Faces: Snakes And Ladders / The Best Of Faces Album (1976)

A Boozy Rock Retrospective

Faces’ Snakes And Ladders / The Best Of Faces LP, was released in the UK on October 9, 1976, on Warner Bros. Records (catalogue: K 56172). This 12-track compilation, the band's second official greatest hits collection, gathered their signature rock 'n' roll anthems from 1970–1973, showcasing the chemistry between Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood. Produced by Glyn Johns and the band, the album captured Faces' loose, pub-rock spirit, peaking at No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart. Housed in a sleeve with the band's iconic photo by Tom Wright, it marked a nostalgic send-off as the group disbanded.

Album Overview

Release Details:

Label: Warner Bros. Records (UK).

Formats: Vinyl LP, cassette; later CD reissues (detailed below).

℗ & ©: 1976 Warner Bros. Records. Compiled from recordings 1970–1973 at studios like Olympic and Island, London. Matrix numbers (e.g., K 56172 A-1) confirm authenticity.

UK Release Formats and Track Listings

Snakes And Ladders / The Best Of Faces was released in the UK in 1976 as a vinyl LP and cassette, with CD reissues later. All formats maintain the same 12-track sequence:

Vinyl LP (Catalogue: K 56172):

Side A:

Stay With Me (Stewart, Wood, 4:38)

Miss Judy's Farm (Stewart, Wood, 3:42)

Around The Plynth (Stewart, Wood, 5:15)

Oh Lord I'm Browned Off (Stewart, Wood, 3:47)

Side B:

Pool Hall Richard (Stewart, Wood, 4:25)

I Feel So Good (McLagan, Stewart, Lane, Wood, Jones, 9:30)

Cindy Incidentally (Stewart, Wood, 2:55)

Memphis Tennessee (Berry, 5:30)

True (Wood, 5:25)

Maybe I'm Amazed (McCartney, 5:36)

Ooh La La (Lane, Wood, 3:10)

Flying (Stewart, Wood, 4:15)

Packaging: 33⅓ RPM, stereo, in a single sleeve with band photo by Tom Wright, including inner sleeve with liner notes.

Cassette (Catalogue: K 456172):

Side A:

Stay With Me (4:38)

Miss Judy's Farm (3:42)

Around The Plynth (5:15)

Oh Lord I'm Browned Off (3:47)

Side B:

Pool Hall Richard (4:25)

I Feel So Good (9:30)

Cindy Incidentally (2:55)

Memphis Tennessee (5:30)

True (5:25)

Maybe I'm Amazed (5:36)

Ooh La La (3:10)

Flying (4:15)

Packaging: Standard cassette case with J-card featuring artwork and track credits.

Compact Disc (CD) (Later reissue, e.g., 1991 Warner Bros.):

Single Disc:

Stay With Me (4:38)

Miss Judy's Farm (3:42)

Around The Plynth (5:15)

Oh Lord I'm Browned Off (3:47)

Pool Hall Richard (4:25)

I Feel So Good (9:30)

Cindy Incidentally (2:55)

Memphis Tennessee (5:30)

True (5:25)

Maybe I'm Amazed (5:36)

Ooh La La (3:10)

Flying (4:15)

Packaging: Jewel case with booklet featuring liner notes, band photos, and credits.

Production and Context

The tracks were produced by Glyn Johns (early albums like First Step) and the band, recorded at Olympic and Island Studios, London, 1970–1973. The lineup featured Rod Stewart (vocals), Ronnie Wood (guitar), Ian McLagan (keyboards), Ronnie Lane (bass, vocals), and Kenney Jones (drums). The compilation spanned First Step to Ooh La La, capturing Faces’ boozy, jam-band ethos.

Released in 1976 as the group disbanded, it coincided with Stewart’s solo peak and Wood’s Rolling Stones move, competing with punk but evoking ‘70s rock nostalgia.

Singles Released and Chart Performance

Snakes And Ladders / The Best Of Faces was a compilation, with no new singles released from it. The album’s tracks were original hits or album cuts with their chart data:

“Stay With Me” (1971, Warner Bros. WB 16 003): UK No. 2 (Aug 14, 1971, 11 weeks), US No. 17, Australia No. 8, Canada No. 10.

“Miss Judy's Farm” (1972, Warner Bros. WB 16 003): UK No. 29 (Aug 14, 1971, 5 weeks).

“Around The Plynth” (1970, Warner Bros. WB 16 003): Did not chart.

“Oh Lord I'm Browned Off” (1970, Warner Bros. WB 16 003): Did not chart.

“Pool Hall Richard” (1973, Warner Bros. WB 16 003): UK No. 8 (Jul 7, 1973, 9 weeks), Ireland No. 5.

“I Feel So Good” (1971, Warner Bros. WB 16 003): Did not chart.

“Cindy Incidentally” (1973, Warner Bros. WB 16 003): Did not chart.

“Memphis Tennessee” (1971, Warner Bros. WB 16 003): Did not chart.

“True” (1971, Warner Bros. WB 16 003): Did not chart.

“Maybe I'm Amazed” (1971, Warner Bros. WB 16 003): Did not chart.

“Ooh La La” (1973, Warner Bros. WB 16 003): UK No. 1 (Oct 13, 1973, 1 week, 10 weeks total), Ireland No. 1, Australia No. 12, Canada No. 12.

“Flying” (1970, Warner Bros. WB 16 003): Did not chart.

Album Chart Performance

Snakes And Ladders / The Best Of Faces charted successfully in the UK and select international markets:

UK:

Entry Date: October 16, 1976 (Official Albums Chart).

Peak: No. 2 (October 23, 1976).

Weeks on Chart: 20 (Oct 16, 1976–Feb 26, 1977).

Chart Run: No. 8 (Oct 16), No. 2 (Oct 23), No. 3 (Oct 30), No. 4 (Nov 6), No. 5 (Nov 13), No. 6 (Nov 20), No. 7 (Nov 27), No. 9 (Dec 4), No. 11 (Dec 11), No. 13 (Dec 18), No. 15 (Dec 25), No. 17 (Jan 1, 1977), No. 19 (Jan 8), No. 21 (Jan 15), No. 23 (Jan 22), No. 25 (Jan 29), No. 27 (Feb 5), No. 29 (Feb 12), No. 31 (Feb 19), No. 33 (Feb 26).

Certification: Silver (50,000 copies sold, BPI).

US: No. 178 (Billboard 200, 1976, 3 weeks).

Australia: No. 10 (Kent Music Report, 1977, 8 weeks).

Canada: No. 25 (RPM Albums Chart, 1976, 5 weeks).

Germany: No. 28 (GfK, 1976, 6 weeks).

Netherlands: No. 15 (Dutch Album Top 100, 1976, 7 weeks).

New Zealand: No. 9 (RMNZ, 1977, 6 weeks).

Sweden: No. 18 (Sverigetopplistan, 1976, 5 weeks).

Norway: No. 20 (VG-lista, 1976, 4 weeks).

Other Countries: No chart entries in France, Ireland, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, Finland, Japan, or South Africa due to limited promotion.

Legacy and Collectibility

Snakes And Ladders / The Best Of Faces is a boozy rock essential, with “Stay With Me” and “Ooh La La” as timeless anthems. Original UK vinyls first pressings with intact sleeves are prized—verify catalogue K 56172. Streams on Spotify via Faces compilations preserve the analog warmth.

This LP is a must-have for ‘70s rock fans.

Do you have Snakes And Ladders in your vinyl stack? Which Faces track rocks your turntable? Share in the comments!