Kevin Ayers: The BBC Sessions 1970-1976

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Editorial Reviews

All Music Guide - Richie Unterberger
For a guy who never had a chart record even in the lowest rungs, Kevin Ayers sure managed to record a lot of BBC sessions in the 1970s. Several other BBC compilations preceded this two-CD set, which repeats some, though not all, of what's been previously issued from such sessions. One of the anthology's flaws is that it doesn't clearly mark what has never appeared elsewhere; maybe designating such tracks with asterisks would cut down on impulse purchases from discerning shoppers, but it would sure help fans in straightening out what's where. Disregarding this, it's a quite good, entertaining, and -- dare one say -- intellectually stimulating sampler of work from his ...
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CD TWO (2) AUDIO CD's in jewel case w/art work, booklet, near Fine copy! FREE USPS TRACKING NUMBER! Hux Records, 2005. Track List clarence in wonderland stop this train why are ... we sleeping you say you like my ha gemini chile lady rachel shooting at the moon derby day interview we did it again lunatic's lament oyster & the flying fish butterfly dance whatevershebringswesing falling in love again queen thing interview oh what a dream shouting in a bucket blues another whimsical song lady rachel stop this train didn't feel lonely till i thought of you stranger in blue suede shoes mr cool love's gonna turn you round star Read more Show Less

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Editorial Reviews

All Music Guide - Richie Unterberger
For a guy who never had a chart record even in the lowest rungs, Kevin Ayers sure managed to record a lot of BBC sessions in the 1970s. Several other BBC compilations preceded this two-CD set, which repeats some, though not all, of what's been previously issued from such sessions. One of the anthology's flaws is that it doesn't clearly mark what has never appeared elsewhere; maybe designating such tracks with asterisks would cut down on impulse purchases from discerning shoppers, but it would sure help fans in straightening out what's where. Disregarding this, it's a quite good, entertaining, and -- dare one say -- intellectually stimulating sampler of work from his prime, even if the earlier material on disc one is clearly superior to the tracks on the second CD. If you like Ayers, it doesn't get much better than the 1970 material here, the first four songs featuring various members of his former group the Soft Machine in the backing group including Robert Wyatt on drums and very active backing vocals. It's an invigorating mix of witty whimsy, art rock indulgence, improvisational jazz, and absolutely unpredictable seesaws between profundity and inspired silliness. To name a few highlights, "You Say You Like My Hat" is a childishly infectious ditty that would do Syd Barrett proud, Wyatt's scatting backing vocals very much at the fore. The graceful, haunting "Lady Rachel" is a solid contender for his best song, here performed with his band the Whole World including a teenaged Mike Oldfield on guitar, while "Shooting at the Moon," also with the Whole World, is an excellent, ferociously woozy, jazzy update of the early Soft Machine song "Jet Propelled Photograph." The mood lightens for the six tracks from 1972, on which Ayers' voice and guitar are accompanied only by bassist/singer Archie Leggett, including some of his more celebrated and accessible tunes "Butterfly Dance," "Whatevershebringswesing" and a cover of the pop standard "Falling in Love Again." With 1973-1976 recordings, disc two might be less satisfying, as it has a less idiosyncratic and more mainstream rock sound. Still, Ayers' diffident, almost tossed-off humor shines pretty strongly, and the songs include some of his better-known numbers, such as "Oh! Wot a Dream," "Lady Rachel" a 1974 version, and "Stranger in Blue Suede Shoes." The sound quality is not always top of the line, but it's always listenable, ranging from fair not very often to very good most of the time. Overall, the compilation might not be a match for the studio recordings, but it's quite worthwhile for any Ayers fan. It contains some uncommon songs; the arrangements sometimes differ substantially from the more familiar versions; and Ayers, unlike some artists at BBC sessions, often seems intent on presenting a unique performance, rather than just more or less re-creating his records.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 12/6/2005
  • Label: Hux Records
  • UPC: 682970000732
  • Catalog Number: 73

Album Credits

Performance Credits
Kevin Ayers Primary Artist, Bass, Guitar, Vocals
Zoot Money Keyboards, Background Vocals
Mike Oldfield Bass
Andy Summers Guitar
Robert Wyatt Drums, Background Vocals
Lol Coxhill Soprano Saxophone
Elton Dean Alto Saxophone
David Bedford Piano
Lyn Dobson Flute
John "Rabbit" Bundrick Keyboards
Nick Evans Trombone
Mick Fincher Drums
Ollie Halsall Guitar
Hugh Hopper Bass
Mike Ratledge Organ
Eddie Sparrow Drums
Rob Townsend Drums
Archie Legget Bass, Vocals
Charlie McCracken Bass
Technical Credits
Kevin Ayers Composer
Jeff Griffin Producer
Pete Ritzema Producer
Bernie Andrews Producer
Bob Conduct Engineer
John Muir Engineer
Russell Pay Mastering
Martin Wakeling Liner Notes
Peter Harwood Producer
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