Rod Stewart - Every Picture Tells A Story
Rod the Mod finds his solo footing, headed for stardom, with the Faces in his wake.
6:00 AM GMT 22/06/2011
Features Disc of the day
Faces
Ooh La La
(Warner Bros, 1973)
Those naughty boys fall apart in style.
Too often spurned as the troubled, ill-conceived youngest sibling of the Faces' albums, Ooh La La nevertheless contains some of the greatest songs the band ever recorded, and showcases brilliantly the elements that brought about both the group's greatest art and their eventual demise.
While Rod Stewart's growing preoccupation with his solo endeavours played its part in the band's dissolution, the Faces had always been a group of very different musical spirits, brought together by a shared passion for a tipple and a good time as much as by any unified creative vision. By 1973-74, Ronnie Lane had increasingly voiced his desire to spend more time at the lead mic and get more of his own songs down on record, while Ron Wood had already begun working with Jagger and Richards, on both Rolling Stones tunes and material which would wind up on Wood's first solo disc, the unambiguously titled I've Got My Own Album To Do.
And while these disparate drives would eventually fray the band's working relationship beyond repair, Ooh La La still stands as a lasting tribute to the musical empathy and artistic heights these men were capable of in consort. From the ferocious, testosterone-charged stomp of Borstal Boys to the gentle melodic sway of Glad And Sorry, the band played every card in their sonic deck with confidence and flair. My Fault and Just Another Honky bounce along on waves of chugging guitars and rolling piano melodies, the congregation-pleasing instrumental Fly In The Ointment is a juicy slice of funked-up rock powered by Ian McLagan's soaring organ and Lane's dexterous bass work, and If I'm On The Late Side highlights the impeccably emotive balladry skills Stewart would rely on throughout his career. Indeed, Stewart's performances across the entire LP are often stunning in their deftness and power, particularly on the hilariously wry Silicone Grown, and the beautifully bittersweet single Cindy Incidentally. And last but certainly not least is the magnificent title track, a whimsical and achingly nostalgic ode to lives and loves past, lent a special charm by Wood's distinctive lead vocal performance - a poignantly fitting end to what would be the Faces' final studio album.
Ange Tsibogiannis
Posted by Ross_Bennett at 6:00 AM GMT 13/11/2009
Further Listening
Faces – A Nod Is As Good As A Wink… To A Blind Horse (Warner Bros., 1971)
Rod Stewart – Every Picture Tells A Story (Mercury, 1971)
Ronnie Lane & Slim Chance – Anymore For Anymore (NMC, 1974)
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A fine piece of work, albeit a remarkably short album. The original vinyl pressing also features one of the best interactive sleeves ever designed!
Posted by Alexander Meerkat at 9:09 AM GMT 15/11/2009 Report Abuse
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