Although he made his name in the Small Faces, Steve Marriott already had a
back catalogue of music and films. Many of his earlier music tracks have been
available in some form or other for some time but this limited edition blue
vinyl release has a few surprises. Marriott had been to stage school and had
already acted but he was being groomed as a singer. These pre-Small Faces tracks
show an interesting evolution and change in styles that clearly led towards his
raunchy R&B style that reached the charts with What'cha Gonna Do About It
and the Small Faces' debut album.
Marriott's first recording is missing from this compilation. He had played
the part of Artful Dodger in the original stage version of Oliver. He recorded
several tracks at Abbey Road and Consider Yourself is available on the
Tin Soldier compilation. He then moved into acting with a number of roles
that typecast him as the Cockney child although it may be said that he never
escaped this during his career and he played on it. He returned to looking for a
musical career and took his song Imaginary Love around the record
companies. Decca signed him and released the track as a B-side to Give Her My
Regards. The A-side was written by established songwriter Kenny Lynch was
later co-wrote the third Small Faces single Sha-La-La-La-Lee.
The earliest tracks from 1962 and 1963 are more reminiscent of the sound of
the times although there are signs of a bluesier vocal in the cover of Ray
Charles' What I'd Say. Imaginary Love suggests this early Steve
Marriott composition owes a lot to Buddy Holly and this is even more evident on
1963's Give Her My Regards. In his early years Marriott had been
interested in Buddy Holly not just in his songwriting and singing but also
trying to adopt his look. Even in these early days it was clear that
Steve had a voice that was quite unique.
The Moments' first single was surprisingly launched in the US though not in
the UK. The cover of Ray Davies' You Really Got Me shows that Marriott's
vocal style is developing and is starting to become quite distinctive. The group
was also billed as Marriott & the Moments. A version of Move It was
recorded but remained unreleased. You Really Got Me failed to trouble the
charts in America and Marriott was dropped by the band with others claiming he
was too young to be lead singer.
This is a limited edition release on 10" blue vinyl. The tracks are also
available on the second CD of the Steve Marriott double CD I Need Your Love
www.makingtime.co.uk/rfr/cdGiveAllShesGot.htm.
