Actually, I mostly wanted to work the title of the following Ronnie Lane and Slim Chance song “How Come” into the title of this post, but how come we don’t talk much about Ronnie Lane? I’m game.
Lane’s first couple of post-Faces albums have some very strong moments of “small rock,” especially Anymore for Anymore, and his lead turns work with both Small and regular-sized Faces was always a treat. The album he did with Pete Townshend, Rough Mix, has its moments as well. Had multiple sclerosis not sapped his energy and cut his career and then life short, he seemed to have what it would have taken to age like one of those fine wines Hrrundivbakshi, described the other day.
I recently read about a 2006 BBC documentary on Lane, The Passing Show, a name I believe he gave to his traveling “band of gypsies” period in the late-70s, when he was doing some sort of idealistic, open-air, impromptu countryside concert appearances. Or something completely uncommercial and offbeat like that. Here’s a clip from the documentary. Has anyone in the US ever seen this thing? Gotta see this bad boy!
Finally, just because I love them – and remember, that’s what it’s all about here – here’s The Faces playing one of my favorite rockers, “Bad ‘n Ruin”. Gotta love Ron Wood’s toilet seat guitar!
Did I say “finally?” That’s not accurate, because I also feel like sharing this great clip of Small Faces’ “Tin Soldier”. Enjoy!
Seeing the first two clips, I wonder what Slim Chance would have sounded like without the influence of The Band. Mandolin, piano, acoustic guitar, drums, electric bass, saxoophone … you could come up with such an ensemble independently, but we know The Band had a huge influence on British musicians.
I also wonder if Lane’s Passing Show tour didn’t have some influence on the idea behind the Rolling Thunder Revue.
Agreed on both points, BigSteve.