Search - Kevin Ayers :: Unfairground

UNFAIR ONLY IF HE RETIRES AGAIN

ROBERT BLANKEN | PEMBROKE PINES, FLORIDA United States | 11/06/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wonderful! After such a long wait, this is a remarkable record. Instantly memorable songs by truly gifted artists: this is among Mr. Ayers finest collections of great music. I got an Ehrwurm (ear worm---when you can't get a song out of your head) on the first hearing of the first song (Only Heaven Knows) that lasted a full week. The last time that happened to me was the song "Scarred for Life" by Slapp Happy (from Ca-Va; also a great record. But of course, I am writing about Kevin Ayers here. Kevin lives up to his fine reputation of classy, bluesy R & B, and the man's voice has not diminished in the least with age. He has become more like a fine wine that only gets better with age. The only sad note is that Ollie Halsall's great guitar no longer plays on this earth. Wine, women, song, and of course, bananas (a banana is on the cover art and hard to find--sorry, no hints!)

So, whether or not you are already a fan, or have never heard him before, buy this disc with complete confidence. Not to brag (!), but I have all of his discs, and ALL of his LP's (still in near mint condition). Let us hope that Kevin Ayers dosen't make us wait another 15 years for his next sublime masterwork."

At Long Last!

Chris Frohring | Cleveland, OH USA | 12/31/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I cannot say how relieved I was to finally hear Kevin's follow-up to 1992's "Still Life With Guitar". It is a very organic-sounding record produced with the aid of several talented friends young and old. It hearkens back to the "Whatevershebringswesing" period with colorful arrangements and relatively dry production. "The Unfairground" is probably the best LP Ayers has recorded since "Rainbow Takeaway" in 1978 and stands proudly next to his best work. One hopes that he doesn't need another 15 years to produce another album. A couple of suggestions to those in the Ayers camp: get the 1983 LP "Diamond Jack and the Queen Of Pain" and the 1986 LP "As Close As You Think" released on CD; then, encourage Kevin to re-record the best of those songs ("Howling Man", "Stepping Out", etc.) with the same cast that appeared on "The Unfairground". He actually re-recorded "Only Heaven Knows" from the latter LP for "The Unfairground" with excellent results. This LP is recommended to fans of Kevin, Robert Wyatt, British psychedelia and accessible Progressive Rock."