One of the popular features on this site is the retro record reviews. So how do we know when the time is right to post an album review written so many years ago? The truth is we have absolutely no idea... We simply let the old reviews sit until the time seems right to bring them back again.
In this case, we recently purchased a CD copy of the old album and found that it was not bad. So let's enter the time machine and go back to March 26, 1971, when this review was originally published in The Pacifican, the student newspaper of the University of the Pacific (UOP):
"The Faces philosophy of music is that it is to be enjoyed... The group appears to throw its sounds at the audience and feed from the rebound." Melody Maker
The strong feature of Long Player is 15 minutes of live give-and-take between the Faces and their audience. The live recordings are covers of Paul McCartney's Maybe I'm Amazed and Willie Bronzy's I Feel So Good. The recordings here are not lush but honest. Oddly enough, everyone in the band is audible (Rod Stewart, lead vocals extraordinaire; Ron Wood, guitars; Ronnie Lane, bass: Ian McLagan, keyboard; and Kenny Jones, drums). Other attractions:
Bad 'N Ruin - Opens the album with a guitar riff so strong that Wood is isolated from the rest of the band on the left channel. Jones goes through some fine rhythm changes, and Stewart certainly has some fun with his lyrics - "Going home/'Cause I failed you mother/Back home to Baton Rouge/With my tail between my legs/Should you not recognize me/I've heavily made up my eyes..."
Tell Everyone - The Faces playing as Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. Rodney with a slow soulful vocal; Wood playing complementary runs; Jones on a constant pattern; Motown bass.
Sweet Lady Mary - In case you didn't read the Rolling Stone review: "... an immediately attractive tune, lovely Garth Hudson-ish organ, a beautiful steel guitar solo, and magnificent Stewart lyrics about becoming resigned to irreconcilability with a former love."
Richmond - Features Ronnie lane on bass and vocal. If you like the band Free you'll like this one. (Like a Free rhythm/melody it will grow on you if you give it a chance.)
Had Me A Real Good Time - As soon as the drums kick in, it's obvious where this one came from. The Faces getting their Ya-Ya's out with their answer to the Stones' Honky Tonk Women and Free's All Right Now. It's no coincidence that Warner Brothers wanted this released as a single. (Note also: Nicky Hopkins-like piano; saxophones at the end a la the early Small Faces; patented SF fake ending.)
On The Beach - A delightful tale. A great drinking song.
Jerusalem - Charming bottleneck guitar solo by Ron Wood. Only 1:53 long, but it closes this L.P. that runs 45:19 in length.
PS: Fortunately or unfortunately - depending on your musical tastes - this Faces collection lacks a Led Zeppelinish-Fleetwood Macish-style steel slide guitar monster number like Around the Plynth from their earlier album The First Step.
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