And time sure does fly. I still get such a buzz out of Humble Pie recordings, and remember seeing them live in the '70s.
I saw your bumped thread on the anniversary of Sandy Denny's passing. I didn't realize that two of the greatest vocalists out of England passed nearly exactly 13 years apart. And both so tragically young. My avatar says something to my esteem of Steve. I was just watching a bit of the Steve Marriott - Live video (Camden Palace (now KOKO I believe) 1985 with Jerry Shirley and Jimmy Leverton as A Packet of Three) yesterday. I still can't believe that "Tin Soldier" wasn't a massive hit here in America.
It's interesting how in the US Steve Marriot seems to be primarily thought of as Humble Pie's vocalist whereas in the UK he's a Small Face.
True. Small Faces were one hit wonders in the US, and, except for their first album, probably a bit too fey for American tastes at the time.
Itchycoo Park. Top 40 in '68. I disagree that anybody could conceive of them as fey. Especially with the best Caucasian R&B singer ever (IMO of course) at the helm.
"Itchycoo Park" #16 in US, in UK it got to #3 "Tin Soldier" got to #9 in UK and only #73 in US Fey is not a word I would use to describe the Small Faces. If you want to know where Led Zeppelin got "Whole Lotta Love", listen to "You Need Loving" by the Small Faces.
That's why I selected out the first album. I can't recall which member criticized it, but not all his bandmates appreciated Marriot's vocal affect on Itchycoo Park, which he used on some other songs. I love Itchycoo Park, but maintain that it sounds fey.
Watched a documentary on him and of course Humble Pie. I was transfixed as always by the man and his musical vision. He was all up in it like it was his eternal womb. R.I.P.
I agree that that was not the best representation of their typical sound. If Tin Soldier had broken out, their profile in the States would be different, no question.