Ronnie Lane - Just For a Moment
RONNIE LANE
Just For a Moment
(Lane Signature Sounds)
A god in his native England, Ronnie Lane is criminally overlooked in the annals of great songwriters, at least in America, where we supposedly know them when we hear them. The late bassist/singer/songwriter has his fans of course, especially in Austin, where he spent several years before his death. But for way too many allegedly knowledgeable rock & roll fans he’s just a footnote as bassist for the Small Faces and the Faces, even though he contributed many of both acts’ best songs. And as far as his solo career is concerned, forget it.

Of course, it doesn’t help that Lane’s solo albums have never been issued domestically on CD. Just For a Moment is the first step in changing that. Released to coincide with the excellent Lane documentary The Passing Show, Just For a Moment is a smartly programmed sampler of Lane’s solo years, when he’d largely abandoned the raucous rock & roll of his band years for a folkier, more acoustic and freewheeling artistry. Tunes like “How Come” (his only British solo hit single), “Kuschty Rye” and “Bye & Bye (Gonna See the King)” represent his goodnatured, upbeat side, while “Barcelona,” “The Poacher” and the title track (a collaboration with Faces bandmate Ron Wood rescued from an obscure soundtrack) float an uncommon beauty. “April Fool” is the quintessential Lane cut, his signature song not only because it accurately reflects his birthdate but because it wraps up his approach—equal parts heartfelt sensitivity and impish humor—into one lovely, memorable number.

Just For a Moment is an excellent overview of Lane’s post-Faces/Small Faces career, omitting only his work with Pete Townshend on Rough Mix. (It would’ve been nice to have “Annie,” but I’m guessing clearance issues prevented its inclusion. At least its melodic ancestor “Give Me a Penny” is present.) Newcomers, start here. Michael Toland