Genre: rock
Rating: 2 stars **
Title: Playmates
Company: Atlantic
Catalog: SD-19113
Year: 1977
Country/State: UK
Grade (cover/record): VG+ / VG+
Comments: includes original lyric inner sleeve
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 5221
Price: $6.00
Having enjoyed minimal success since The Small Faces called it quits in 1969, in 1976 Steve Marriott disbanded the cleverly titled Steve Marriott All Stars, persuading keyboardist Ian McLagan and drummer Kenny Jones to reunite the band. The lone holdout was bassist Ronnie Lane, who was subsequently replaced by journeymen bassist Rick Willis.
Released in 1977, anyone expecting to hear a collection of 1960s-styled UK psych, or Humble Pie-styled hard rock was in for a major disappointment. Instead, "Playmates" offered up a professional, but uninspired set that bounced all over the musical spectrum. After an eight year hiatus one was left with the clear impression that Marriott and company were struggling to figure out where they fit in the music business. Give them credit for not having taken a stab at disco, though the turned in a really bad country-influenced number ('This Song's Just for You') ! Marriott's always rugged voice seemed pretty worn and with the exception of the laidback and bluesy title track (at least up to the point P.P. Arnold took the song over) and 'Find It' the latter which sounded like Paul Rodgers and Free and was the one song featuring Lane as a co-writer, none of his contributions made much of an impression. Their cover of the soul classic 'Lookin' For a Love' was probably the next best track. As the other major writer McLagan's contributions were more commercial, but tracks like 'Tonight' and 'Drive-In Romance' were pretty MOR. You've certainly heard worse comeback LPs, though this certainly wasn't the masterpiece one would have hoped for.
"Playmates" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) High and Happy (Steve Marriott) -
2.) Never Too Late (Steve Marriott - Ian McLagan) -
3.) Tonight (Ian McLagan - Pidgeon) -
4.) Saylarvee (Steve Marriott) -
5.) Find It (Steve Marriott - Ronnie Lane - Ian McLagan - Kenny Jones) -
(side
2)
1.) Lookin' For a Love (J.W. Alexander - Z. Samuels) -
2.) Playmates (Steve Marriott) -
3.) This Song's Just for You (Steve Marriott - Ian McLagan) -
4.) Drive-In Romance (Ian McLagan - Pidgeon) -
5.) Smilin' In Tune (Steve Marriott - Ian McLagan) -
With added support from guitarist Jimmy McCulloch, the band managed to undertake a pair of UK tours in support of the album, though their efforts did little to generate sales. They also recorded material for a planned follow-up effort, but broke up before it saw the light of day. It was released posthumously as "78 In the Shade". Jones subsequently replaced the late Keith Moon in The Who. Marriott resumed a low-keyed solo career before dying in a tragic 1991 house fire. McLagan became a member of The Stones touring band, before relocating to Austin Texas and starting a solo career. Willis moved to the States and enjoyed massive commercial success as a member of Foreigner.