Ronnie Lane

Rocket 69

Release Date: 12 February 2001

Burning Airlines Pilot 69

This is a 2CD set. The first CD is audio while the second side is video. The recording was made for the German TV show Rockpalast in March 1980

Track Listing

1. Cat Melody (Rat's Tails)
2. Flags & Banners
3. Annie Had a Baby (Previously unreleased)
4. How Come
5. Debris
6. You're So Rude
7. I'm Ready
8. When Lads Has Got Money
9. Kuschty Rye
10. Rocket 69 (Previously unreleased)
11. Man Smart, Woman Smarter (Previously unreleased)
12. You Never Can Tell
13. One for the Road

Recorded for a Rockpalast German TV broadcast (presented here as a visual bonus CD-ROM) in January 1980, the late great Laney is on fine form despite the tragic onset of the MS that eventually claimed him.

With a pick-up band including three of the Grease Ban and the late Stone factotum Ian "Stu" Stewart tinkling the ivories, a good-time rag feel pervades. Alongside the inevitable How Come, the boys revisit three Faces classics - Debris, You're So Rude and an electric arrangement of Flags and Banners. There are several highlights from the Slim Chance albums and tongue-in-cheek covers including Harry Belefonte's Man Smart, Woman Smarter and Stu's perennial fave Rocket 88, lewdly transformed into Rocket 69. It's heart-warming to hear Ronnie still charming his way through adversity: "Life's for living...don't forget that", is his parting comment. We need more like him.

Andy Neil