SMALL FACES/IN MEMORIAM 1C 048-90201 (-69) GERMANY

When posting the UK "Autumn Stone" double album earlier I wasn't too pleased with the outcome and still isn't. An unholy blend of earlier unissued, alternate versions, in Britain previously 45 only's and stereo mixes then new to UK - most of them better handeled on other issues. For the Decca 45:s nothing can beat the 1976 UK budget LP "The Singles Album - All the Decca A+B Sides" and the "new" stereo mixes came out a lot better on the 1967 US "There Are But Four Small Faces" (see earlier posts). Only thing making me happy with that was to get the great "The Universal" 45 for the first time on LP. As I understand this single album, only containing cuts recorded and/or meant for the bands planned but half way cancelled album "1862", was Immediate's original idea also for UK before they decided to make it a double bursting with fillers. But as it turned out only first issued that way as UK export and getting early domestic press in Germany, France and Australia. Listening to this German it fits me a little better than AS, but not by much. Side two has five studio recordings meant for the cancelled album, all sounding more or less unfinished - "Collibosher" and "Wide Eye Girl On The Wall" instrumental, with all certainty backing tracks waiting for vocals. Then "Red Balloon" a Tim Hardin cover sounding promising but not quite ready. The two remaining - "Autumn Stone" and the 1967 recording "Call It Something Nice" - are the only cuts here fitting for an agreeable release, the rest could as well have stayed in the vaults. Side one has six live cuts. Listening to that you can't escape they were a great live band and this is about the only reminder, but sadly the audio is rather messy with some added reverb so the joy is purely academic. I do prefer this over AS, cause with lots of good will it could be called Small Faces last original album, unfulfilled and not all pleasant, but still. UK export came with UK vinyl in German sleeve (IMSP 022), French on Immediate (2C 054 -91.871), Australian on Columbia (SOEX 10122). Japan 2009 CD (Immediate VICP 70110) came with fifteen mono versions, most of them Immediate 45:s, as bonus. Not all familiar with German issues, but guess this is early with label as shown here, thick unflexible vinyl, laminated cover and ad inner. (GÖXÄ*) (YDÄ*) (SXÅH*)