Search - Kevin Ayers :: Joy of a Toy

Worth The Wait...

Bruce A. Nelson | Worcester, MA USA | 06/29/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The much anticipated re-release of the classic 1969 Kevin Ayers' solo debut, Joy Of A Toy does not disappoint. This album is another "desert island" pick.First, you get some nice packaging. A thoughtful text by Mark Powell with some rare photographs of Ayers' busking about with some promo shots. It would have been even better if all the lyrics had been included (instead of only "The Lady Rachel" and "Song For Insane Times").Next, you get a nice remix from Peter Mew, which is a significant improvement over The Beat Goes On release.Of course, then there's the music. From the psychedelic "Oleh Oleh Bandu Bandong", "Song For Insane Times" (with Soft Machine) and "Stop This Train", the whimsical "Joy Of A Toy" and "The Clarietta Rag", the Dylan nod on "All This Crazy Gift Of Time" and the gentle acoustic wine buzz on "Girl On A Swing", "Town Feeling" and "Eleanor's Cake", (not to mention "The Lady Rachel" which is an Ayers staple), every track is genuine and unique. Fine English songwriting colored with some excellent guests and eccentric arrangements by David Bedford.It's the record one wished Syd Barrett made after leaving the Floyd.And speaking of Syd, his contribution on "Religious Experience" is actually better than expected. His playing has a more Mandrax vibe than the energetic electric playing that Ayers later copied on the final release, yet it's still interesting. There's also another version, sans Syd with mellotron that's even better. The extras are not merely taken from the excellent 70's collection, Oddities. In addition to the "Religious Experience" tracks, there's an extended version of "The Lady Rachel," maybe the best version yet with Bedford's arrangement.Get this album! The other reissues (Shooting At The Moon, Whatevershebringswesing
and Bananamour) should be as great from this marvelous songwriter."