.

25 thoughts on “Marriott and Lane – Lonely No More”

  1. Pingback: Marriott and Lane – Lonely No More – MobsterTiger

  3. Majik indeed. Just letting the YouTube video play out the rest of the album. Very nice. Marriott’s voice was still great. Excellent discovery. “You Spent It” is a great tune too.

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  4. You know I like tis stuff. There’s another that you might look into ‘Mahoney’s Last stand’ soundtrack by Lane/Woods. More instrumental but still good. Sounds like it was done in the same vein as ‘Rough Mix’. I think I’ll play this one for the rest of the day.

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    1. Man I got so excited finding this…I was thinking Rough Mix as well. I shouldn’t have been…but it surprised me on the quality over all. I thought maybe it was a dud since it sat…but that wasn’t the reason.
      I will check that out CB…thanks man. I love these collaborations.

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  5. did not know this…great. I got into Marriott backwards. about the time of Peter Frampton’s Frampton (not to be confused with Frampton Come Alive) there was a Marriott album called simply Marriott..half recorded in England with and English band that was really British rock, and recorded the other side in the USA with an American band, a lot more bluesy….but was special, then I got into Humble Pie, 30 Days in the Hole..and beyond..

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    1. Warren, I’m glad you brought that album up. I just listened to it yesterday for the first time ever…I didn’t know he had a solo album.
      Yes I love Humble Pie and The Small Faces…I’ve told people…some give me a snear…but, nothing against Rod, but I have said that it was probably the first time Rod replaced a singer that could have been better than himself.

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      1. with Stewart for me is his current form, I preferred the ‘Stay with Me’ Rod Stewart….I just listened to that track again on headphones, and wow…there’s so many things going on in that tune….

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  8. A too early and tragic end for the Majik Mijits. The Small Faces in particular had an astonding sound, especially given the relatively crude 60s equipment they had to record with.

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    1. I agree obbverse… for my money they should have been with the Kinks at least…in that scale of popularity.
      I really like this album and what they made with it. I was surprised because I thought there was a reason it wasnt released.

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