Ooh La La
Studio album by Faces
Released 1973
Recorded September 1972 - January 1973
Genre Rock
Length 30:33
Label Warner Bros
Producer Glyn Johns
Professional ratings:
Allmusic 4.5 of 5 stars
Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine:
It wasn't all over but the shouting, but the Faces sure weren't thriving when they released their last album, Ooh La La, in 1973. The problem, of course, was Rod Stewart, who had turned into a superstar, causing innumerable tensions within the band. He had yet to decamp to America, had yet to turn to pop instead of rock & roll, but he was on the cusp of that sea change. Nevertheless, on the record at least, it didn't seem like being with the Faces was a strain on him; it still seemed that he enjoyed a good night out with the boys, and Ooh La La is precisely that: a good night out, one that's blessed with some very memorable moments. If there's not quite as many as on the past two Faces platters, chalk that up to circumstance perhaps. On Long Player and A Nod Is as Good as a Wink, they were a well-oiled machine at the peak of their powers. Here they're trying to rev up -- they get there, but it's possible to hear the effort, as some of the songs fall just a little bit short of memorable. But there are some extraordinary moments here, including Rod's "Silicone Grown" and the wonderful "Cindy Incidentally," a sweet, easy pop song. But the heart of this album really belongs to Ronnie Lane, who dominates the second side of the album, starting with the Stewart collaboration "If I'm on the Late Side" and running through the sweet, soft "Glad and Sorry" to "Just Another Honky" and, finally, to the raucous yet bittersweet "Ooh La La," as great a song as they ever recorded and an appropriate drawing of the curtain on this tremendous band.
LP track listing
Side One
1. "Silicone Grown" (Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood) - 3:05
2. "Cindy Incidentally" (Ian McLagan, Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood) - 2:37
3. "Flags and Banners" (Ronnie Lane, Rod Stewart) - 2:00
4. "My Fault" (Ian McLagan, Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood) - 3:05
5. "Borstal Boys" (Ian McLagan, Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood) - 2:52
Side Two
6. "Fly in the Ointment" (Kenney Jones, Ronnie Lane, Ian McLagan, Ronnie Wood) - 3:49
7. "If I'm on the Late Side" (Ronnie Lane, Rod Stewart) - 2:36
8. "Glad and Sorry" (Ronnie Lane) - 3:04
9. "Just Another Honky" (Ronnie Lane) - 3:32
10. "Ooh La La" (Ronnie Lane, Ronnie Wood) - 3:30
Personnel
* Rod Stewart - lead vocals, rhythm guitar
* Ronnie Wood - lead, slide and rhythm guitar, bass, vocals
* Ian McLagan - piano, organ, harmonium
* Ronnie Lane - bass, rhythm guitar, tambourine, vocals
* Kenney Jones - drums
* Neemoi "Speedy" Aquaye - congas, shakers (track 6)