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The Faces: A Nod Is As Good As A Wink… To A Blind Horse

I am so ecstatic about this bit of news: The Faces are reuniting for a potential 2009 tour!!! Yes, it has been confirmed by Rod Stewart that he, Ron Wood, Ian McLagan, Kenney Jones and Stewart’s bassist (who will be in for the deceased Ronnie Lane) will commence with rehearsals on November 17 (this Monday!), “just to check if they can remember the songs,” as Stewart says.

How I wish I could be a fly on the wall during THAT rehearsal!

Various members of The Faces have performed together in the last few years (the whole band doing a few one-offs), but this will be the first time they all congregate together for a full-scale reunion and tour. I hope they DO remember all the songs, because I would love to see Rod Stewart lead a band again as a rocker, not a crooner of cover material.

The Faces were formed in 1969 as a sort of merging between two groups: The Small Faces and members of the Jeff Beck Group. I guess they were considered a “super group” by today’s terminology, but they played like they were brand new to the scene… their music was rough, raw, sloppy, liquor-laden, good times spirited, and raucous. I’m not saying that “super groups” are the opposite of that, but it is quite unique if “super groups” come out of the gate as if they have nothing to prove.

Their music has influenced many artists, most notably that of The Black Crowes, Aerosmith, The Replacements, and even more current artists like Jet… so if you dig these artists, you’re bound to get off on The Faces.

A Nod is as Good as a Wink… to a Blind Horse is their third album, released in 1971. This was their second album of 1971 (the other being Long Player) and contains their biggest hit in the US and the UK, “Stay With Me.” The album is often considered to be their best, and I would tend to agree because it’s just a fantastic example of not only their excellent songwriting, but their musicianship as well.

The record starts off with a swaggering tune “Miss Judy’s Farm.” The cocky groove of this song is fine representative of their style… sweaty, scruffy, and altogether rough around the edges. I love how Ron Wood’s guitar is hard-panned left while McLagan’s Wurlitzer electric piano is panned right. You can hear the interplay and exchanges between the instruments, which is always great to hear between two musicians.

I just have to take this moment and say that Ian McLagan’s contribution to the music is exceptional. His keyboard playing has been too overlooked when dealing with the history of Rock music. McLagan’s romping style sounds to be a mixture of gospel, honky-tonk, blues, and country… never stopping but also never getting in the way. His playing on “You’re So Rude” is so rollicking that I would love to hear the song with just voice and piano. Totally dig it.

As explained earlier, “Stay With Me” off A Nod… was the biggest hit for The Faces reaching number 17 on the US charts. The ultimate groupie tribute, “Stay With Me” paints a picture of their touring life back at the height of their popularity:

In the mornin’ don’t say you love me,
‘Cause I’ll only kick you out of the door

Stewart continues on and not only describes the girl (Rita), but also explains what activity they are about to undergo (“Won’t need too much pursuadin’, I don’t mean to sound degradin’… Let’s go up stairs and read my Tarot cards”). He then sets the rules for the encounter:

Yeah, I’ll pay your cab fare home,
You can even use my best cologne,
Just don’t be here in the mornin’ when I wake up

The ending of the song has some priceless lyrics interspersed within the chorus:

Sit down, get up, get out

Hey, what’s your name again?

Get yourself home

I’ve posted the song in the Dig-It section below… the closing jam is priceless!

Bassist Ronnie Lane takes lead vocal duties on a couple of numbers, the barroom brawler “You’re So Rude” and one of the two slower numbers, “Debris.” Lane passed away in 1997, suffering for years with multiple sclerosis and finally falling to pneumonia in his home in Colorado.

The Faces disbanded in 1975 when Ron Wood started his work with The Rolling Stones and Rod Stewart’s solo career took center stage. They left behind just a handful of records, but also left a lasting impression that would be the groundwork for those who followed.

A Nod is as Good As A Wink… stands as one of those classic rock albums that will continue to influence those who discover it. Take a listen to the samples below and do some hard prayin’ with this prayer (from School of Rock) that they nail it in rehearsals this next week…

God of Rock, thank you for this chance to kick ass.
We are your humble servants.
Please give us the power to blow minds with our high-voltage rock.
In your name, we pray. Amen.

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Your Dig-It Downloads:

Download: Miss Judy’s Farm
Download: Stay With Me

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• January 26, 2009 -- No Reunions For You! (4)
• November 18, 2008 -- The Faces: 1970 Concert Bootleg (7)

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