Loading…
Loading…
Description
Emerging from the ashes of the Small Faces in the summer of 1970, *The BBC Session Recordings* captures The Faces-a.k.a., the "British Stones" in their prime-amidst the tail end of their formative years. This collection of live sessions and performances documents a raucous, electric period defined by Rod Stewart's gravelly baritone and the band's loose, blues-drenched garage rock. Early BBC sessions often occurred before the release of their debut studio album, *First Step* (also 1970), providing a rawer glimpse into the band's sonic identity.
The recordings showcase a lineup heavy on rock and roll revivalism, blending American soul covers with originals that teetered between country twang and hard-edged proto-punk. Tracks like "Street Fighting Man" and covers of songs by Creedence, The Rolling Stones, and Mott the Hoople were staples of their setlist. These live BBC performances often featured backing vocals and ad-libs from Stewart and the band, creating an informal, improvised atmosphere far removed from the polish of studio productions.
Critically, these sessions highlight the band's charisma and chemistry as much as their musicianship, cementing them as a cultural touchstone of early-'70s Britain. While some tracks were later issued commercially, the BBC tapes offered fans an intimate view into the band's creative process. A must-have for any serious collector of British rock history, this material underscores The Faces' importance in the evolution of British rock.
**Sources:**
- [Rhino Records review of the collection](https://www.rhino.com/article/faces-at-the-bbc-complete-bbc-concert-session-recordings-1970-1973-detailed)
- [Review on Rock and Blues Muse](https://rockandbluesmuse.com/2024/09/05/review-faces-faces-at-the-bbc-the-complete-concert-session-recordings-1970-1973/)
- [Kenney Jones' official site](https://kenneyjones.com/music/the-faces/)
- [Wikipedia: Faces (band)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faces_(band))
- [Wikipedia: First Step (Faces album)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Step_(Faces_album))
Please log in to edit this record.