A peak experience
BLS | Hill Country, TX | 01/02/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It is among rock's greater tragedies that Ogden's Nut Gone Flake sounds like it was mixed by drunken elves .... because the "pop" band Small Faces was truly making world-class rock n roll in 1968 --- big, exuberant, and driving. The B-side story of "Happiness Stan," told in blathering Cockney-esqe double-speak by British comedian Stanley Unwin, is a cautionary tale, full of psychedelia and suspense, of a stoner's quest ("absolutely s'mashed and flak-ed he was") in a world of small minds and timid hearts. Crashing great music carries the little story along to its joyous climax. The original Immediate LP put Ron Lane's soaring bass lines, which had only recently become reproducible ("in stereophonic sound!") at home or on the car's 8-track, front and center. It was a deficient mix, uneven and brittle sounding with a huge bass boost. But still preferable to the notchy, compressed, aural miasma of the remix issued in the '90s. Perhaps someone someday will get this right. And what a pity it all was. In the right hands, Ogden's Nut Gone Flake could have been among the 10 greatest rock albums "of all time," and maybe it is anyhow. Although the album went to #1 in the UK, the band's inability to perform Ogden on stage was ultimately a contributing factor to its breakup."
A classic everyone should own
Stephen N. Lavender | Regina Canada | 10/23/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Fronm the opening track this is one amazing album so much talent,Late 60's British rock at it's best. I feel the best period in rock music was from 1967 to 1975 and this album is a fine example of what was great about that period, groups willing to try new things and not all sound the same and they all seem to enjoy doing it. The best tracks for me on the album are Long ago and worlds apart, rollin over, song of a baker. The addition of the live tracks is great as there is not many small faces live stuff available. I really recomend this to all lovers of rock music, and to the young generation listen to this as this is how you got the music of today. OH also go and buy The Face great albums A nod is as good as a wink to a blind horse, and Long Player"
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1