Memorable live moments…
16 April 2020
Legends THE KINKS released a double live album called ‘ONE FOR THE ROAD’ back in 1980. One of the scream along highlights was VICTORIA. A classic that appeared on their 1969 LP Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire). The recording of the live track was done in Switzerland on 11 November 1979.
Let’s roll, Ray…
THE KINKS: Facebook
You can stream ‘ONE FOR THE ROAD‘
right here…
Classics from the past…
9 October 2019
50 years ago, on 10 October 1969, British legends THE KINKS released their seventh and one of their most memorable longplayers of their career with ARTHUR (Or The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire). Singer/songwriter Ray Davies constructed the concept album as the soundtrack to a Granada Television play and developed the storyline with novelist Julian Mitchell but in the end the TV production never came about. The whole story’s main character was based on a certain Arthur Morgan, a London carpet-layer, actually, the Davies’ brothers brother-in-law who’s real name was Arthur Anning, who moved to Australia shortly after World War II. Despite being highly praised by the UK
and the US music press the LP was not a commercial success.
AllMusic wrote: “Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire) extends the British-oriented themes of Village Green Preservation Society, telling the story of a London man’s decision to move to Australia during the aftermath of World War II… It’s a detailed and loving song cycle, capturing the minutiae of suburban life, the numbing effect of bureaucracy, and the horrors of war… The music makes the words cut deeper, and the songs never stray too far from the album’s subject, making Arthur one of the most effective concept albums in rock history, as well as one of the best and most influential British pop records of its era.”
Full review here. Score: 5/5
You certainly know this key track and single…
Album in full…
(Original tracklist: #1 – #10)
.
THE KINKS: All Albums – Facebook
Back sleeve
Knockouts from the past…
2 October 2019
Band: The Kinks
Song: Stob Your Sobbing / B-side: ‘Beautiful Delilah’
Album: Self-Titled Debut LP
Note 1: Legend goes Ray Davies wrote the tune about
a crying girlfriend he broke up with
Note 2: In 1979 amidst the post punk explosion in the
UK Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders covered the song,
turning it into a successful catchy pop hit
Note 3: Ray Davies & Chrissie Hynde had a relationship
and a child after The Pretenders recorded The Kinks‘ song
Note 4 : The Kinks released the song as a single on
2 October 1964, 55 years ago, only in… South-Africa
Here’s The Kinks original…
.
And here comes The Pretenders cover…
The Pretenders single sleeve, 1979…
Knockouts from the past…
10 September 2019
Band: The Kinks
Song: You Really Got Me
Note: The song was originally performed in a more blues-oriented style, as Ray Davies
was a fan of blues legends such as Lead Belly and Big Bill Broonzy. Two versions of the song were recorded, with the second take used for the final single. The power riffs would have a heavy influence later on, on heavy metal and punk rock.
Success: The single hit the top of the UK Singles Chart 55 years ago today,
on 10 September 1964
Hit it, Ray…
THE KINKS: Facebook
Knockouts from the past…
8 July 2019
This day 53 years ago, on 8 July 1966, legends THE KINKS had a No 1 hit single in the
UK with the splendid humdinger SUNNY AFTERNOON. Strangely enough at the time
that mastermind Ray Davies wrote the song he was listening continuously to Frank
Sinatra, Bob Dylan and Bach.
Of the song lyrics, he said: “The only way I could interpret how I felt was through a dusty, fallen aristocrat who had come from old money as opposed to the wealth I had created for myself. In order to prevent the listener from sympathizing with the song’s protagonist I turned him into a scoundrel who fought with his girlfriend after a night of drunkenness and cruelty.“.
Here’s the classic…
THE KINKS: Facebook – Website
21 June 2019
Sir Raymond Douglas Davies, the former frontman of THE KINKS, one of the most
iconic bands ever, was born on 21st June 1944. Happy 75 to a brilliant singer/songwriter,
a compelling storyteller and an engrossing observer. A genuine British pop star who wrote countless gems and is still active as a bona fide solo performer! To celebrate this truly extraordinary phenomenon’s 75th birthday Turn Up The Volume selected five big ones
(not the massive obvious ones like You Really Got Me/Lola/Sunny Afternoon and Victoria
as you would expect, but five ace pearls nonetheless). Here we go…
– WHERE HAVE ALL THE GOOD TIMES GONE –
– DANDY –
– A WELL RESPECTED MAN –
– APEMAN –
– BRINGING UP BABY –
(From 2018 solo LP Our Country: Americana Act 2 )
RAY DAVIES: Biography – Facebook
Going back in sonic history looking for memorable albums…
21 November 2018
Band: THE KINKS
Album: THE KINKS ARE THE VILLAGE GREEN PRESERVATION SOCIETY – the band’s sixth LP
Released: 22 November 1968 – 50 (!) years ago
ALL MUSIC review: “Ray Davies’ sentimental, nostalgic streak emerged on Something Else, but it developed into a manifesto on The Village Green Preservation Society, a concept album lamenting the passing of old-fashioned English traditions. As the opening title song says, the Kinks – meaning Ray himself – in this case, were for preserving “draught beer and virginity,” and throughout the rest of the album, he creates a series of stories, sketches, and characters about a picturesque England that never really was… there are endless layers of musical and lyrical innovation on The Village Green Preservation Society, and its defiantly British sensibilities became the foundation of generations of British guitar pop.”
Full review here – Score: 5/5
TURN UP THE VOLUME! says: An album that influenced about a million songwriters
over the years and still is a reference record for many musicians today. Ray Davies‘ rich composition talent shines terrifically well on this landmark longplayer.
ALBUM in full…
.
THE KINKS: Website – Facebook – Discography
50th Anniversary Edition out now – all info here
The legendary popsmiths THE KINKS will release a remastered 50th anniversary of
their 6th, highly acclaimed album ‘THE KINKS ARE THE VILGE GREEN PRESERVATION SOCIETY’ on 26th October. Today the band shared a lyric video for delightful, previously unreleased track ‘TIME SONG‘ from those album sessions. It’s a melancholic little pearl. Capture its charm right here…
THE KINKS: Website – Facebook – All Albums
Reissue of THE KINKS ARE THE VILLAGE GREEN PRESERVATION SOCIETY out 26 October
Info and pre-order facilities here
When I went back in time to find out which outstanding
longplayers still sound spectacular today after 50 years I
was really surprised that some of them actually turn fifty
as you hear their influences daily in 21st century music.
Here’s my selection. Ten classics! Ten stunning survivors!…
1/ ‘ASTRAL WEEKS’ by VAN MORRISON
Rolling Stone wrote: “Van Morrison never sounded more warm and ecstatic,
more sensual and vulnerable, than on his enigmatically beautiful solo debut”
Released: 29 November 1968
Listen: here
2/ ‘BEGGARS BANQUET’ by THE ROLLING STONES
Time Magazine: “England’s most subversive
roisterers since Fagin’s gang in Oliver Twist”
Released: 6 December 1968
Listen: here
3/ ‘THE KINKS ARE THE VILLAGE GREEN PRESERVATION SOCIETY’ by THE KINKS
Rolling Stone: “Each new hearing is a combined joy of renewal and discovery”
Released: 22 November 1968
Listen: here
4/ ‘WHITE LIGHT/WHITE HEAT’ by THE VELVET UNDERGOUND
All Music wrote: “It’s easily the least accessible of VU’s studio albums, but anyone
wanting to hear their guitar-mauling tribal frenzy straight with no chaser will love it.”
Released: 30 January 1968
Listen: here
5/ ‘GRIS-GRIS’ by DR.JOHN
Rolling Stone: “A swamp-funk classic. ‘Gris-Gris’ blends
New Orleans R&B, voodoo chants and chemical inspiration.”
Released: 22 January 1968
Listen: here
6/ ‘THE BEATLES / THE WHITE ALBUM’ by THE BEATLES
All Music wrote: “None of it sounds like it was meant to share album space together,
but somehow The Beatles create its own style and sound through its mess.”
Released: 22 November 1968
Listen: here
7/ ‘OGDENS’ NUT GONE FLAKE’ by THE SMALL FACES
All Music wrote: “The ballsiest-sounding piece of
full-length psychedelia to come out of England in 1968”
Released: 24 May 1968
Listen: here
8/ ‘DANCE TO THE MUSIC’ by SLY AND THE FAMILY STONE
Rolling Stone: “Overall the album is uneven, but its highs are intense,
prolonged and ecstatic. Seductive melodies and horn lines tickle your mind.”
Released: 27 April 1968
Listen: here
9/ ‘ELECTRIC LADYLAND’ by JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE
All Music: “Jimi Hendrix takes his funk and psychedelic sounds to the absolute limit.”
Released: 16 October 1968
Listen: here
10/ ‘MUSIC FROM BIG PINK’ by THE BAND
Rolling Stone: “The rustic beauty of The Band’s music and the drama of their own
reflections on family and obligations made ‘Big Pink’ an instant homespun classic.”
Released: 1 July 1968
Listen: here
