Ronnie Lane’s Slim Chance “One For The Road”
This awesome album crept up on me from behind and knocked my ass on the floor. I often forget how important it is to space these albums out. Put them away for awhile, re-listen two weeks later. Change the situation maybe. Sometimes, you just need to crank it up and let them do their thing.
(And now I’d like to request that listeners at this site try to tune in at loud, exciting volumes.)
Ronnie is well-known as one of the founding members of The Small Faces and The Faces. His solo output is consistently good, the Slim Chance recordings a late-night, rousing and old-timey affair, usually combining mandolin, harmonica, and acoustic for a solid roots rock sound. His work on One For The Road seems to be the moment where it all fell together best, featuring memorable tunes with extreme dynamism, sometimes starting off at barely audible levels. Every number is damn near anthemic the way they build. The music is at once traditional and uniquely original. No, this one doesn’t kick in right away, but when it does, you’ll be ready.
I have two more requests concerning Mr. Lane. I heard the 2006 biopic, The Passing Show
“32nd Street”
CD Reissue | 2003 | Acadia | 2fer | buy from amazon
Original Vinyl | 1975 | search ebay ]
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Hey Brendan,
I’ll keep a look out for the Ronnie Lane tracks. I never realized there was some audio botox going on, so thanks for the heads up.
As for “The Passing Show,” it’s well worth owning. Really gives you a feel of where Ronnie was at, professionally and personally. Doesn’t pull too many punches, in the sense that you feel the love, but you also get the impression he was kind of a stubborn pain in the arse as well. But hey, who isn’t, right? Actually, I oughta throw this one on the tube. It’s been awhile since I watched it.
LD July 28, 2008 @ 10:36 pm
One For The Road is a gem and the title track is one of the great drinking songs, as good as anything the Pogues and others could lay down. Lane’s work on Rough Mix is underrated too in comparison to Townshend’s superb songs but they do stand up admirably. It looks like his travelling live show from the period never stood a chance but oh to be at one of those gigs.
Louder than Milk July 29, 2008 @ 2:55 am
Good stuff!
Paul July 29, 2008 @ 5:54 am
I’m also a huge fan of the album Anymore for Anymore. It’s one to crank any time.
sal July 30, 2008 @ 2:55 pm
For all things Ronnie Lane, there is only one person to contact: Bucks Burnett.
Why? He was not only a fan, but an employee of Ronnie’s. He also happens to be a musical and pop culture encyclopedia as well as a darn nice guy.
http://www.sonicboomers.com/onthecorner/ronnie-lane-small-face-big-path
ldp July 30, 2008 @ 7:10 pm
I’ve always loved Anymore for Anymore and his work with the Small Faces but for reasons I’m not quite sure, I never gave this album a listen until this glowing review reminded me to. It really is an amazing album, definitely among the best work I’ve ever heard him do, so thanks for shining the spotlight on Ronnie and his fantastic work and hopefully giving more people like me a nudge to listen to it.
Mel January 3, 2009 @ 1:09 am
Do you still need Single Saddle and Snake?
If so, i can pass them on to you.
Single Saddle i have in excellent quality, Snake is a little crackly (but in a great way) as it’s taken from original vinyl.
Has anyone ever come across a Ronnie/Slim Chance bootleg, of a concert or alternate versions, etc?
Seem to be rarer than rocking-horse shit.
Mick Bradley January 23, 2009 @ 6:06 am
Hi Mick Bradley( hope I’m doing right thing to get message to you)
Could you send a copy of single saddle and Snake to me, would mean helluva lot!
I saw Slim Chance in November 1979 at Colchester Institute – fantastic, hypnotic mesmerising and a defining experience, stood in front of Ronnie who just smiled gently most of the time – been a fan ever since,
Rupert
Rupert Mayanrd August 24, 2009 @ 6:59 am