Ray Davies is one of the greatest songwriting talents that Britain has ever
produced. From his
earliest days with the Kinks he was tremendously prolific. His wry take on the
British way of life was matched by uncanny melodic and commercial sensibilities,
resulting in a body of work that remains unsurpassed. From ‘You Really Got
Me’ on, the Kinks’ popularity and influence across the globe has been huge,
ably demonstrated by the many covers of Davies songs.
“Kinked! Kinks Songs & Sessions 1964–1971” is an alternative celebration of the Kinks’ first decade, via the songs that “got away”, when a surfeit of strong material was shopped by Davies’ then publisher and management, both in the UK and overseas. These tunes include several signature items never officially recorded by the Kinks: ‘I Go To Sleep’, ‘This Strange Effect’, ‘All Night Stand’; or released well in advance of the Kinks’ own versions.
The range of interpreters is wide, from pop-jazz chanteuse Peggy Lee and teen idol Bobby Rydell to Brit-girls the Orchids and Goldie & The Gingerbreads, UK mainstays Herman’s Hermits and the Pretty Things, sessioneer Nicky Hopkins, satirist Barry Fantoni, US garage punk avatars the Chocolate Watchband and R&B veterans the Olympics. Several cuts are previously unissued alternate versions / mixes or recent vault discoveries.
“Kinked!” also gathers together tracks which feature some or all of the Kinks as accompaniment, such as the obscure ‘King Of The Whole Wide World’. And as writer, Kinks guitar-slinger extraordinaire Dave Davies contributes one track, the rare beat pounder ‘One Fine Day’.