The autumn stone - Small Faces

For the love of rock
Vol X, Issue 2 – The autumn stone (01 Feb 2025)
www.intheloveofrock.com

Name of song- The autumn stone
Band – Small Faces
Writer- Steve Marriott
Album- In Memoriam
Release year- 1969
Resources- Wikipedia.org

The autumn stone

The band “Small Faces” is considered as one of the pioneers of influential mod groups to arrive in Britain in the sixties. Formed in 1965 in London by Steve Marriott (Vocals/guitars), Kenney Jones (Drums), Ronnie Lane (Bass/guitars/vocals) and Jimmy Winston (Keyboards), Small Faces truly deserved more than they received. Later in 1966, Jimmy Winston was replaced by Ian McLagan and the band officially took shape. Although, they had a good number of hits like “Lazy Sunday”, “Itchycoo Park”, “All or nothing”, “Tin soldier” with only few early albums, they could never shade away from their mod pop image which frustrated Marriott. Undoubtedly, Steve Marriott was too talented and he could never express fully with “Small Faces” due to perhaps associations with wrong record labels and managers. He finally quit in 1968 to form “Humble Pie” with Peter Frampton. Although Small Faces continued with Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood, then “Small Faces” officially had changed into “Faces.” Despite Small Faces had short and disturbed career, they had their magnum opus with a classic psychedelic concept album “Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake” in 1969 which most people are in awe with. Most music critics acknowledge that they were competitors to “The Who’ and rivals to “The Rolling Stones”!

Undoubtedly, their pinnacle is “Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake”, however, post their break up, their record label released their first posthumous album “In Memoriam”, which tried to portray their career in a single set. Comprised of their hits as well as unreleased material and live recordings, this album had some memorable gems in it-“The autumn stone” being one of the most precious one!

“The autumn stone” is the last song in the album. A poignant ballad set in the cold autumn mood, this song is a soother for anyone. Penned by Steve Marriott, the ballad plays willfully with the weather, nature and the romantic air. The song captivates the listener from the very beginning and spellbinds till the end! Ronnie Lane’s bass, McLagan’s keyboards, and Kenny Jones’ drums, complement perfectly with Marriott’s guitars and vocals. The cherry on top is the flute solo in between by Lyn Dobson. With relatively short lyrics, the song begins as well as ends with the hauntingly mesmerizing instrumental harmonies.

Yes, “Small Faces” never got what they deserved in their heydays, but, decades later, their contribution is still well appreciated. Undoubtedly, “The autumn stone” is one of their underappreciated gems, but on the contrary, this stone is one of their most brilliantly shining diamond!!!

Happy listening!!!

Resources- Wikipedia.org, allmusic.com

The autumn stone

I was nowhere,
Til you changed my mind,
Love is sent through being good to you,
Then you were somewhere,
Somewhere hard to find,
Only what you always were, it's true

I'm looking for an open door,
Where I can sit and play in peace and quiet,

Tomorrow changes,
Fields of green today,
Yesterday is dead,
But not my memory,
We were strangers,
And then you came to stay,
The sweetest spring old morning sings to me,
So now I've found a living sound,
That moves, that breathes, and then makes love to me

Lyrics - https://genius.com/Small-faces-the-au...
Video link -    • The autumn stone - Small Faces