Marianne Faithfull – Cast Your Fate To The Wind: A Definitive Journey Through the Decca Years (1964–1969)
The new box set Cast Your Fate to the Wind is a beautifully curated six-CD collection that captures the remarkable early career of Marianne Faithfull during her time with Decca Records, covering the years 1964 to 1969. Released posthumously, this anthology is a heartfelt tribute to an artist whose voice, image, and story became forever linked to the sound and spirit of the swinging 60s.
From the moment you open the box, it’s clear that this isn’t just a collection – it’s a lovingly crafted historical document. The design is exquisite: glossy packaging, five stunning art cards featuring iconic photography, and a 76-page booklet that includes new commentary written by Faithfull herself before her passing. The paper stock and print quality are excellent – a real joy to hold and flick through.
What’s Inside the Box?
All Four Decca Studio Albums:
- Marianne Faithfull (1965)
- Come My Way (1965)
- North Country Maid (1966)
- Love in a Mist (1967)
- 2-Disc Compilation:
Something Better – A compilation of singles, B-sides, and rarities
Includes four previously unreleased tracks
Each mini-LP CD is housed in replica sleeves, complete with inner artwork and accurate credits. Every disc is a faithful reproduction, down to the typography and layout – a touch fans will deeply appreciate.
The Sound and the Players
Remastered from the original tapes, the audio quality is outstanding. These recordings have never sounded better on CD, and the clarity really brings out the richness of Faithfull’s voice.
But what truly deepens the experience is discovering the array of musicians involved. A roll call of future rock legends graced these sessions:
Jimmy Page – guitar (pre-Led Zeppelin)
Big Jim Sullivan – guitar (a top session player who even gave lessons to Ritchie Blackmore)
John Paul Jones – bass and arrangements
Clem Cattini – drums
Mike Leander – orchestral arrangements
Andy White – drums (best known for playing on The Beatles’ “Love Me Do”)
Nicky Hopkins – keyboards (The Rolling Stones, The Who, Jeff Beck Group)
Eric Ford, Ken Woodman, and other luminaries of the British session scene
This is like tracing the musical DNA of the British rock explosion – all orbiting around the delicate and assured voice of Marianne Faithfull.
A Story of Talent, Image, and Industry
The booklet is a standout. Faithfull’s own words reflect deeply on the ups and downs of being a young female artist signed to a major label in the 1960s. There’s commentary on how Decca tried to mould her, the struggle between pop stardom and her desire to pursue folk music, and candid insights into what it was like navigating fame at a time of enormous cultural and social change.
The text is laced with social history too – Mick Jagger and Keith Richards make their appearances, but this isn’t just about celebrity connections. It’s about the realities of being an artist in a male-dominated industry and the price of becoming an icon.
Final Thoughts
Cast Your Fate to the Wind is more than a box set – it’s a time capsule. It celebrates Marianne Faithfull’s artistic journey with integrity and elegance. For fans of 60s music, British folk-pop, or just beautifully made physical media, this is a must-have.
This box set also proves that CD box sets still have a vital role to play in preserving and presenting an artist’s legacy. With care and love like this behind the design and presentation, there’s no reason the format can’t thrive.
If you’ve ever wondered whether physical releases can still surprise and delight – this is your answer.
Phil Aston – Now Spinning Magazine
Hil, Phil. Thanks for your review. This set is completely out of stock everywhere including Amazon. Do you know when it’s going to be back in stock?
Hi Kay , back in stock now. We sold out so fast and had to reprint! Best A