Ray Davies
Martin Siberok
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Davies: From Muswell Hill to the Big Easy
photo: courtesy Ray Davies
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Long live the Kink
Ray Davies will always be synonymous with The Kinks even though the band no longer exists. As its lead singer and main songwriter, Davies was the heart of the famed '60s quartet; he was the creative mastermind behind the band's long string of hits, including You Really Got Me, All Day and All of the Night, Sunny Afternoon and Lola.Last month, Davies released his first solo album, Other People's Lives, after being in the music business for over 40 years. In a recent teleconference, Davies discussed his latest project, one that he started in 1998. The long delay involved switching record companies, moving to New Orleans, recording problems and upheaval in his personal life. But the most traumatic experience came on January 4, 2004, when he was shot in the leg during a mugging in New Orleans.
When asked if any of the new songs were influenced by the event, Davies said they have "absolutely nothing to do with it whatsoever."
Then he added, "We recorded about 10 of the songs [he wrote there], but only two of the songs on this album are New Orleans songs, and they were recorded before the incident."
Other People's Lives reaffirms Davies' stature as a master storyteller whose sharp-witted and insightful lyrics have given life to an array of unforgettable characters over the years.
Davies said he found the inspiration for many of his Kinks songs in the surroundings of the north London suburb of Muswell Hill. "I wrote about what I knew and that was the
neighbourhood I grew up in. All [my] songs about people are inspired by characters who live probably 100 yards near me. It's so very localized."But [they] also pick up on the wistful and ironic facets of English culture. English people are a little bit wistful and mundane, and I like the people that have little quirks in their lives and lower-achieving people. I think they're worth writing about."
For all those fans still longing for a Kinks reunion, Davies - backed by guitarist Mark Johns, bassist Dick Nolan and drummer Toby Baron - will satisfy some of that desire, since his setlist contains several of those unforgettable classics.
Ray Davies
At Théâtre Olympia, March 29
| Ray Davies in Chicago at the Vic |
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Ray's show last night at the Vic Theater in Chicago was energetic and superb. He played a mix of crowd-pleasing favorites, semi-obscure Kink fan classics and new material from the solo album. All of it was engaging with Ray showing now signs of being 61 years old. His between-song banter, storytelling and sharp sense of humor were all displayed for the sellout crowd. He played two multi-song encores at the end of the two set show.
The backing band was very good. There's no real substitute for Dave but Ray did dedicate a song to his brother and another one to his sister.
He's on stage at the same venue tonight. Wish I could be there. He's a gem and a must see for all fans of rock music.
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Jeff Johnson
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Wow, just emerged from the show at Theatre Olympia and am still riding a pretty intense adrenalin rush! Ray Davies was in vintage form, belting out new tunes, old classics and everything in between, backed by a crack band. He was so incredibly gracious, taking requests that came to him in the form of plastic plates being hurled to the stage, regaling us with stories, all the while sharing the joy, wisdom, and wit that has sustained him throughout his long and storied career. Ray even ended the night by playing a series of Kink classics that totally brought the house down - All Day and All of the Night, You Really Got Me Now, and Lola which had the crowd grooving and singing in unison - the dude truly hasn't lost a step in the 20 or so years since he last graced us with his unique pioneering musical aesthetic...only hope that he wends his way back here sooner than later!
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Mark St Pierre
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