I've never really gotten deeply into The Kinks. That's not that I don't enjoy their music. The problem is there's so damn much of it, and the vast majority seems so good that I find it daunting trying to come up with a n obvious entry point.
Head Kink Ray Davies may have just provided that to me with the release of The Kinks Choral Collection. The album sees Davies re-record fifteen classic Kinks tunes with the backing of the Crouch End Festival Chorus.
The resulting songs demonstrate the quality of the songwriting. Few pop or rock songs would be able to stand up to a vast choral arrangement such as this. Taken out of their original element many would just wilt under the scrutiny. That's certainly not the case with most of these Kinks' songs.
Yes certain songs, like "Working Man's Cafe" or "See My Friends", sound a little too much like rehashes of the Stones "You Can't Always Get What You Want", but those moments are the exceptions. Using instruments atypical like guitar or piano make songs like "Village Green" pop.
Even songs that you don't expect would translate well are turned into successful numbers. The guitar-driven "You Really Got Me" comes across shockingly well, while the compelling "Victoria" is simply stunning.
I'm usually skeptical of this type of re-recording as it's usually the result of an artist who's creative pilot light has long since been extinguished. I'm pleased to say that this is certainly not the case with Ray Davies.
Best tracks: "Victoria", "Shangri-La"
Track listing for The Kinks Choral Collection:
- Days
- Waterloo Sunset
- You Really Got Me
- Victoria
- See My Friends
- Celluloid Heroes
- Shangri-La
- Working Man's Cafe
- Village Green
- Picture Book
- Big Sky
- Do You Remember Walter?
- Johnny Thunder
- Village Green Preservation Society
- All Day and All of the Night
Ray Davies' website
Ray Davies' Myspace
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