The links, if you need 'em:
OK, USA: http://www.box.com/s/6uc33grm8q338h3d66om
Muswell: http://www.box.com/s/b845k6fbcih01rl2qs0y
Wrapping up the Kinky kick-off to '12, a couple deeper cuts for you. Both are from the wonderful "Muswell Hillbillies" LP from 1971, an album that was regarded as a bit of a flop at the time, even for a band that was gliding into the '70s having already slid into the periphery of bands that "mattered". And after "Muswell", the Kinks certainly proceeded to veer off into more dubious, theatrical territory (five albums' worth!). And, sure, "Muswell" is a bit muddy sounding but, lordy, is it ever a catchy, rambling statement that dwells on some or all the usual Kinksy concerns--- England, America, the 19th century (nostalgia) and 20th (paranoia), Mum/ Dad/ family, the tedium of touring, assorted food and drink, spinsters, dancehalls, holiday, etc.
So get enjoyin'!
jk
Oklahoma, U.S.A.:
Muswell Hillbilly:
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Kink-y New Year! (part 2)
Once again I encourage you Appletons to try out these links on your iPad, iPhones and whatever you've got, and to let me know if they fly:
Long Way from Home: http://www.box.com/s/l1oo8cxxzs72917r2tql
Victoria: http://www.box.com/s/exl8oti1z8pea4aaxemz
Continuing our warm, Kink-y January, we move along the Davies timeline just a bit. "Long Way from Home" is a short, musically sweet, lyrically biting little number off 1970's "Lola vs. Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part 1", the album title being almost longer than the song itself. "Victoria" hails from 1969's "Arthur, or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire". It's a more uptempo rocker (crying out for a horn section) that would be a cover band staple in a just world.
From a recording perspective, both of these songs can be real lung-busters, especially trying to nail Dave Davies' inimitable harmonies. Though he's sung lead on his fair share of songs, little brother Dave was not blessed with a stellar voice but his high, reedy, raspy wail (similar to Keith Richards') sure does wonders on the harmony front. And for a much active and passive aggressiveness as there was (and is) between the brothers Davies, they've always sounded perfect together.
Long Way from Home:
Victoria:
Long Way from Home: http://www.box.com/s/l1oo8cxxzs72917r2tql
Victoria: http://www.box.com/s/exl8oti1z8pea4aaxemz
Continuing our warm, Kink-y January, we move along the Davies timeline just a bit. "Long Way from Home" is a short, musically sweet, lyrically biting little number off 1970's "Lola vs. Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part 1", the album title being almost longer than the song itself. "Victoria" hails from 1969's "Arthur, or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire". It's a more uptempo rocker (crying out for a horn section) that would be a cover band staple in a just world.
From a recording perspective, both of these songs can be real lung-busters, especially trying to nail Dave Davies' inimitable harmonies. Though he's sung lead on his fair share of songs, little brother Dave was not blessed with a stellar voice but his high, reedy, raspy wail (similar to Keith Richards') sure does wonders on the harmony front. And for a much active and passive aggressiveness as there was (and is) between the brothers Davies, they've always sounded perfect together.
Long Way from Home:
Victoria:
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Kink-y New Year! (part 1)
Hey all-
As I mentioned last week, I'm still trying to find out a way to be Apple-friendly. Despite their inability to support the Flash Player that my storage site (Box.net) uses, those of you with the iPad and the iPhone and iFill-in-the-Blank should be able to cut and past these links and then listen or download. Do lemme know:
Waterloo: http://www.box.com/s/gsp4gm0mj557z0dk0dox
Village Green: http://www.box.com/s/9oq5o16lnv30sd5q63b3
Anyway--- Hope you all done rung '12 in with style, or at least are planning on proceeding with gusto and joie de vivre from here out. Along with all the other things to resolve for the young year-- along with travel and seeing friends and living right and such-- I recommend taking a tiny sliver of time to listen to one of my all time favorite bands: the Kinks. To that end, I thought I'd supply you with a few covers I finished in '11 after starting in summer of '10.
I really could go on and on about the Kinks but the long and short is that, even after the late '90's reissues and a bit of deserved praise over the past couple years, they're a band that's never quite gotten their due. On account of bum luck, bad timing, union problems, self-destruction and their incurable baseline Britishness, they missed their biggest shot and never really caught on here. They remain regarded as a second-tier British Invasion band, and most people's knowledge stops at "You Really Got Me" or maybe "Lola" or "Come Dancing" from their '80's revival or (heaven help us) a Van Halen cover or a TV commercial. It's a damn shame. Matter of fact, the Giants-Cowboys NFL game I'm watching just went to a TV timeout with NBC playing 1st quarter highlights to an instrumental cover of "Picture Book" and nobody knows...
I look past the fact that big brother Ray seems to be a flaming A-hole and younger brother Dave an absolute moonshot. I love Ray Davies' songs, and Dave's as well. I love the harmonies and the characters and the wistful and weird details. There's something to love in all their eras, including the interminable rock operas of the mid-'70's. I love the way they overextend, and re-tool and triumph and drop the ball again.
So here are a couple of the cornerstones. My only hope is that I've not done any significant damage to "Waterloo Sunset", which to me is one of the absolute finest songs ever written.
JK
Waterloo Sunset:
The Village Green Preservation Society:
As I mentioned last week, I'm still trying to find out a way to be Apple-friendly. Despite their inability to support the Flash Player that my storage site (Box.net) uses, those of you with the iPad and the iPhone and iFill-in-the-Blank should be able to cut and past these links and then listen or download. Do lemme know:
Waterloo: http://www.box.com/s/gsp4gm0mj557z0dk0dox
Village Green: http://www.box.com/s/9oq5o16lnv30sd5q63b3
Anyway--- Hope you all done rung '12 in with style, or at least are planning on proceeding with gusto and joie de vivre from here out. Along with all the other things to resolve for the young year-- along with travel and seeing friends and living right and such-- I recommend taking a tiny sliver of time to listen to one of my all time favorite bands: the Kinks. To that end, I thought I'd supply you with a few covers I finished in '11 after starting in summer of '10.
I really could go on and on about the Kinks but the long and short is that, even after the late '90's reissues and a bit of deserved praise over the past couple years, they're a band that's never quite gotten their due. On account of bum luck, bad timing, union problems, self-destruction and their incurable baseline Britishness, they missed their biggest shot and never really caught on here. They remain regarded as a second-tier British Invasion band, and most people's knowledge stops at "You Really Got Me" or maybe "Lola" or "Come Dancing" from their '80's revival or (heaven help us) a Van Halen cover or a TV commercial. It's a damn shame. Matter of fact, the Giants-Cowboys NFL game I'm watching just went to a TV timeout with NBC playing 1st quarter highlights to an instrumental cover of "Picture Book" and nobody knows...
I look past the fact that big brother Ray seems to be a flaming A-hole and younger brother Dave an absolute moonshot. I love Ray Davies' songs, and Dave's as well. I love the harmonies and the characters and the wistful and weird details. There's something to love in all their eras, including the interminable rock operas of the mid-'70's. I love the way they overextend, and re-tool and triumph and drop the ball again.
So here are a couple of the cornerstones. My only hope is that I've not done any significant damage to "Waterloo Sunset", which to me is one of the absolute finest songs ever written.
JK
Waterloo Sunset:
The Village Green Preservation Society:
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