Music: Ian McLagan

The original member of The Faces plays in town

British rock legend Ian McLagan has just released his first new studio album in five years, via Yep Roc Records. The album, United States, is his first since being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a founding member of The Faces, and alternates between lusty grooves and reflective musings, showcasing McLagan’s beguiling charm and timeless gift for crafting memorable hooks. Standout track ‘Love Letter’ leads into the smooth and moody ‘Who Says It Ain’t Love’, while ‘Shalalala’ draws from classic soul and ‘How Blue’ rides a boogie-woogie shuffle.

McLagan’s musical career began in the ‘60s, with him playing keys in The Small Faces and then The Faces. When he joined The Small Faces he was paid just £30 per work, before this was reduced to just £20, in line with what the others were getting.

Their manager was the notorious Don Arden (father of Sharon Osbourne), and apparently the band never received royalties until the late ‘90s. Since The Faces split in 1975 he has performed and recorded with the likes of The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne and Billy Bragg, for whom he has been a member of the band since 1997. Relocating to Austin, Texas, in 1994 with his wife Kim Kerrigan (who had divorced Keith Moon to be with McLagan), his 2008 Never Say Never album was recorded in the aftermath of her death from a car accident.

United States features McLagan on vocals, keys and guitar, and he’s joined by longtime collaborators the Bump Band (’Scrappy’ Jud Newcomb, Jon Notarthomas and Conrad Choucroun), with Leigh Mahoney (David Byrne, Tosca Strings) on violin for album closer ‘He’s Not For You’. McLagan recorded and produced the album at his own at The Doghouse Studios in Texas, mixed by longtime friend Glyn Johns (The Faces, The Eagles, The Who) and mastered by Bob Ludwig (Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones).

The Prince Albert, Monday 14 July, 8pm, £15

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