I’ve wanted to do this record for a long time.
I love the Kinks and I also liked the concept album thing. I wasn’t long out of school (forced out) when I grabbed this album. CB was a schoolboy in disgrace for sure.
Ray sets the stage from the opening cut, his vocals are all nostalgic, thinking of his schooldays. He’s probably the only person who could sing this tune (album) with the emotion that brings it to life. Ray is the narrator of this tale like only he could be. Does anyone do this better? On the second cut Jack is the idiot dunce until he hits the dance floor proving you “don’t need a high IQ to make your body move”.
The Kinks take you through our hero’s schooldays from start to finish. Telling of his adventures and misadventures. The songs all fit the story and you can pluck a few out that are stand-alones like ‘Education’ which is just a great rocker along with ‘The Hard Way’. Some really good music being played behind all of Ray’s shenanigans. Always liked Dave and Mick’s playing. John Gosling adds his Garth Hudson type licks. The whole band lays down the appropriate backing. I love when Dave busts out with his great rock licks.
But back to Rays performance because that’s what it is, a performance . He doowops his way through falling in love (we’ve all been there), making a confession to the headmaster (I could really feel for the poor bastard on this one. It was all “the naughty little girls ” fault ) on ‘Headmaster’, then becoming the headmaster and berating the pupils.”You’re much to dumb to educate”. Ray Davies is such a great songwriter, stirring up feelings, emotions, images. He and the Kinks really are CB favorites. ‘The Last Assembly’ sees our character at the end of his journey. He made it. ‘No More Looking Back’ is the albums coda and a step outside the story. A Kinks masterpiece. Our character reminiscing. Very good finish. I love this album!
I had an acquaintance who saw the band perform this album. He said it was just one special show. I saw the The Kinks live a few times and they would bust out a couple cuts from this record. “Hard Way’ is just an out and out rocker. with Ray dropping into character.
I literally wore this record out. One of my favorite covers front and back. The Kinks might have been in disgrace but CB was with them. They could do no wrong with me. I had a few concept albums up to this point and I would get lost in them. This was no exception. Yup CB did the education thing the hard-way, there was just no way around it. This should stir up some memories for you while being entertained by one of the best bands in my book.
Array on Movie : American Heart | |
cincinnatibabyhead on Movie : American Heart | |
cincinnatibabyhead on Movie : American Heart | |
Jim S. on Movie : American Heart | |
Jim S. on Movie : American Heart |
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cincinnatibabyhead on Movie : American Heart | |
cincinnatibabyhead on Movie : American Heart | |
Jim S. on Movie : American Heart | |
Jim S. on Movie : American Heart |
It might surprise CB that I don’t really know this album very well. Sure, I recognize and know a tune or two. But it wasn’t one of my top Kinks albums. But now that you bring it to the fore I think I’ll give it a spin.
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I think it was dismissed by a lot of those “know it alls” back in the day. I love it. Dave does some great work that like I said is mixed in with his brothers carrying ons. ‘Headmaster’ shows Dave licks. Underrated guitar guy. Doing your usual research I think you’ll like the story behind the song. ‘He’s been a naughty little boy again”
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It’s hard to believe, but apparently The Kinks are sort of back together, working on a new album. Maybe they’ll even go on tour. That would be fantastic. But I’m not holding my breath.
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That would be good as long as it isn’t one of those going through the motions things. I really think that when Ray is on and has that core of his brother and Mick in the fold it would be magic. I seen Ray solo a few years ago and it was brilliant. Lets get a few of the boys and girls together and go to the gig.
Like I was saying to Music Enthusiast, check out the story behind ‘Headmaster’. Worth it. I’ll link the song below. I think it’s classic Kinks. Firing on all cylinders. Lyrics, vocals, humor, Dave’s licks ..The Kinks vibe.
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Good tune.
I can’t remember if I have this album. I’ll take a look.
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Nice to see an album featured that doesn’t usually get much attention. I like ’60s Kinks, and there a few ’70s songs by them that I like. For me, there has to be a good tune, though, and concepts/stories are secondary. But you’ve piqued my curiosity, CB, so I’ll make a point of revisiting my schooldays with a listen.
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That’s what i found with this record, the music is still there under Ray’s carrying on. The Preservation records and Soap Opera and this were itches they scratched. The next two albums ‘Misfits’ and “Sleepwalker’ got away from the concept thing and are two strong records but what the hell do I know?
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I listened to this today and yeah, it’s a good album and almost completely overlooked by ME (Aka Jack the Idiot Dunce.) A few surprises. One is that they start the album out with a ballad, “Schooldays.” It’s a good one but am I the only one that hears the Eagles sound all over that? Another surprise is how much room they gave brother Dave to cook. And cook he does. Some nice, tasty, blistering licks. Interestingly,there’s also to these ears a 50’s feel on some of the cuts. I suppose that makes sense ‘coz that’s when the Brothers Davies would have been in school by my reckoning. Funny but I thought of “Another Brick in the Wall.” Nobody really remembers grade school with any fondness but the Brits seem to really have (or had) such a punitive, restrictive system.
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I never got the “Eagles” thing but when I just listened to it now, Dave’s opening lick and a few others does have a bit of that sound.
I found their sound more full compared to their early stripped down stuff but they still do the power chord thing on a couple tunes.
The horns, keyboards were a different touch on a few cuts but you are absolutely right about Dave, he stands out on this. Is it me Doc or is he another one that doesn’t get his due for being a great guitarist? Maybe in another band with a different style he would have stood out more. He adds so much to The Kinks sound.
Your right on their influences. I know the brothers both acknowledge their older sisters listening habits as a huge influence and yeah the whole English education thing. Ray has a bit of a go at it on this album with his usual whit and sense of humor. Good insights fella.
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Well, I know Rolling Stone doesn’t get a lot of love but Dave is on their Top 100 list. BTW, I can’t find anything on a possible Kinks reunion. That could be either great or a disaster but either way I’d have to be there.
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That RS list surprises me. Maybe some old schoolers like us has a vote,
Watched a good interview with Dave on Jonesy’s Jukebox. what a cool interview and what a likable guy.
I would like to think it would be good. If the mindset was right it would be awesome. Special stuff.
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Turns out whoever said the Kinks were working on stuff was right. Not necessarily touring. But maybe per Dave. See you there.
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/ray-dave-davies-new-kinks-songs-for-possible-album-859754/
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It was Neil I think and yeah that is real good news. See you there.
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Nice one, Village Green is my sole Kinks though.
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I think you’d be a “Schoolboy In Disgrace” with your uniform on. You have some work to do on the Kinks ketchup.
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I don’t really know much about the Kinks beyond the greatest hits. I’ll put this at the top of the list to give a spin.
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Speaking about ‘Around The Dial’ it’s a great Kinks tune. If you ever see any Kinks vinyl on your excursions pick them up!
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It might surprise you to learn that I’ve never been a big Kinks fan. I replaced the albums I had with a compilation, as I just didn’t really care too much for them. Naturally I never investigated this one.
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No surprise J, music chooses us. I get it. Out of those early bands from your side, The Kinks and The Who are the ones I listened to the most. But bands like Cream, Fleetwood Mac and Traffic were just as big with me.
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The Who are another, actually. Great singles, and despite a wee period there where I was really interested in listening to the albums, I struggle with them after the initial listen.
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‘Live At Leeds’ set the hook for me. Then I discovered the other stuff. Almost a different band from the Leeds stuff. I like all they’re music but I have a place for when they wig out nice and loud.
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Cannae beat nice and loud wig outs.
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Gotta be in total agreement with you here, the Kinks could do no wrong! Always loved them, always admired their punky style way before it was ever invented and merchandised…Ray Davies is a genius and still rocks on! Great article and thanks for reminding me of this great record!
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We have common ground here for sure. a favorite band of mine.
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Although I have always been a Beatles fan…they were the first that I ever heard and I learned to speak English listening to their songs, I still love the rocking power of the Kinks!
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Such a cool story. So I guess you sound like Ray? So many great songs Francisco. You go from that “rocking power” and then Ray writes one of my all time favorite tunes in ‘Waterloo sunset’. Talk about beautiful.
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Absolutely!
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