Tribute Concert - Steve Marriott

This three-CD set from Small Faces-devoted label Wapping Wharf Records is worth its weight in gold -- even platinum -- for fans of the late singer/guitarist/songwriter, and any of the various bands that he fronted from the Small Faces on. Small Faces revival band 17 Black opens with rippling, bristling renditions of "Don't Burst My Bubble," "Wham Bam Thank You Mam," "Hey Girl," and "Rene." And it gets better from there with loud, ringing versions of "Lazy Sunday" and "Song of a Baker" by John's Children and the Mods. And there's also a house band featuring Bobby Tench on guitar, Rick Wills on bass, Zak Starkey on drums, John "Rabbit" Bundrick on keyboards, and Billy Nichols, Tony Rivers, and Anthony Thompson on backing vocals, who do amazing renditions of "Whatcha Gonna Do About It," etc. A re-formed Humble Pie, consisting of Peter Frampton, Clem Clemson, Greg Ridley, and Jerry Shirley, perform many of the highlights of their repertoire on disc two, and disc three features the All-Star Band, including Ian McLagan and Kenney Jones, returning to the core of Marriott's Small Faces-era repertoire. The sound is excellent and the performances are all first-rate (and good and loud), accompanied by excellent annotation and a fine biographical portrait of Marriott. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide