Faces at the BBC: Complete BBC Concert & Session Recordings 1970-1973

In this review the Faces at the BBC: Complete BBC Concert & Session Recordings 1970-1973 is presented for fans of classic rock and archivists who want a single, authoritative collection of the band's BBC-era performances. The single biggest reason to buy is the unique combination of remastered live concerts, rare studio sessions and a restored live TV performance gathered together for the first time, all recovered from BBC and band archives and packaged with a 48-page illustrated book that adds context and behind-the-scenes commentary.

Key Features

• Complete BBC recordings: Collects BBC concerts and session recordings from 1970 to 1973 so listeners can hear a coherent archive of the Faces' broadcast work in one set.
• Remastered sound: Remastering improves clarity and presence, providing better sound quality than many bootlegs or older transfers.
• Blu-ray restoration: Includes a restored live TV performance on Blu-ray, giving a higher-resolution, more detailed video document of the band in concert.
• Extensive packaging: The 8-CD + Blu-ray box set arrives with a 48-page fully illustrated book offering band commentary and behind-the-scenes stories that enhance the listening experience.
• Previously unreleased material: Features at least one concert that was not broadcast before, making it valuable to collectors and completists.

Who It's For

This collection is ideal for dedicated Faces fans and collectors of classic rock broadcast material who want authoritative, archival-quality transfers and the convenience of having BBC concerts and sessions in one package. The set is also suited to listeners who value liner notes and photographed memorabilia that illuminate the recording history.

Casual listeners who only want a handful of hits might find the set excessive; the box emphasizes live and session coverage rather than a single-disc hits compilation. Those who prefer only studio albums or a best-of collection should look elsewhere.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Excellent sound quality from remastered audio across concerts and sessions.
• Comprehensive packaging with a 48-page illustrated book that provides context and band commentary.
• Includes rare and previously un-broadcasted material that will interest collectors.
• Blu-ray restoration brings visual clarity to a live TV performance not commonly available.

Cons

• Song selection can feel repetitive since many tracks are live renditions of the same songs across shows.
• The set may be more than most casual listeners need due to its 8-CD format.

Specifications

Title	Faces at the BBC: Complete BBC Concert & Session Recordings 1970-1973
Format	8-CD + Blu-ray box set
Years covered	1970-1973
Source material	BBC and Faces archive recordings
Booklet	48-page fully illustrated book with commentary
Content highlights	Remastered live concerts, rare studio sessions, restored live TV performance

Our Verdict

For collectors and serious fans the box set is a definitive archival release that justifies its scope through high-quality remastering, rare material and the substantial booklet. It represents good value for those who want a single, well-documented package of the Faces' BBC output, while casual listeners may prefer a smaller selection or a hits compilation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this set include video?
Yes, the package includes one restored live TV performance on Blu-ray for a visual complement to the audio discs.

Are the tracks remastered?
Yes, the concerts and sessions have been remastered to improve clarity and overall sound quality compared with earlier sources.

Is there new or unreleased material?
Yes, the collection contains at least one previously un-broadcasted concert recovered from the archives.