A Nod Is As Good As A Wink - FACES****

Miss Judy's Farm/You're So Rude/Love Lives Here/Last Orders Please/Stay With Me/Debris/Memphis/Too Bad/That's All You Need

The Faces reached the pinnacle of success as a group with A Nod Is As Good As A Wink. From now on Rod Stewart’s solo career would take precedence, with the rest as mere backing musicians until they were ditched altogether. Includes the UK and US top twenty single Stay With Me. (US:6 UK:2)

“The Faces musically were a long way from the band fronted by Steve Marriott. For one thing, they had no interest in experimentation, being progressive or anything like that. They played raucous rock songs and were far more interested in having a real good time than playing serious music.”

“A Nod Is As Good As A Wink finds the group at the peak of their powers, a finely honed machine. Rod Stewart can be heard transforming into the superstar. Ron Wood proves himself to be one of the most capable guitarists on the planet. I've never been as big on the Ronnie Lane numbers, but even his are pretty good here. From here on out, they would essentially become the backing band for Rod Stewart, and, in the process, lose some of their mojo. Catch them at their best here.”

“The Faces' masterpiece is a glorious rave up, opening with the infectiously bluesy Miss Judy's Farm and closing with the mildly calypso influenced That's All You Need. With perhaps the Faces' most famous song Stay With Me acting as the lynchpin, you could argue that the band's songwriting was never stronger, and they bring excellent performances to match. Rod Stewart's vocal delivery is better than ever, Ron Wood takes the Faces closer to Rolling Stones territory than ever before and Ronnie Lane's compositions bring out the best in all concerned.”

“This was a great, rollicking band, with a reputation built on raucous, sloppy, and fun rock n' roll. The Faces often backed Rod Stewart on his own solo albums, particularly his early classics, but on their own records they cut loose even more.”

“These are some great songs here, and some unusual arrangements, starting with the kick-off Miss Judy's Farm a Ron Wood guitar tour-de-force. The Faces all share equal billing. The cover looks like it might be a live album. Its not, but its how you want a live band to sound.”

“Another classic raw blues and rock album. The Faces were great in their prime, they had a certain sincerity and authenticity.”