Excellent Compilation From the Heart and Soul of The Faces
Steve Vrana | Aurora, NE | 02/01/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Faces were one of the great rock bands of the seventies. They had the charismatic frontman Rod Stewart (who would later go on to superstardom) and guitarist Ron Wood (who has spent the last three decades with the Rolling Stones), but they also had founding member Ronnie Lane, who--just as the Faces were at the peak of their success--left the band in 1973 to pursue a solo career.
Unfortunately, in 1977 Lane was diagnosed with MS, which severely restricted his music career from that point on. He died from complications of the disease in 1997. During his post-Faces career, Lane only recorded four studio albums along with the 1977 collaboration with Pete Townshend, ROUGH MIX.
Ronnie's music is hard to pigeonhole: It borrows from rock and roll, folk, country and English music hall. His bands often included fiddle, dobro, accordion, piano and mandolin--all to wonderful effect. While Lane's albums have been available (mostly through the U.K.'s New Millennium Communications label), this is the first compilation made for the U.S. market. The release date comes on the heels of what would have been Lane's sixtieth birthday last April 1. It begins with his debut 1973 single "How Come" (which peaked at #11 in the U.K.) and covers all five of his studio albums through 1980's SEE ME, represented by "Barcelona," which includes Eric Clapton on guitar.
Lane released a total of eight singles, but other than "How Come" only "The Poacher" cracked the U.K. top 40. [It peaked at #36 in 1974.] But don't let the lack of chart success diminish the quality of the music. For me, Ronnie Lane's music has a sincerity and poignancy that always makes me smile. If you're looking for a solid introduction to this amazing artist's music, this is an excellent place to start. [And good news for Lane's fans: While there are no details given, the liner notes announce this collection is only "part of a larger body of works soon to be released on this label(Lane Signature Sounds)." Welcome news indeed!] VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"
Working with Ronnie Lane
Russell U. Schlagbaum | Ottoville, Ohio | 06/17/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ronnie Lane WAS under-rated by the "Music Business" but more sadly was more or less unknown by the US audience.
I worked with Ronnie Lane from early 1972 until December, 1977 first as a "Roadie" for THE FACES and then as Tour Manager for Ronnie's solo career and band "Slim Chance". I met Ronnie in Detroit during the summer of 1970 on an early FACES tour and after assisting in several photo sessions with my mentor, Rock photographer Tom Wright. Tom, Chuch Magee and I took a slow boat to Europe in the fall of 1971 and within a short time worked our way on to the road crew with the FACES.
I was so fortunate to be part of that early scene and to tour with one of the most successful road bands of the era. But, more importantly, I spent months in the recording studios watching them create all this great music. What was even more interesting was watching the great producer, Glynn Johns, pull the best out of a group of individuals possessed with great talents but also huge egos.
When we went to Wales in April 1974 to record Ronnie's first solo LP for A & M Records called "Anywore for Anymore", I witnessed the real song craftsman that was Ronnie Lane. Sadly, mangement fiascos during 74/75 prevented any of this material from ever being released in the states until now. Ronnie could pull the best out of a simple lyric and melody but more importantly, would allow the best to flow from those talented musicians who he had collected in the band "Slim Chance". He let them shine but all the while knowing exactly what he wanted. Here it is for you to enjoy. Some of the best and beatiful songs Ronnie could cook up...and that band could cook!"
Excellent, most enjoyable, Great drivin tunes for the car !
Tuck | newjersey | 03/26/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ronnie's solo work is just great. I always appreciated his work with the Steve and Rod versions of Faces. This work is a total shift from Faces/Small Faces feel to a more mellow earthy sound. Very nice in the same way Rod Stewart did on his early solo works while still with the Faces, Gasoline Alley, Country Comforts, Hand rags, Cut across Shorty etc... In fact Ronnie played of some of that solo work.
All in all a very pleasant collection of his solo work. My wife drove my car the otherday and asked me who was that guy in CD slot 4 that has the cool, mellow folk, New Orleans, Dylan, early Band, pre-disco Rod Stewart sound?"
Track Listings (20) - Disc #1