martes, 8 de agosto de 2023

Faces - "Final Toot".(1975 unpublished album).

 


In January of 1976, the british rock group "Faces" officially ceased to exist, but they left an album to finish. This unfinished work was:"Final Toot", real title of this lost lp. Do you want to know what happened?. Faces ended up as a rock band without finishing their last studio work-. Were attempted on three separate occasions during 1975. The first sessions became  in late January at Air Studios, London, when they recorded these songs: "Hi-Heeled Sneakers / Everybody Needs Somebody To Love", "Gettin 'Hungry", "Open To Ideas", "Rock Me". & "Sailing Down The River"..a outtake that is nearly as good as “Open to Ideas”. Those four tracks would have to make up the core of a proposed “last album".


In March, more recording sessions in Los Angeles California, during the farewell tour, only “party jams”. The next, in late July / August, Tetsu Yamauchi, Ian McLagan entered Island Studios with Alan Merill and Paul Varley of the Arrows  and did some recordings: “Basing Street Leslie” (Tetsu instrumental), “Come On Come On Baby” and “Somebody To Love”.

Another studio recording was in Nashville Tennessee on September 25th: “Cry To Me”(Bert Russell) and “Tracks Of My Tears”(Smokey Robinson!). More unreleased track was a cover of the Jim Ford song “I’d Be Ahead If I Could Quit While I’m Behind”, five takes was recorded a duet between Rod and Bobby Womack with the Faces on backing.

Finally In January 1976, The Faces, without Rod Stewart, had serious intentions of recording another record at Pathé-Marcony Studios in Paris, France. ““FINAL TOOT” real álbum title, Bit.Ly/75fcft it did not materialize because Warner would only pay the studio costs if Ron Wood would be willing to tour with the group. But it was impossible, because he would be on new European tour with The Rolling Stones, that would star in Frankfurt, West Germany on 26th April. So the group make a decision: suspend that recording sessions and separate definitely.

For this new reconstruction, I only used material from the 2nd Faces line up (1973 to 75); because. I'm not interested in half things, if the band is not complete. For this reason I have only included, songs from January session and two live tracks from San Bernardino, last concert that Ron Wood gave with Faces before join to The Rolling Stones.  I would have liked to put “Sailing Down The River” on Side A- track 2, but I have not found a take that had the necessary quality. Anyway, “Take a look at the guy” is not bad, because Rod Stewart announces that it is the last appearance of Ron Wood. It can be considered as a historical recording, I think.

Side A: (19:04)

1. You Can Make Me Dance, Sing Or Anything (4:23).
2. Take A Look At The Guy.(4:48) live in San Bernardino´75)                                     
3. Gettin´ Hungry (5:12).
4. Rock Me (4:40).

Side B: (19:05)

1. I Can Feel The Fire (5:37) live in San Bernardino´75) 
2. As Long As You Tell Him (4:19).
3. HI Heel Sneakers /
     Everybody Needs Somebody To Love (5:07).
4. Open To Ideas (4:00).

To complete, the last single: "You Can Make Me Dance, Sing Or Anything" /  "As Long As You Tell Him". Not included in any Lp until October 1976, from the "Greatest Hits": “Snakes and Ladders / The Best of Faces". 

For the cover I have chosen, a drawing made by Ron Wood in 1974 and that was retouched to be possible cover of the album in 1976.
Ok, this reconstruction, I think, it´s not bad, simple and, brief, Only enjoy it.