Almost at a stroke, punk found much of rock’s old guard suddenly thrust into irrelevance. Pete Townshend and Ronnie Lane may have been exempt from much of the intra-generational ire (all confessed Faces fans, The Sex Pistols used to play The Small Faces’ “Whatcha Gonna Do About It” live, while even the casual listener can here The Jam’s debut LP was essentially a noisier remake of The Who’s My Generation), yet they were both not in the best of places come 1977. Keith Moon’s decline was fast derailing The Who and Lane’s own deteriorating health (at this point undiagnosed MS) had seen him walk out of a Small Faces reunion. Initially started as a Lane solo LP, Rough Mix turned out to be something of a highlight of both artists’ careers. John Entwistle, Charlie Watts, Ian Stewart and Eric Clapton make appearances, but rather than having the vibe of a superstar get together, it’s a low key affair; a punchier, more focused take on the endearingly ramshackle, rootsy sound of Lane’s Slim Chance. Moreover, the two old friends bring out the best in one another. Lane’s autumnal lament “Annie” is one of the most beautiful songs he ever wrote, while Townshend’s wistful “Keep Me Turning” could have sat comfortably on any of The Who’s classic albums. Tragically, Rough Mix would be one of the last recordings Lane ever made.