Customer Reviews

Ogden's Nut Gone Flake

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The 1997 "remastered" version of Ogden's Nut Gone Flake, released by Castle Communications, is a slap in the face to fans of the original vinyl album. Its sound has a harsh CD brassiness, and its clumsy mastering ruins the transistions between songs. The worst example of its lack of taste is the way it butchers the segue between "Afterglow" and "Long Agos and Worlds Apart". The seamless grace of the original is wrecked with a jarring and amateurish fadeout.

Fortunately, a faithful reproduction of the original vinyl album is available on CD (complete with a fold-out insert that is a nearly perfect replica of the LP cover). It's an import released in 2001 by Sanctuary Records Group (actually the same company as Castle Communications). This recording is easily recognized by the pink color of its CD label, branded with the "Immediate" label, just like the original vinyl LP.

I have bought several albums based only on their reputations, without having heard a single track. Only two have lived up to the praise: the first Moby Grape LP, and "Ogden's Nut Gone Flake." If you are a fan of psychedelia, buy it. Now. Even though, strictly speaking, it may not be as psyched-up as "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn," it is a tremendous album. From the opening chords of the title track, with phased-out drums, I knew I was going to be happy. "Afterglow" "Long Agos and Worlds Apart" and "Song of a Baker" are all amazing, and I was blown away by the underrated "The Hungry Intruder," which may have the most beautiful melody of any song from this era (along with Syd Barrett's "Flaming").

There are a few gimmicky songs, such as "Rene" and "Lazy Sunday," where the Faces indulge their cockney pub sing-a-long personas. But even these are done with craft, and the humour is undeniable.

Individual listeners will react differently to Stanley Unwin's banter. I am more or less indifferent to it (it's clever but dated). The "concept" side is a little more whimsical and less rock-oriented than the first 6 songs, but works very well nonetheless.

Overall, an absolute must for any fan or late 60s psychedelia.

Well I finally did it. I bought a copy of 'THere are but Four Small Faces' 15+ years ago and loved it... and continue to love it today. A month or two ago I read all the review on 'Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake' and it sounded like something that I would really enjoy. That is an understatment. I love this album! Afterglow is a phenomenal song and it has such a unique beginning that reeks of the creative talent of this group. Once of my favorite's is, believe it or not, Hungry Intruder. It is so psychedelic and original. Lazy Sunday Afternoon, Songs of the Baker, the title song, and Rolling Over all have that Marriott/Lane/Jones/McLagen magic as does the whole album. They were a truly gutsy and original band and this is another album to that testament. Lastly, I have been drumming for 21 years and Kenny Jones style has been a major influence to my style and this album did not let me down.

I know that my meager descriptions couldn't possibly do this album justice. Critics have often compared "Ogden" with "Sgt. Pepper," and the comparison is apt. But "Ogden" is at once more whimsical and more satisfying musically. The second half is slightly marred by a narrated story between the songs, but the accent is so thick that it just sounds like English background noise. The rest is the Small Faces' great British mod/R&B taken to musical territory that most bands only dreamed of. Only the Beatles, Traffic, and Procol Harum have made albums in the same league.

"Ogden's Nut Gone Flake" is, quite simply, the greatest rock masterpiece that no one has ever heard of. If you like psychedelia, 60's rock, the British Invasion, progressive rock, etc., please - PLEASE - buy this album.

When I first bought this record in 1968 at the local TG&Y it came in an alluring round cover, this was simply unheard of in it's day. I was familiar with the Small Faces only through hearing' and loving' Itchycoo Park. Well. that song was'nt on this album, but hmmm.. that round cover was pretty cool, so what the heck. I plunked down the $3.50 (hey,that was big bucks back then ya'll!) and took it home and played it and played it and playedit again. From the phase shifting intro through the great Ian Mclagan organ driven "Afterglow", on to the pub crawling "Rene" it was one winner after another. Steve Marriott never sang better, Ronnie Lane instantly won my enduring admiration and loyalty. Mac was, and is, simply one of rock's greatest keyboardists, and Kenney Jones was right up there with the best of England's drummers.Flip the record over and you get one of the earlier "concept" songs in "Happiness Stan" it's kinda dated now, but the Small Faces basic grounding in RnB never lets the progressive tendencies of so many other "concept" groups overwhelm the lighthearted soul of the song. My kids love it anyway so they give "Happiness Stan 5 stars just as it is.I still have the original vinyl in the round cover and I still think I made a pretty good investment with that $3.50. You'll have to pony up a little more these days but this one's well worth it.

I bought this record ten days ago. I have listened to it at least once every day since. I was blown away, it's every bit as good as any Beatles, Who, or Rolling Stones album; actually it's probably better. It climbed its way into my top 11 albums of all time list, along with such gems as: "The Village Green Preservation Society" by The Kinks, "London Calling" by The Clash, and "Revolver" by The Beatles.

Needless to say I bought several other Small Faces albums since. I recommend "From the Begining" and "Small Faces."

This late '60's album is one of the best albums from the British Invasion. I rank it in my top five albums from both sides of the Atlantic. Steve Marriot in his pre-Humble Pie days is a vocal force to hear ! Included on the album are a menagerie of tunes: a sweet ballad in 'After-glow of Your Love'starts out as an Elvis-esque story that develops into a very strong love song worthy to be sung at many a wedding; then there's the hard rock of Marriot and Ronnie Lane's organ playing on 'Holy Roller'; and 'The Butcher'.

Then comes side two with the story of Happiness Stan and his search for "the half disappearing of the 'moonny-most'". This half of the album is one of the, if not THE, first concept albums that intersperse a story in with the music. This gives the album a historic place in rock history alongside the Who's "Tommy". The storyline's good and flows well and the music is first-rate. It's appropriate for young and old but would be most appreciated by the "children of the 60's".

It's rock's best: the Small Faces at their peak before the break-up into Humble Pie and the Faces with Rod Stewart. Buy it !! You won't be disappointed.

Finally the album art itself: it's a phantasmagoric look at life in the late 60's/early 70's which gives this album it's truely collectors status.

Wow, too bad the beatles get all the attention as one of the best 60's bands because Ive never heard of the small faces...ever...untill I hear them on some compilation tape from a music magazine..wow they dont make music like this anymore...the first few songs are not the best but futher in all the songs are so good you want to sing along...and the songs put you in a good mood for the rest of the day! musical medicine :)The CD gets better as soon as the song about the gypsy gets going then its pure love from there :)
The cd is like someone is singing a phantasy book....the ending songs even tell you the meaning of life! this is great....why dont these guys get mentioned with the beatles??

Small Faces did this recording when no one knew who they were. One complete side of the album is devoted to a single song, "Happiness Stan". Happiness Stan is a real trip. Stan notices one night that half of the moon is missing. He goes on a quest to determine what has happened to the other half of the moon. On his way he meets many interesting characters including a magic fly and Mad John. Not only does he find the missing half of the moon but as a side line discovers the meaning of life itself. This CD deserves more than 5 stars. I bought the original vinyl when it first came out and got the CD to replace the vinyl to archive it. The instrumental part of this CD and the vocals are without peer. The other side of the album is also well worth listening to. I guarantee you that this is a CD you will listen to over and over and over again.

the ultimate group that was almost great; killer playing on bass, drums, and very trippy here and there. And the rest? drive-you-up-the-wall music hall [junk], and the constipated Steve Mariott (less then usual, thanks) warbling. In all fairness Ronnie Lane's insufferable cockney accent is even worse although it's easier to write his off. The songs are great in spots, but then they turn just kinda weak. These guys coulda been the sh't, but they fall short. And whatever anyone says, 'there are but 4 small faces' is much better.