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Review
Ray Davies solo albums are a bit like London buses - you wait over 40 years for one to arrive - then two turn up one after the other. It seems incredible that a songwriter as respected, acclaimed and lionised as Davies should only be releasing his second solo record in 2007.
That said, Working Man's Café is not likely to disappoint generations of Davies fans. Lyrically speaking, all his trademark wry and sardonic observations on life are present. As one of rock music's most lauded social commentators Ray peppers the majority of these new songs with nicely-honed and bang up-to-date assessments of the world as he sees it today: a conflicted, contradictory and globalized shopping centre mired in double standards and creeping 'Americanisation'.
This could be judged as the grumpy old man of The Kinks indulging in some nostalgia-driven baby-boomer whingeing. But this would be unfair. Instead, Davies pinpoints the concerns of the moment from the perspective of a man who has seen England and the world beyond it change almost beyond recognition! and as far as Ray is concerned, not for the better. On "You're Asking Me" Ray sounds genuinely peeved and rocks out accordingly, but the signature whimsical and wistful touches in his voice and music means he never slips into the angry old rocker cliché.
Probably the most radio-friendly offering is the sweetly catchy "In A Moment" which veers towards a southern soul feel with bluesy guitar, organ and electric piano chugging blissfully in the background as Ray gets things of his chest and shows he's still got plenty of great hooks up his sleeve. There are more introspective moments and the familiar lament of love gone awry haunts many of these but the swampy blues of The 'Voodoo Walk' are quickly erased by the stadium-rocking "Hymn For New Age" as Davies cries out for spiritual meaning in a world of failed religions.
'Wry' Davies can still sum up in two lines what some songwriters struggle to achieve in entire albums!and some cases careers! He's not going to win any singing competitions and sometimes the playing on the album is a little perfunctory, but Working Man's Café is brimming with what we want and need from Davies - observational bulletins on our current times wrapped around bitter-sweet music forged by a still-prying mind. --Greg Boraman
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
32 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is Ray's follow up to 2006's 'Other People's Lives' which - although good - felt overproduced and somewhat detached. This album sounds and feels like it was written and recorded with a sense of purpose and energy. The production this time is cleaner and less bombastic. The songs demonstrate that the guy retains his ability to write very well crafted songs. Ray's lyrics and melodies are very much his own unique style. Tracks like 'Working Man's Cafe', 'Morphine Song', 'Peace in our Time' and 'Imaginary Man' stand out as excellent. There are passes back to Village Green in songs like 'You're Asking Me'. Mr Davies is in excellent voice and sounds like he is enjoying himself. This is a more coherent album than 'Other People's Lives' and is a collection of songs he must be proud of. For Kinks fans from both the English era (there are plenty of whimsical, music hall moments) and the US period (the production is pretty muscular) both camps will be happy with this new album. Well done Ray and thanks again for a great collection of new material.
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
"Working Man's Café" is Ray Davies' second solo-release in two years; but it actually could be called his first real solo album. "Return to Waterloo" from 1985 was a soundtrack-album, "Storyteller" was mainly a live-recording and last year's "Other People's Lives" was recorded over a 3-4 years period.
It been more than ten years since Ray last recorded with brother Dave as the Kinks, so maybe it's irrelevant to compare his present music with his legendary band. But as his vocals and songs were such a big part of the band's profile, it's really hard not to do so; especially as his new album has so many ingredients that were also typical of the Kinks.
The raw unpolished sound that characterised the Kinks' early recordings for Pye is more or less reinvented on this new album; and this without losing Ray's unique melodic touch. Actually this new album features most virtues of the best Kinks albums. Great songs, lots of energy, great vocals and a lot of variation - without losing consistency.
"Other People's Lives" was not a bad album at all, but it did not really work as well as an album as this new release. Several songs deserve to be brought forward, and a good handful of them are already among my Davies favourites.
There some very beautiful ballads; several with moving melancholy lyrics. The closing track "Real World" is a great song in the vein of "Don't Forget to Dance". "Imaginary Man" is another ballad - just as strong. "One More Time" is a great midtempo song, very much sounding like the Kinks of the late 70's.
More bluesy is "Working Man's Café" and "Morphine Song" has some female harmony vocals that make you think of "Preservation Act" - both fine tracks.
"You're Asking Me" is Ray at his wildest - great melodic rocker - with a "Sunny Afternoon" bridge - it's almost as if Dave Davies singing the harmony vocals; an obvious live-favourite.
A great album from an artist who has neither lost his powerful voice nor his unique writing skills.
It been more than ten years since Ray last recorded with brother Dave as the Kinks, so maybe it's irrelevant to compare his present music with his legendary band. But as his vocals and songs were such a big part of the band's profile, it's really hard not to do so; especially as his new album has so many ingredients that were also typical of the Kinks.
The raw unpolished sound that characterised the Kinks' early recordings for Pye is more or less reinvented on this new album; and this without losing Ray's unique melodic touch. Actually this new album features most virtues of the best Kinks albums. Great songs, lots of energy, great vocals and a lot of variation - without losing consistency.
"Other People's Lives" was not a bad album at all, but it did not really work as well as an album as this new release. Several songs deserve to be brought forward, and a good handful of them are already among my Davies favourites.
There some very beautiful ballads; several with moving melancholy lyrics. The closing track "Real World" is a great song in the vein of "Don't Forget to Dance". "Imaginary Man" is another ballad - just as strong. "One More Time" is a great midtempo song, very much sounding like the Kinks of the late 70's.
More bluesy is "Working Man's Café" and "Morphine Song" has some female harmony vocals that make you think of "Preservation Act" - both fine tracks.
"You're Asking Me" is Ray at his wildest - great melodic rocker - with a "Sunny Afternoon" bridge - it's almost as if Dave Davies singing the harmony vocals; an obvious live-favourite.
A great album from an artist who has neither lost his powerful voice nor his unique writing skills.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have to admit to being quite surprised when I heard that Ray Davies was releasing a new album so soon after his excellent first solo effort from 2006, Other People's Lives, and wondered just how good a follow-up could be, coming so hot on the heels of his last work. I braced myself for what I was going to hear, especially given that, after I'd ordered Working Man's Cafe from Amazon, it was announced that this album was going to be given away with a Sunday newspaper. How good could an album be that Ray was willing to give away? It didn't look hopeful.
Oddly enough, this is probably the best album from either Ray Davies or The Kinks since the early 1970s. Other People's Lives was a fantastic album, but - to my ears - this is actually better. It starts steadily with Vietnam Cowboys, a wry commentary on globalisation and the way the tide is turning in favour of the countries that the West have traditionally exploited. Suddenly, we have You're Asking Me, a passionate, angry song with more bollocks than a bull elephant on testosterone supplements - it is a moment of true greatness. Working Man's Café is next, a beautiful, nostalgic, romantic, instantly classic track mourning the loss of England's identity and a simpler time.
Ray returns to his storytelling best on the great Morphine Song, full of interesting characters and helped along by a catchy, brass-filled big chorus. Next up is In A Moment, a fantastic minor verse, major chorus song with a hook Ray would probably have killed for during his difficult late 70's period and a wonderfully enjoyable guitar solo. Peace In Our Time, a heavy-ish melodic rock song continues the album nicely, as does No One Listen, a moody, high-tempo, jazzy track which bears a slight musical similarity to Stand Up Comic, a track from Other People's Lives.
Some more rock/pop brilliance is on this Café's menu with Imaginary Man, a song which could easily have been a stand-out on many of Ray's other albums, but amongst such aural gold, it is merely one of the very solid album tracks. One More Time, however, is something very special indeed. Full of wisdom gathered through a lifetime's experience, it rivals Working Man's Café as the most touching nostalgic song on this exceptional collection - the music and the lyrics gel together with the touch of genius and never fail to make me brush back the tears during the final verse.
The only really ordinary track is The Voodoo Walk, which suffers the fate of being only merely a good song amongst the great. It's very listenable, but the standard of the album is restored with the theologically-themed Hymn For A New Age and the final song, The Real World which picks up the recurring theme of an older person alienated by a society moving too fast for them. It finishes the album excellently and leaves you marvelling at the sound of an artist who has truly and completely re-discovered his songwriting talent. Ray is writing with passion, intelligence, humour and with the almost effortless knack of creating supremely catchy, enjoyable music whilst matching it with lyrics which connect, provoke, caress and take you places you didn't even know you wanted to go. Let Ray take you to the Working Man's Café - you won't regret it.
Oddly enough, this is probably the best album from either Ray Davies or The Kinks since the early 1970s. Other People's Lives was a fantastic album, but - to my ears - this is actually better. It starts steadily with Vietnam Cowboys, a wry commentary on globalisation and the way the tide is turning in favour of the countries that the West have traditionally exploited. Suddenly, we have You're Asking Me, a passionate, angry song with more bollocks than a bull elephant on testosterone supplements - it is a moment of true greatness. Working Man's Café is next, a beautiful, nostalgic, romantic, instantly classic track mourning the loss of England's identity and a simpler time.
Ray returns to his storytelling best on the great Morphine Song, full of interesting characters and helped along by a catchy, brass-filled big chorus. Next up is In A Moment, a fantastic minor verse, major chorus song with a hook Ray would probably have killed for during his difficult late 70's period and a wonderfully enjoyable guitar solo. Peace In Our Time, a heavy-ish melodic rock song continues the album nicely, as does No One Listen, a moody, high-tempo, jazzy track which bears a slight musical similarity to Stand Up Comic, a track from Other People's Lives.
Some more rock/pop brilliance is on this Café's menu with Imaginary Man, a song which could easily have been a stand-out on many of Ray's other albums, but amongst such aural gold, it is merely one of the very solid album tracks. One More Time, however, is something very special indeed. Full of wisdom gathered through a lifetime's experience, it rivals Working Man's Café as the most touching nostalgic song on this exceptional collection - the music and the lyrics gel together with the touch of genius and never fail to make me brush back the tears during the final verse.
The only really ordinary track is The Voodoo Walk, which suffers the fate of being only merely a good song amongst the great. It's very listenable, but the standard of the album is restored with the theologically-themed Hymn For A New Age and the final song, The Real World which picks up the recurring theme of an older person alienated by a society moving too fast for them. It finishes the album excellently and leaves you marvelling at the sound of an artist who has truly and completely re-discovered his songwriting talent. Ray is writing with passion, intelligence, humour and with the almost effortless knack of creating supremely catchy, enjoyable music whilst matching it with lyrics which connect, provoke, caress and take you places you didn't even know you wanted to go. Let Ray take you to the Working Man's Café - you won't regret it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Working Man's Cafe: Ray Davies - A hymn for a new age?
In his second solo album since the dissolution of the Kinks, Ray Davies continues to show that his music is distinct from the group he fronted for so many years. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Victor
only glimpses of the old magic
There are only glimpses of the old magic that produced 'Waterloo Sunset', 'Days', 'Autumn Almanac' and 'Come Dancing'. Read more
Published 18 months ago by D. M. Johnstone
Great Songs From An All-Time Musical Genius
First of all, The Kinks are my favourite band of all-time. I like every song Ray Davies has written...and I'm sure that there are many more I've yet to hear. Read more
Published 20 months ago by MEGAMARKJAMESGRANT
His best for 35 years
Like a lot of people, I came to this album having acquired it as a freebie with a Sunday newspaper. Have to say though that this is Ray Davies back to his best, writing songs at a... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Terrahurtz
A surprisingly strong album
As a long time fan I had become used to new albums from Ray , whether Kinks or solo , being patchy , a few good songs and alot of filler , never bad but not always that great... Read more
Published on 15 Dec 2009 by I. Stuart
Exactly What You Would Expect from Ray Davies
If you are a Ray Davies fan you'll know what to expect and you won't be disappointed. Thoughtful, reflective and at times angry lyrics combined with a variety of musical styles -... Read more
Published on 14 Jan 2009 by Terry Smith
Working Man's Cafe
OK, I admit it. I'm a tight git, I got my copy from the Sunday Times. It took me quite a few weeks to play it, but one Saturday morning I did. Was I surprised! Read more
Published on 15 Dec 2008 by Mr. John F. H. Mcdade
Free With the Times
I got this free with a news paper and actualy forgot all about it. Tidying the house the other day I found it. Read more
Published on 17 May 2008 by Mr. C. T. ROBERTS
A bad case of nostalgia
First of all I am a big fan of Ray Davies; I like the Kinks and enjoy his more recent work, particularly his London 'opera', and I didn't want this album to be like the Kinks - I... Read more
Published on 20 Jan 2008 by Melville
Much Better!
I didn't reckon much of Rays debut solo album, Other Peoples Lives, so I wasn't going to bother with this new one. Read more
Published on 14 Dec 2007 by D Skilton
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