If you’re a long standing fan of Small Faces (and Faces afterwards), then this piece of news might get your heart rate up this fine day.
On January 27th, Charly Records, along with Amazon, have a lavish – and exclusive – 75-track, 4CD Box coming for Small Faces called Here Come the Nice – The Immediate Years 1967-1969 with every track remastered from the original masters.
Small Faces contained the powerhouse group of artists that include the fiery, ‘ahead of his time’, Steve Marriott, Ian McLagan (who, early on, replaced original keyboardist, Jimmy Winston), the incomparable Ronnie Lane, and drummer Kenney Jones. With breakout hits “Itchycoo Park”, “Whatcha Gonna Do About It”, and “Sha-La-La-La-Lee”, it was – and still is – hard to not like the innovative music of this band. After their successful but brief stay with Decca Records in the UK, The Small Faces moved to Immediate Records to release three albums, one that produced the signature tune, “Itchycoo Park”, along with the electrifying “Tin Soldier”, and the memorable Ogdens’ Nut Gone Flake album with its very British “Lazy Sunday”. Of course, this band ended, becoming Faces with the addition of Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood to create brilliant albums all their own. Small Faces tried an original members reunion after the untimely demise of Faces but the attempt was brief and never culminated in a new album. The Small Faces, and its later incarnation as Faces, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012.
This Deluxe 4CD Box will be rich in content. And rightfully so. Here’s a run down of what your dollars will put into your burgeoning collection:
In addition to the four CDs that are planned (track-list below), the set will offer a 72-page hard-bound book with a tone of photos, a Pete Townshend write-up, and introductions by Ian McLagan, and Kenney Jones, a track-by-track discussion, notes from other lovers of Small Faces like Robert Plant, Paul Weller, Glen Matlock, David Bowie, Paul Stanley, Rick Nielsen, Chad Smith, Nick Mason, Andy Fraser, and more.
Along with the music, and included book, there will be bonus extras. Those will include three replica EP issues originally issued in 1967 (Small Faces album sampler, the 4-track French EP, Here Comes The Nice, and the 4-song French EP, Itchycoo Park, the latter two in picture sleeves), a one-off acetate pressing of “Mystery” once produced for Andrew Lloyd Oldham, two full-size posters (for the “Tin Soldier” single, and of their Newcastle City Hall appearance in 1968), a cool 64-page lyrics book, a six-panel reproduction of an Immediate Records press kit from 1968, five double-sided postcards featuring each member of the band, two prints from the 1967 Itchycoo Park photo sessions with Gered Mankowitz, and two signed certificates from Kenney Jones and Ian McLagan.
Sounds great, but there is a catch. There are only 3000 of these sets being produced, which will soon make them valuable collector items, possibly making some of you not ordering head slappers (I’m just sayin’).
Here’s the cut ‘n’ paste from the announcement:
Definitive sleeve notes include new & archive interviews.
Written contributions from Robert Plant, Paul Weller, David Bowie, Nick Mason, Peter Frampton, Chris Robinson (The Black Crowes), Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols), Chad Smith (Red Hot Chilli Peppers), Paul Stanley (Kiss) & many more.
Exclusive Gered Mankowitz interview on photographing ‘Ogdens’ Nut Gone Flake’.
Track-by-track illustrated guide to every song on the box set.
Lyric Booklet:
64-page fully illustrated song booklet with rare photos & memorabilia.
Complete lyrics transcribed & endorsed by band members for the first time ever.
Red, white and blue coloured vinyl:
Three replica 7-inch EPs of the rarest Small Faces vinyl originally released in 1967:
• Small Faces album sampler – Excerpts from the Small Faces LP
• Here Come The Nice 4 song French EP in picture sleeve
• Itchycoo Park 4 song French EP in picture sleeve
Replica Studio Acetate:
Olympic Sound Studios one-off acetate pressing for Andrew Loog Oldham for the song “Mystery”
Two large reproduction posters:
Reproductions of original posters for the Tin Soldier single featuring photography by Gered Mankowitz
Newcastle City Hall live concert from 1968
Press kit for Ogden’s Gone Nut Flake:
Rare 6-panel Immediate Records Press Kit from 1968
Double sided postcards:
Five collector’s edition postcards with rare photos of each Small Faces band member backed with memorabilia from the Immediate Records Archive
Fine art prints:
Two beautiful prints provided by Gered Mankowitz from his 1967 Itchycoo Park photo sessions
Signed Certificates:
Kenney and Mac signed certificates replicating an original Olympic Sound Studios Small Faces tape box
CD1 – Small Faces Singles Worldwide As Bs & Eps:
1. Here Come The Nice (mono) 2:55
2. Talk To You (mono) 2:05
3. (Tell Me) Have You Ever Seen Me (mono) 2:15
4. Something I Want To Tell You (mono) 2:07
5. Get Yourself Together (mono) 2:16
6. Become Like You (mono) 1:56
7. Green Circles (mono) 2:32
8. Eddie’s Dreaming (b-side edit) (mono) 2:41
9. Itchycoo Park (mono) 2:44
10. I’m Only Dreaming (mono) 2:22
11. Tin Soldier (mono) 3:19
12. I Feel Much Better (mono) 3:55
13. Lazy Sunday (mono) 3:02
14. Rollin’ Over (Part II of Happiness Stan) (mono) 2:12
15. Mad John (single version) (mono) 2:07
16. The Journey (single version) (mono) 2:51
17. The Universal (mono) 2:42
18. Donkey Rides, A Penny A Glass (mono) 2:47
19. Afterglow Of Your Love (single version) (mono) 3:22
20. Wham Bam Thank You Mam (mono) 3:18
Original Immediate single versions. Taken from original mono master tapes.
CD2 – Small Faces In The Studio – Olympic, IBC & Trident Sessions – Part 1:
1. Shades Of Green (mono) 0:38
2. Green Circles (take 1) (mono) 1:04
3. Green Circles (take 1 alt mix 1) (mono) 2:45
4. Anything (tracking session) (stereo) 3:46
5. Anything (backing track) (stereo) 3:06
6. Show Me The Way (stripped down mix) (stereo) 2:09
7. Wit Art Yer (tracking session) (mono) 2:50
8. Wit Art Yer (backing track) (stereo) 2:27
9. I Can’t Make It (alt mix) (stereo) 2:26
10. Doolally (tracking session) (mono) 4:06
11. What’s It Called? (overdub session) (mono) 0:36
12. Call It Something Nice (take 9) (stereo) 2:04
13. Wide Eyed Girl (take 2) (stereo) 1:43
14. Wide Eyed Girl On The Wall (alt mix) (stereo) 3:28
15. Donkey Rides, A Penny A Glass (stripped down mix) (stereo) 3:21
16. Red Balloon With A Blue Surprise (take 5) (stereo) 0:46
17. Red Balloon (alt mix) (stereo) 4:29
18. Saieide Mamoon (tracking session) (stereo) 9:36
All tracks previously unreleased versions. Taken from original studio multitrack and session master tapes
CD3 – Small Faces In The Studio – Olympic, IBC & Trident Sessions – Part 2:
1. Wham Bam Thank You Mam (alt mix) (stereo) 3:22
2. I Can’t Make It (stripped down mix) (stereo) 2:33
3. This Feeling Of Spring (take 1) (stereo) 1:43
4. All Our Yesterdays (backing track) (mono) 2:09
5. Talk To You (alt mix) (stereo) 2:22
6. Mind The Doors Please (mono) 5:01
7. Things Are Going To Get Better (stripped down mix) (stereo) 2:43
8. Mad John (tracking session) (stereo) 3:58
9. A Collibosher (take 4) (stereo) 3:31
10. Lazy Sunday Afternoon (early mix) (mono) 3:00
11. Jack (backing track) (stereo) 3:35
12. Fred (backing track) (stereo) 3:06
13. Red Balloon (stripped down mix) (stereo) 1:33
14. Kolomodelomo (take 1) (stereo) 2:45
15. Donkey Rides, A Penny A Glass (alt mix) (stereo) 3:34
16. Jenny’s Song (take 2) (stereo) 4:04
All tracks previously unreleased versions. Taken from original studio multitrack and session master tapes
CD4 – Alternate Small Faces Outtakes & In Concert:
1. Itchycoo Park (take 1 stereo mix) (stereo) 2:50
2. Here Come The Nice (take 1 stereo mix) (stereo) 3:01
3. I’m Only Dreaming (take 1 stereo mix) (stereo) 2:23
4. Don’t Burst My Bubble (mono) 2:24
5. I Feel Much Better (stereo) 3:56
6. Green Circles (take 1 Italian version) (mono) 2:44*
7. Yesterday, Today And Tomorrow (alt mix) (stereo) 1:50*
8. Piccanniny (alt mix) (stereo) 3:02
9. Get Yourself Together (alt mix) (stereo) 2:18*
10. Eddie’s Dreaming (take 2 alt mix) (stereo) 2:44*
11. (Tell Me) Have You Ever Seen Me (take 2 alt mix) (stereo) 2:08*
12. Up The Wooden Hills To Bedfordshire (US alt mix) (mono) 2:00*
13. Afterglow Of Your Love (alt single version) (mono) 3:36*
14. (If You Think You’re) Groovy (mono) (The Lot Version)- P.P. Arnold & Small Faces 2:55
15. Me You And Us Too (mono) 3:32
16. The Universal (take 1 stereo mix) (stereo) 2:39
17. Rollin’ Over (live) (stereo) 2:29
18. If I Were A Carpenter (live) (stereo) 2:29
19. Every Little Bit Hurts (live) (stereo) 6:12
20. All Or Nothing (live) (stereo) 4:05
21. Tin Soldier (live) (stereo) 3:19
All tracks rare or * previously unreleased versions. Taken from original studio and session master tapes.
Live tracks recorded at Newcastle City Hall 18 November 1968. Taken from Pye Studios master tape, pitch and speed corrected.
Small Faces Box set vinyl:
The original 7″ vinyl was issued as a promotional single for the debut Immediate album. Featuring excepts from Get Yourself Together, Green Circles, Talk To You, All Our Yesterdays, Up The Wooden Hills To Bedfordshire with DJ Tommy Vance announcements, the original vinyl has gone on to become the rarest Small Faces single amongst collectors.
• Here Come The Nice – French E.P.
Here Come The Nice (mono) – This is the same performance as the regular ‘Here Come The Nice’ mixed to mono but similar to other releases at the time, was subjected to varispeed so plays slightly faster.
• Talk To You (mono)
Become Like You (mono)
Get Yourself Together (mono)
• Itchycoo Park – French E.P.
Itchycoo Park (mono)
I’m Onky Dreaming (mono)
Green Circles (mono)
Eddie’s Dreaming (mono)
– Mystery – Replica acetate
Intended to be a single, a handful of acetates of Mystery were produced for the band and Andrew Loog Oldham to check the mix. For unknown reasons, the single wasn’t released, and Ronnie went back into Olympic to record a new vocal during April 1967 for the newly entitled Something I Want To Tell You. This is a replica of the acetate delivered to Andrew Loog Oldham back in 1967.