This song changed Steve's life; he wrote it at his country cottage and thought that it was the best song that he had ever written, but when it was only a minor hit he realized that he was wasting his time trying to write hits, and decided that live performance was true music, not three minute ditties.
I just read " All Too Beautiful" a fantastic book on his life. I have this song wired in my head right now. I have ALWAY'S loved him . So sad .. he had more talent in his little toe than most musicans. He was a TRUE MUSICIAN & totally screwed by the flippin industry. I have worked in it , I know . Anyway " The Universal" Maybe this is how we should be living. Off the chin , day by day ???? One day at a time . Be Happy and of course be " NICE"
ive loved this since 68, my fave small faces, altho virtuly steve solo, ; recorded in steves garden, love it, dogs barking , seamus , [as they do], steves then wife jenny ,just come in , shopping [hi ya steve ]; /love the film promo , ; naughty steve , ; love Ronnie lane walkin past, ; , both very much missed ,
I think your "Rare Footage" tag could be a contender for 'understatement of the decade' I don't know where or how you came by this footage & I'm not going to ask - but thanks for putting this together & sharing it.. a truly wonderful & intimate piece
brilliant footage. This is a great song that has been sadly overlooked. a good put-down of all the hangers-on that must have been a total pain in the arse for guys like Steve
I idolised this guys music and voice as a kid. I grew up listening to playing guitar singing alot of his music and rock n roll mod stuff alike. I had no shame to love rock n roll as a 90s kid even if i was bullied for it. They won't see music like i do. Read it like i do. I play alto saxophone and soprano, clarinet, acoustic electric guitar and bass.
Yes I think you are right. I found my info in an old top 40 book that has a few notes here and there. If you do a Wiki search on "Small Faces The Universal" you will find that "One of Marriott's dogs, Seamus, was also recorded howling in the studio for the Pink Floyd track of the same name, from their 1971 album Meddle.". Fascinating eh !!!
this people made me very happy , the beatles, the stones, the kinks , the who, small faces, humple pie, the free, bad company, rod stewart and the faces, steve marriott, john lennon, paul mc cartney, george harisson, paul rodgers, joe cocker, paul young, ronnie lane, ray davies, eric clapton, led zeppelin, duffy and many, many, many more.................................thank you very much, ................................................................
Have they put the blue plaque up yet in Strone Road? If not, it’s well overdue!! Superb artist. We were so blessed in the East. The greatest singer came from E12 and the greatest blues guitarist came from E2..
@moss1066 Can't understand why THEY never get the recognition they deserve!! Love their music, vocals, performances and whole vibe. Steve and Ronnie R.I.P.
Blues, folk, rock, jazz (maybe more of St. Louis jazz? Like Jelly Roll Morton type style?), Psychedelic folk (from Wikipedia), soul, R&B, and rockabilly. Marriott is a GENIUS. All this was recorded in his backyard and brought in as a hit. Seamus as well makes the feel awesome hahaha.
@moss1066 I agree. I've always loved this song and I grew up listening to their stuff. Still think they deserve more kudos though. Glad that through CZcams kids of today can access and listen to their music and hear what a great sound they had.
And Wiki says the dog barking is Marriott's dog, Seamus... Here is the excerpt: "One of Marriott's dogs, Seamus, was also recorded howling in the studio for the Pink Floyd track of the same name, from their 1971 album Meddle." LOL !
Such a cheerful and catchy little ditty. Can't understand why it did not chart and as a result Steve decided to leave SF. Perhaps it did not get enough air play?
The Who stole from The Small Faces? LOL. They were friends. They toured together. Jones joined the Who. Townshend recorded an album with Lane. They hardly stole from each other--they were part of the same scene. Traffic? Contemporaries again...I'm not sure how they "stole" from The Small Faces. Steve Winwood and Steve Marriott were both named "Steve"? Who the hell are Black Crowes? Why mention them in conjunction with any of these bands? Maybe mention The Foo Fighters while you're at it too.
@franrayamusic They do get the recognition they deserve (well in my circles anyway). I just ment of all the SF songs there are,this one barley gets a mention, although in my humble (pie) opinion it is one of their finer songs
Great tune. I heard an interesting story that maybe someone can verify.... This track was the last that they recorded before breaking up and they made the recording in one of the group members homes, using a domestic (low cost) tape deck to make the master for the record. Any truth in that story?
True apparently, Steve recorded part of it in the garden of his home and finished it off in the studio; www.songfacts.com/facts/small-faces/the-universal
Yes, Marriott wrote and recorded it at Beeehive Cottage at Moreton, Essex, and later in the Studio the guys tried to record it properly, but could not beat the home recording, so they just dubbed drums, bass, electric guitar and brass onto the original tape.
I will always believe this was yet another great and original song that "influenced" those copycats over there called Led Zeppelin. Ever compare The Universal with Zep's "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp"? Not a coincidence (again).
They never broke through in the US, they were caught with drugs almost immediately after landing in the US for their first tour. Got sent home and banned for ever. Had a huge negative impact on their ability to go international like all the other psych bands of that era
I've always wondered since I heard this song some 20 years ago, "take me away" to where? Jail, booby hatch, peace corp (I know he's a brit), or parents' house or FBI?
This song changed Steve's life; he wrote it at his country cottage and thought that it was the best song that he had ever written, but when it was only a minor hit he realized that he was wasting his time trying to write hits, and decided that live performance was true music, not three minute ditties.
except it didnt 12 months after releasing this he was in humble pie releasing another 3 minute single to launch his new band.
My favorite small faces song. Cant understand why it never gets the recognition it deserves.
Some young cat needs to do a cover of this.
@@giulioluzzardi7632 that'd be awesome.
It’s the last single it’s not really associated with anything. Kind of like the Yardbirds last single
Happy 75th Steve. Thanks for all the memories.
There will never be another Steve Marriott!
Just a small part of the incredible sixties gold mine
steve was a true mod icon.who had down to earth morals.one of the best from the 60s generation.
I just read " All Too Beautiful" a fantastic book on his life. I have this song wired in my head right now. I have ALWAY'S loved him . So sad .. he had more talent in his little toe than most musicans. He was a TRUE MUSICIAN & totally screwed by the flippin industry. I have worked in it , I know . Anyway " The Universal" Maybe this is how we should be living. Off the chin , day by day ???? One day at a time . Be Happy and of course be " NICE"
ive loved this since 68, my fave small faces, altho virtuly steve solo, ; recorded in steves garden, love it, dogs barking , seamus , [as they do], steves then wife jenny ,just come in , shopping [hi ya steve ]; /love the film promo , ; naughty steve , ; love Ronnie lane walkin past, ; , both very much missed ,
I think your "Rare Footage" tag could be a contender for 'understatement of the decade'
I don't know where or how you came by this footage & I'm not going to ask - but thanks for putting this together & sharing it.. a truly wonderful & intimate piece
so so very very good. cheers Steve
brilliant footage. This is a great song that has been sadly overlooked. a good put-down of all the hangers-on that must have been a total pain in the arse for guys like Steve
So underrated...great voice
I love steve marriott with passion :')
Steve’s cute response to Mick, in the song! Steve and his music, best! Ronnie, best, as well! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Always thought this was a classic. Love the country style solo!
I love the riff bit when the electric guitar kicks in marriot is a class act
genius the greatest singer of his generation
@ john mcguckin,
I agree!
absolutely love him better than today's crap
In the top 10 of his generation I would say arguably. However, Marriot had one hell of a voice---amazing!
I idolised this guys music and voice as a kid. I grew up listening to playing guitar singing alot of his music and rock n roll mod stuff alike. I had no shame to love rock n roll as a 90s kid even if i was bullied for it. They won't see music like i do. Read it like i do. I play alto saxophone and soprano, clarinet, acoustic electric guitar and bass.
Thanks so much for uploading this gem! the most underrated SF song, no question. A sixties classic!
wordofgord
Wonderful :-)
This song and also 'Afterglow Of Your Love' should have got much higher in the charts back then.
FANTASTIC footage! Thanks for posting this!! ;)
The band of a LIFETIME,,,, song after song of genius Gx
I an in awe this is amazing, brill, dammit thank you am watching over and over xo SM
Absolutely great video - what a find!!!!! Cheers Jim
Some might think this is dog ruff, but I love it.
No I’m not barking mad!
Yes I think you are right. I found my info in an old top 40 book that has a few notes here and there. If you do a Wiki search on "Small Faces The Universal" you will find that "One of Marriott's dogs, Seamus, was also recorded howling in the studio for the Pink Floyd track of the same name, from their 1971 album Meddle.". Fascinating eh !!!
this people made me very happy , the beatles, the stones, the kinks , the who, small faces, humple pie, the free, bad company, rod stewart and the faces, steve marriott, john lennon, paul mc cartney, george harisson, paul rodgers, joe cocker, paul young, ronnie lane, ray davies, eric clapton, led zeppelin, duffy and many, many, many more.................................thank you very much, ................................................................
The first single i ever bought,and i played it to death
I’m with ya Steve
Have they put the blue plaque up yet in Strone Road? If not, it’s well overdue!! Superb artist. We were so blessed in the East. The greatest singer came from E12 and the greatest blues guitarist came from E2..
Classsic, thanks for uploading this gem.
Rare! Thanks for the video!
@moss1066 Can't understand why THEY never get the recognition they deserve!! Love their music, vocals, performances and whole vibe. Steve and Ronnie R.I.P.
Blues, folk, rock, jazz (maybe more of St. Louis jazz? Like Jelly Roll Morton type style?), Psychedelic folk (from Wikipedia), soul, R&B, and rockabilly. Marriott is a GENIUS. All this was recorded in his backyard and brought in as a hit. Seamus as well makes the feel awesome hahaha.
WOW!!.....rarer than rockin' horse s**t...fabulous upload...top marks my friend :))
greatsongiluvitripstevexxx
@moss1066 I agree. I've always loved this song and I grew up listening to their stuff. Still think they deserve more kudos though. Glad that through CZcams kids of today can access and listen to their music and hear what a great sound they had.
aaaah magic midgets....2:30 is priceless thanks for posting....
As far as I'm aware, Marriott did the whole thing himself, but the rest of your story sounds right.
Fab🌳🕊🌻💛💜
Hello and good morning too all universals.
0.52 what a fucking head the ball. Love him.
And Wiki says the dog barking is Marriott's dog, Seamus... Here is the excerpt: "One of Marriott's dogs, Seamus, was also recorded howling in the studio for the Pink Floyd track of the same name, from their 1971 album Meddle." LOL !
It's true, Gilmore found out the dog could howl on cue when a friend was dog sitting for Steve and they used Seamus on the album.
Such a cheerful and catchy little ditty. Can't understand why it did not chart and as a result Steve decided to leave SF. Perhaps it did not get enough air play?
C était le bon temps,et ont ne le savait pas encore?Francine sarall
Possibly my end song!
Maybe mine, but I'm still debating whether it will be the 'A' or 'B' side of the single ;-)
@@SuperNevile Donkey rides, a penny a glass....yes I did Google!
@@fionahairdresser Yes, "The Universal" Parts 1 and 2!
It's like Traffic, The Who and the Black Crowes just stole all this stuff and made it their own without given Steve and Lane credit.
The Who stole from The Small Faces? LOL. They were friends. They toured together. Jones joined the Who. Townshend recorded an album with Lane. They hardly stole from each other--they were part of the same scene. Traffic? Contemporaries again...I'm not sure how they "stole" from The Small Faces. Steve Winwood and Steve Marriott were both named "Steve"? Who the hell are Black Crowes? Why mention them in conjunction with any of these bands? Maybe mention The Foo Fighters while you're at it too.
@franrayamusic They do get the recognition they deserve (well in my circles anyway). I just ment of all the SF songs there are,this one barley gets a mention, although in my humble (pie) opinion it is one of their finer songs
Great tune. I heard an interesting story that maybe someone can verify.... This track was the last that they recorded before breaking up and they made the recording in one of the group members homes, using a domestic (low cost) tape deck to make the master for the record. Any truth in that story?
True apparently, Steve recorded part of it in the garden of his home and finished it off in the studio;
www.songfacts.com/facts/small-faces/the-universal
Yes, Marriott wrote and recorded it at Beeehive Cottage at Moreton, Essex, and later in the Studio the guys tried to record it properly, but could not beat the home recording, so they just dubbed drums, bass, electric guitar and brass onto the original tape.
I will always believe this was yet another great and original song that "influenced" those copycats over there called Led Zeppelin. Ever compare The Universal with Zep's "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp"? Not a coincidence (again).
small faces great but zep cant beat
Damn, you're right!I know that "The Universal" is one that Stevie was most proud of, so now I wonder what he thought of their 'take'.
Hey, Led Zeppelin is the greatest cover band ever.
Did Jenny know Steve was making obscene gestures behind her back ?
00:51 dance
it was like he was farting at the last horn at the end
Although I believe the charges were eventually dropped which allowed Steve to tour with Humble Pie
Helped me accept turning 20 gone are the teens
@moss1066 I agree....I think it got a bad rap, and I really like it!
Is Hackenerbusch or however u spell it your real name? If so. Nice
No - it's an hommage to Groucho Marx "A day at the races"
@@doctorhackenbusch ah that's why I asked. Could have been Flywheel either. Ha.
Anybody know how to play the solo?!?
Love that solo, I bought a Telecaster after hearing that lol Love that country twang stuff.
They never broke through in the US, they were caught with drugs almost immediately after landing in the US for their first tour. Got sent home and banned for ever. Had a huge negative impact on their ability to go international like all the other psych bands of that era
Wonder if Jake Bugg ever listened to this?
on dirait plutot humble pie ?
He looks like more humble pie ?
Thanks to Alexis Kanner for this, right?
I've always wondered since I heard this song some 20 years ago, "take me away" to where? Jail, booby hatch, peace corp (I know he's a brit), or parents' house or FBI?
See his life story here on CZcams
I think it is to what we refer to here in the UK as the 'loony bin', as in 'they are coming to take me away'.
@@colinmartin2921 cue Napoleon XIV's 1966 rap "They're Coming to Take Me Away"..........