I love the Faces because they never sounded polished to death. This song sounds like five guys playing rock and roll because that was exactly what they wanted to be doing.
Ronnie Lane is probably my favorite member of the Faces. Rod Stewart had the voice and was obviously the biggest star, but there was something about Lane that I always liked. He was a great songwriter and bass player, and I loved what he did with the Small Faces, Faces, and later with Slim Chance and his solo career. He sounded more grounded than any other rock star I know.
This one appeared on the Faces’ 1971 album A Nod Is as Good as a Wink… to a Blind Horse. The song was written by Ronnie Lane and Ian McLagan, and Lane sang lead on this one. It’s loose, funny, and sounds like the band is having a great time playing it. That looseness was a big part of what made the Faces so good. They could sound like they were about to fall apart while somehow staying together. They sounded as if they were always on tour, and they were.
The Faces had grown out of the Small Faces after Steve Marriott left to form Humble Pie. Ronnie Lane, Ian McLagan, and Kenney Jones remained and were joined by Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood from the Jeff Beck Group. They dropped the “Small” from the name, and one of the great rock and roll bands of the early seventies was born.
Lane eventually left the Faces in 1973. He formed Slim Chance and moved toward a roots mixture of rock, folk, and country music. That side of him had always been there, but away from the Faces he was able to follow it wherever he wanted. His later career never brought him the fame that Stewart achieved, but the music has aged extremely well.
You’re So Rude
My mum she likes you, she thinks you’re swell
Got the makings of a dance hall girl
Your low-cut frock and your bird’s nest hair
Stiletto heels and the way that you swear
She said to take you back to see my folks again
On Sunday
Why, it looks as though there’s nobody in
They’ve all gone out to see my Auntie Reenie
Don’t you worry, you just come right in
I’m sure we’ll pass the time ’til they come home
Well, let me take your coat
Kick off your shoes, warm your toes
Try the sofa
It’s getting dark, we’ll miss the late night bus
It’s only eight? Well, I’m not taking any chances
-Door closes
What’s that noise? Why’d they come back so soon?
Straighten your dress, you’re really looking a mess
I’ll wet my socks, pretend we just got caught in the rain
Oh, you’re so rude
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To begin with, let’s just sit back for a moment and digest the brilliant title of this album: “A Nod Is As Good As a Wink… to a Blind Horse”! You just don’t see album titles like this any longer.
And then, minor detail, there’s of course the music. Faces were a true rock & roll band, and while I’ve always liked Rod Stewart for his smoky vocals, this “dirty rock & roll” is what the man was destined to do. “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” Well, let’s just say, I don’t wanna talk about it!
Thats me…I liked the acoustic rock he did solo before he wanted to become a huge star…I like Lane’s vocals as well…so this suits me great. They really were a well rounded rock band.
Unusual titles bring me in as well!
Have to listen to it later, for some reason neither video is playable, at least on my phone. But to second Christian, yes, album title of the year! In general I think your assessment is right, just a basic blues-rock group usually having fun
They sure did…they toured a lot and the Small Faces part of the band finally got American recognition they didn’t get with the Small Faces…so did Steve Marriott with Humble Pie.
ok, the vids work here on the computer. Fun song, I quite like it.
Cool! I’ve noticed that about some videos.
Yeah…I love The Faces. To me they were a supergroup who, like you say, didn’t polish their stuff to death. A really solid rocker. Bad ass!
Yes it is! Enough said!
Lol!
Ronnie Lane was so great. Should still be here with the Old-Timers of Rock. I need to look more deeply into their stuff. I heard “Ooh La La” in the grocery store the other day. I was singing along in the yogurt section. They really were a great group.
I love the image of singing along to the Faces in the yogurt section of the market. This ain’t no muzak, this is Rock n Roll!!!
YES…I second this!
Right on. I’m a big believer in probiotics.
You are on a roll today!
Ooh La La is absolutely my favorite song by them by far. I can never get enough of that song. LOL…sing louder in the yogurt section!
(Much better than hearing the Archies ‘Sugar Sugar’ while trying to walk past the confectionary aisle.)
I like the funny story that this song tells about a young couple trying to hide their activities when parents return unexpectedly.
Fun rock song…which the Faces were famous for…did you ever see them Jim?
I’m with you on Ronnie Lane and the rest of your take. As you know.
Since I posted a Lane song a couple of months ago…I thought I would cheat a little and do it again.
I just listened to ‘Rough Mix’ the other day.
I was listening to some Slim Chance stuff. I say we just make a Ronnie Lane blog…period. A guy I can listen to every day.
He has a lot of fans so I think it would get some good response.
They did what they did very well, they do have that right mix of knowing what they’re doing musically but keeping it feeling loose and easy. (Loose and easy might not be the right term thinking about the subject matter, but what the hell.)
No…that fits perfectly. I also love the first verse in this…they also had a sense of humor and added to the loose part and fun.
Well-said, Ob. My kind of music.
Max, this is a very likeable tune. The way he sings it reminds me of Dylan.
Yes…and the interplay is fun. That is what they were about. The only band that Rod Stewart could have joined that he replaced a singer, to me, was as good as he was…in Marriott
Agree on Marriott. I did notice that Small Faces were small (short) and Stewart and Wood were tall(er.) Maybe that’s why they dropped small from their name?
That is the exact reason!
🙂
signing off for now. Going to the beach in a few with the kids. Yes 🙂
Cool! Have a great time!
We did 🙂
I like every song that you’ve posted by them, but still havent checked them out. Which is the Do Ya Think Im Sexy factor.