VA - One For The Road - Memorial Concert Ronnie Lane - 2014
Yours truly feels both elated and saddened, but which emotion should take precedence is another matter… This concert at the Royal Albert Hall was held in memory of Ronnie Lane, founding member of the Small Faces and the Faces. Lane tragically died in 1997, aged only 51 of pneumonia, in the final stages of his multiple sclerosis.
Thanks to Angel Air Records, the Memorial Concert, held at the Royal Albert Hall on 5th April 2004, is now available on DVD, offering a whopping three-and-a-half hours of superb entertainment delivered by artists such as Slim Chance (Lane’s band after The Faces split), Jones Gang, Steve Ellis, Mick Jones, Glen Matlock, Sam Brown (daughter of rock ‘n’ roller Joe Brown), Ronnie Wood, Paul Weller, Pete Townshend, Ocean Colour Scene, Steve Ellis, Steve Diggle, Midge Ure, Dennis Greaves, Deborah Bonham Band, Joe Marriott and Chris Farlowe.
Compere of the night was John Hellier, original Mod around town, and ‘Whapping Wharf Launderette Darling’, who greeted the many fans who had come from all over to assemble in the RAH. Hellier read out written tributes and apologies from Sir Paul McCartney and Eric Clapton, who were unable to participate due to conflicting schedules.
The evening covered the three main phases of Ronnie Lane’s career (Small Faces, Faces, and his solo work with Slim Chance and other artists), and each ‘phase’ was represented by various artists and bands who performed songs specific to each phase.
The CDs captures this and the general atmosphere brilliantly, while the sound quality is equally superb. Highlights – and there are many – include ‘Stone’, a Lane song about the evolution of conscience, performed by Pete Townshend and Slim Chance, and scorching guitar solos by Ronnie Wood. Sam Brown, a captivating singer by the way, missed her cue at one point as she “needed a wee” (obviously she thought of it as groovy), and ‘You’re So Rude’ cheekily delivered by Mick Jones and Glen Matlock. Midge Ure and Paul Weller also threw bona fide performances.
The concert featuring countless renditions of favourites such as ‘Itchycoo Park’, ‘Lazy Sunday’, ‘Cats Melody’, ‘Kuschty Rye’, ‘Maggie May’ and many more, also coughs up some surprises. Ronnie Lane’s brother Stan Lane was guest of honour at the concert, another guest was John Unwin, son of Professor Stanley Unwin, whose gobbledygook language had struck a big chord with Lane.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the night was an appearance by soulful blues-rocker Chris Farlowe, who belted out ‘All Or Nothing’ together with the Jones Gang as the final number of the night.
01. I Can’t Make It – SMALL WORLD
02. I’ve Got Mine – SMALL WORLD
03. Don’t Burst My Bubble – SMALL WORLD
04. Every Little Bit Hurts – DEBORAH BONHAM BAND
05. Maybe I’m Amazed – DEBORAH BONHAM BAND
06. Rene – 17 BLACK with Mollie Marriott and Dean Rees
07. Lazy Sunday – 17 BLACK with Mollie Marriott and Dean Rees
08. Here Come The Nice – 17 BLACK with Steve Diggle
09. Hey Girl – 17 BLACK with Dennis Greaves
10. Whatcha Gonna Do About It – 17 BLACK with Dennis Greaves
11. Mad John – Midge Ure
12. My Mind’s Eye – Midge Ure
13. Wham Bam Thank you Man – OCEAN COLOUR SCENE
14. Done This One Before – OCEAN COLOUR SCENE
15. Song Of A Baker – OCEAN COLOUR SCENE
16. Cat’s Melody – SLIM CHANCE
17. Kuschty Rye – SLIM CHANCE
18. Anymore For Anymore – SLIM CHANCE with Chris Jagger
19. How Come - SLIM CHANCE with Chris Jagger
20. Debris – SLIM CHANCE with Glen Matlock and Mick Jones
21. You’re So Rude – SLIM CHANCE with Glen Matlock and Mick Jones
22. Stone – SLIM CHANCE with Pete Townshend
23. Harvest Home – SLIM CHANCE
24. The Poacher – SLIM CHANCE with Paul Weller
25. Spiritual Babe – SLIM CHANCE with Paul Weller
26. Lad’s Got Money – SLIM CHANCE with Sam Brown
27. One For The Road – SLIM CHANCE
28. Ooh La La – SLIM CHANCE with Paul Weller and Ronnie Wood
29. Ogdens Nut Gone Flake – JONES GANG
30. Maggie May – JONES GANG
31. Gypsy Lane – JONES GANG
32. Itchycoo Park – JONES GANG
33. Afterglow – JONES GANG with Steve Ellis
34. If You Think You’re Groovy – JONES GANG with Sam Brown
35. Tim Soldier – JONES GANG with Sam Brown
36. Heart To Hang On To – JONES GANG with Pete Townshend and Sam Brown
37. Had Me A Real Good Time – JONES GANG with Ronnie Wood
38. Stay With Me – JONES GANG with Ronnie Wood
39. All Or Nothing – JONES GANG with Chris Farlowe