Search - Kinks :: Arthur - Or The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire

Essential !!

Byron | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 09/01/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the fourth release in the solid run of six excellent Kinks albums that started in 1966 with Face to Face and ended with Muswell Hillbillies in 1971. These represented The Kinks at their best.



Arthur is most tonally similar to their best album, 1968's Village Green Preservation Society, and carries on that perfect combination of genuine nostalgia tinged with tongue-in-cheek irony. And the tunes are catchy! Standouts are 'Victoria' 'Drivin'' and the hard-charging 'Brainwashed'. It was written as a concept album but don't worry about that, the songs are all perfectly enjoyable on their own without knowing the backstory.



Try to find one of the remastered import versions of this CD with extra tracks (the singles and b-sides from the time).

The U.S. versions on Reprise were transferred in the early days of CD technology and sound poor in comparison to the more recently redone British versions."

Wow!! The Evolution of Rock and Roll is here.

John R. Daubney | Clifton Park, New York | 04/21/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wow! Thank you, Ray Davies, for exposing your heart and genius in this new interpretation of your music. Being a fan of many genres of music, I appreciate the Kinks and Ray Davies, but would never be called a Kinks fanatic. However, after seeing Ray in concert on 11/22/09 in Albany, New York and then purchasing The Kinks Choral Collection I am truly a devoted fan.

For me rock music reaches its promise in this album. As with all art the ultimate hope is that the listener be moved in some way. In this new avenue into the music of the Kinks and Ray Davies, the heart and soul of this music is revealed in a way that just wasn't possible in its original form. At the same time the earthiness of the music is preserved by his outstanding band.

Resist the temptation to compare these songs to the originals. You may well miss the point. These songs have evolved. The choir brings a new point of view and a wonderful counterpoint to Ray's distinctive voice and the band. Ray's wit and frustration with the state of the world often hide the human longing, heartbreak, and fervent aspirations for a better world for us all. Cases in point here are: Do You Remember Walter, Village Green, Days, and Waterloo Sunset. Workingman's Cafe from Ray's most recent solo release of the same name beautifully reminds us of the wish of every human being to be noticed, remembered, and cherished.

Although I'm a lover of good rock and roll music, I'm very aware, especially in this album, that rock and roll with its intense sound and rhythm patterns can sometimes minimize or hide the deep emotion and beauty of a song. With the Crouch End Festival Chorus and Ray's top-notch band these elements are beautifully front and center. There isn't a throw away song on this CD.

In short this album is a gift to us all and I'm currently resisting the impulse to "wear it out" by playing it to death. The Kinks Choral Collection is a piece of music to be enjoyed again and again. Thank you Ray for your courage and your vision in creating this outstanding musical experience.



By John Daubney(Clifton Park, NY)



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