Real Good Time (Watchtower WT-2002056)
Paris Cinema, London, England – May 13th, 1971
(52:18): You’re My Girl, Cut Across Shorty, Love In Vain, Bad And Ruin, It’s All Over You, Had Me A Real Good Time, I’m Losing You
The Faces appeared on the BBC, both radio and TV, more than twenty times over their six year career and since they were so well recorded many appear on unofficial releases. Real Good Time on Watchtower documents the May 13th, 1971 appearance on John Peel’s Sunday Concert. This recording appeared first on the LP Had Me A Real Good Time (TMOQ 1842 71052). Despite the claim of releases like Shake It On Down For Top Gear (Hiwatt HW-71/72), which has three BBC appearances and claims to have this one, Watchtower is the silver disc debut of this particular broadcast.
The recording is excellent stereo, probably sourced from a BBC transcription disc and not an actual broadcast. Watchtower use a vinyl transfer for Real Good Time which comes with several pops,clicks and a cut 3:03 in “You’re My Girl.” Since neither the master tape nor the taped used for the original vinyl are available, this is the best that can be done. Watchtower might have been able to remove the pops, but as it is they are not really distracting.
This appearance was taped in front of a live audience at the Paris Theater and broadcast on the BBC on May 23rd. The Faces wanted to do two things: play their best stage numbers but also introduce new songs from their latest album Long Player released in March. They start off with the Rod Stewart solo number “You’re My Girl” (called “I Don’t Want To Discuss It” on the artwork). Lasting eleven minutes, is about the best performed song of the broadcast.
Afterwards Stewart tells everyone: “Here’s one we’ve never done on the program before called ‘Cut Across Short.'” This performance is the only one from this session to be released officially, appearing Five Guys Walk Into A Bar. They follow with a long cover of The Rolling Stones’ Robert Johnson cover “Love In Vain.”
“Tonight is novelty night” Stewart says before “Bad And Ruin.” “This number has never been played before except when we recorded it for the Long Playeralbum. So if it falls apart in the middle, you know, laugh it off” punctuated by nervous laughter. However, the song does not break down in the middle. “Had Me A Real Good Time” is the other song from the new album played.
Before the end Stewart jokes “We forgot to do one of the best numbers we ever do…’Losing You’ yeah. It’s an old Temptations number and they were great. They ain’t now because they lost the best singer in the world David Ruffin.” The run through a tight six minute version of their cover including a very brief but intense Kenny Jones drum solo.
Real Good Time was released at a time when Watchtower were plumbing the depths of radio and television broadcasts for various artists. Other Watchtower titles at the time focused upon Paul McCartney, Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin. It is packaged in a normal jewel case with very basic artwork with very clean graphics. And since this has never been issued before it is valuable for Faces collectors and is worth having.
4 Comments
I can forgive Rod for what he became because it all started with efforts like this. Worth it if only for the extended opener, this is a remarkably solid set with terrific sound quality. A great complement to the 10/26/71 session later that year. Highly recommended.
That show that is purported to be Detroit ’74 is actually San Bernadino 3/7/75 and was originally broadcast on the KBFH. I still have the old Swingin’ Pig vinyl release and had the older vinyl boot Afterhours before that. Always thought for years that it actually was from Detroit ’74. There’s also an audience recording that came out on the cdr title ‘Long Gone’ on the Massive Attack label about 10-12 years ago. I love the version of Bring It On Home/You Send Me and you’re right, Woody is on fire during this show!
Interesting; i have a Faces show from Detroit-1974-titled Real Good Time(swingin’pig label. I am not familiar with many Faces silver discs, but must say the SB quality of the pigs release is fabulous as well as perhaps the best i’ver heard woody play (blistering slide on motherless children as well as an intense sweet little rock’n’roller.
Guess i should review it.
Great review. some add’l comments:
This set was recorded for the “John Peel’s Sunday Concert” BBC show and aired on May 23, 1971.
Fyi, one track “Love In Vain” has officially been released on “5 Guys…” boxset. It is not available on any other boot.
Otherwise all the other tracks appear on other silver-cd bootlegs, including (amongst others):
Honky Tonk Men [Bell Bottom: BB 014] & That’s all You Need [Oh Boy 1-9035]: You’re My Girl / Cut Across Shorty / Bad N’Ruin / It’s All Over Now / Had Me A Real Good Time / I’m Losing You.
Killer High-Lights 197-73 [Scorpio: F 90-8072]: Cut Across Shorty / Bad N’Ruin / It’s All Over Now / I’m Losing You.