Discover the Fascinating Story of Small Faces’ Ogdens Nut Gone Flake: 5 Surprising Facts and How to Get Your Hands on It [Ultimate Guide]

History

Short answer for Small Faces’ Ogdens’ Nut Gone Flake: The album released in 1968 by English band Small Faces is a concept album consisting of six songs that tell the story of Happiness Stan’s search for the missing half of his moon-shaped head. It is considered one of their best works and an essential psychedelic rock record.

How Small Faces Ogdens Nut Gone Flake Became a Classic of British Music History

Small Faces Ogdens Nut Gone Flake is considered one of the most beloved and classic albums in British music history. Released in 1968, this psychedelic rock album was a watershed moment for Small Faces and marked their rise to commercial success.

The album’s title track “Ogdens’ Nut Gone Flake” is a six-minute masterpiece that takes listeners on a whimsical journey through musical styles while telling the story of an eccentric character named Happiness Stan. The album also includes hits like “Lazy Sunday” which features Steve Marriott’s signature vocal style over a playful acoustic guitar riff.

One reason why the album has become such an important part of British music history is its influence on subsequent generations of musicians. Bands such as Oasis, Blur, and The Arctic Monkeys have all cited Small Faces Ogdens Nut Gone Flake as an inspiration for their own work.

Small Faces brought together some of the finest talents in British rock at the time including Steve Marriott (vocals/guitar), Ronnie Lane (bass/vocals), Ian McLagan (keyboards) and Kenney Jones (drums). Unlike other bands during that era who gravitated towards bluesy or folk-influenced sound, Small Faces made no bones about their love of soaring pop melodies with intricate harmonies.

But it wasn’t just musicians who were enchanted by this groundbreaking record – critics adored “Ogden’s” too due to its inventive instrumentation, quirky production values and clever storytelling techniques. From paint-by-numbers packaging to animated characters appearing between songs on side two – cartoons featuring Stanley Unwin narrating tales about Ogden/Nutgone Flakes themselves! It’s clear that despite having already released three incredible long-players beforehand, none had garnered quite so much attention from fans or industry insiders alike than this triumphant release!

Another element that makes Small Faces Ogdens Nut Gone Flake stand out is how well it represents London culture and lifestyles of the time. The album was released in a London that had been transformed by the “swinging sixties”, where trends were fast-changing and people explored alternative lifestyles to get away from traditional societal norms.

The themes of Small Faces Ogdens Nut Gone Flake reflect this atmosphere with tracks like “Rollin’ Over” and “Song Of A Baker” showcasing lyrics about being free, individuality, and following your dreams. Even though it is a psychedelic rock album, these messages still hold relevance for listeners today which may be why it continues to endure as one of Britain’s great musical achievements.

All in all, Small Faces Ogdens Nut Gone Flake is an exceptional work of art that captured the essence of British culture at the time. Its imaginative storytelling techniques, catchy pop tunes and inventive instrumentation continue to evoke excitement in new audiences even over fifty years after its release – proving definitively that while fashions may come and go, great music truly knows no bounds!

A Step by Step Guide to Understanding Small Faces Ogdens Nut Gone Flake

Small Faces was a British rock band from the 1960s, known for their innovative approach to music and their distinctive sound. They released a number of highly successful albums during their career, including Ogdens Nut Gone Flake – an album that has stood the test of time as a classic in its own right.

From start to finish, this album is truly a masterpiece of musical expression that showcases the Small Faces at their very best. In this guide, we’ll take you through every step necessary to understand what makes Ogdens Nut Gone Flake such an iconic album.

Step 1: Understanding the Album’s Concept

To fully appreciate this album, it’s important to first understand its overarching concept. Ogdens Nut Gone Flake tells the story of “Happiness Stan,” who embarks on a quest for true happiness with help from his magical garden gnome friend.

This whimsical storyline serves as the perfect backdrop for some truly incredible musicianship and songwriting throughout each track. With lyrics chock-full of colorful imagery and imaginative storytelling, Small Faces manages to weave together a stunning narrative that captures listeners’ hearts and minds alike.

Step 2: Exploring Each Track Individually

Of course, no exploration of Ogdens Nut Gone Flake would be complete without diving into each individual track included on it:

Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake:
The title track sets the tone for everything else that follows with its funky bassline and soaring vocals.
Afterglow (of Your Love):
A love song with gorgeous harmonies and swirling instrumentation featuring Steve Marriott’s unmistakable vocal style.
Long Agos And Worlds Apart:
One part psychedelic pop jam session; one part bittersweet contemplation about longing after separation or change.
Rene:
A smooth jazz-inspired instrumental piece filled with captivating guitar lines backed by lively percussion work underneath it all.
Song Of A Baker:
An up-tempo tune driven forward by the drums and bass, with the lyrics serving as a tribute to bakers everywhere for their creative mettle in using proper ingredients.
Lazy Sunday:
Famously known for its unique sound of guitars and tin whistle on the chorus, this song is an all-time favorite of Small Faces fans. With Marriott’s slightly exaggerated spoken-word delivery and humorous observations that portray lazy day blues, it’s impossible not feel nostalgic listening to it.
Happiness Stan:
Telling the titular character’s journey towards happiness set against a backdrop of magical mystical wonderland storybook themes.

Despite boasting such diverse sounds throughout each track, everything comes together seamlessly thanks to the band’s undeniable chemistry together. And even today, over 50 years later since its release date in May 1968 on Immediate Records – Ogdens Nut Gone Flake still sounds just as fresh and invigorating than ever before.

Step 3: Appreciating Its Overall Impact

Beyond simply enjoying each individual track or understanding its concept alone – there are countless reasons why Ogdens Nut Gone Flake remains a truly legendary album more than fifty years after first released.

For one thing, this album represents some of the most iconic musical experimentation happening during decades synonymous with pioneering sounds at every turn. Though they weren’t necessarily revolutionizing styles like peers The Beatles or Pink Floyd were doing around this time; by continuing down paths untrodden by anyone else in their genre/ecosystem — Small Faces had absolutely positioned themselves among those innovators shaping rock music culture moving beyond one-off hits/ephemeral moments into place marker classics instead!

At once introspective yet expansive both sonically & lyrically too -Ogdens Nut Gone Flake serves as something much richer altogether within specific individuals’ audiophilic memories vaults worldwide while leaving behind some historical relevance which reminds us why classic albums remain timeless gems always ready to be re-discovered again!

Frequently Asked Questions About Small Faces Ogdens Nut Gone Flake

Small Faces’ Ogden Nut Gone Flake is a classic album that never gets old, no matter how many times you listen to it. There’s just something about the way Steve Marriott and his band mates captured the essence of 60s British rock in this record that makes it still relevant today. But even with its long standing popularity, there are some questions that keep popping up among fans who want to know more about Ogden Nut Gone Flake. Here we have put together a list of frequently asked questions to help answer those lingering queries.

What inspired Small Faces’ Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake?

The Small Faces were inspired by many different things when creating Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake. The most notable influence came from their travels through America during the summer of ’68; they were heavily influenced by American psychedelic music as well as Zen Buddhism (which was also on their minds at the time).

Who created that unique cover art?

The amazing artwork for Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake was produced by popular illustrator Martin Sharp along with Mick McGinnis, both known for their creativity especially during those groovy hippie days.

What does “Ogden’s nut gone flake” mean?

“Ogden’s nut gone flake” doesn’t really mean anything but was simply invented and implemented as part of marketing efforts meant to draw attention towards smoking tobacco brand “Ogdens”, which featured humorous caricatures on each pack having similar titles such as “Happy-go-lucky”.

Why did Small Faces call Side B “Happiness Stan?”

“Happiness Stan” refers to an adventurous and curious character featured in a spoken narrative within one portion of side two tracks hence giving name ‘Hapiness Stan’, after the protagonist himself.

Was Marvin Gaye really involved in producing “Afterglow (Of Your Love)”?

Marvin Gaye may not have been directly hands-on while producing ‘Afterglow’, he did contribute vocally to a backing track segment near the end of the song. Engaging his famous voice in soulful backup featuring Gaye singing, “Ooh wee baby,” added an entirely unique flair into one phenomenal extended musical section.

What other hits can be found on Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake?

Apart from massive hit singles “Lazy Sunday” and psychedelic anthem “Song Of A Baker,” delicate ballad “Afterglow (Of Your Love)” emerged as another major track to feature prominently within album standout moments altogether.

Was Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake Small Faces’ last album together?

Yes, sadly this was. Shortly after its completion , Steve Marriott had decided he wanted leave The Small Faces— ultimately sparking beginning of Humble Pie era; a new project that granted him greater creative freedom as well independence away from strong collaborations alongside Ray Lane whom remained behind within music industry towards developing critically acclaimed groups like Slim Chance further down line .

Top 5 Facts You Need to Know About the History of Small Faces Ogdens Nut Gone Flake

Small Faces was a British rock band that gained immense popularity during the 1960s era. They were known for their unique musical style inspired by rhythm and blues, psychedelic rock, and mod subculture. In 1968, Small Faces released their most iconic album called Ogdens Nut Gone Flake which features some of their best-known songs. Here are five facts you need to know about the history of Small Faces’ Ogdens Nut Gone Flake.

1. The Album Cover Artwork:

One of the striking things about this album is its remarkable cover artwork created by one of Britain’s famous pop artists Peter Blake. The artwork displayed a circular tin with illustrations depicting an imaginary fairy tale world complete with kings, knights in shining armor, and princesses all interconnected along a maze-like path around it following the outline of the lid like they’re going through challenges to reach inside.

2. It Was Their Only Concept Album:

Ogdens Nut Gone Flake was not only distinctive because of its artful packaging but also because it was Small Face’s first attempt at creating a concept album – telling one continuous story throughout each track from beginning to end resulting in each song forming an overarching narrative structure within itself giving way for cohesive flow into becoming what could be labelled as psychedelia-opera.

3 .It Featured Steve Marriott’s Distinctive Voice:

The lead singer Steve Marriott had an exceptional singing voice – powerful yet soulful – something that set him apart from other contemporary vocalists who often sang in falsetto or over-relied on effects quirks such as reverb or echo to mask any weakness(es) he maybe having belting out emotionally charged tunes during live performances.

4.It Had Different Versions Of Its Title Track

Ogdens Nut Gone Flake includes several different versions of its title track on both sides including instrumentals showcasing talented musicianship amongst members Kenney Jones(drums), Ronnie Lane(bass), Ian McLagan(Samson piano organ), Marriott (guitar, harmonica and backing vocals) alongside production skills by Steve Lillywhite.

5. Its Legacy Still Lives On:

The legacy of Ogdens Nut Gone Flake still remains in modern musical culture. In 2003, Q magazine ranked it number eight on its list of the “100 Greatest British Albums Ever” Similarly appearing regularly in lists discussing rock history due to consistently maintaining longevity both critically and commercially evident by being awarded a Platinum rating for album sales which meant people continued buying them long after release date – proving this defining moment represented their most significant contribution towards Rock ‘n’ Roll folklore.

In conclusion, Small Faces’ Ogdens Nut Gone Flake stands as an impressive creation that not only showcased their artistic abilities but also left an enduring legacy for music enthusiasts years later. This remarkable record has stood the test of time invoking nostalgia amongst fans who continue to appreciate the complexities involved in creating such eclectic masterpieces during those heady late-’60s days when psychedelia was at its peak prompting continued reverence demonstrated across all desirable demographic demographics lending credence to Small Faces’ staying power due to lasting impression made upon popular imagination over time.

Behind the Scenes: Discovering the Inspiration Behind Small Faces Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake

Small Faces’ Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake is a masterpiece of the psychedelic rock era, known for its innovative and experimental approach to music. The album remains an important touchstone in British musical history, blending blues, folk, jazz and surreal soundscapes into a cohesive whole that’s become emblematic of 60s counter-culture. Few albums manage to capture the essence of their times as perfectly as Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake did.

But what inspired Small Faces to create such an iconic work? To unravel this mystery, we have to take a peek behind the scenes at the making of this unique masterwork.

Small Faces: A Band on Wane

The late 60s were tumultuous years for Small Faces; they’d just about run their successful course and had morphed from R&B cover bands into something more adventurous. Their previous record hadn’t fared too well with critics or fans – Ogdens exploded like icicles through glass during these depression-era winters – but it would be different this time around.

Their core influences remained soulful rhythm-and-blues artists like Chuck Berry and Arthur Lee; nevertheless they expanded their sound further while recording Ogden’s. They put aside old habits that produced singles designed for jukeboxes in exchange for focusing on creating long-form material that wouldn’t necessarily ‘sell’ per se.

Inspiration Strikes Home

Though sometimes painted as clowns by snobbish critics who sneered at anything unseemly or not quite middle-class respectable yet relentlessly chart-topping (c.f., “Lazy Sunday”), Marriott & co were actually obsessed musicologists notorious for scouring junk shops across London hoping to discover hidden gems among the second-hand records on sale.

Moreover after OD-ing multiple times owing mainly aforementioned stressors (Jagger assumed immediately following Brian Jones tragic death), needing rehabilitation surrounded by good company with similar interests sounded heavenly —the band decamped from muscle-bound Soho’s bustling arteries to a cozy cottage smack dab in the middle of Kent that’s now famously referred to as ‘Beehive Studio.’ And there amid mounds of records on rickety shelves, dusty amps and tangled wires, Small Faces discovered their musical pièce de résistance —Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake.

The album title – taken from an old tobacco tin label – was itself the product of Idlewild Books, Marriott & guitarist Ronnie Wood’s favourite Soho tobacconist-cum bookshop. Clearly frequently smitten with whimsy, they could not resist appropriating this delightful phrase to use for what would most likely be their magnum opus – i.e., Ogden.

Innovative Soundscapes

With new drummer Kenney Jones onboard and support/help mainly contributed by Rolling Stones’ bohemian elder Brian Jones during these sessions (possibly his last significant public appearances before his untimely death), The band began jamming together different song ideas in increasingly psychedelic directions hoping for serendipity or lightning strike elusive moments where everything clicks…then polished meticulously afterwards over many takes until tracks sounded just right the way into small hours.

Throughout the 45 minutes of music encapsulated within it listeners are transported through myriad soundscapes ranging from jittering vaudeville stage filled with unseemly characters (“Rene,” “Happiness Stan”) laughing uproariously amidst jaunty rhythms leaping willy-nilly between major chords then suddenly capricious cornets crying sad tales down alleyways floating hazily backwards ever so gently …to gossamer float-tone love fests projected outward towards indefinitely blue skies across undulating waves projecting aloft sensual doo-wop dreamlands atop slightly ominous lapping sea swells pumping euphoric harmonies adrift seemingly forever —until warm ocean currents awaken us once more back home…and we dive straightaway back into “Owner Of A Lonely Heart’s” moodier spectrum of heartache and loss.

The result was Small Faces’ masterpiece; a magnum opus that remains as fresh today as it did during its original release more than 50 years ago. And yet, despite the fever dream quality of much of the music contained within Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake, there is still an underlying sense of emotion running through each song – loneliness, pain or yearning all making themselves seen like unwelcome guests at even messiest dinner parties turning everything topsy turvy before kicking up their heels with wild abandon peals echoing out into infinity…to make this album one that continues to inspire generations years after it first hit shops in May 1968.

Why Small Faces Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake Still Holds Relevance Today in Music History

Small Faces’ Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake is a timeless musical masterpiece that still holds relevance today in music history. The album, which was released in May 1968, marked a groundbreaking moment in the world of rock and roll as it showcased innovative sound explorations with psychedelic elements such as distorted guitars, trippy atmospheres and bluesy basslines.

The title of the album pays homage to an old tobacco tin called “Ogden’s Nut-Brown Flake” which the band members discovered while on tour. Comprised of nine tracks split between two LP sides and narrated by actor Stanley Unwin (in his signature gibberish language), Small Faces managed to create an alternate reality for their listeners with this unique concept album.

One of the essential features of Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake is its ability to blend different genres seamlessly. From delicate folk ballads like “Rene,” upbeat pop songs like “Lazy Sunday” or heavy metal-leaning tracks like “Afterglow,” every aspect flows naturally from one track to another without losing connection. Vibes are ranged from fun-loving informalities such as ‘Get Yourself Together’ through spacey-mystiques in ‘Happiness Stan,’ making it easy for fans alike no matter what type they may be.

Moreover, musicianship on this record still shines brightly today because even after all these years; nobody has been able to replicate anything similar before or after it came out! This quality stems largely due partly down too Steve Marriott’s majestic voice paired together Ronnie Lane’s high octane bass lines – both working harmoniously across each other throughout this iconic recording session generating exquisite pioneering soundscape landscapes appreciated worldwide by many generations over decades coming forth synonymous with British counterculture since first debuted.

Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake also paved way musically in areas otherwise overlooked within society norms focusing heavily around themes surrounding experimentation revealing unfamiliar territories helping ushering seventies prog-rock movement combining dreamy piano notes, mellifluous vocal harmonies and enigmatic lyrics to take that genre further than anyone could imagine.

In the late sixties, Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake was a perfect expression of anti-establishment attitudes rebelling against anything capitalist driven or obtaining mainstream comprehension through far-out visionary astral sounds! The message behind it still resonates today for those who treasure music with depth and historical importance. It is truly astounding how something so innovatively put together over five decades ago still now remains relevant showcasing musical ingenuity beyond expectations previously known!

To sum up, Small Faces’ Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake stands out for its longevity in relevance amongst others in Rock history due largely down too during that time period having embraced new age ideas merging alongside classic rock sensibilities whilst simultaneously paying homage to what has come before them. Releasing an album like this one ultimately broke barriers transcending music itself setting standards which future recordings would try replicating yet never surpassing it fuels the mind-blowing power held within ‘Ogden’s Nut-Gone Flake.’

Table with useful data:

Album Name Released Year Genre
Small Faces 1966 Rock, Mod, R&B
Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake 1968 Rock, Psychedelic Rock

Information from an expert:

Small Faces’ “Ogdens Nut Gone Flake” is a masterpiece of 1960s psychedelic rock. Released in 1968, the album features hit songs such as “Lazy Sunday” and “Afterglow (Of Your Love)”, but it’s also notable for its innovative concept – a fairy tale narrated by Stanley Unwin featuring characters like The Happiness Stan and Mad John. Musically, the album blends rock, blues, soul, jazz and even music hall influences to create a unique sound that captures the spirit of the times. It’s no wonder that many consider it one of the greatest British albums ever made.
Historical fact:

Small Faces’ “Ogdens’ Nut Gone Flake” was the first concept album to reach number one on the UK Albums Chart, revolutionizing the genre and cementing its place in music history.

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