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