When Ronnie Lane passed away in June from complications of a nearly 20-year struggle with multiple sclerosis, a significant chunk of British rock ‘n’ roll went with him. As the heart and soul of mod pioneers the Small Faces, and then with Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood in the almost legendary Faces, Lane played a major role in helping to develop sounds and styles that continue to influence young rockers today.

But perhaps his best music was saved for his post-Faces days in the early-mid ’70s. In 1974 he cut the fine album Anymore For Anymore and put together a gritty seven-piece backing band, Slim Chance, that moved away from the raunch ‘n’ roll of the Faces to an eclectic blend of British folk, country, Celtic, rootsy rock and other styles. Over the next few years they recorded the excellent Ronnie Lane’s Slim Chance and One For The Road.

Probably the best comparison for those that need one would be Richard Thompson’s Fairport Convention years, or maybe a sloppier, looser, drunker cousin of The Band. On top of all of this was Lane’s uniquely expressive, quivering, reedy singing, which could break your heart and have you guffawing within a couple of moments of each other.

This double CD, originally intended to help defray the monumental medical expenses Lane had incurred, compiles five separate live sessions that Lane and Slim Chance did for the BBC between ’73 and ’76. The very early stuff was recorded for legendary DJ John Peel’s show just months after Lane left the Faces. Included are loose and easy renditions of some of his classic stuff from that period including “Ooh La La” and “Flags and Banners”, along with a rural delivery of the Stones “Sweet Virginia” and several staples from the aforementioned solo albums. Later selections for the BBC program “In Concert” are even looser and more jubilant, the highlight being a couple of galloping versions of Chuck Berry’s “You Never Can Tell”.

Including a terrific booklet with rare pictures and a cool interview with Lane’s stepdaughter, this is a great (albeit a bit expensive) package that serves nicely as an introduction to Lane’s post-Faces years and as a companion piece for those who already own the solo albums. Ronnie Lane was as authentic as they come; this set helps keep his memory, and spirit, alive.