Ogden's Nut Gone Flake

Chances are if you're reading this you're familiar with the album and have read other reviews concerning the music and the great sound-so there's no reason to rehash all that. This review is about the limited (5,000?) edition release packaging and contents.

The outer box is fairly substantial cardboard (but it could've been a bit thicker) in the shape of an old tobacco tin, with a tight fitting lid, with sharply defined tobacco tin graphics we've all seen by now. On the outer plastic wrap there's a round, black and silver sticker, which can be peeled off if you're careful (and not found on the "Deluxe Editions"), and is also on the new Charly Records release of "Small Faces" (the band's Immediate Records album), which says "Official Small Faces Re-Masters Series", and in the middle is the band's name in a period style font. It's pretty cool for people (like me) who like such things. Inside is a recreation of the original round artwork that has both color and b & w graphics on each page. On the back of two of the pages is a list of the band members and whoever else was connected with the album-orchestra leader, producer, etc.

Next is another round beautiful graphic, and on the other side is the limited edition hand written number (mine is 1865), along with a short paragraph about the band being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, along with a few words about the package being "firmly packed", "cool and clean", and "luxury length", again emulating a tobacco tin advertisement.

The three discs sit between some thin gauze like material for protection, which is okay unless you're planning on taking the discs out over and over again to hear them-there's always the chance you'll scratch one-or more-of the discs. There's also a 24 page booklet (including covers), with an essay by Mark Paytress about the album. There's a number of good color and b & w photographs throughout, plus track listing for each disc, and credits.

The six pressed paper coasters (that if used will absorb moisture like there's no tomorrow) have the same graphics from the box and booklet on one side, while four of the coasters have band member's stats (birth, height, weight, eye color, favorite foods, etc) on the back. This is reminiscent of the old days when English pop music papers (NME, etc.) would publish pictures of each band member, from whatever band was popular at the moment, and their vital statistics and likes/dislikes, etc. The two remaining coasters have graphics on both sides.

The only slight niggle I have would be to have the discs in separate sleeves for protection, and maybe a thicker cardboard (wouldn't a tin container have been cool) for the outer box. But at this price I didn't expect over the top packaging.

But at least, in a small way, fans who weren't around when the original round vinyl album jacket rolled off the shelf, seemingly at will, can now get some of that feeling with this edition. Trying to stand the original jacket on edge like other albums was a frustrating (but it looked cool) experience. It was indicative of that whole period of exciting change and the "let's try it" feeling of the time. So now, fans can possibly get that same feel if they stand this box on edge-it too might just roll off the shelf at will. But I wouldn't trade that era, the round jacket, or the great music inside for anything.

Not realizing that Ronnie Lane and Steve Marriot were in this band, and not knowing that they wrote "Itchycoo Park" which honestly wouldn't have swayed me in favor of the purchase, I bought it anyway because of some blurb about classic british blah blah blah etc. I tend to really like music from this era, and this is right in there, except to these American ears wow is it "British"!
This has totally grown on me. At first I was a little worried, as "Happiness Stan" is just weird, but "Afterglow", "Lazy Sunday" and especially "Song Of a Baker" got me hooked bad.
The stereo mix is all over the place, as I must conclude that is how it originally sounded. To my ears there's a little more sonic focus of the mono version, but now after listening to both of them I really like them both. These guys could rock! I have to say I LOVE the story in the liner notes about how after going on tour with the Who, they said that the Who slaughtered them, and Marriot knew they had to step it up if they were going to leave a mark. Well they certainly did. Great, classic, perfect British Psychedelic record. Almost sorta makes me wish I was there.
As far as the packaging goes, it's groovy and all, but not knowing anything about them, I would've been fine with just a regular package. Still I don't regret the purchase.
I definitely won't be taking the boxed set on any long road trips. It's too nice for that.

I am rating the deluxe package of this album with 5 stars due to the very nice replica tobacco tin (solid cardboard i think) with the coasters and extra leaflet, all very nicely presented. The music speaks for itself, The Small Faces last and generally considered their best album, so all together worth the extra cost in the opinion of a collector. I actually first bought the other deluxe edition, then this one came out, i think i'll keep both. Side two is maybe not for some, with the strange slant put on the English language by the narrator of a strange story, but i found it interesting and the music is great anyway (on both sides). You've gotta love Mad John.