Back to the roots of Ray and Dave with a firm foot on American soil. Blues, rock, country, americana, whatever you call it, the record does not disappoint.
With every other song spinning on the turntable, it becomes more and more clear why this is the Record of the year 1972. The cover shows The Kinks pretending to be unexpectedly hanging in the bar, some guests observing them with slight curiousity. Not just any bar, probably a bar in Muswell Hill, the neighbourhood where the brothers Davies were raised and The Kinks found each other. I have the 1980 pressing from Pickwick (ACL-7074) in front of me of the album recorded in 1971 with RCA Records. Their first album for this label. The colours are great, but unfortunately not the beautiful gatefold sleeve. Something for my wishlist...
The music though is all there. A little too much country for someone's liking, but I love it. The variety with the brass section added on some of the songs creates this amazing sound. One of my personal favourites - the upbeat though tragic song about Alcohol - the brass band makes it sound like a song from the streets. Sung by an incredible musical talent. The last song on side 1 is the perfect example of the great lyrics a genius mind linke Ray's can write. Let's uncomplicate life. Ladi dah di dahdah...
Turning the record the amazing lyrics continue. Songs of love, work, everyday issues, aka life. Ending the album with nothing other than the song 'Muswell Hillbilly'.
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