Dishevelment Blues is a track associated with the British rock band Faces, known for its loose, bluesy feel and somewhat informal origins in the band’s catalogue. Although not originally released on a standard studio album, the song has attracted attention among fans of classic rock and collectors of rare recordings. It stands out because of its gritty sound, playful attitude, and connection to one of the most influential rock groups of the early 1970s. The Faces blended rock and blues influences in their music, and Dishevelment Blues exemplifies this blend with its raw energy and unpolished charm. The track’s history and reception offer a glimpse into the band’s creative process and how even lesserknown songs can capture the spirit of an era in rock history, representing an authentic piece of the Faces’ cultural legacy.
Origins of Dishevelment Blues
Dishevelment Blues was originally recorded around the time of the Faces’ 1973 album Ooh La La . Unlike the main tracks on that album, this song wasn’t part of the official track list. Instead, it appeared on a promotional flexi disc that was included with copies of the British music publication New Musical Express (NME). At the time, this approach was a creative way for bands to reach audiences with exclusive or experimental tracks that didn’t fit into standard album formats. Because of this unusual release method, the song became a collector’s item and a point of interest for fans seeking rarities from the band’s career.
The Band Behind the Song
The Faces were a British rock group formed in 1969 after the remaining members of Small Faces joined forces with musician Ron Wood and singer Rod Stewart. The band blended blues, rock, and boogie elements in their music, making them a defining act of the early 1970s rock scene. Members included Ronnie Lane on bass, Ian McLagan on keyboards, Kenney Jones on drums, Rod Stewart on vocals, and Ron Wood on guitar. Each member contributed to the band’s overall sound, combining raw rock energy with a bluesbased foundation. Their influence extended beyond their official albums, as songs like Dishevelment Blues surfaced in promotional materials and expanded collections.
The Sound and Style of Dishevelment Blues
The title Dishevelment Blues hints at the song’s musical character. In line with traditional blues forms, its structure and rhythm lean toward a relaxed, livedin feel rather than polished pop or tightly produced rock. The loose arrangement and informal delivery give the track a sense of spontaneity, reflecting the more relaxed side of the Faces’ musical identity. While the song may not have achieved mainstream recognition, it captures the essence of a band comfortable with both blues and rock traditions. The Faces had a reputation for delivering music that felt genuine, sometimes gritty, and often rooted in the blues tradition. This song mirrors that aesthetic, with rhythmic patterns, musical phrasing, and instrumental interplay that evoke classic blues influences.
Lyrical Themes and Mood
Although Dishevelment Blues is not as widely documented as some of the Faces’ major hits, available lyrics show imagery tied to relaxed or carefree settings, such as mentions of leisurely days and being on our own. These visuals contribute to the sense of everyday life and unrefined emotion often found in blues music. Rather than focusing on complex storytelling, the song embraces simplicity, painting a mood rather than a narrative. This approach aligns with the informal nature of blues as a genre, where mood, atmosphere, and musical expression often take precedence over intricate lyrical themes.
Context Within the Faces’ Catalog
Dishevelment Blues occupies an unusual place in the Faces’ body of work because it was not included on a studio album. Instead, it circulated through promotional releases and later appeared in expanded box sets that collected rarities, outtakes, and lesserknown tracks. One such collection is the box set Five Guys Walk into a Bar , released in 2004, which brought together a wide range of material from the band’s career, including album tracks, live recordings, and rarities like Dishevelment Blues. This inclusion helped preserve the song for posterity and drew renewed interest from fans and collectors exploring the full breadth of the Faces’ creative output.
Role in Box Sets and Reissues
As part of retrospective collections, Dishevelment Blues represents the band’s willingness to explore varied musical ideas beyond their mainstream releases. Its presence in comprehensive box sets emphasizes how archival projects can revive interest in songs that originally appeared in limited formats. These reissues allow listeners to hear the Faces’ work in broader context, appreciating the diversity of their sound and the informal moments captured in tracks like Dishevelment Blues.
Reception and Legacy
While Dishevelment Blues was never a charttopping single, it has earned a place among fans as a rare and intriguing piece of the Faces’ legacy. The song’s informal release and later inclusion in expanded collections have cemented its reputation as a unique artifact from the band’s recording history. For music enthusiasts, rare tracks like this offer deeper insight into an artist’s creative journey, revealing facets of their style that might not appear on major albums. In the case of the Faces, this song highlights their blues roots and laidback approach to making music that resonates with listeners who appreciate authenticity and raw energy in rock and blues.
Collector Appeal
Because the original version was distributed as a promotional flexi disc with a music magazine, Dishevelment Blues is considered a collectible item among vinyl and Faces memorabilia collectors. Flexi discs were often used in the 1970s to distribute exclusive tracks, interviews, or promotional content. Today, these items are sought after by fans who value rare releases and tangible pieces of music history. The song’s value in collector circles reflects its status as a symbol of the era’s music culture, where promotional quirks sometimes turned into treasured artifacts.
Musical Influence and Blues Connection
The Faces’ sound was heavily influenced by blues traditions, and Dishevelment Blues reflects that connection. Though the song may be labeled as blues in its title and feel, it also incorporates the band’s rock sensibilities, creating a hybrid musical expression that resonates with fans of both genres. The Blues elements come through in the rhythmic patterns, melodic phrasing, and mood, while the overall performance retains a raw rock energy typical of the Faces’ other work. Their larger catalog includes songs ranging from boogie rock to melodic ballads, and Dishevelment Blues adds dimension by showcasing a more relaxed, bluesy side of the group’s musical identity.
Classic Rock and Blues Fusion
The fusion of rock and blues in tracks like Dishevelment Blues helped define the Faces’ place in classic rock history. Their informal, spontaneous style, combined with a strong foundation in blues rhythms, made their music accessible and enduring. For listeners exploring the roots of rock and blues fusion, this song offers an example of how musicians of the early 1970s blended genres to create music that felt both timeless and immediate.
Dishevelment Blues by the Faces stands as a rare and intriguing example of how a band’s lesserknown work can still resonate with listeners and collectors decades after its creation. Originating as a promotional flexi disc release, the track captures the Faces’ raw, bluesinspired rock energy and informal musical approach. Its inclusion in box sets and expanded collections highlights its value within the band’s broader catalogue, while its bluesy feel reflects the musical influences that shaped the Faces’ sound. Whether appreciated for its collector appeal, musical character, or place in classic rock history, Dishevelment Blues remains a noteworthy part of the Faces’ enduring legacy.