Small Faces eventually became Faces after the departure of Steve Marriott (who formed Humble Pie) and the addition of a couple guys you may have heard of: Ron Wood and Rod Stewart. Kenney Jones, who eventually drummed with the Who, was a founding member. Ian McLagen on keys also played quite a bit with the Stones.
Here are a few to add from the same time period - The Electric Prunes: "I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)" Count Five: "Psychotic Reaction" Donovan - "Sunshine Superman" Johnny Rivers - "Summer Rain"
OMGosh! I’m 64 years old. I haven’t heard, “I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night) in AGES! Damn well forgot about. Thanks SO much for sharing that. Right now, I’m going to go listen to it 10 times! What a great song!! Wow, we had the bomb of an era for the best music ever.
Faces is the direct descendent, after some personnel changes, of the Small Faces. You gave a fair review, but this song is less impactful outside of its historical context. This is from that moment in time when rock was expanding and diversifying and a song like Itchykoo Park was at the forefront of what is now known as psychedelic rock. To come right out and sing at the top of your lungs "I got high" was a bold act in August of 1967. I would say you are correct in thinking this song, and band, was the influencer, rather than the influenced, relative to early Pink Floyd, etc. So, again, a fair review, but the song also deserves credit for what it was, and the group the Small Faces for who they were, in the evolution of rock and roll.
yeah, agreed. for us saying we were going to "Itchykoo Park" was code for going wherever we could go to get high. This was a song that was tolerable to my parents, because they never listened to words, so we could sing it loud and proud. A lot of memories attached to this one.
This song almost got banned on BBC, but Steve made up some bullshit story and they belied that it wasn't about drugs. "Here Comes the Nice", however, is definitely about their drug dealer, and passed right through the censors. "Nice" was their code word for "high".
Influencers to be sure. The song was the coolest thing on radio back then. Nobody had ever run drums through Leslie speakers before (phasing) and this is flower child music and definitely a trend setter. Psychedelic beforehand. Others have mentioned the connection to Faces. Steve Marriott left and got together with super early Peter Frampton to form Humble Pie. Humble Pie Live at The Fillmore East will knock you out! It ROCKS so friggin hard and Marriott shows his pipes which Influenced Plant.
Steve Marriott is a legend... totally underrated as a singer and musician.... apparently went for an audition for the Rolling Stones and it’s rumoured that when Mr. Jagger heard and watched him perform he said no.... probably didn’t want upstaging, lol...not the best song to introduce yourself to them... try All or Nothing or maybe Tim Soldier 👍👍
Keith was a good friend of Steve's and twice asked him to audition. First when Brian Jones left, but Steve was just forming Humble Pie at the time w/Frampton, so declined. Then keith told Steve, the job is yours, BUT DON'T UPSTAGE MICK! Steve, of course couldn't help himself, and according to witnesses, "outJaggered" Jagger, which horrified Mick. He didn't get the job LOL, bless his heart, Steve was a natural front man.
Totally agreed. One of my favorite performers of all time. I cannot stress enough how great and influential Humble Pie have been. Should react to entire Filmore album.
This song is The Small Faces entry into the Psychedelic genre. The sound of “it’s all too beautiful” part reflects this. The “we’ll get high” part shows off the lead singer’s (Steve Marriott) voice and is more indicative of most of their music. “Tin Soldier” is a good next listen, although I think you guys would find “You Need Lovin’” very interesting... it was a VERY strong influence on Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love”.
Richard, I agree. And Tin Soldier was one of Steve Marriott's favorite songs of his career. He seriously delivered quite an emotional in that classic. Heck, I once read that in the official Video clip when he performed the heart-wrenching song, that he was actually dropping a few tears as he sung! I could never imagine our lives without Steve Marriott's music.
A quick listen to The Small Faces-'You Need Loving.' will show their influence on Led Zeppelin. Small Faces were doing their version of a Willie Dixon song. Zeppelin were doing a song inspired by Small Faces, & were sued for not giving Dixon songwriting credit.
@@alexstewart6125 Quote from Robert Plant - "I could never be compared to Steve Marriott because he's too good. He's got the best white voice for sheer bravado and balls. He is the master of white contemporary blues" Also when asked if he was influenced by Marriott , Plant said "F**k, i wanted TO BE Steve Marriott!"
It's all about the era. The song is widely recognized for being the first to incorporate flange. The song is revered in England and went to number 1 in Canada. All four players turned out to be heavy hitters. Steve Marriott went on to front Humble Pie, Ronnie Lane transformed Small Faces into Faces with Ian McLagan (both have done a lot more) and Kenny Jones who went on to play drums for The Who.
I believe the Flanger or Phaser as it was called in UK was possibly produced by playback head movement (on purpose) as that's how it was first heard (by accident) adjusting one of two playback heads while equal signals on both tracks ran through. Ibernez later put the electronic equivalent in a pedal. Used on piano intro of 10cc I'm not in love. I was an engineer at the time and it was all "hey what if we did this or that" as everyone was experimenting for new sounds.
So the small faces started in 1965. They were considered Mods and all 4 members were short in stature. When Steve Marriott (the lead singer) left the band and Started Humble Pie with Peter Frampton the other band members brought in Rod Stewart and changed their name to the Faces. They had some more good songs and were out at the same time as the Beatles and Rolling Stones. Great band. They were also very influential to other bands coming up after them in England. Thanks guys
Very important comments, Richard! A&A love Quadrophenia, and that was all about the Mods! And "face" was a key Mod concept, which Quadrophenia constantly references ("I am the face, she has to know me") and maybe was a source of the Small Faces' name.
@@alexjbennett1017 A "Face" in Mod terminology was a very important Mod about town, and all the boys were quite short, thus the "Small" part. Steve 's official height was 5'4, but those who knew him claimed he was closer to 5'2". Tiny man with a huge voice! When Stuart & Woods were added to replace Steve, the band was no longer small, so they dropped that part of the name. The Who were a band that became Mod, where the Small Faces were true Mods who formed a band. They were competitors, but all friends.
in 1966 - talking about getting "high" in a park was totally edgy. It's hard to verbalize how much accepted norms have changed in the last 60 years. The 60's was an explosion of change from the 50's - and this song about getting high in a park - and touching - was part of that explosion. A movie that exemplifies this change well is "To Sir - With Love."
Nostalgia rating: S, overall rating: B+ for sure. A fun shout out to being young and getting high. "you'll skip school - wont that be cool" - gosh, what rebels we were back in the day. Carry On!!
The Youngbloods - 'Get Together' would be a good follow on, "Come on people now, smile on your brother everybody 'get together' try to love one another right now"
Steve Marriot, truly one of the greatest vocalists in British music, and vastly underrated. As vocalist with Humble Pie, you really hear that powerful vocal grit.
One of the best British bands, Marriott had one of the all time great voices - check out ‘Afterglow of your Love’, ‘All or Nothing’, Tin Soldier’ & ‘Song of a Baker’
This was the biggest mod band in England in the late 60's. "Tin Soldier" would be more characteristic of their sound at the time. Their singer left and they became The Faces.
This song lives larger in our collective memory than it does on playback. But it was huge back in the day. And although you haven’t reacted to Small Faces before today, you have heard front man Steve Marriott. He was the lead singer for Humble Pie on their song “30 Days in the Hole”, which you’ve reacted to previously. Check out “Tin Soldier”, which has Marriott on lead vocals, and “Song of a Baker”, which has Ronnie Lane on lead vocals. Both are much different than what you heard today, and much heavier.
It's easy to forget Donovan started out as a Dylan wannabe. See "Catch the Wind," a very good song, but completely different from what he does later on, And obviously straining to compete with Mr Zimmerman.
Love this freaking song. Anytime I listen I just close my eyes and throw my head back and just let the music carry me away. Soo relaxing. Written by Steve Marriott and Ronnie Lane about a place they used to go when they would skip school, and released in 1966. Okay little known fact. "Itchycoo Park" is the nickname of Little Ilford Park in London. An "Itchycoo" is slang for a flower found in the park called a "Stinging Nettle," which can burn the skin if touched. This was the biggest American hit Small Faces ever had (they were much more popular in England), but according to Ronnie Lane, they considered it a joke when they recorded it; the band would screw around in the studio to get a laugh out of their manager Andrew Oldham. The song came out sounding so good that they started to take it seriously. As always guys great reaction. Stay safe and peace oouuuttt.
I'm with you, Collen .. Absolutely adore this song .. Pity that the boys couldn't get the feel of it .. To me this is British psychedelic pop at its very best, and S-Tier all the way ! .. Thanks for the interesting back story .. I hadn't heard that before .. Cheers, Wayne
About time. Thank you. Guy's don't be put off by this song Try "Tin Soldier" By the Small Faces. Steve Marriott was one of the greatest vocalists out there. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of fame in 2012.
Tin Soldier is, I think, their best. Soulful and bluesy with a strong rock guitar and vocals. And one of my favourite songs ever. You will definitely enjoy Tin Soldier
The first song to feature that "phase" gimmick was "The Big Hurt" by Toni Fisher- and it was WAAAAAY back in 1959 while everything was still being done in mono, not stereo. The phase doesn't sound nearly as cool in mono- but you do get to kinda hear it four times...
SO groovy!! Steve Marriott's voice was amazing, he was one of rocks greatest frontmen. This song goes all the way back to 1966. "Tin Soldier" is another tune to check out. Thanks A&A. I've been waiting for this...
Maybe you youngins never heard of them but us older rockers know them well, this band help spawn some great rock legends. Great song guy's. It's a tribute to the fame park.
In 1965 the Small Faces adapted Muddy Waters "You Need Love" into "You Need Loving". Led Zeppelin took from both to make "Whole Lotta Love". As usual they gave no credit. I think Plant based a lot of his vocal style on Steve Marriott.
When Steve heard "Whole Lotta Love" on the radio, he said he was "astounded" as the phrasing was exactly like his. However, Steve didn't mind and supposedly shouted out "go on my Son!!". For Steve it was all about the music, not ego.
"He sounded like Robert Plant" Funny enough, Jimmy Page wanted to hire Steve Marriott for The New Yardbirds/aka Led Zeppelin. After the Small Faces' manager asked him if he still would be able to play guitar with broken fingers, Page had to look somewhere else. Robert Plant was a pretty good second choice imho.
In '66 this was cutting edge! It's difficult for you guys to rate these songs fairly because you've heard things that easily eclipsed them years or decades later. And it's difficult for us oldsters to fairly rate them because our judgement may be clouded by memories they evoke. Still, I agree with the sentiment that 'if you have fond memories of the '60s, you weren't doing it right".
Basically in 1968 The Small Faces split into two groups, Steve Marriott (vocals & guitar) left to form heavy rockers Humble Pie with Peter Frampton (ex The Herd). The rest of the band then changed the group's name to just the 'Faces.' Both group's went on to have considerable success in the UK (& the US). 😊👍
Odd you should mention Robert Plant, he was a Small Faces groupie, check out "You need lovin" by the SF and you'll see right away where that ended up.🤠
If you like Steves vocals in this, give Humble Pie a listen if you haven't. 30 Days In The Hole, Hot and Nasty, I Don't Need No Doctor are a good place to start. Steve Marriotts vocals are on another level.
If you want to look further into important UK bands that never made it in the US, then The Move is essential. Eventually led to the formation of ELO, but were highly successful in their own right.
Hi from Essex, where the singer, Steve Marriott, died in a fire quite near where I'm currently living. They were never my favourite band but they were quite popular back in the day. My favourite track of theirs would be All or Nothing - quite a belter - covered by Starsailor who did a fine job too. Off the subject but talking of Fleetwood Mac, I used to see them live when Peter Green fronted the band. Need Your Love So Bad is still a favourite of mine and well worth a listen.
First-gen Fleetwood Mac def needs a LOT more reactions … everyone reacts to Nicks-Buckingham-era stuff, which is pretty great, but I much prefer the first iteration, with Peter Green, Danny Kirwan and Jeremy Spencer!
@@walterlawrence2485 Hi, yes, another great track and a brilliant idea - I'm curating my funeral music too! I used to see them at Redcar Jazz Club and I still remember Peter Green standing there in his yellow kaftan! Tyrannosaurus Rex played there too - how lucky was I!
Guys, you gotta understand...that era WAS the first time for a LOT of folks all at once to come of age and get high as a rite of passage! And reliving that first moment with the opening of this song brought it back each time it was heard....even today!
Please react to “Hurdy Gurdy Man” by Donovan, circa 1968. Fantastic psychedelia. Fun fact.. Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and John Bonham played on this. They did some time as session musicians and did back up for Donovan.
Steve Marriott was one of the best rock voices. Check him out in Humble Pie, 'Black Coffee'. I think you guys often judge songs by todays standards but this was written over 50 years ago. No surprise there are ellements that may not appeal to you but it did okay at the time. Maybe if you had been around to pass on your pearls of wisdom they may have been as big as Led Zeppelin. Who knows.
Agree Paul , Steve Marriott , the best blues voice ever, Black Coffee... It's just crazy mad good . And all those hotels named after him ( not really) 🤔🤣
I agree that Andy and Alex-as well as many others on reactions channels can't help but judge music biased toward the music and production they're more familiar with. As far as "Black Coffee" goes, the vocal and performance is so stunningly good I can't believe ANYONE wouldn't be impressed!
I think these fellows are doing more of a service to the music of the day than a disservice. They do try to breakdown why they like or dislike a tune without any modern comparisons.
@@RickF-dw8cl I should have been clearer. I only mean we all judge things by what we know and what we're accustomed to. I myself had a particular bias when I first heard alot of the old blues artists. I only knew blues through the rock bands of the 70s. After really listening to the old blues people I understood what they were doing was something completely different than later rock/ blues artists. The later rock/blues artists borrowed from the originators and made something entirely new and unique. I agree Andy & Alex are doing a great job. Exploring and sharing what they do is pretty awesome! I make a living as a musicology and music historian. I'm proud of anyone reaching back to understand any and all music that's come before us!
The first song to feature the flanging effect, created by having the song played by two tape recorder at the same time and then slightly adjusting the speed of one machine by touching the flange of the tape reel which would slow it down. An effect accidentally discovered by the Beatles, who were recording in a studio at the same time as The small faces where recording Itchycoo Park
I rate the "Roots of Rock Livestream" S- Tier! 🔥👏 Should be entered into the Library of Congress for historical context. Adam's superb narration (elaboration)added so much. Beginning with Robert Johnson, (Memphis Minnie, Leadbelly etc) concluding with Rock Around the Clock was just perfect. Hitting all the right keypoints in between. Can"t stop listening!!! Have listened every day since aired!! Needs to be a Pt 2 for sure, if so a few key artists missed(no complaints you guys covered a lot of ground !!) 1) Louis Jordan - Caldonia (circa 46) Before Rocket 88 and Rock around the Clock he developed that style known as "Jump Swing blues". 2) Cab Calloway - Minnie the Moocher (1931) They called Elvis the Pelvis? This Big Bandleader was shaking his thing when Elvis was in his diapers,lol 3) Fats Waller- Aint Misbehaving (1929) The most charismatic piano man ever ( & singer) master of the " Stride piano style". (All 3 wrote majority of their material covered by countless artists). Another Suggestion "Roots of Soul, R&B & Funk". All have such an influence on rock I feel totally relevant and would have equal positive response. Could be divided in 2 parts. 1)Roots of "Soul& R&B 2) Roots of Funk
One thing to also point out. Country music artists were very much influenced and developed from black Artists. Merle Haggard's mentor was Rufas Payne whom never got credit himself. Do when people sight country as an influence on,Rockn roll it all comes from black bluesman. Country blues, Delta Blues, New Orleans Swing. All of it. Check this th-cam.com/video/BzSXxyefm7w/w-d-xo.html Here is another th-cam.com/video/WMeaOlWVbXE/w-d-xo.html
"Should be entered into the Library of Congress for historical context." I was thinking along the same lines. I don't know about the Library of Congress, but it should be available to a wider audience than just the channel subscribers. And another shout out to Adam for the fine job he did organizing the livestream.
Right! A&A reacted to three of the Million Dollar Quartet: Johnny Cash, Elvis & Jerry Lee Lewis. They left out Carl Perkins (e.g., "Blue Suede Shoes"). Perkins was such a huge inspiration to The Beatles, especially George's guitar licks. They even covered ..what? Three or four Perkins's tunes.
If you’re interested in the era, try “Dizzy” by Tommy Roe. The songs back then were often just fun, and to us kids actually cool. Itchykoo Park glorified getting high, with “all too beautiful” being needed to justify all the suggestiveness. Small Faces were prototypical with the sound effect, that was later adopted by The Beach Boys. Speaking of Beatles influence, I think Tommy Roe’s use of strings for Dizzy came from The Beatles.
I think this song was more about tripping on acid which was still legal to purchase in the streets. LSD was a very popular, and inexpensive LEGAL drug in that time period. In 1963 Sandoz let their patent run out for their product LSD so anyone with a little chemical background (college lab students) could make it and they sure did. LSD became illegal in the UK in 1966 and in the USA in 1968. From experience, one of the first effects of acid had on me was that 'everything was beautiful', just like this song says. That's why it is repeated so much.
According to Ian McLagan's (keyboardist) memoir, Ronnie, Mac and Steve were doing lots of acid around this time, along with other drugs. Only Kenney was pretty straight (he did drink plenty), perhaps since he was so young - only 16 when SF's formed. Kenney is the only one still living, hmmm...
@@hklinker True, according to Kenney's memoir, his alcohol problem got really bad during his Faces tenure. They all were drinking too much. He later cut WAY back and quit smoking too. Bless him, he always seemed to have more self control than the others.
A song from "the Summer of Love," 1967. Some have written that 1967 was the greatest year in music (a livestream?). Released in August 1967, went to Number 16 in the U.S. The Beatles released "Sgt. Peppers" in May and "Magical Mystery Tour" in November. Might want to check the "Itchykoo Park" performance on TH-cam (could be telling). For some reason, besides wondering about Itchykoo Park, the War, it reminds me of the street rod scene in 1967, "hopped up, fixed up" cars with aftermarket parts of that time, not the mention going into the 4th year of "Muscle Cars" from Detroit. Wow!
Ogden's Nut Gone Flake is a great album!! The Small Faces came first, they lost a few members and dropped the "small" to become the Faces. This song is a good example of psychedelic pop rock. The special effect is called phasing, it was done by playing two recordings slightly out of phase. I don't think they were copying, they were pioneering. You should listen to the album Ogden's Nut Gone Flake in it's entirety.
Guys, Small Faces were indeed the prototypes in 1966-68. They were original Mods and their sound was indeed unique, special and Steve Marriott had the vocal range, pitch, tone, a joy to hear and others wanted to be Steve Marriott. But there is no one better. Let me repeat there will never be another Steve Marriott. Please listen to more of Small Faces then move on to Humble Pie, the early years. There is a core of Steve's admirers who still listen to him, miss him and mourn his tragic passing too soon. Peace and love.
@@cindyfalstrom7231 Thanks Cindy. I wish these analytical young guys would do their research of Strvr, Small Faces, Faces and Humble, as well as Ronnie, Kenney and Ian. It isn't like the info and books aren't out there. Just go to Amazon or Google their names. If all someone knows of Small Faces is Ichycoo Park, they dont know and haven't heard much of the breadth and depth of them. Not "Beatle-esque" or Pink Floyd. As for Zeppelin, we all know it was Robert Plant who imitated Steve Marriott! Small Faces didn't imitate any other band. But I will give these 2 guys credit for saying maybe these guys, meaning Small Faces, were the prototype and mentioning the phasers. Yes, yes, Small Faces were the prototype! They were GOLD!
@@bethh.9647 To be fair, these two young guys had never heard of Small Faces, Humble Pie, or Steve Marriott until very recently. This is a very common problem, especially with younger people. Fans like us might find that shocking as to us they loomed large with their talents and influence, but sadly this seems to be the norm. A&A did do a piece on Humble Pie "30 Days in the Hole" at least 6 months ago, and loved it. Since that time, everytime they do Peter Frampton or Rod Stewart or Faces, I nag them to check out Small Faces, but to no avail. I feel like a voice in the wilderness. I am thrilled that Small Faces finally came up, although Itchicoo Park would not have been my first choice. I hope that the huge response in the comments will encourage them to dig a little deeper. These guys have over 23,000 viewers, Probably mostly young like them, so a few of us harping about Marriott probably doesn't make a big impression. They don't know what they are missing. Rock on Steve!
Alex: I consider the two of you to be the absolute best at what you do. However, please stop dinging songs for sounding like the Beatles. I see that you are getting how good The Beatles were, but you don't have the perspective of having lived at the time and having your radio on constantly through it. The Beatles would set the bar and parameters, and everyone else would explore that (not steal from it, usually), but four months later The Beatles would set the bar again. Even at that, you can't fairly ding Small Faces for playing 60s pop. They were considered "mods" anyway, so if you want to compare them it should be to bands like The Who, The Kinks, and fringe stuff like The Graham Bond Organization. This was a legit and popular variant of pop in the 60s.
What a great band you need to play all or nothing, Tin soldier ,& Talk to me ,to hear steve Marriott's unique voice he really was an outstanding singer RIP steve Ronnie & ian such a sad loss💔
The Yardbirds are an English rock band, formed in London in 1963. The band's core lineup featured vocalist and harmonica player Keith Relf, drummer Jim McCarty, rhythm guitarist/bassist Chris Dreja and bassist/producer Paul Samwell-Smith. The band is known for starting the careers of three of rock's most famous guitarists, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, and Jeff Beck, all of whom ranked in the top five of Rolling Stone magazine's list of 100 greatest guitarists.[4] The band had a string of hits throughout the mid-1960s, including "For Your Love", "Heart Full of Soul", "Shapes of Things", and "Over Under Sideways Down". Originally a blues-based band noted for their signature "rave-up" instrumental breaks,[5] the Yardbirds broadened their range into pop, pioneering psychedelic rock and early hard rock; and contributed to many electric guitar innovations of the mid-1960s. Some rock critics and historians also cite their influence on the later punk rock, progressive rock, and heavy metal trends.[6][5] Following the band's split in 1968, Relf and McCarty formed Renaissance and guitarist Jimmy Page formed Led Zeppelin - the latter of which was initially intended as a direct successor to the Yardbirds.
They got a lot of air play and at that time using the word “high” was very risky because radio stations were afraid of any song eluding to getting high on drugs! Ahh the old days lol!
There's a live version of "What'cha Gonna Do About It?" from 1966 with Marriott is singing like Plant, ripping like Page, and moving like Jagger. It's a blistering performance!
Beat Club? if so, there are 4 songs performed live. Rare as most of the videos were required by TV to be mimed. Thanks to TH-cam. Its a miracle to be able to enjoy these performances 50+ years later!
@@cindyfalstrom7231 Yes. The Beat Club video cuts off the announcer introducing them in German. I can't seem to find that version, it may have been pulled.
@@davidnoble868 I love that whole live performance. Originally, I saw all four songs, plus the interview between Steve and host in one video, but now it appears to have been broken down into individual bits. Have you heard this version - just audio, but really HOT th-cam.com/video/viHnnex6OJQ/w-d-xo.html. I love all Small Faces music, but I think I loved them best when they were young and raw.
@@davidnoble868 I looked also, but couldn't find the complete show all together with the interview included anymore. However, all 4 songs are posted, and the interview can be found separately. Over a year ago, I purchased a DVD from, Amazon called "British Invasion: Small Faces-All or Nothing 1965-1969". It was well worth the purchase price (just checked $17.99 prime or $8.99+3.99 shipping from another vendor). It has the Beat Club video, plus almost all music videos produced, a documentary, plus a few bonus tracts like the last Ronnie Lane interview. If you are a fan, you might like it, I have certainly watched it a number of times and enjoyed it. If you haven't seen it on YT there is also a very early footage of the boys playing live at the Marquee Club. Sound isn't great, but it is priceless to see these so talented kids just starting out. If you think you might be interested, don't dilly dally, there was only one copy left at Amazon!
Thanks, guys. This song really caught my ear as a teenager. Their crowning glory was “Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake”. You might try “Song of the Baker” for a good rocker.
You should listen to “You Need Love” from their 1966 debut album. Totally rocks and your can hear the influence this had on Robert Plant and Led Zeppelin
First released use of that phase shift effect in a pop song (they heard the effect in some of the pre-release Sgt. Pepper tracks and asked how the Beatles did it).
Flanging is the term. So called because they'd literally hold the flange of a tape reel to delay it slightly. It's a very short delay + modulation effect.
@@michaelconnors8525 Funny story about the whole "flanging" thing -- when John Lennon asked George Martin to explain the Artificial Double Tracking effect Ken Townsend had developed, Martin, knowing John wouldn't understand the actual technicalities of the effect, told him "We take the original image and we split it through a double vibrocated sploshing flange with double negative feedback" and Lennon started referring to the effect as "Ken's flanger" from that point forward.
Small Faces were an amazing pioneering band of the 60s that set the way for many to follow. Steve Marriotts vocals are up there with the best of the time. Was lucky enough to have met him and he was such a nice humble person. Anyway, you should check out more of there songs like Afterglow, E Too D, Wham Bam Thank You Mam, Don’t Burst My Bubble, Song Of A Baker etc
are an English rock band formed in 1969 by members of Small Faces after lead singer/guitarist Steve Marriott left that group to form Humble Pie. The remaining Small Faces-Ian McLagan (keyboards), Ronnie Lane (bass guitar, vocals), and Kenney Jones (drums and percussion)-were joined by Ronnie Wood (guitar) and Rod Stewart (lead vocals), both from the Jeff Beck Group, and the new line-up was renamed Faces.
I'm not sure that I had ever heard that before. I wasn't crazy about it but it wasn't awful, was worth a listen. It's cool that even a 51 year old ex musician and forever music aficionado can still learn classic Era stuff here :-)
Summer of Love Psychedelia was all over classic rock radio in the early-mid 70s. It fit the mellow pop mood of the time. So being a bit older, I caught this early stuff a lot from the prior decade on that second run as a teen. But by the late 70s and early 80s, I think the whole hippy roots thing fell out, in favor of the harder rock, newer disco, punk, new wave, and MTV.
I certainly think there is a place for this music and reviews. I’ve grown to appreciate it the older I get. That said this is 60’s AM radio music. Comparable to The Grassroots, Tommy James & the Shondells, Spiral Staircase, Strawberry Alarm Clock and many more 60’s AM radio bands. Love this music but this was pop music. I look at it that way and enjoy it for what it is. Not what was really happening over on FM radio. :)
@@johnwhear9600 don't get me wrong, I love Tin Soldier and Lazy Sunday Afternoon for that matter, I just think the obvious choice is their biggest hit.
@@johnwhear9600 yeah, but I don't think every song they react too needs to be a 'banger'. There are so many great songs out there that aren't. Btw, they need to show some Aussie music some love, so much to choose from, from Mondo Rock to Russell Morris to Split Enz (technically Kiwi, but I'm claiming them as ours) to Mental As Anything to Australian Crawl to Midnight Oil to Skyhooks. So many great bands.
As others have said, Tin Soldier for more Small Faces (introducing you to PP Arnold, which can only be a good thing) and staying with Marriott follow it with Humble Pie - Black Coffee.
Psychedelia like this had a resurgence in the 80s, especially among the Paisley Underground movement, largely centered in California, which included bands like Dream Syndicate, Rain Parade, The Three O'Clock, Thin White Rope, The Bangs etc. My local rock station (WRIF- Detroit) started playing this song semi-regularly, and you would hear the Byrds fairly frequently as well alongside other psychedelic fare. It's always funny how things go in and out of style. This song? I always enjoyed this song, nice melody, trippy and fun. Song of a Baker is a better song by them.
Now you're hitting my sweet spot. Those LA Paisley Underground bands remain among my favorites. Would love for them to hit some Dream Syndicate, but honestly, that's a pipe dream. Not enough people know who they even are.
@@burmajones803 I know, it's such wonderful music and head and shoulders above the mainstream at the time. If we ever get another deep cuts Livestream, that would seem to be the perfect forum for this music...
@@burmajones803 If we get another deep cuts stream, request your favorite Dream Syndicate song & I'll get behind your request. Better that way then having all of us making multiple requests and dividing our efforts.
@@normanleroy1874 or a themed livestream like this last one was, except focused on 80s rock and roll. Even that's a stretch though since to many people 80s rock means hair metal and that's it.
A&A, very glad you liked discovering this gem. This song for me best of all the others captured the aspirations of the Summer of Love with "it's all so beautiful" and then the "phased" section -- that was totally the feeling of discovering marijuana and LSD in those magical innocent days. It was great to feel that feeling again!
Tin Soldier by them is great. And Humble pie (the other band featuring the lead singer of Small Faces) would be good to react to again- their Whistle test Black Coffee performance.
I think Itchygoo Park was their biggest hit in the US. Other songs to try Tin Soldier and Afterglow of your Love. Small Faces became the Faces with Rod Stewart and Ronny Wood. Marriott formed Humble Pie with included a young Peter Frampton for a while.
Thank you for sharing your generous reactions to this cool hit. May I suggest The Small Faces classic "Tin Soldier", please? Steve was so emotional and sincere in this outstanding performance. He wrote the song for his 1st future wife who was dating Rod Stewart, during that era. It's incredibly powerful. ☮️😊
Steve Marriott was pretty subdued in his younger days in the early part of his career, before "Humble Pie" in the 70s. It's like he just realized how freaking great his vocals were. Truly one of the best voices in Rock history. This song was about skipping school, and taking LSD, and going down to "Itchy coo Park" in lower London. Yes, it's a real place, and they really did what they talk about in this song. I was 12 when I first heard this song as a kid in Seattle. Yes, those crazy drug filled1960s. The music was so damn good in those days.
I don't think Steve was subdued in his early R&B club days, they were quite the ravers. Watch some of the very early videos '65-66 on YT. Eric Clapton said that when first saw them he laughed because they looked like Hobbits, however he was impressed at how "raunchy" they sounded. It was the record company that made them adapt to what was popular pop music.
Dudes! Hit the lyrics! I feel inclined to blow my mind Get hung up, feed the ducks with a bun, They all come out to groove about Be nice and have fun in the sun!
The song is about taking acid in the park. The reason it says "It's all too beautiful" so much is because an LSD experience is a long multi-hour one. That's why the refrain is so overdone. The line is meant to emphasis the psychedelic experience.
Small Faces eventually became Faces after the departure of Steve Marriott (who formed Humble Pie) and the addition of a couple guys you may have heard of: Ron Wood and Rod Stewart. Kenney Jones, who eventually drummed with the Who, was a founding member. Ian McLagen on keys also played quite a bit with the Stones.
I was just asking about that.👍🏻
Ronnie Lane was a big part of both bands
I was just going to type out the same thing. Well done.
Great explanation
Just to add: "Steve Marriot (who formed Humble Pie..." along with Peter Frampton!
Here are a few to add from the same time period - The Electric Prunes: "I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)"
Count Five: "Psychotic Reaction"
Donovan - "Sunshine Superman"
Johnny Rivers - "Summer Rain"
Those and The First Edition: "Just dropped in (to see what condition my condition was in)"
Psychotic Reaction was great
OMGosh! I’m 64 years old. I haven’t heard, “I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night) in AGES! Damn well forgot about. Thanks SO much for sharing that. Right now, I’m going to go listen to it 10 times! What a great song!! Wow, we had the bomb of an era for the best music ever.
Love all of those!
Faces is the direct descendent, after some personnel changes, of the Small Faces. You gave a fair review, but this song is less impactful outside of its historical context. This is from that moment in time when rock was expanding and diversifying and a song like Itchykoo Park was at the forefront of what is now known as psychedelic rock. To come right out and sing at the top of your lungs "I got high" was a bold act in August of 1967. I would say you are correct in thinking this song, and band, was the influencer, rather than the influenced, relative to early Pink Floyd, etc. So, again, a fair review, but the song also deserves credit for what it was, and the group the Small Faces for who they were, in the evolution of rock and roll.
yeah, agreed. for us saying we were going to "Itchykoo Park" was code for going wherever we could go to get high. This was a song that was tolerable to my parents, because they never listened to words, so we could sing it loud and proud. A lot of memories attached to this one.
Very well said, Jon!
This song almost got banned on BBC, but Steve made up some bullshit story and they belied that it wasn't about drugs. "Here Comes the Nice", however, is definitely about their drug dealer, and passed right through the censors. "Nice" was their code word for "high".
Yeah, the Small Faces and Todd Rundgren's Nazz had that whole new guitar sound thing. :-)
Influencers to be sure. The song was the coolest thing on radio back then. Nobody had ever run drums through Leslie speakers before (phasing) and this is flower child music and definitely a trend setter.
Psychedelic beforehand. Others have mentioned the connection to Faces. Steve Marriott left and got together with super early Peter Frampton to form Humble Pie. Humble Pie Live at The Fillmore East will knock you out! It ROCKS so friggin hard and Marriott shows his pipes which Influenced Plant.
You need the visual of Steve Marriott to fully appreciate this song ❤️🔥😎 RIP Steve
On the Beat Club video, Steve and Ronnie look like perfect little mod princes.
So adorable. Sad, knowing what tragedy lies ahead for both of them.
Absolutely! His stage performance is very unique.
The Magik Midjit, Steve Marriot
Steve Marriott is a legend... totally underrated as a singer and musician.... apparently went for an audition for the Rolling Stones and it’s rumoured that when Mr. Jagger heard and watched him perform he said no.... probably didn’t want upstaging, lol...not the best song to introduce yourself to them... try All or Nothing or maybe Tim Soldier 👍👍
Keith was a good friend of Steve's and twice asked him to audition. First when Brian Jones left, but Steve was just forming Humble Pie at the time w/Frampton, so declined. Then keith told Steve, the job is yours, BUT DON'T UPSTAGE MICK! Steve, of course couldn't help himself, and according to witnesses, "outJaggered" Jagger, which horrified Mick. He didn't get the job LOL, bless his heart, Steve was a natural front man.
Totally agreed. One of my favorite performers of all time. I cannot stress enough how great and influential Humble Pie have been. Should react to entire Filmore album.
Guys, you already listened to 'Thirty days in the Hole' by Humble Pie; Steve Marriott is the singer for both bands.
This song is The Small Faces entry into the Psychedelic genre. The sound of “it’s all too beautiful” part reflects this. The “we’ll get high” part shows off the lead singer’s (Steve Marriott) voice and is more indicative of most of their music.
“Tin Soldier” is a good next listen, although I think you guys would find “You Need Lovin’” very interesting... it was a VERY strong influence on Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love”.
Strong influence? One might say outright plagerism.🤣🤣🤣
Richard, I agree. And Tin Soldier was one of Steve Marriott's favorite songs of his career. He seriously delivered quite an emotional in that classic. Heck, I once read that in the official Video clip when he performed the heart-wrenching song, that he was actually dropping a few tears as he sung! I could never imagine our lives without Steve Marriott's music.
I think they should review Ogden’s Nutgone Flake and it’s entirety, which is one of the most underrated concept albums in my opinion
@@kimsullivan5576 True. I also think "Ogden's Nut Gone Flake" also was a great performance that showed more of their range.
@@papabones6307 That's another fine choice. Yes.
Robert Plant said he thought Marriott was the best singer out of all his peers including himself.
A quick listen to The Small Faces-'You Need Loving.' will show their influence on Led Zeppelin. Small Faces were doing their version of a Willie Dixon song. Zeppelin were doing a song inspired by Small Faces, & were sued for not giving Dixon songwriting credit.
Clearly nonsense
@@robertcollins197 how is it nonsense? I love Plant but he did try to sound like Marriot in the early days.
Clearly not nonsense. Ask Robert Plant and Jimmy Page their opinion of the Small Faces, and this song in particular.
@@alexstewart6125 Quote from Robert Plant - "I could never be compared to Steve Marriott because he's too good. He's got the best white voice for sheer bravado and balls. He is the master of white contemporary blues" Also when asked if he was influenced by Marriott , Plant said "F**k, i wanted TO BE Steve Marriott!"
It's all about the era. The song is widely recognized for being the first to incorporate flange. The song is revered in England and went to number 1 in Canada. All four players turned out to be heavy hitters. Steve Marriott went on to front Humble Pie, Ronnie Lane transformed Small Faces into Faces with Ian McLagan (both have done a lot more) and Kenny Jones who went on to play drums for The Who.
I believe the Flanger or Phaser as it was called in UK was possibly produced by playback head movement (on purpose) as that's how it was first heard (by accident) adjusting one of two playback heads while equal signals on both tracks ran through. Ibernez later put the electronic equivalent in a pedal. Used on piano intro of 10cc I'm not in love. I was an engineer at the time and it was all "hey what if we did this or that" as everyone was experimenting for new sounds.
An old 50's fave of my Moms "The Big Hurt" by Toni Fisher. It featured early tape flanging, in a haunting way.
@@Telephonebill51 absolutely. I should have said rock era hit. The Beatles used it on Revolver (the year before I think?)
This might be THE most 60s song of them all!
So the small faces started in 1965. They were considered Mods and all 4 members were short in stature. When Steve Marriott (the lead singer) left the band and Started Humble Pie with Peter Frampton the other band members brought in Rod Stewart and changed their name to the Faces. They had some more good songs and were out at the same time as the Beatles and Rolling Stones. Great band. They were also very influential to other bands coming up after them in England. Thanks guys
Very important comments, Richard! A&A love Quadrophenia, and that was all about the Mods! And "face" was a key Mod concept, which Quadrophenia constantly references ("I am the face, she has to know me") and maybe was a source of the Small Faces' name.
@@alexjbennett1017 A "Face" in Mod terminology was a very important Mod about town, and all the boys were quite short, thus the "Small" part. Steve 's official height was 5'4, but those who knew him claimed he was closer to 5'2". Tiny man with a huge voice! When Stuart & Woods were added to replace Steve, the band was no longer small, so they dropped that part of the name. The Who were a band that became Mod, where the Small Faces were true Mods who formed a band. They were competitors, but all friends.
@@cindyfalstrom7231 No
@@mariogmajner6549 no to what? I'm ready to stand corrected...
@@alexjbennett1017 Sorry to disagree but the Small Faces were on the scene about 5 or 6 years before Quadraphenia came out.
A lovely slice of psychedelia, right up there with Arnold Lane by Pink Floyd. It's a long way from here to Humble Pie and 30 Days in the Hole....
I was thinking if Marriott and his live performance of "Black Coffee".
30 days in the hole. Awesome song!!
in 1966 - talking about getting "high" in a park was totally edgy. It's hard to verbalize how much accepted norms have changed in the last 60 years. The 60's was an explosion of change from the 50's - and this song about getting high in a park - and touching - was part of that explosion. A movie that exemplifies this change well is "To Sir - With Love."
Nostalgia rating: S, overall rating: B+ for sure. A fun shout out to being young and getting high. "you'll skip school - wont that be cool" - gosh, what rebels we were back in the day.
Carry On!!
The Youngbloods - 'Get Together' would be a good follow on, "Come on people now, smile on your brother everybody 'get together' try to love one another right now"
I love " Get Together" Another fantastic song FROM the album is "Darkness, Darkness." Every bit as good as "Get Together."
I grew up listening to great songs like this. It still makes me stop and listen, now I tear up...
Oh my god!!!!!! I love this song ❤️ Steve Marriott, such a legend!
Steve Marriot, truly one of the greatest vocalists in British music, and vastly underrated. As vocalist with Humble Pie, you really hear that powerful vocal grit.
One of the best British bands, Marriott had one of the all time great voices - check out ‘Afterglow of your Love’, ‘All or Nothing’, Tin Soldier’ & ‘Song of a Baker’
This was the biggest mod band in England in the late 60's. "Tin Soldier" would be more characteristic of their sound at the time. Their singer left and they became The Faces.
Agree, but have too add Lazy Sunday Afternoon and All or Nothing.
This song lives larger in our collective memory than it does on playback. But it was huge back in the day. And although you haven’t reacted to Small Faces before today, you have heard front man Steve Marriott. He was the lead singer for Humble Pie on their song “30 Days in the Hole”, which you’ve reacted to previously. Check out “Tin Soldier”, which has Marriott on lead vocals, and “Song of a Baker”, which has Ronnie Lane on lead vocals. Both are much different than what you heard today, and much heavier.
Morning 🥰
@@Shadowrider1872 Good Morning!
Is this your gateway to Donovan? I hope so. He was extremely influential.
Definitely Donovan - Sunshine Superman or Season of the WItch, either would be a good intro.
@@TheDeadlyDan Definitely agree!
But NOT Hurdy Gurdy Man- that’s for much later.
Season of the Witch for sure.
It's easy to forget Donovan started out as a Dylan wannabe. See "Catch the Wind," a very good song, but completely different from what he does later on, And obviously straining to compete with Mr Zimmerman.
Love this freaking song. Anytime I listen I just close my eyes and throw my head back and just let the music carry me away. Soo relaxing. Written by Steve Marriott and Ronnie Lane about a place they used to go when they would skip school, and released in 1966. Okay little known fact. "Itchycoo Park" is the nickname of Little Ilford Park in London. An "Itchycoo" is slang for a flower found in the park called a "Stinging Nettle," which can burn the skin if touched. This was the biggest American hit Small Faces ever had (they were much more popular in England), but according to Ronnie Lane, they considered it a joke when they recorded it; the band would screw around in the studio to get a laugh out of their manager Andrew Oldham. The song came out sounding so good that they started to take it seriously. As always guys great reaction. Stay safe and peace oouuuttt.
I'm with you, Collen .. Absolutely adore this song .. Pity that the boys couldn't get the feel of it .. To me this is British psychedelic pop at its very best, and S-Tier all the way ! .. Thanks for the interesting back story .. I hadn't heard that before .. Cheers, Wayne
About time. Thank you. Guy's don't be put off by this song Try "Tin Soldier" By the Small Faces. Steve Marriott was one of the greatest vocalists out there. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of fame in 2012.
Good shoutout.
*Guys
@@RobJazzful good shoutout, lol.
Tin Soldier is a fantastic song.
@@CW-mx7eb Check it out as performed with the adorable PP Arnold live on French TV.
Tin Soldier is, I think, their best. Soulful and bluesy with a strong rock guitar and vocals. And one of my favourite songs ever. You will definitely enjoy Tin Soldier
Especially the live version, with P P Arnold.
In an era when new sounds were coming at us all the time, the phasing on the drums was the first time most of us heard that sound, and it was awesome.
The first song to feature that "phase" gimmick was "The Big Hurt" by Toni Fisher- and it was WAAAAAY back in 1959 while everything was still being done in mono, not stereo.
The phase doesn't sound nearly as cool in mono- but you do get to kinda hear it four times...
SO groovy!! Steve Marriott's voice was amazing, he was one of rocks greatest frontmen. This song goes all the way back to 1966. "Tin Soldier" is another tune to check out. Thanks A&A. I've been waiting for this...
Maybe you youngins never heard of them but us older rockers know them well, this band help spawn some great rock legends. Great song guy's. It's a tribute to the fame park.
In 1965 the Small Faces adapted Muddy Waters "You Need Love" into "You Need Loving". Led Zeppelin took from both to make "Whole Lotta Love". As usual they gave no credit. I think Plant based a lot of his vocal style on Steve Marriott.
When Steve heard "Whole Lotta Love" on the radio, he said he was "astounded" as the phrasing was exactly like his. However, Steve didn't mind and supposedly shouted out "go on my Son!!". For Steve it was all about the music, not ego.
Steve Mariott the creator of Rock's vocal style
The modern rock era - absolutely, yes.
I thought that was Little Richard
Steve Marriott had an AMAZING rock voice! He also formed Humble Pie later on...awesome bluesy band. thx for sharing Andy & Alex :)
"He sounded like Robert Plant"
Funny enough, Jimmy Page wanted to hire Steve Marriott for The New Yardbirds/aka Led Zeppelin. After the Small Faces' manager asked him if he still would be able to play guitar with broken fingers, Page had to look somewhere else. Robert Plant was a pretty good second choice imho.
In '66 this was cutting edge! It's difficult for you guys to rate these songs fairly because you've heard things that easily eclipsed them years or decades later. And it's difficult for us oldsters to fairly rate them because our judgement may be clouded by memories they evoke. Still, I agree with the sentiment that 'if you have fond memories of the '60s, you weren't doing it right".
Basically in 1968 The Small Faces split into two groups, Steve Marriott (vocals & guitar) left to form heavy rockers Humble Pie with Peter Frampton (ex The Herd). The rest of the band then changed the group's name to just the 'Faces.' Both group's went on to have considerable success in the UK (& the US). 😊👍
Didn’t Steve Marriott go to Humble Pie and they became Faces when Rod Stewert joined.
Yeah, It is almost impossible to talk about Faces with out mentioning Small Faces.
Odd you should mention Robert Plant, he was a Small Faces groupie, check out "You need lovin" by the SF and you'll see right away where that ended up.🤠
If you like Steves vocals in this, give Humble Pie a listen if you haven't. 30 Days In The Hole, Hot and Nasty, I Don't Need No Doctor are a good place to start. Steve Marriotts vocals are on another level.
They already did 30 Days in the Hole. Seems like they enjoyed it.
Always loved from when it was first released, great band.
Wow!! You've got to be the first reactors to react to Small Faces. Itchykoo Park is a closet classic.
If you want to look further into important UK bands that never made it in the US, then The Move is essential. Eventually led to the formation of ELO, but were highly successful in their own right.
Absolutely. Amazing band with some incredible songs.
Dont Bring me Down ELO 1979 ,,,
Another great song by Steve Mariott and the Small Faces is Lazy Sunday 🔥
His music and vocal style inspired what became modern rock n roll
Hi from Essex, where the singer, Steve Marriott, died in a fire quite near where I'm currently living.
They were never my favourite band but they were quite popular back in the day. My favourite track of theirs would be All or Nothing - quite a belter - covered by Starsailor who did a fine job too.
Off the subject but talking of Fleetwood Mac, I used to see them live when Peter Green fronted the band. Need Your Love So Bad is still a favourite of mine and well worth a listen.
First-gen Fleetwood Mac def needs a LOT more reactions … everyone reacts to Nicks-Buckingham-era stuff, which is pretty great, but I much prefer the first iteration, with Peter Green, Danny Kirwan and Jeremy Spencer!
Man of the world by Peter Green is my favorite song. I'll probably have it played at my funeral.
@@walterlawrence2485 Hi, yes, another great track and a brilliant idea - I'm curating my funeral music too! I used to see them at Redcar Jazz Club and I still remember Peter Green standing there in his yellow kaftan! Tyrannosaurus Rex played there too - how lucky was I!
Guys, you gotta understand...that era WAS the first time for a LOT of folks all at once to come of age and get high as a rite of passage! And reliving that first moment with the opening of this song brought it back each time it was heard....even today!
Please react to “Hurdy Gurdy Man” by Donovan, circa 1968. Fantastic psychedelia. Fun fact.. Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and John Bonham played on this. They did some time as session musicians and did back up for Donovan.
Nah I thought that for the longest time but it was Alan Parker on guitar and Clem Cattini on drums actually
@@blackdog661 It was in the liner notes of one of my Donovan CD’s
Steve Marriott was one of the best rock voices. Check him out in Humble Pie, 'Black Coffee'. I think you guys often judge songs by todays standards but this was written over 50 years ago. No surprise there are ellements that may not appeal to you but it did okay at the time. Maybe if you had been around to pass on your pearls of wisdom they may have been as big as Led Zeppelin. Who knows.
Agree Paul , Steve Marriott , the best blues voice ever, Black Coffee... It's just crazy mad good . And all those hotels named after him ( not really) 🤔🤣
True. Remember SF's were performing 1965-68. They were actually quite progressive for their time.
I agree that Andy and Alex-as well as many others on reactions channels can't help but judge music biased toward the music and production they're more familiar with. As far as "Black Coffee" goes, the vocal and performance is so stunningly good I can't believe ANYONE wouldn't be impressed!
I think these fellows are doing more of a service to the music of the day than a disservice. They do try to breakdown why they like or dislike a tune without any modern comparisons.
@@RickF-dw8cl I should have been clearer. I only mean we all judge things by what we know and what we're accustomed to. I myself had a particular bias when I first heard alot of the old blues artists. I only knew blues through the rock bands of the 70s. After really listening to the old blues people I understood what they were doing was something completely different than later rock/ blues artists. The later rock/blues artists borrowed from the originators and made something entirely new and unique. I agree Andy & Alex are doing a great job. Exploring and sharing what they do is pretty awesome!
I make a living as a musicology and music historian. I'm proud of anyone reaching back to understand any and all music that's come before us!
The first song to feature the flanging effect, created by having the song played by two tape recorder at the same time and then slightly adjusting the speed of one machine by touching the flange of the tape reel which would slow it down. An effect accidentally discovered by the Beatles, who were recording in a studio at the same time as The small faces where recording Itchycoo Park
Lazy Sunday is their ultimate track
Personally I think Tin Soldier is their best tune
Thats my second fave first being WHAT'CHA GONNA DO ABOUT IT.
Great band,
My favorite is Autumn Stone" the most beautiful lyrics and singing by Steve.
I rate the "Roots of Rock Livestream"
S- Tier! 🔥👏 Should be entered into the Library of Congress for historical context. Adam's superb narration (elaboration)added so much. Beginning with Robert Johnson, (Memphis Minnie, Leadbelly etc) concluding with Rock Around the Clock was just perfect. Hitting all the right keypoints in between. Can"t stop listening!!!
Have listened every day since aired!!
Needs to be a Pt 2 for sure, if so a few key artists missed(no complaints you guys covered a lot of ground !!)
1) Louis Jordan - Caldonia (circa 46)
Before Rocket 88 and Rock around the Clock he developed that style known as
"Jump Swing blues".
2) Cab Calloway - Minnie the Moocher (1931) They called Elvis the Pelvis? This Big Bandleader was shaking his thing when Elvis was in his diapers,lol
3) Fats Waller- Aint Misbehaving (1929)
The most charismatic piano man ever ( & singer) master of the " Stride piano style". (All 3 wrote majority of their material covered by countless artists).
Another Suggestion
"Roots of Soul, R&B & Funk".
All have such an influence on rock I feel totally relevant and would have equal positive response.
Could be divided in 2 parts.
1)Roots of "Soul& R&B
2) Roots of Funk
It was amazing
One thing to also point out. Country music artists were very much influenced and developed from black Artists. Merle Haggard's mentor was Rufas Payne whom never got credit himself. Do when people sight country as an influence on,Rockn roll it all comes from black bluesman. Country blues, Delta Blues, New Orleans Swing. All of it.
Check this
th-cam.com/video/BzSXxyefm7w/w-d-xo.html
Here is another
th-cam.com/video/WMeaOlWVbXE/w-d-xo.html
I agree 100%. That was a great time. Even added a few tracks to my Vintage Blues playlist.
"Should be entered into the Library of Congress for historical context." I was thinking along the same lines. I don't know about the Library of Congress, but it should be available to a wider audience than just the channel subscribers. And another shout out to Adam for the fine job he did organizing the livestream.
Right! A&A reacted to three of the Million Dollar Quartet: Johnny Cash, Elvis & Jerry Lee Lewis. They left out Carl Perkins (e.g., "Blue Suede Shoes"). Perkins was such a huge inspiration to The Beatles, especially George's guitar licks. They even covered ..what? Three or four Perkins's tunes.
Love this track! Thanks for reacting
Maybe a Summer of Love live stream? Only songs that charted during the summer of 1967. Random choices. June 1967 - October 1967.
This was the first 45 that I bought with my own money. I love this, it reminds me of a time that we were having fun.
There was no 'imitation'. They were very unique. It's much better watching a video ot them performing it.
“Song of a Baker” from “Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake” is one of my favorite songs of theirs. So much emotion.
If you’re interested in the era, try “Dizzy” by Tommy Roe. The songs back then were often just fun, and to us kids actually cool.
Itchykoo Park glorified getting high, with “all too beautiful” being needed to justify all the suggestiveness. Small Faces were prototypical with the sound effect, that was later adopted by The Beach Boys.
Speaking of Beatles influence, I think Tommy Roe’s use of strings for Dizzy came from The Beatles.
Dizzy is such a weird song, I love it.
he was big for a time...12 in a row by Tommy Rowe had a lot of goodness...my 1st album.
Tommy James and the Shondells were big on that style also.
Or Along Comes Mary by The Association. Great lyrics.
I think this song was more about tripping on acid which was still legal to purchase in the streets. LSD was a very popular, and inexpensive LEGAL drug in that time period. In 1963 Sandoz let their patent run out for their product LSD so anyone with a little chemical background (college lab students) could make it and they sure did. LSD became illegal in the UK in 1966 and in the USA in 1968. From experience, one of the first effects of acid had on me was that 'everything was beautiful', just like this song says. That's why it is repeated so much.
my thoughts exactly!
Like The Beatles’ “It’s All Too Much”
According to Ian McLagan's (keyboardist) memoir, Ronnie, Mac and Steve were doing lots of acid around this time, along with other drugs. Only Kenney was pretty straight (he did drink plenty), perhaps since he was so young - only 16 when SF's formed. Kenney is the only one still living, hmmm...
Booze didn’t keep him alive, or ‘straight.’
@@hklinker True, according to Kenney's memoir, his alcohol problem got really bad during his Faces tenure. They all were drinking too much. He later cut WAY back and quit smoking too. Bless him, he always seemed to have more self control than the others.
It was called Itchycoo Park by the locals because of the fine crop of stinging nettles. - try lazy sunday afternoon
Andy...you said exactly what this song meant to us in 67. It's a fun song, that's all. 👍
Ahhh.....the Small Faces rabbit hole leading to Faces and Humble Pie. Worthwhile!
A song from "the Summer of Love," 1967. Some have written that 1967 was the greatest year in music (a livestream?). Released in August 1967, went to Number 16 in the U.S. The Beatles released "Sgt. Peppers" in May and "Magical Mystery Tour" in November. Might want to check the "Itchykoo Park" performance on TH-cam (could be telling).
For some reason, besides wondering about Itchykoo Park, the War, it reminds me of the street rod scene in 1967, "hopped up, fixed up" cars with aftermarket parts of that time, not the mention going into the 4th year of "Muscle Cars" from Detroit. Wow!
HUMBLE PIE 🥧 is SMOKIN 🔥 with Steve Mariott
Ogden's Nut Gone Flake is a great album!! The Small Faces came first, they lost a few members and dropped the "small" to become the Faces. This song is a good example of psychedelic pop rock. The special effect is called phasing, it was done by playing two recordings slightly out of phase. I don't think they were copying, they were pioneering. You should listen to the album Ogden's Nut Gone Flake in it's entirety.
I agree 100%
Guys, Small Faces were indeed the prototypes in 1966-68. They were original Mods and their sound was indeed unique, special and Steve Marriott had the vocal range, pitch, tone, a joy to hear and others wanted to be Steve Marriott. But there is no one better. Let me repeat there will never be another Steve Marriott. Please listen to more of Small Faces then move on to Humble Pie, the early years. There is a core of Steve's admirers who still listen to him, miss him and mourn his tragic passing too soon. Peace and love.
Well said, Beth. Count me in that core!
@@cindyfalstrom7231 Thanks Cindy. I wish these analytical young guys would do their research of Strvr, Small Faces, Faces and Humble, as well as Ronnie, Kenney and Ian. It isn't like the info and books aren't out there. Just go to Amazon or Google their names. If all someone knows of Small Faces is Ichycoo Park, they dont know and haven't heard much of the breadth and depth of them. Not "Beatle-esque" or Pink Floyd. As for Zeppelin, we all know it was Robert Plant who imitated Steve Marriott! Small Faces didn't imitate any other band. But I will give these 2 guys credit for saying maybe these guys, meaning Small Faces, were the prototype and mentioning the phasers. Yes, yes, Small Faces were the prototype! They were GOLD!
@@bethh.9647 To be fair, these two young guys had never heard of Small Faces, Humble Pie, or Steve Marriott until very recently. This is a very common problem, especially with younger people. Fans like us might find that shocking as to us they loomed large with their talents and influence, but sadly this seems to be the norm. A&A did do a piece on Humble Pie "30 Days in the Hole" at least 6 months ago, and loved it. Since that time, everytime they do Peter Frampton or Rod Stewart or Faces, I nag them to check out Small Faces, but to no avail. I feel like a voice in the wilderness. I am thrilled that Small Faces finally came up, although Itchicoo Park would not have been my first choice. I hope that the huge response in the comments will encourage them to dig a little deeper. These guys have over 23,000 viewers, Probably mostly young like them, so a few of us harping about Marriott probably doesn't make a big impression. They don't know what they are missing. Rock on Steve!
Alex: I consider the two of you to be the absolute best at what you do. However, please stop dinging songs for sounding like the Beatles. I see that you are getting how good The Beatles were, but you don't have the perspective of having lived at the time and having your radio on constantly through it. The Beatles would set the bar and parameters, and everyone else would explore that (not steal from it, usually), but four months later The Beatles would set the bar again. Even at that, you can't fairly ding Small Faces for playing 60s pop. They were considered "mods" anyway, so if you want to compare them it should be to bands like The Who, The Kinks, and fringe stuff like The Graham Bond Organization. This was a legit and popular variant of pop in the 60s.
Well done!
😝 😂 🗣 👎
Yes! They haven’t really explored early Who.
Well said!! 👍
The beatles would barrow from the Beach Boys
What a great band you need to play all or nothing, Tin soldier ,& Talk to me ,to hear steve Marriott's unique voice he really was an outstanding singer RIP steve Ronnie & ian such a sad loss💔
this was just one of their pop singles. Tin Soldier is the one you want.
Their early stuff is as much more R&B and blues influenced. This was a little bit of a departure.
The Yardbirds are an English rock band, formed in London in 1963. The band's core lineup featured vocalist and harmonica player Keith Relf, drummer Jim McCarty, rhythm guitarist/bassist Chris Dreja and bassist/producer Paul Samwell-Smith. The band is known for starting the careers of three of rock's most famous guitarists, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, and Jeff Beck, all of whom ranked in the top five of Rolling Stone magazine's list of 100 greatest guitarists.[4] The band had a string of hits throughout the mid-1960s, including "For Your Love", "Heart Full of Soul", "Shapes of Things", and "Over Under Sideways Down".
Originally a blues-based band noted for their signature "rave-up" instrumental breaks,[5] the Yardbirds broadened their range into pop, pioneering psychedelic rock and early hard rock; and contributed to many electric guitar innovations of the mid-1960s. Some rock critics and historians also cite their influence on the later punk rock, progressive rock, and heavy metal trends.[6][5] Following the band's split in 1968, Relf and McCarty formed Renaissance and guitarist Jimmy Page formed Led Zeppelin - the latter of which was initially intended as a direct successor to the Yardbirds.
Love love love this song! Been listening to it since 1967… I was 14. It completely fit for the times.
You need to check out more songs by the Kinks.
They got a lot of air play and at that time using the word “high” was very risky because radio stations were afraid of any song eluding to getting high on drugs! Ahh the old days lol!
There's a live version of "What'cha Gonna Do About It?" from 1966 with Marriott is singing like Plant, ripping like Page, and moving like Jagger. It's a blistering performance!
Beat Club? if so, there are 4 songs performed live. Rare as most of the videos were required by TV to be mimed. Thanks to TH-cam. Its a miracle to be able to enjoy these performances 50+ years later!
@@cindyfalstrom7231 Yes. The Beat Club video cuts off the announcer introducing them in German. I can't seem to find that version, it may have been pulled.
@@davidnoble868 I love that whole live performance. Originally, I saw all four songs, plus the interview between Steve and host in one video, but now it appears to have been broken down into individual bits. Have you heard this version - just audio, but really HOT th-cam.com/video/viHnnex6OJQ/w-d-xo.html. I love all Small Faces music, but I think I loved them best when they were young and raw.
@@cindyfalstrom7231 Id really like to find the complete performance. And yes, I've heard that audio only version. Definitely a better recording.
@@davidnoble868 I looked also, but couldn't find the complete show all together with the interview included anymore. However, all 4 songs are posted, and the interview can be found separately. Over a year ago, I purchased a DVD from, Amazon called "British Invasion: Small Faces-All or Nothing 1965-1969". It was well worth the purchase price (just checked $17.99 prime or $8.99+3.99 shipping from another vendor). It has the Beat Club video, plus almost all music videos produced, a documentary, plus a few bonus tracts like the last Ronnie Lane interview. If you are a fan, you might like it, I have certainly watched it a number of times and enjoyed it. If you haven't seen it on YT there is also a very early footage of the boys playing live at the Marquee Club. Sound isn't great, but it is priceless to see these so talented kids just starting out. If you think you might be interested, don't dilly dally, there was only one copy left at Amazon!
I love Steve Marriott but I like his more hard rocking work with Humble Pie in the 70s a lot more than this. This is classic psychedelia tho...
Thanks, guys. This song really caught my ear as a teenager.
Their crowning glory was “Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake”. You might try “Song of the Baker” for a good rocker.
*shudder* Giant flies. LOLOL
Andy is correct. Plant’s sound but earlier 😁
All of Ogdens Nut Gone Flake by the small faces is a trip / rock opera / themed album.
You should listen to “You Need Love” from their 1966 debut album. Totally rocks and your can hear the influence this had on Robert Plant and Led Zeppelin
I didn't know that I know this song, and I had no idea Small Faces did it.
Thanks guys!
Lead singer Steve Marriott went on to Humble Pie. Listen to Black Coffee by Humble Pie.
"Tin Soldier" and "Afterglow" are songs that showcase Marriott's vocals.
Afterglow rocks. I also like Here Come the Nice and I'm Only Dreaming, and I think Lazy Sunday is fun!
First released use of that phase shift effect in a pop song (they heard the effect in some of the pre-release Sgt. Pepper tracks and asked how the Beatles did it).
Flanging is the term. So called because they'd literally hold the flange of a tape reel to delay it slightly. It's a very short delay + modulation effect.
@@michaelconnors8525 Funny story about the whole "flanging" thing -- when John Lennon asked George Martin to explain the Artificial Double Tracking effect Ken Townsend had developed, Martin, knowing John wouldn't understand the actual technicalities of the effect, told him "We take the original image and we split it through a double vibrocated sploshing flange with double negative feedback" and Lennon started referring to the effect as "Ken's flanger" from that point forward.
Not quite. Check out "The Big Hurt" from Miss Toni Fisher (her actual billing), 1959.
@@PegsHouston D'oh! You are correct! Forgot about "The Big Hurt"!
@@LeChaunce I don't remember this morning, but I remember the music of my yute. ;-)
Small Faces were an amazing pioneering band of the 60s that set the way for many to follow. Steve Marriotts vocals are up there with the best of the time. Was lucky enough to have met him and he was such a nice humble person. Anyway, you should check out more of there songs like Afterglow, E Too D, Wham Bam Thank You Mam, Don’t Burst My Bubble, Song Of A Baker etc
Ahhh Steve Marriott - East London's finest blue eyed soul. You liked 30 Days in the Hole? Same singer.
are an English rock band formed in 1969 by members of Small Faces after lead singer/guitarist Steve Marriott left that group to form Humble Pie. The remaining Small Faces-Ian McLagan (keyboards), Ronnie Lane (bass guitar, vocals), and Kenney Jones (drums and percussion)-were joined by Ronnie Wood (guitar) and Rod Stewart (lead vocals), both from the Jeff Beck Group, and the new line-up was renamed Faces.
I'm not sure that I had ever heard that before. I wasn't crazy about it but it wasn't awful, was worth a listen. It's cool that even a 51 year old ex musician and forever music aficionado can still learn classic Era stuff here :-)
Summer of Love Psychedelia was all over classic rock radio in the early-mid 70s. It fit the mellow pop mood of the time. So being a bit older, I caught this early stuff a lot from the prior decade on that second run as a teen. But by the late 70s and early 80s, I think the whole hippy roots thing fell out, in favor of the harder rock, newer disco, punk, new wave, and MTV.
I"ve never heard this before. It's ok.
I'm 74 years old and I remember this song on the radio. Always liked it.
I love the Small Faces. 'Tin Soldier', 'Sha-La-La-La-Lee', 'All Or Nothing', 'Lazy Sunday', 'My Mind's Eye' are probably the best next.
Dont forget this was released at the height of the late sixties psychedelia period!
I certainly think there is a place for this music and reviews. I’ve grown to appreciate it the older I get.
That said this is 60’s AM radio music. Comparable to The Grassroots, Tommy James & the Shondells, Spiral Staircase, Strawberry Alarm Clock and many more 60’s AM radio bands.
Love this music but this was pop music. I look at it that way and enjoy it for what it is. Not what was really happening over on FM radio. :)
A real thrill is Small Faces vocalist Steve Marriot performing with Humble Pie on the song Black Coffee.
Interesting 1st choice, 'Tin Soldier' might have been a better choice IMHO.
Well this was their biggest hit, so pretty much the obvious choice.
@@garymaidman625 I won't argue the toss about that, but I just feel, lyrically, vocally and instrumentally 'Tin Soldier' was better...
@@johnwhear9600 don't get me wrong, I love Tin Soldier and Lazy Sunday Afternoon for that matter, I just think the obvious choice is their biggest hit.
@@garymaidman625 We're cool. They're all great songs. :-) My only point was A&A might chosen 'Tin Soldier' to get the juices flowing 1st.
@@johnwhear9600 yeah, but I don't think every song they react too needs to be a 'banger'. There are so many great songs out there that aren't. Btw, they need to show some Aussie music some love, so much to choose from, from Mondo Rock to Russell Morris to Split Enz (technically Kiwi, but I'm claiming them as ours) to Mental As Anything to Australian Crawl to Midnight Oil to Skyhooks. So many great bands.
As others have said, Tin Soldier for more Small Faces (introducing you to PP Arnold, which can only be a good thing) and staying with Marriott follow it with Humble Pie - Black Coffee.
Psychedelia like this had a resurgence in the 80s, especially among the Paisley Underground movement, largely centered in California, which included bands like Dream Syndicate, Rain Parade, The Three O'Clock, Thin White Rope, The Bangs etc. My local rock station (WRIF- Detroit) started playing this song semi-regularly, and you would hear the Byrds fairly frequently as well alongside other psychedelic fare. It's always funny how things go in and out of style. This song? I always enjoyed this song, nice melody, trippy and fun. Song of a Baker is a better song by them.
I love “Song of a Baker”
Now you're hitting my sweet spot. Those LA Paisley Underground bands remain among my favorites. Would love for them to hit some Dream Syndicate, but honestly, that's a pipe dream. Not enough people know who they even are.
@@burmajones803 I know, it's such wonderful music and head and shoulders above the mainstream at the time. If we ever get another deep cuts Livestream, that would seem to be the perfect forum for this music...
@@burmajones803 If we get another deep cuts stream, request your favorite Dream Syndicate song & I'll get behind your request. Better that way then having all of us making multiple requests and dividing our efforts.
@@normanleroy1874 or a themed livestream like this last one was, except focused on 80s rock and roll. Even that's a stretch though since to many people 80s rock means hair metal and that's it.
A&A, very glad you liked discovering this gem. This song for me best of all the others captured the aspirations of the Summer of Love with "it's all so beautiful" and then the "phased" section -- that was totally the feeling of discovering marijuana and LSD in those magical innocent days. It was great to feel that feeling again!
Tin Soldier by them is great. And Humble pie (the other band featuring the lead singer of Small Faces) would be good to react to again- their Whistle test Black Coffee performance.
I think Itchygoo Park was their biggest hit in the US. Other songs to try Tin Soldier and Afterglow of your Love. Small Faces became the Faces with Rod Stewart and Ronny Wood. Marriott formed Humble Pie with included a young Peter Frampton for a while.
Small Faces has half of the next lineup, Faces. Steve Marriott out Rod in; was obviously biggest action....
Ian Mclagen, Kenny Jones, Ronnie Lane are 3/5s of Faces. Ronnie Wood and Rod Stewart combined to take Steve Marriott's spot.
All or nothing, tin soldier and afterglow (of your love) by Small Faces are amongst some of my all-time favourite songs, well worth a listen
Thank you for sharing your generous reactions to this cool hit. May I suggest The Small Faces classic "Tin Soldier", please? Steve was so emotional and sincere in this outstanding performance. He wrote the song for his 1st future wife who was dating Rod Stewart, during that era. It's incredibly powerful. ☮️😊
OMG Finally the 60’s. So much great music.
I’ve always liked this one but not my favorite. Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake is a great album and those songs stick with me longer.
I agree 100%
Steve Marriott was pretty subdued in his younger days in the early part of his career, before "Humble Pie" in the 70s. It's like he just realized how freaking great his vocals were. Truly one of the best voices in Rock history. This song was about skipping school, and taking LSD, and going down to "Itchy coo Park" in lower London. Yes, it's a real place, and they really did what they talk about in this song. I was 12 when I first heard this song as a kid in Seattle. Yes, those crazy drug filled1960s. The music was so damn good in those days.
I don't think Steve was subdued in his early R&B club days, they were quite the ravers. Watch some of the very early videos '65-66 on YT. Eric Clapton said that when first saw them he laughed because they looked like Hobbits, however he was impressed at how "raunchy" they sounded. It was the record company that made them adapt to what was popular pop music.
Dudes! Hit the lyrics!
I feel inclined to blow my mind
Get hung up, feed the ducks with a bun,
They all come out to groove about
Be nice and have fun in the sun!
"Nice" was their code word for high
The song is about taking acid in the park. The reason it says "It's all too beautiful" so much is because an LSD experience is a long multi-hour one. That's why the refrain is so overdone. The line is meant to emphasis the psychedelic experience.