The Kinks
Think back to the music of the 60’s and immediately people think of The Beatles or The Rolling Stones, two bands that shaped the world of pop-rock as we know it today. All too often forgotten though are London based The Kinks, and band whose music is synonymous with the era, whether people realise it or not. Formed in Muswell Hill in 1964, the band drew influence from the likes of music hall, folk, country and rhythm and blues to form a sound unlike most of the other bands on the scene, giving them a unique stand point in the market and making them a force to be reckoned with throughout their time together.
When asked to think of The Kinks, most people will think of their track You Really Got Me, released in 1964 and immediately gaining international recognition (number 1 in the UK and the top 10 in the US), however there was far more to The Kinks than this one standalone track. Delve into their back catalogue and you suddenly realise they were responsible for such hits as Waterloo Sunset, Lola and Dedicated Follower Of Fashion, all tracks which are known, loved, and have stood the test of time despite the close to 50 years that have passed since their initial releases.
In order to celebrate the history of The Kinks and the music they produced, Universal will be releasing a 6 CD collection of The Kinks live at The BBC, showcasing the bands music, their time at The BBC, and their ability to hold court over interviews with well know muso’s such as Johnny Walker. Also featuring live sessions specifically recorded for the likes of the John Peel Sessions and the Dave Lee Travis show, this is a collection for any true fan of The Kinks or anyone who has any interest in their music or the era.
6 CD’s is a hefty collection to work through, yet each CD comes as a gem to behold, packaged in a classically designed case and featuring tracks which will remind you of days gone by, moments you had forgotten or simply, get you singing along to tracks you forgot you knew. What I found most striking about the set was the sheer number of tracks I knew, and as someone who grew up on 90’s Alternative as well as some 80’s stuff (although I’ve done my best to forget it) it’s no mean feat to achieve. Granted, The Kinks received a new lease of life during the 90’s when the likes of Van Halen pulled their tracks out of the closet for cover versions, but it’s still striking just how much music this band are responsible for.
Keeping the listener interested from start to finish, the recordings all hark back to the hey-day of the band, offering up sounds which simply can’t be replicated on digital format unless they were originally recorded in that manner and showing that back then, you had to be able to play and perform if you were going to be in a band as there wasn’t any digitalisation at their disposal. High points for me included the live recordings of Dedicated Follower Of Fashion from Late Night Line Up and Lazy Sunny Afternoon from the same show, both demonstrating the bands ability to play and the timeless nature of their sounds.
In short, this is a boxed set which quite simply, you have to own. From start to finish there’s tracks on offer which will have you singing along, have you wishing you’d seen them live, and have you reaching for those records once again. Due out on August 13th 2012, definitely one you need to look out for.
Keep up to date with releases from The Kinks, HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
When asked to think of The Kinks, most people will think of their track You Really Got Me, released in 1964 and immediately gaining international recognition (number 1 in the UK and the top 10 in the US), however there was far more to The Kinks than this one standalone track. Delve into their back catalogue and you suddenly realise they were responsible for such hits as Waterloo Sunset, Lola and Dedicated Follower Of Fashion, all tracks which are known, loved, and have stood the test of time despite the close to 50 years that have passed since their initial releases.
In order to celebrate the history of The Kinks and the music they produced, Universal will be releasing a 6 CD collection of The Kinks live at The BBC, showcasing the bands music, their time at The BBC, and their ability to hold court over interviews with well know muso’s such as Johnny Walker. Also featuring live sessions specifically recorded for the likes of the John Peel Sessions and the Dave Lee Travis show, this is a collection for any true fan of The Kinks or anyone who has any interest in their music or the era.
6 CD’s is a hefty collection to work through, yet each CD comes as a gem to behold, packaged in a classically designed case and featuring tracks which will remind you of days gone by, moments you had forgotten or simply, get you singing along to tracks you forgot you knew. What I found most striking about the set was the sheer number of tracks I knew, and as someone who grew up on 90’s Alternative as well as some 80’s stuff (although I’ve done my best to forget it) it’s no mean feat to achieve. Granted, The Kinks received a new lease of life during the 90’s when the likes of Van Halen pulled their tracks out of the closet for cover versions, but it’s still striking just how much music this band are responsible for.
Keeping the listener interested from start to finish, the recordings all hark back to the hey-day of the band, offering up sounds which simply can’t be replicated on digital format unless they were originally recorded in that manner and showing that back then, you had to be able to play and perform if you were going to be in a band as there wasn’t any digitalisation at their disposal. High points for me included the live recordings of Dedicated Follower Of Fashion from Late Night Line Up and Lazy Sunny Afternoon from the same show, both demonstrating the bands ability to play and the timeless nature of their sounds.
In short, this is a boxed set which quite simply, you have to own. From start to finish there’s tracks on offer which will have you singing along, have you wishing you’d seen them live, and have you reaching for those records once again. Due out on August 13th 2012, definitely one you need to look out for.
Keep up to date with releases from The Kinks, HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls