Ayers, Kevin - Songs for Insane Times 4 x CD box set (due to size and weight, for sale in the USA and 'possessions' only)
SKU
28-HARVEST521557
Subtitled "An Anthology 1969-1980, this covers very well at a reasonable price the highlights of this unique singer/songwriter/bon vivant. Of course the majority of the material is (rightly) drawn from his initial 1st few years' output on, but this also includes later material and it nicely cherry-picks the winners from that later period and makes a good case that he still 'had it', even if not as consistantly as before. In addition to all of that on the 1st 3 discs, disc 4 is a previously unreleased recording taken from The Queen Elizabeth Hall, London on 25th May 1973. So...an excellent and opulent introduction to his work if you want a great compilation and a big tease if you already own his albums and just want the unreleased material. And if by some chance you don't know who he is or why you would be interested in him, read the following!
"Kevin Ayers is one of rock's oddest and more likable enigmas, even if often he's seemed not to operate at his highest potential. Perhaps that's because he's never seemed to have taken his music too seriously -- one of his essential charms and most aggravating limitations. Since the late '60s, he's released many albums with a distinctly British sensibility, making ordinary lyrical subjects seem extraordinary with his rich low vocals, inventive wordplay, and bemused, relaxed attitude. Apt to flavor his songs with female backup choruses and exotic island rhythms, the singer/songwriter inspires the image of a sort of progressive rock beach bum, writing about life's absurdities with a celebratory, relaxed detachment. Yet he is also one of progressive rock's more important (and more humane) innovators, helping to launch the Soft Machine as their original bassist, and working with noted European progressive musicians like Mike Oldfield, Lol Coxhill, and Steve Hillage."-Richie Unterberger/All Music Guide
Customer Reviews
Average Rating
