- Audio CD (25 May 1998)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Format: Extra tracks
- Label: Castle Comm.
- ASIN: B0000089A5
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 25,790 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
Amazon.co.uk allows you to pay for your items in your local currency. Restrictions apply. Learn More. |
Product details |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Written as the score for a never-aired BBC television drama, Arthur is the story of late-1960s English working-class exhaustion. Perhaps not the most attention-grabbing subject for a rock album, but in Ray Davies's hands it's rich in texture and stylistic possibility. From the rousing ode to Britain's glorious past ("Victoria") to its less-than-glamorous present (that being the late '60s), Davies portrays a life of cautiously reduced expectations. Arthur once dreamed of owning his own business but has settled for a car and an indoor bathroom ("Shangri-La"). One of his sons spends his time complaining about the system ("Brainwashed"), the other dreams of moving to a new land of opportunity ("Australia"), and when they get together for Sunday dinner there's simply "Nothing to Say". The Kinks at their mighty and surprisingly tender best. --Percy Keegan
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
If you listen to this album, then you'll know exactly what was on Paul Weller's turntable circa 1979 when he put together the equally fetching, "Setting Sons" LP.
I must admit that when I first heard this album I thought it was a bit average with the exception of "Shangri-La" which was the primary reason for me buying it. However, you have to persevere with it to finally realise just how phenomenal this album is.
It features some truly beautiful songs, which require further and further examination. The first chorus of "Australia" ("we'll fly down to Sydney for a holiday, on sunny Christmas day, Australia")is pure theatre musical, as it builds up to the incredible bathos of Ray Davis singing the title word.
"Young and Innocent Days" mourns the passing of youth so eloquently and to me is one of their best songs. It's only beaten by the epic "Shangri-La" and the more widely known "Victoria"; two songs that you just wish you'd written yourself.
What really adds to most of the songs is the subtle brass sections that occasionally find their way in and push the tunes just a little bit further - not enough to drown the song but just enough to add something.
The Kinks, to me, were THE English band of the 60's and Ray Davis has written some incredible songs. This album contains some of them and shows Ray Davis at his songwriting peak. A seminal underrated album from quite possibly the most important band of the 60's. OK, the Beatles wrote some good stuff but Ray Davis was on a par musically, and lyrically with this album and others he continually evoked a real sense of England during this decade, and for that I think it makes the Kinks truly unique.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is a blast from the past for me. Here is an offering from the Kinks that I suppose belongs to the much maligned days of the concept album! Strange and quirky the songs may be, but they're cute and catchy. It strikes me as similar to the Village Green Preservation Society album but with a bit more drive and a few more layers.
I'm sure I've got the original on vinyl somewhere, but this is a must have buy-back on CD.
Stand out tracks are the deliciously titled "She's bought a Hat Like Princess Marina," "Nothing to Say," the title track "Arthur," and "Mr Churchill Says."
Great album this for nostalgia freaks one way or another.
Listen and marvel - the Ray and the Kinks at their best!
I'm sure I've got the original on vinyl somewhere, but this is a must have buy-back on CD.
Stand out tracks are the deliciously titled "She's bought a Hat Like Princess Marina," "Nothing to Say," the title track "Arthur," and "Mr Churchill Says."
Great album this for nostalgia freaks one way or another.
Listen and marvel - the Ray and the Kinks at their best!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is one of the best albums of the 60's and no doubt about it.
Originally intended as a soundtrack to a BBC series, the deal fell through but Ray Davies wrote the album anyway. The concept of the album is the history Britain from the early 1900's to present day (ie the 60's) as seen through the eyes of everyday man Arthur. This is, however not an important aspect as to how enjoyable all the music is. Some of the Kinks best songs ever are right here on this album, mixing tail end phycedelia and Davies rock, with heart rendering generic lyrics. I've never been in a war, but 'Some Mother's Son' strikes me right in the heart with it's image of a dead soldier on a battlefield, always looking the same in his mother's eyes. The music is perfect, with Dave Davies' guitar work riffing about everywhere, and some of the best horn arrangements I've so far heardon a rock album.
Buy this even just for 'Shangri-La', the best Kinks song ever.
Originally intended as a soundtrack to a BBC series, the deal fell through but Ray Davies wrote the album anyway. The concept of the album is the history Britain from the early 1900's to present day (ie the 60's) as seen through the eyes of everyday man Arthur. This is, however not an important aspect as to how enjoyable all the music is. Some of the Kinks best songs ever are right here on this album, mixing tail end phycedelia and Davies rock, with heart rendering generic lyrics. I've never been in a war, but 'Some Mother's Son' strikes me right in the heart with it's image of a dead soldier on a battlefield, always looking the same in his mother's eyes. The music is perfect, with Dave Davies' guitar work riffing about everywhere, and some of the best horn arrangements I've so far heardon a rock album.
Buy this even just for 'Shangri-La', the best Kinks song ever.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Kinks at their British best
I bought this at the same time as Village Green, having only heard Victoria and Shangri-La and found this to be the superior album. Read more
Published on 14 Feb 2003 by "amusicfanagain"
Great package for the Kinks fan
I bought this late on in my Kinks collection and I think this is best. Get into the early stuff first and then progress alongside with the Ray Davis's song writing to later albums... Read more
Published on 26 April 2001 by adamfozzy@talk21.com
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
