Small Faces' Decca Singles 1965-1967: A Journey Through the Band's Early Years
The Small Faces' Decca Singles 1965-1967 box set is a treasure trove for fans of the iconic British band, offering a glimpse into their formative years and the creative battles that shaped their early career. This collection showcases the band's evolution, from their early R&B mod classics to their pop hits and the internal strife that often accompanied their success.
The box set's cover photo is a powerful image, capturing the band's unbridled energy and ambition. Taken in 1966, it shows the band members dressed to impress, standing outside the house rented by their manager, Don Arden, in a smart area of London. Arden's strategy was to keep the band away from the rough East End and under his control, but the photo speaks volumes about the band's determination and their desire to make their mark.
Among the singles included in the box set are some of the Small Faces' greatest songs. "Whatcha Gonna Do About It" is a cool, cocky R&B mod classic that made the charts. However, the follow-up, "I Got Mine," did not fare as well, leading to the band recording the commercial "Sha-La-La-La Lee." The band's desire to be taken seriously as musicians led to the first song crediting writers Steve Marriott and Ronnie Lane.
The fifth Decca single, "All Or Nothing," is a masterpiece and the band's first No.1 hit. Their next single, "My Mind's Eye," a classic 60s pop song, made the top five but also caused friction within the band. Marriott was furious when their manager released a demo without his approval, leading to a breakdown in relations with Arden and Decca.
The band eventually broke free from Arden and Decca, signing with Immediate Records. However, the damage was done, and the last two singles in the collection, "I Can't Make" and "Patterns," were released without the band's permission. The latter, with Lane on lead vocals, features the bizarre B-side "E Too D."
The box set is a labor of love, curated by Kenney Jones, the band's drummer and the last one standing. Jones has been instrumental in keeping the band's legacy alive, and this release is a limited edition (500 copies) of the eight seven-inch singles, pressed to vinyl from the master tapes. The picture sleeves are replicas of the rare Dutch sleeves in Jones's archive, and the 16-page booklet is filled with odds and ends from the band's archive, including music magazine clips and photos.
The Decca Singles 1965-1967 box set is a must-have for any Small Faces fan, offering a comprehensive look at the band's early years and the creative and personal struggles that shaped their music. It is a testament to the band's enduring legacy and their impact on British music.
As a music journalist, I find this box set fascinating, as it showcases the band's growth and the challenges they faced in their early years. It is a reminder that even the most successful bands have their fair share of struggles and that the creative process is often a complex and tumultuous journey. The box set is a celebration of the band's music and a testament to their enduring appeal.
