Record Collector Christmas 2006

****

Faces keyboard maestro pays tribute to old friend.

Mac’s heartfelt tribute to his former bandmate is a set of covers, taking in some of Lane’s finest tunes. His bittersweet, folk-tinged lyrical classics Spiritual Babe, Kuschty Rye and Debris and reinterpreted (some radically) and the seminal Itchycoo Park merits a remake that almost equals the original. The Bump Band offers sterling support to McLagan’s impeccable keyboard playing. He’s also in fine voice throughout, particularly on the closing Hello Old Friend. Plonk should be grinning from ear to ear in that great launderette in the sky.

A belated acknowledgement by a fellow (Small) Face of Lane’s crucial role in two great bands, this is a timely and fitting tribute to a singular, unique and sadly missed talent.

Steve Rippon