Description
Small Faces – The Autumn Stone – Double Vinyl Records
The Autumn Stone is a compilation album by the English rock band Small Faces, released in November 1969 by Immediate Records. It serves as both a retrospective and a farewell, capturing highlights from the band’s career, unreleased tracks, and live recordings as well as their final singles and selections from their earlier albums. The album is named after ‘The Autumn Stone,’ one of the last songs the band recorded before disbanding in 1969. Known for their contributions to mod rock, R&B, and psychedelic rock, Small Faces—consisting of Steve Marriott, Ronnie Lane, Ian McLagan, and Kenney Jones—were influential in the 1960s British rock scene, and The Autumn Stone showcases their unique blend of soulful rock, introspective lyrics, and innovative sounds.
By the time The Autumn Stone was released, Small Faces had disbanded, with Steve Marriott forming Humble Pie and the remaining members eventually creating Faces with Rod Stewart and Ron Wood. This compilation captures the band’s journey from their early R&B roots to their forays into psychedelic rock, encapsulating a transformative period in British rock. The album is a mix of studio tracks, live recordings, and previously unreleased material, giving fans a comprehensive view of the band’s versatility and artistry.
The album’s style ranges from hard-hitting mod rock to soulful ballads and psychedelia. Songs like ‘Tin Soldier’ and ‘Lazy Sunday’ highlight their knack for catchy, energetic tunes, while tracks like ‘The Autumn Stone’ and ‘Afterglow (Of Your Love)’ show a more reflective, emotional side.
Key Tracks
‘The Autumn Stone’ – The title track is a mellow, introspective song with reflective lyrics about love, life, and loss. It captures the bittersweet feeling of the band’s final days, with Marriott’s haunting vocals and the delicate arrangement making it a standout.
‘Here Come the Nice’ – This song, an ode to mod culture, has a catchy rhythm and a playful, psychedelic vibe, capturing the band’s R&B and psychedelic influences.
‘Lazy Sunday’ – Known for its humor and Cockney-inspired vocals, ‘Lazy Sunday’ is one of Small Faces’ most popular songs. The track’s lighthearted lyrics and catchy melody made it a chart success, embodying the fun-loving side of the band.
‘Afterglow (Of Your Love)’ – This soulful ballad, featuring Marriott’s passionate vocals and rich instrumentation, reflects the depth of the band’s emotional range. It’s one of their most celebrated love songs.
‘Tin Soldier’ – One of the band’s biggest hits, this song is a powerful rock anthem with soulful energy. The explosive vocals and dynamic instrumentation showcase the raw intensity of the band’s sound.
‘Rollin’ Over’ – With its heavy bassline and gritty vocals, this song reflects the band’s harder rock influences, capturing their ability to fuse mod rock with a more intense, driving sound.
‘Red Balloon’ – A previously unreleased track, this song highlights the band’s softer, introspective side with a melody that feels whimsical and a bit melancholic.
‘All or Nothing’ – A hit single from their early mod phase, this track is a raw, powerful love song with Marriott’s soulful delivery and Lane’s heartfelt lyrics.
The Autumn Stone covers a variety of themes, from carefree fun and romance to introspection and social observation. The album reflects the band’s growth, with their early R&B roots evolving into more complex psychedelic sounds. The production style varies across tracks, reflecting the progression from their raw mod rock style to more polished, experimental sounds as they embraced psychedelia. Many of the songs showcase Marriott’s powerful vocals, Lane’s thoughtful lyrics, and the band’s knack for blending soul, rock, and psychedelic influences.
The live recordings included in the album also provide a glimpse into the band’s dynamic performance style and their connection with audiences. Songs like ‘If I Were a Carpenter’ showcase their adaptability and how they brought a raw energy to their live shows.
While The Autumn Stone received mixed reviews at the time due to its compilation nature, it has since been appreciated by fans and critics as a definitive record of Small Faces’ legacy. The album captures the highs of their career and stands as a testament to their versatility and impact on British rock. Songs like ‘The Autumn Stone,’ ‘Tin Soldier,’ and ‘Lazy Sunday’ have become iconic tracks that represent the era’s spirit and Small Faces’ contributions to it.
As a compilation, The Autumn Stone remains essential for fans of 1960s British rock, mod culture, and psychedelic music. It captures the band’s ability to innovate within the rock and R&B genres, bridging the gap between the mod scene and the psychedelic era that followed.
The Autumn Stone serves as a fitting tribute to Small Faces, preserving their legacy as pioneers of British rock and mod culture. Their music inspired countless bands, and their journey from mod icons to psychedelic trailblazers influenced the direction of rock music in the 1960s. This compilation continues to be celebrated as a testament to Small Faces’ dynamic career and their role in shaping the sound of British rock, capturing both their infectious energy and the introspective moments that made them unique.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic seal
Track Listing
Here Come The Nice
The Autumn Stone
Collibosher
All Or Nothing
Red Balloon
Lazy Sunday
Call It Something Nice
I Can’t Make It
Afterglow Of Your Love
Sha La La La Lee
The Universal
Rollin’ Over
If I Were A Carpenter
Every Little Bit Hurts
My Mind’s Eye
Tin Soldier
Just Passing
Itchycoo Park
Hey Girl
Wide Eyed Girl On The Wall
Wacha Gonna Do About It
Wham Bam, Thank You Mam
