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**Long Player: The Faces' Masterpiece That Almost Wasn't**

In the pantheon of rock and roll's great what-ifs, few albums loom as large as the Faces' "Long Player" – a record that stands as both the band's creative peak and a tantalizing glimpse of what might have been. Released in February 1971, this third studio effort finds Rod Stewart and company hitting their stride just as the wheels were beginning to wobble on their ramshackle rock and roll machine.

The Faces emerged from the ashes of the Small Faces in 1969, when the departure of Steve Marriott left Ronnie Lane, Ian McLagan, and Kenney Jones scrambling to reinvent themselves. Enter Rod Stewart, fresh from his stint with the Jeff Beck Group, and Ron Wood, the guitar-slinging wildcard who would later find fame with the Rolling Stones. What resulted was lightning in a bottle – a band that embodied the boozy, good-time spirit of early '70s rock while possessing the musical chops to back up their reputation as the ultimate party animals.

By the time they entered Olympic Studios to record "Long Player," the Faces had already established themselves as a formidable live act with their debut "First Step" and were riding high on the success of singles like "Flying" and "Had Me a Real Good Time." But something magical happened during those sessions – perhaps it was the band's growing confidence, or maybe the perfect storm of Stewart's ascending solo career creating a sense of urgency, but "Long Player" captures the Faces at their most cohesive and inspired.

Musically, the album is a masterclass in loose-limbed rock and roll that somehow never feels sloppy. The band's sound – part pub rock, part blues, part folk-tinged storytelling – was perfectly suited to the post-psychedelic hangover of the early '70s. Where other bands were getting increasingly complex and cerebral, the Faces offered something refreshingly human: songs that sounded like they were born in late-night jam sessions fueled by equal parts inspiration and intoxication.

The album's crown jewel is undoubtedly "Stay with Me," a rollicking anthem that perfectly encapsulates everything great about the band. Built around Wood's deceptively simple but absolutely infectious guitar riff and driven by Jones's thunderous drums, it's a song that manages to be both crude and sophisticated, with Stewart's raspy vocals delivering lyrics that are part seduction, part confession. The track became their biggest hit and remains a staple of classic rock radio to this day.

But "Long Player" is far more than a one-hit wonder. "Debris," penned by Ronnie Lane, showcases the band's more introspective side with its wistful melody and poignant lyrics about urban decay. Lane's contributions to the album – including the charming "Richmond" and the rollicking "Had Me a Real Good Time" – prove he was far more than just a supporting player. Meanwhile, "Sweet Lady Mary" demonstrates the band's ability to stretch out and groove, with McLagan's keyboards providing the perfect counterpoint to Wood's guitar work.

The album's production, handled by Glyn Johns, strikes the perfect balance between polish and rawness. The Faces sound like they're playing in your living room, but every instrument is crystal clear in the mix. It's a sound that countless bands have tried to replicate but few have matched.

Tragically, "Long Player" would prove to be the beginning of the end for the Faces as a creative unit. Stewart's parallel solo success was already creating tensions within the band, and by 1975, he would depart for America, effectively ending the group. Wood's subsequent recruitment by the Rolling Stones added insult to injury, leaving Lane, McLagan, and Jones to soldier on briefly before calling it quits.

Today, "Long Player" stands as a testament to what the Faces achieved during their brief but brilliant existence. While they may have been overshadowed by their more famous contemporaries – the Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Who – the Faces created something uniquely their own: rock and roll that was unpretentious, joyful, and utterly human. In an era when rock was becoming increasingly serious and self-important, the Faces reminded everyone that sometimes the best music comes from just plugging in and having a good time. "Long Player" remains their lasting legacy – a perfect snapshot of a band that burned bright and fast, leaving behind one truly essential album.