After teasing their legendary BBC recordings on two Record Store Day releases, the Faces are set to make fans “Shake, Shudder, Shiver” with a comprehensive boxed set to be released September 6th, 2024, the “Faces At The BBC — Complete BBC Concert & Session Recordings 1970-1973” will be released. This 8CD/Blu-ray box set captures all of the surviving BBC recordings of The Faces, showcasing their electrifying performances and unique style.
The comprehensive box set compiles the band’s BBC concerts and studio sessions, much of which have never been released before. Remastered with the full cooperation of Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood, and Kenney Jones, the collection promises a fresh, high-quality listening experience.
One of the standout features of this release is the Blu-ray, which includes newly restored footage from Faces’ April 1972 appearance on “Sounds for Saturday.” This concert is a testament to the band’s peak form, radiating their joyous rock ’n’ roll spirit that has inspired generations. Fans can get a preview with the release of “Stay With Me (Live on Sounds For Saturday, BBC, April 1, 1972)”.
Accompanying the music is a lavishly illustrated 48-page hardback booklet, featuring new commentary from surviving band members and archival quotes from Ronnie Lane, Ian McLagan, and John Peel. BBC broadcaster Gary Crowley provides detailed liner notes, including a new interview with Jeff Griffin, the producer of all the Faces’ BBC concerts.
Many of the recordings thought lost have been recovered from the Faces’ archives and private collections. Notably, the collection includes a stereo mix of the May 13, 1971, Paris Cinema concert and a February 1973 show that was never aired due to the BBC’s concerns over the band’s rowdy interaction with the audience.
The Faces’ journey with the BBC was fraught with initial challenges, as the band was initially deemed “not serious” enough for airplay. However, John Peel, the legendary broadcaster, championed the band and secured their first BBC session on March 9th, 1970. In the liner notes, Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood, and Kenney Jones express their gratitude for Peel’s support, acknowledging that without him, the Faces might not have achieved their breakthrough.
“Faces At The BBC — Complete BBC Concert & Session Recordings 1970-1973” spans the band’s formation and meteoric rise. Exploring a period of intense creativity, which included four Faces studio albums (“First Step”, “Long Player”, “A Nod Is As Good As A Wink…To A Blind Horse”…, and “Ooh La La“) and several solo albums that Stewart recorded with most of the band (“Gasoline Alley”, “Every Picture Tells A Story”, “Never A Dull Moment”, and “Smiler“).
The box set includes live versions of fan favourites such as “Bad ’n’ Ruin,” “Had Me A Real Good Time,” “Miss Judy’s Farm,” “Too Bad,” and the hit single “Stay With Me.” Several of Stewart’s solo songs were performed as well, including, “(I Know) I’m Losing You” and the U.S. and U.K. No. 1 hit, “Maggie May.”
As a special highlight, the collection features John Peel’s Christmas Carol Concert, originally broadcast on Boxing Day 1970. This unique performance includes Stewart singing “Away In A Manger” and a carol medley sung by a choir featuring the Faces, their roadies, John Peel, Marc Bolan of T-Rex, and others.
“Faces At The BBC — Complete BBC Concert & Session Recordings 1970-1973” is available for pre-order now. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to own a piece of rock history, meticulously restored and presented for a new generation of fans.
The Fat Angel Sings 